Project Runway: The Broken Road to Bryant Park

Just when you thought it was safe to get excited about Project Runway’s finale at Bryant Park, if indeed that was what you were intending to do, there is some unfinished business to take care of…

As you may recall there are four contestants strutting down the road to fashion week. The problem is only three will make it there. While Emilio and Seth Aaron are guaranteed to show their work, Mila and Jay Nicholas have to fight for the last spot.

Tim comes out to set the designers off on making their collection. The designers have $9,000 and four months to create 10 designs to be shown at fashion week. For Mila and Jay there is an additional challenge; they must choose three looks from their collection that will be judged head to head. The best designer wins a place at fashion week. Both Mila and Jay are unconcerned about this event. While both are aware of the potential heartbreak of not making it to the end, they are assured of the integrity of their designs. As are Seth Aaron, who thinks that he can win Bryant Park, and Emilio who spews arrogance about his worthiness once again.

The designers pack up and head back to their hometowns. Three months later; it’s four weeks until Bryant Park and Tim comes out to check on the designers’ progress.

The first designer is Seth Aaron in the state of Washington. From the first glance, Tim is astounded by the sheer quantity of his collection. Seth Aaron has created 15 pieces for his collection. His plan is to take 20 outfits to Bryant Park, and from those choose the 10 pieces that will be shown. Seth Aaron’s look is heavily black and white. While Tim finds the looks all beautiful and cohesive, he cautions Seth that his collection is NOT going to win. It is classic Seth Aaron, and while that is good it is also not surprising to the judges. Tim tells Seth to start over (ouch), re-conceptualize the whole collection (double ouch), and present the judges with a new and unexpected Seth Aaron.

Next up is Emilio in New York. Emilio describes to Tim how he was inspired by color; he then proceeds to parade a variety of choir robes for Tim’s consideration. Colorful choir robes. Emilio tells Tim that he was inspired by the 40s. In Emilio’s own words, Tim is speechless. He doesn’t see that this may not be a good thing, as the look of abject horror on Tim’s face may be too subtle for Emilio who is already assured of his own greatness. When Tim finally does speak he warns Emilio that his looks might get lost on the runway, where the judges will be viewing them from. He also warns Emilio that there is an absence of sophistication, and that the clothes look old. Emilio takes this just as you thought he would, based on past criticism. He argues with Tim, tells Tim he’s a good designer and the judges know this. He seems to think that no matter how bad his designs his previous designs will spare him the judges’ criticisms. Tim leaves Emilio with a few encouraging words, and it doesn’t really matter what he said, Emilio wouldn’t have listened anyway. Let’s hope this is his tragic flaw.

The next designer Tim visits is Mila in California. Mila tells Tim that she is not focused on just creating three looks; rather she is focused on a strong collection. From there she will choose her favorite pieces. Mila was inspired by the shadows, she explains, and as such her looks are mostly black and white, although with a few spots of color. Tim thinks that Mila’s pieces are beautiful, but tells her that they are also conservative and matronly. For the most part Tim seems very pleased. Also, of note, everything at Mila’s is black and white: her outfit, her house, her dog (Dalmatian). Everything is strictly black and white. I’m going to leave my theories alone, but that’s interesting.

Also in California, Tim meets up with Jay. Jay tells Tim that he was inspired by the Japanese Samurai as well as the Geisha. And while his pieces are beautiful they seem to lack direction. Tim asks Jay where his model would be going and Jay doesn’t know. While Tim loves Jay’s pieces, he thinks that they are too gimmick-y. There is this gorgeous jacket with complicated sleeves that Tim uses as a prime example. Too much detail can overwhelm the design. Tim cautions Jay to tone his looks down.

Four weeks later, the designers meet up in New York again for fashion week. Much to their surprise, Mila and Jay will show their collections on that very same day. They are sent to the design space and given their models; the designers frantically put their pieces together.

On the Runway are Michael, Nina and Heidi.

In their three pieces Mila’s lack of color drowns me out, and the only thing that I can say about Jay’s looks is that they are “okay.”

Mila: Heidi likes the pieces and wants to wear them all. Michael says they are too retro though constructed well. Nina is not surprised by the looks and thinks Mila has a limited point of view.

Jay: Heidi likes that Jay played more with volume in his design though doesn’t find the looks cohesive. Michael sees that a lot of work was put into the design. Nina finds it innovative with many great pieces, but cautions him to edit down.

The final question is, whose collection are the judges curious about?

It turns out, they are curious about Mila’s collection and she is sent to fashion week while Jay is sent home. Bye Jay.

Next week, a winner is chosen, special guest judge FAITH HILL!!!

Season 7, Episode 13: Finale Part 1 (originally aired April 15, 2010)

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Thursdays at 10pm EST on Lifetime

Photographs courtesy of Lifetime and IMDbPro.