The Project Runway Rundown, v4.5

The girls are lamenting Chris' demise in the competition. Jack is discussing what he thought was a pimple, but is getting progressively worse. This might not be a good thing, especially considering we already learned that he is HIV positive.

Heidi brings out the models...except that it isn't their models. These are everyday women wearing very, very large clothes that are falling off of them. They have all lost a large amount of weight, and they are wearing what had been their favorite outfits prior to their weight loss. Their weight loss ranges from 44 pounds to well over 100 pounds. They are going to create a new outfit for them using the old outfit as their materials for the challenge. They don't get to choose their models/outfits. Instead, Heidi pulls their names out of a bag and simply goes down the line. Steve is the lucky designer who gets to rework a HUGE wedding gown.

Tim is going to fill them all in on the rest of the details. They only have one day for this challenge. Tim reads aloud to all of them the note that Chris left for them, then reminds them they need to make this design work not only for their client's every day life, but also express their point of view as a designer. They will have 30 minutes to meet with their clients.

Kevin is excited about making clothes for real people. Rooty Tooty is getting turned on by the idea. Christian is a little bit nervous. Okay, a lot nervous. Steve is overwhelmed by the idea of making a sequined and beaded wedding gown into something that can be worn every day, but he is calling on God for help.

Tim comes back to tell them they get 15 minutes to shop and a budget of $15 for anything else they need to make it work. Steve is getting stretch black to go with his white wedding dress...and using the wedding dress simply as trim. That could be risky. But then again, it could really pay off.

Jack is having a problem that he seems to have had in the past...something to do with a dangerous bacteria. He called the doctor, and they want him to come in immediately. I think he is going to have to leave the competition. This sucks. He goes out to talk privately with Tim, and then Tim asks the designers to "gather round". That's not a good sign.

Jack made the decision to leave and get the medical treatment that he needs. I hate that he is leaving over something like that. He was doing really pretty well. I prefer when the designers leave because they didn't do well on a challenge, not because of something completely unrelated. But it's a good thing that he is doing what he needs to do to take care of himself.

The designers find it difficult to get their heads back in the game. But Ricky decided to try his garment on with some heels, to see how it might look on his model. Wow. He did well in heels. Maybe not as well as Santino, but he did well.

Tim is getting ready to bring their models/clients in for a fitting, but then tells the designers that he has another surprise. In walks Chris, the last designer eliminated. So, since Jack had to leave, they brought Chris back. That really brought up the spirits in the room. He is going to be working with Jack's client and materials, and since he is getting such a late start, he gets the option of working through the night. While the rest of the designers are fitting their clients, Chris is meeting and getting to know his.

Tim comes back in to discuss things with the designers. Christian says his is fierce. Fresh 'N Fruity has Tim concerned. That shouldn't surprise me. Tim thinks that Steve is very courageous to discard the wedding dress almost entirely. Chris is making a bit of a nautical/sailor type theme, but Tim says to be sure that he doesn't go too costumey. Then he says he is an old fart. After talking about the bad decisions he's made at three o'clock. Wow. The designers are starting to get a little loopy. I like it when they get loopy. Apparently they are picking on Christian for being a 12 year old. Time is up for most of them, but Chris stays behind to keep working on his design. He doesn't want to be eliminated twice in a row. No kidding! He has a second chance that is rarely given...and he should take as much advantage of it as he can.

When the designers come in the next morning, Chris has fallen asleep on one of the couches. He apparently did get at least a couple of hours of sleep. I'm sure he could have used more. His outfit was done...but he had no idea if it would be any good. Steve is worried about his time and getting everything done on time. Tim sends their models in and they have two hours for the usual routine. Kevin feels like he could win a competition. Jillian didn't use much of her original materials but is confident. Christian is confident...as usual. Fresh 'N Fruity is only concerned with what the "ultimate judge" otherwise known as her client thinks. Ricky is crying again...remembering why he does what he does. Steve is panicking and in serious trouble, so Kevin is nice enough to help him. He is using glue. Wow. Time's up, and off they go. Victorya is helping with last minute things for Steve too as they are walking out the door.

Runway Time! Heidi introduces the judging panel with the usual faces plus Patrick Robinson from The Gap.

Sweet P designed an olive colored sack dress. The boob area doesn't seem to fit very well. I like that she is showing off the shoulders and arms though.

Jillian designed a bright red halter top dress. It's okay, but not great. Again, we are seeing some leg and some arm and shoulder...and some cleavage. I think the fit on her dress is much better than the fit on Sweet P's dress. It's got a little bit of black striping that really seems to distract from the overall design, at least to me.

Ricky made a pair of close fitting denim crop pants and a halter top with a deep plunging vee neckline. It's a tan color with black and gold accents. Really well made from what I can tell, it looks great on her, and it looks very different from what he was given. I like this one.

Chris made a black pencil skirt with a blue top. The boobs again don't fit right. And he created a red and black belt of sorts. I'm really not sure about this one Chris. I had hoped that with your second chance you would have done a little more to make a good impression. This is just okay at best.

Christian took the jeans he had been given and made them really well fitted crop pants. Then he paired that with a taupe colored undershirt and a black shirt that he really Christianized. LOL. Poofy sleeves, texture, well fitted around the sides. It looks good, and it looks like him. But not so over the top and dated as some of his looks have been so far.

Victorya turned a dark green velvet dress into a shorter dark green velvet dress. It isn't anything special, from what I can see. The color was already fabulous on her client. But I am not impressed with the design of the dress. It fits okay. Again, nothing to write home about.

Rooty Tooty's dress. Hmmmm...well, it is a black sack, with another black sack underneath it, and a red unfitted jacket over it. And nothing appears to be finished. A lot of what she has put out I have liked. This one, I do not. Frankly, you can't see her model's figure. She should be accentuating it, since this is all about how much weight she has lost. I don't know about this one.

Kit designed a black lace over white mixed with red dress. It's got a wrap top and is a nice length. Again, I like that we are seeing leg and arms and a bit of cleavage. I like the ideas that she is putting into this dress, with the black over white on top and peeking out at the bottom under the hem. Also using the same red as in the skirt to trim the top with is a nice touch.

Kevin designed a sleeveless, strapless top that is adorable! He is really showing off his model's recently acquired figure with this one. It is a light yellow with black accents, paired with a black crop pant. Really well fitted, really adorable. Even though it is strapless, it has some length to it, and still maintains its shape without looking like a sack (coughSweetPcough). Really nice work.

Steven's dress looks downright matronly. It is black with white trim. It feels very boxy to me...too long at the bottom, the sleeves are too long, the neckline is too straight. it is just not good. I think he made a huge mistake too, with not using more of the wedding dress in his design. I don't think this looks good for him.

Rami's design is a high waisted knee length brown skirt paired with a white halter top. The top fits amazingly well, and makes her look fierce. I'm not sure it is as innovative as what Kevin did, but it is very well done. Again, we are getting leg and shoulder and arm and cleavage. It is good.

Before we get to the judging, I have to say that I love Heidi's hair! LOVE IT.

Okay, so the top and bottom designers models come out. They start with Kevin's design, and his model says she loves it. The leggings aren't terribly innovative, but otherwise it is great. They think Rooty Tooty might have pushed some of herself onto her client, and they think they have made her look a little shorter and choppier than she is. They question Jillian for not using the shirt that was part of the original material, but they think she looks sexy and tasteful. Only the pearls, the neckline, and the sleeve cuffs are from the wedding dress that Steve started with. They say he went from a wedding to a funeral...or maybe a French maid at a funeral. They love what Christian did with his outfit, and love that it is not only him, but also commercial. They aren't too sure about Chris's design because it is a bit costumey. They think he needs to think about cliche's and maybe tone it down a bit.

Our winner is Christian. I liked Kevin's design better, but I think I understand why Christian won...it was the commercial appeal of his design. Chris also survived another day! Tone it down baby. Tone it down. Steve is out, and Rooty Tooty will be back next week. I'm not surprised about that decision. He really should not have gone with so much fabric that he bought and ignored the dress he was given to work with. And on top of that, what he made was just not good. Not at all.

So next week they are going on a field trip. Should be interesting. Until then...

The Project Runway Rundown, V4.4

And we're off.

Sweet P is relieved that Carmen is gone instead of her. Can't say I blame her. Better anyone other than yourself.

Heidi brings out the winning and losing designer's models, female, not male. And now there are two losing models, so Jack gets to choose between three models or all of the models. He wants to change it up, so everyone comes out. Jack takes Ricky's model, and Ricky is not too happy about that. So, a model-switch ensues, with Ricky winding up with Jack's model.

Heidi tells the designers that Tim is waiting for them in the workroom with a guest...and that she has brought some friends with her as well, to help introduce them to their next challenge. For some reason, Sweet P thinks it has something to do with senior citizens. Hmm...

Nina is waiting for them with Tim, and they have a bunch of photographs of fashion don'ts from the years. Nina calls them fashion trends that are "out." They each have to select a trend before they reveal the challenge.

Jack chooses pleather, Victorya takes underwear as outerwear, Christian chooses the zoot suit, Rami chooses the poodle skirt, Kit takes fringe, Elisa selects cutouts, Jillian chooses overalls (because she is wearing overalls), Ricky goes with neon, Kevin selects 70's flair, Chris chooses shoulder pads, Steven grabs the dancewear, and that leaves Sweet P with the baggy sweater.

Nina informs them that they are working in teams of three, and they are creating three looks that incorporate all three of their outdated trends, in a way that is cohesive and works for today. And they are selecting their own teams. They have one minute to team up and get into teams of three. Some of the groups form based on chemistry, others based on trends. The teams have budgets of $225 and two days. They have one hour to sketch and then they will go shopping. And the teams must elect a leader during their hour of sketching time.

Chris is leading a team of Steven and Sweet P. Jillian is leading a team of Kevin and Rami. Ricky is leading the team of Elisa and Victorya...but Victorya seems to be taking the lead anyways. Christian is leading the team of Kit and Jack. Some teams are planning to incorporate all trends into all looks, while other teams are planning to tie their separate trends together through fabric and color choice. Interesting.

Chris is excited about being the group leader, to break away from his pigeonholed image of over the top. Ricky is trying to speak to Elisa in her language. It is all about the center. He made sense to her somehow. Whatever. She is still Rooty Tooty, to me. Jillian is not worried about Rami, but is very worried about Kevin for some reason.

On their second day, they are finding it "hard." Boo hoo. Steven is now the one doing Tim Gunn impersonations. He's not as good as Santino was. Ricky isn't happy with how Victorya is trying to micromanage him, when he is the team leader, and in that, she is not working on her own design. Tim sends their models in for a 30 minute fitting.

Victorya decides to change the concept of her garment without discussing it with her team, and Ricky is having a hard time with making all of the looks seem cohesive due to that. Jillian is still panicking about Kevin's garment. Rami is worried about time and vision.

Tim Gunn comes in to discuss things with the designers. He is worried about cohesion with Sweet P, Chris, and Steven's team. Steven's garment doesn't seem to fit with the rest of them. He tells Jillian's team to "make it work." Ricky's team isn't looking finished and refined to Tim. He is confused by them. Victorya is now asking Ricky why he wanted to be the team leader, and saying he hasn't fulfilled his responsibilities as such. Rami feels that Jillian did not micromanage enough as the leader of their team. Ricky says that this challenge was a disaster.

Runway day arrives. Jillian is nervous about Kevin, Rooty Tooty is concerned about their collection. Hee! They talked about going to Denny's for breakfast. Kevin is trying to pull a rabbit out of his ass. Tim sends in the models, and they have their typical two hours. Steven is concerned about Chris's jacket and wishes that Chris was concerned about it too. Ricky thinks that Victorya's garment is just "wrong!" Eventually, Victorya agrees that he knows what he is doing with lingerie. That's good, since that is his specialty. Kevin finally finishes his garments, even though it was last minute, and Jillian feels guilty for doubting him. Christian thinks their collection is fabulous and "ferosh." He is certainly always good for a soundbite, as he is never short of words.

Donna Karen is joining the usual suspects on the judging panel.

Jillian's team put all three trends into all three looks. Their first design has a flaired pant overall. I don't see poodle skirt there. The second look is a pair of denim shorts with a really cute print top. The final look is an overall denim poodle skirt.

Team Chris designed a long tan dress that is really simple and elegant topped by a gaudy jacket with shoulder pads. HUGE shoulder pads. The next outfit is a shorter dress in the same color pallete, kind of a sack of a dress, but its okay. The final look is a satiny wrap top in an off white with a sleek, slim black pant. I like it, but it doesn't seem to go with the other two.

Christian's team sent out a suit with a knee-length heavily pinstriped skirt, a neat black jacket, and a high necked blouse. It is an interesting look. I like it. The next look is a black legging with a boxy gray striped shirt that could be a dress. I hate the neckline on that thing. The final look is certainly the edgiest look of the three, with more prints and patterns, on a knee length pencil skirt, a cap sleeved blouse, and a tight fitted vest. Also a tie. All in blacks and grays. Nice overall look.

Team Ricky send out a short sleeveless dress in golds and magentas. It's pretty meh. Supposedly all three of their designs are in all of their garments, though I'm not sure that I see any of them in that first one. The second garment is a one-shouldered black garment with a stained glass effect at the top. Other than the fact that it is pretty boxy and too short, I really kind of like this. The final look is in those same horrid colors, and is a very similar dress to the first one. Ugh. Plus, it makes it look like the model has zero chest. The primary difference is the pleating in this skirt.

Heidi tells them that there was a clear winner. Jillian wins and her team is all safe. They are allowed to leave the runway. Team Christian is told that they can also leave the runway. Ricky and Chris's teams are at the bottom.

Chris's team is told that they should be in three different fashion shows, not one collection. Chris's outfit looks dated with the shoulder pads. He is questioned on how he could lead if he couldn't take care of himself.

With Ricky's team, they like Rooty Tooty's dress (as did I). They say his dress is the least well constructed. He says it is because he was spending so much time trying to lead his team. The judges can see that she was trying to run things instead of working as part of a team.

It comes down to the two team leaders. Chris is out, because his team's designs were not cohesive, and his look was the worst of the three. His design was not at all modernized or refreshed. That jacket was straight out of the 80's and needs to go back there. Sorry Chris. I've liked some of what he's done, but that was still over the top, like what he does in costume designing.

Looks like next week we will have some sort of "everyday woman" type challenge instead of using their normal models. Should be interesting.

The Project Runway Rundown, V4.3

Jack reveals at the beginning of the show that he is HIV positive. I'm not sure why that is relevant, but whatever. The guys are giving Christian a hard time, but he seems to take it pretty well. His confidence has taken a bit of a knock, but he knows that he makes clothes "so much better" than a lot of the other designers.

Heidi tells them that they won't need their models for their next challenge, and sends them on a field trip to meet Tim Gunn and find out what this Project Runway first will be. Tim introduces them to Tiki Barber at 10 Rockefeller Center in New York. They don't know anything about him, or who he is...but they all think he's hot. They're right. And their challenge is to design an outfit for Tiki to wear on the Today Show. They are starting to panic about having to design a menswear outfit due to the meticulous nature of the fit required.

Back at Parson's, they have 30 minutes to sketch and a budget of $150. They will have two days for this challenge. Of course, Tim says to "make it work."

Sweet P doesn't know how to even sketch for men. We are shown lots of empty pages, finger tapping, and panicked expressions. This is going to be a serious challenge for most of these designers. Kit is a tv stylist, so she feels a bit more confident about color and fabric selection than many of the other designers. This one could be really scary, what they wind up putting out.

Several of the designers chose to do a suit, even though Tiki specified that a suit is not mandatory. That will be a LOT of work for them, and a ton of tailoring. It is interesting to see how so many of the designers are asking each other questions about how to do it. Jack is using his own pants as a pattern for his design, and some of the designers are starting to think it is unfair. And then still others want to borrow his design. This could get ugly. I think what Jack asked Tim Gunn and what he wound up interpreting Tim's answer to be are two very different things. Victorya and Carmen are tracing his pattern, and he is allowing it to happen. Things are getting chaotic in the workroom, that is for sure.

Christian sews fast, which is an asset. Chris says he's older than everyone else and doesn't have formal training. Rami makes a comment about his slacks being draped and not traced off of another pattern.

Tim announces that he is sending in the male models and that they will have an hour with them. They are pretty boys. Very pretty boys. The girls are excited about how hot the male models are, and some of the guys are excited too. I can't say I blame then. Kevin says he is the only straight guy in the room, so he stays focused. Sweet P is excited about how well her pants fit her models ass. Fresh N Fruity turns around so that she can't see her model while he's changing. Ricky is in full on panic mode. Jillian is practically starting over from scratch after working with her model. It doesn't seem that she is alone.

Tim comes in again and asks them to gather around, to meet a special guest. Tiki's wife, Ginny, has joined them briefly to do a walk-through with Tim and critique their work. She loves the color and idea of Jack's work. Ricky is planning on doing a jacket, vest, shirt, and pants. That is a bit scary. Four pieces is nutso. Kevin is working on a double-vent in the jacket, for Tiki's butt issues. Carmen is working on a more leisurely look and Ginny and Tim are worried about the design that she is working on. She is now going to panic about what to do, since it is reminiscent of a Members Only jacket. She doesn't have enough fabric to make major changes. Jack doesn't think he can finish his jacket, so he will try to finish the shirt and pants. Ricky is *bleeped*. In his own words. Time is about up, and no one seems to have anything finished. This is going to be really, really interesting.

Runway day arrives, and everyone is seriously nervous and scared. It seems that Jack has decided to carry Christian into the workroom every day. Ricky is going balls out. Carmen is concerned that she won't have time to do a shirt that she hasn't even started on yet. Tim arrives and sends the models in, and they've got two hours to get everything finished. Kit finished three pieces and is pleased with how they came out. Ricky puts his model to work sewing buttons. Sweet P's shirt looks horrific and doesn't fit right at all. Everyone is running around like chickens with their heads cut off. Carmen didn't do a shirt, so she just draped a piece of cloth around him underneath the jacket. And time is up.

Joining Heidi, Michael, and Nina on the judging panel is none other than Tiki himself.

Jillian's design is four pieces: pants, shirt, vest, and jacket. The collar is awfully big, and there is a lack of color. It is all in black other than an off white shirt. Sort of boring, but at least it is all finished. It looks to fit fairly well, though I'm not sure it is fitted as well as Tiki would like.

Carmen designed a khaki pant with a taupe jacket lined with a touch of some red patterened fabric. Instead of a shirt, she has placed a piece of blue fabric and draped it across his chest. The jacket looks very dated to me, the pants don't fit well, and all in all, it is just blah!

Christian made a three piece casual look. The shirt is an interesting design, with no collar but a touch of an off-center opening. The pants look to fit okay, maybe a tiny bit baggy, but I'm not sure about the jacket. It looks a tiny bit old fashioned too, much like Carmen's only in a different way.

Kit designed three pieces: a jacket, pants, and a shirt. The shirt is a simply textured collared shirt. The jacket looks a bit feminine to me, it is done in a fleece. The navy, khaki, and white are a good color combination, though a bit overdone. I would have liked to see some more color in her design to make it stand out. The double-venting in the jacket are a nice touch.

Rami made a navy pant, khaki casual jacket, and a white collared shirt. I like the design of the jacket. It is different than everything else we've been seeing. Again though, I would like to see some color. Tiki looks good in color. The pants are a pretty good fit.

Sweet P made pinstripe slacks and a collared shirt with a tie. The tie won't fit in the collar because it is so poorly done. The collar is far too big. The pants look a bit feminine in the way they fit at the waist and hips. The sleeves appear to be too short. The shirt is baggy in places and too tight on the shoulders. It is pretty horrific.

Steven made a gray slack, a striped collared shirt, and a fitted hunter green sweater. I really like this look. Without going to a suit, it still looks professional and well put together. The crotch of the pant doesn't look quite right though...something is not right there. There is also some sort of a scarf going on around the neck.

Victorya designed a black pant, black shirt, and a white fitted jacket. I actually really like the jacket she made, and I think that it looks good with the black underneath. And even though this outfit is devoid of color, I think it works and is more interesting than many of the other designs we have seen. It has a black collar on it, and the shirt underneath is a knit top instead of a button-down collared shirt. It is a good look.

Kevin gave us color too! He designed a basic black pant and jacket, and paired it with a lilac collared shirt, a deeper purple tie and pocket square. I like how he has styled it, with the shirt untucked, to give it a more casual feel. The pants seem a bit loose, but overall this is a good look. The back of the vest is a lovely gray.

Chris gave us black, black, and more black. He designed a basic pant, a knit collarless shirt, and a zip up jacket that appears to be collarless as well. Smart moves on his part to avoid the collars, as far as time is concerned. I'm just not wowed. I would have liked some color, or even different shades of a monochromatic look. It all appears to fit pretty well.

Jack designed a pinstripe slack and a pinstripe shirt. I like the details he put into the shirt, as far as how the stripes went at a different angle over the buttons, the pocket, and the collar. This look works for me. He may not have had time to finish all the pieces he originally intended, but he made a smart choice by putting in the extra details in what he did and leaving the parts he could not finish.

Ricky designed a basic black slack and jacket and a white shirt. He threw in a touch of color with a red pocket square. It looks okay, but there is nothing in this outfit at all that wows me. It is simply too safe. At least his clothes fit his model pretty well though. He still has pins in the outfit, it seems, and can see them in the runway lights. Not a good sign.

Rooty Tooty put out a casual gray slack, with a khaki long sleeved knit top and a brown vest. It is a pretty good casual look. It all seems to fit pretty well. It looks more put together than a number of other looks we have seen.

Jack is named the winner, and his design will be worn by Tiki on the Today Show. Nice. My favorite was Kevin's, though.

Somehow Sweet P made it through and is still in. That leaves Carmen and Ricky as the possibilities for going home. Carmen is out though, for leaving her model half-naked to go along with other pieces that didn't work. I can't say I am too upset about her leaving. She seemed way too full of herself for my taste, but without the talent to back it up.

The Project Runway Rundown, V4.2

Sorry it has taken me so long to get to this. The holiday weekend has put me behind on everything, but I am finally getting to this now.

This second episode begins with all of the designers reminiscing about Simone and discussing how difficult the judging was. Note to designers: Y'all had it easy for your first challenge!

Heidi meets them on the runway and allows them to choose their models. I still miss how they did it in the first season, where each challenge, they got to choose their models again. You still had some relationships form between certain models and designers...but overall, it was interesting to see how they would mix things up. It gets boring when the same designers choose the same models over and over and over again. Then Heidi tells them they will be designing for a "pop culture and fashion icon." Of course, they all start speculating on who it will be. Madonna??? Come on people. Y'all sure do think big, don't you? Snow White would be interesting though.

Tim Gunn has the designers gather around, and he introduces them to Sarah Jessica Parker, their icon, client, and a judge for this competition. They will be working in pairs to design a two piece outfit for SJP's line Bitten, with a budget of only $15. Their designs will sell for under $40, and the winning design may be sold as part of the Bitten fall/winter collection. They all sketch and then pitch their designs to SJP...and then she chooses 7 to go ahead with their designs. Sweet P is starting to panic about the team thing already. I can't say I blame her. The team challenges are always iffy...and there are some people on this cast I would NOT want to be paired up with!

Dear lord, during their sketching time they cut to a diary room quote from Ricky where he is once again CRYING! He may challenge Andre in this area. As they are pitching to SJP, some of them are so verklempt that they can't speak. Elisa pitches a "polymorphic" design to SJP. Oy. What the fuck is polymorphic? She is seriously on another planet. And Carmen Webber is a bit full of herself. LOL. Oh well.

The seven designers chosen to go forward with their designs are Elisa (WTF???), Kit, Victorya, Marion, Ricky, Christian, and Rami. Sweet P is the last teammate to be chosen...and Elisa is the last one to choose. Poor Sweet P. I am not sure that I like her, but I really don't want to subject her to Planet Elisa. I am worried for her. But Elisa is excited for some reason...she wanted Sweet P from the beginning, she says.

While shopping at Mood, most teams go for jerseys, fleeces, and cottons. With their limited budget, they will have to shop smartly. They only have until midnight that night to finish their pieces, so they will have to work very quickly.

Rami is thinking about how to make his design work for varying body types. Stephen is concerned about the intricacy of Marion's design. Elisa is trying to explain her polymorphic dress to Sweet P and winds up spit marking the fabric. With the spit marking, Sweet P starts to freak out. I can't blame her. Elisa is a fruit loop. I think I will now call her Rooty Tooty Fresh 'N Fruity. Ricky is crying again...this time because SJP chose his design to move forward with.

Tim comes in to give his comments. He is concerned about time with Marion's garments. He also thinks that Christian's design is looking a bit fashion backward instead of fashion forward. Me too. Victorya has designed a vest with a racer back that Tim is intrigued by. He tells Rooty Tooty that she is cuckoo. I agree. I am glad someone has said it to her. I don't think she knows how to use a sewing machine. She may be afraid of them. I'm not sure. But she is trying to do everything by hand. Sweet P is worried about time and "making it work." I can't say I blame her.

Elimination day arrives, and the ladies are discussing how they are worried that Rooty Tooty can't use a sewing machine. Sweet P is determined to MAKE IT WORK. Let's hope she can. At least for her sake. Part of me hopes she can't, so that Fresh 'N Fruity goes home.

Tim Gunn comes in and tells the designers to knock SJP's socks off. They've got two hours to fit their models and do the whole hair and makeup thing. Marion's design seems to be growing. How is that top continuing to get bigger??? Bad choice of fabric. Oh well. Too late now. Sweet P is actually really liking Rooty Tooty's design now. Christian thinks he will be in the Top 2 again...but I am not so sure. It looks like it is straight out of the 1980's. Stephen is still sewing things on his and Marion's model when time is up. Oy. Not a good sign.

Runway time! SJP is joining the usual lineup of judges, Heidi, Michael, and Nina.

Kit & Chris created a pair of chocolate brown leggings and a black short-sleeved sweater top. It's really pretty cute. It is not something that anyone over a size 12 should wear, but it is very cute, and it looks like it would be budget friendly and hold up well.

Fresh 'N Fruity & Sweet P created a "polymorphic" dress and a really cute cape. I'm pretty much over the color of the dress (Chloe blue again), but I like the sleeves and the skirt on the dress, and I absolutely love the cape. I don't get the whole polymorphic thing though.

Rami & Jillian created a pair of leggings and some sort of giant shirt with a huge belt around it. To me, it is pretty ugly. I can see that it could be worn by women of various sizes, but that does not mean it will look good on any of them. Blech.

Marion & Steven put out a garbage bag. Okay, it wasn't a garbage bag. But I don't know what you would call it. The top has grown even more since the last time we saw it. It is like watching lava. Ridiculous. It is so big that you can't see the skirt underneath. But you can see her bra through the top. And what a boring color. I'd take Chloe blue over that any day. Blech. The fringe on the bottom of the top is longer than the skirt.

Victorya & Kevin created a babydoll dress with a plaid vest with a racer back. Honestly, to me, it is very boring. It looks well made, but that is about all I can say for it.

Christian & Carmen created a super tight dress (in Chloe blue) and a jacket that is straight out of the 80's. It looks like he even included the shoulder pads. Ugh. It is black and gray, with way too much going on. Super busy. I'm not impressed this time Christian. Not at all. Last time I felt like he was sort of updating the 80's...but this time he went straight back into them. Was he even alive in the 80's? Maybe the problem is that he doesn't remember them. And that dress is so tight that his model looks like she's got tummy rolls and such. She is likely a size 0, she should NOT look like that!

Ricky & Jack created a beautiful red dress with an interesting black belt. The dress could easily go from somewhat casual to somewhat dressy. I can see how it would work with several different body types. I like the color. I like the neckline. I like the fringy stuff hanging off of the belt. Nice work.

Judgement time arrives, and Rooty Tooty and Victorya have the top designs, while Marion and Christian have the worst designs. I'm not surprised about the bottom...but I am a bit surprised about the top! I am bored by Victorya's design, and could have seen either Ricky or Kit's designs above hers.

Somehow though, Victorya wins and Marion goes home. Christian had better update his looks in the future, or he is gone soon. I think he is talented, but he's got to look to the future instead of the past. I am glad though, that Fresh 'N Fruity did not win. I don't understand her at all. Granted, I like what she designed this time in the end...but it still seems a bit overcomplicated and confusing. I love that Heidi asked her what planet she is from!

So, in a couple of days we will have the next episode. Later!

Oh yeah, and I'm going to have some Project Runway related polls going, so be sure to check them out and cast your vote.

The Project Runway Rundown, V4.1

It is time for a fourth season of Bravo TV's Project Runway, and I am more than ready to dish it out. This season, we don't get the episode of two leading into the season where we see all of the designers auditioning and such. Instead, we are thrown directly into the show. Too bad. I've always enjoyed seeing the nuts out there who think they should be on the show. Plus, we typically would get to see some previous contestants as they join Tim Gunn on the panel, helping to decide who gets on the show and who doesn't. Bravo has been diligently rerunning the previous three seasons for the last few weeks, to remind us all how much we love the show, including an all day long marathon today of Season Three.

Tim Gunn is rejoining us again for Season Four, in addition to continuing with his duties on Tim Gunn's Guide to Style as a mentor and guide for the contestants. Also returning is our lovely host, Heidi Klum, as well as mainstay judges, designer Michael Kors and fashion editor Nina Garcia.

We start off by meeting the various designers as they move into their apartments in New York. Of course, Project Runway wouldn't be Project Runway if we didn't have the interpersonal aspect going on alongside the actual design challenge aspect. Yeah, that stuff is important to the show...and I am sure I will be caught up in it all before long...but I watch to see the designs! So...ten minutes into the show, and we've already seen tears. Oy...is this a sign of things to come? I would imagine so.

They meet up in Bryant Park and find champagne, so of course they start to party. And then of course, Heidi and Tim come along and tell them their party is over. They seem to be given an easier first challenge than the previous seasons. Mood Fabrics has donated $50,000 worth of premium fabrics which are lining three tents, which the designers then have to choose from for this challenge. So, they have to race across a big field and choose their materials...and Chris is left way far behind. These outfits are supposed to express who they are as a designer and they only have the remainder of the day to construct their garments. The designers only have 10 minutes to race across the field and choose their fabrics, so everyone is grabbing like crazy, not really thinking too much yet about what they will be making, they just want to get anything and everything that inspires them. Even though Chris was last, something that really spoke to him was still there when he arrived. One designer decided to stain her silk chiffon with GRASS in order to add a natural element to the fabric. What??? Seriously? Not cool, to me. It seems that the only thing left hanging in the three tents was a big ugly furry looking thing. Who knows what will come of all of this, but I have to say...at this point, I am thinking Season Four designers have it EASY.

The designers arrive at their workroom and set down to work. Tim arrives to tell them to "make it work." You knew that one was coming. Ricky decides to make a baby doll dress inspired by lingerie, since that is where his background lies. Rami wants to mix feminity with edge. Elisa (grass stain girl) wants to make something avant garde and "magic." Already, on day one, people are talking about how "weird" some of the others are. It'll be interesting to see how these interpersonal things work out over the course of the season. Christian is designing something with a pattern that he is matching up some places and not in other places, and he doesn't seem all that responsive to Tim's constructive criticism. Note to designers: Tim knows his stuff. Listen to him when he gives you his observations. Elisa finished with more than two hours to spare...though she left things in her "avant garde" fashion, and went to take a nap. I'm not sure that is going to serve her well, in the long run.

Judgement day arrives, and the panic begins to set in. Tim has the designers "gather around" and gives them their pep talk before sending in the models. They have two hours to get hair and make up done, in addition to final fittings and accessories. Models were assigned for this first challenge, so they had never seen them before. Some designers were stitching their models into their garments, as seems to happen every season on the first episode. Elisa's "avant garde" design was causing her model to trip as she walked in the workroom, and she thought about chopping about 5 feet off of it, but for some reason, decided not to listen to that inner voice. Eepers, could be a bad decision.

Runway Time! Heidi welcomes them to the runway, explains the prizes at stake, and introduces the judges. Heidi, Michael, and Nina are joined by Monique Lhuillier. And we're off!

• Elisa's dress is up first. The model got tangled up in the dress, just as Elisa expected. It is this boring bright blue thing, with shards of torn up fabric hanging all over the place off of the bottom. Remember Santino? I hated Santino, because he went overboard so often. This is worse. It is minimalistic as a dress, and then ten times overboard on the shredded stuff hanging off. Blech.
• Chris's dress was really pretty. A nice eggplant color with some gold thrown in on top. The skirt of the dress was long and neatly done, and the top was elegant. I like it. On the back, you have a gorgeous poofy bow, with an open diamond shape. Really well done.
• Kevin's dress is okay. Black, burgundy, and silver. I'm not really fond of the silver part in the middle...to me, leaving that out would make the whole dress more accessible. It is well done though, neatly tailored, fitted. He could be a contender.
• Sweet P made a potato sack with a splash of color on the edges and a bow. Okay, maybe it isn't a potato sack. But you coulda fooled me. Blech.
• Simone's dress is okay. Nothing special here. I will forget about it in an hour. Some sort of blah print on top as a jacket, off white on bottom, a yellow ribbon around the waist. Not really any sort of innovative design element or anything to make it stand out.
• Jillian's dress stands out primarily because of the bright orange/red color. It's got a slim, long top and a very full, poofy, short skirt. I like it okay, but it isn't anything I would write home about on this show. Kick it up a notch honey...don't just go for the shock value with color choice. The skirt is somewhat reminiscent of Angela from last season...though more tasteful.
• Christian's plaid pattern on top certainly makes a statement. I like how the skirt is asymetrical, though I'm not really fond of the fit of it for some reason. I agree with Tim that the matchiness of the plaid needed to be done better. It looks to mix old-school with a new flair. I think he shows some promise, but needs to pay attention to details like the pattern.
• Victorya designed a plain black baby doll type dress with a slightly interesting sleve action. Really pretty boring. Big silver flower thingy on top. Not really working for me.
• Rami made a bold choice by going with a slate gray. I liked it a lot better on the form in the workroom than I do on his model, though I am getting a bit of a Grecian Goddess vibe from it. I think he has promise though. It looks very polished and finished.
• Ricky's dress is a black/silver patterned baby doll dress. The stripes of the fabric are really the only thing on the whole dress that make it stand out. He is going to have to try a lot harder in the creativity department.
• Jack's dress is a black and white print with turquoise accents. I like the color scheme he has going, but like with Ricky, I think that the print and colors are what make this dress, not his creativity. Step it up.
• Marion's dress is really a bit questionable. It is a black see through lacey fabric on top, and everything but the kitchen sink on bottom. I'm not a big fan of the type of skirt he's got going on here, with things hanging out at odd angles. It is at least interesting though.
• Stephen's dress is boring black, straight, long, fitted jacket, and accented with a red scarf. I don't get it.
• Carmen designed a pantsuit. It looks really sleek, but there is maybe a bit too much going on with all of the colors popping out around the neck. I'm not sure that I get how it all goes together. I like the pant and the jacket though. Just forget about the rest.
• Kit's dress is a black and white print combined with a bright red fabric. I think it is interesting how she combined the two, and I like the single shoulder. I'm not sure I would wear something like this, but it is very intriguing to me.

After the judges deliberations, Rami won with his Grecian Goddess Grey dress, and Simone's boring outfit that didn't go together got her out. I would have sent Elisa home, but I'm sure that they have kept her around for the weirdo factor, in addition to the Santino factor. Oh well.

These designers better realize how easy they had it for their first challenge, and get ready. And Project Runway had better make it harder from now on. Which I'm sure they will. Can't wait for the next episode!