Project Runway Week #12 Recap

For this challenge – Tim is waiting for them at the J. Paul Getty Center. The five remaining contestants are told to use the Getty Center as their inspiration. Breathtaking views, staggering architecture, galleries filled with priceless art…

They have 30 minutes to tour and 30 minutes to sketch. Really?? 30 minutes? If these producers had their way, they’d put a drive-through window in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

On to Mood. Where they have a $300 budget – but still only 30 minutes to shop. ugh.

Irina, still holding a grudge against Althea because of last week’s “sweater-gate”, is sucking up to Gordana. Carol Hannah said people are “starting to pick at each other?” WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN, Honey? In the apartment, Carol made a comment and Gordana snarled at her, “too bad, Carol, we’re not here to serve you.” I’m telling you – EVERYBODY who hangs out with Irina gets poisoned…she is one of those manipulative women who get OTHER people to do her hatchet work...her parents need to resign themselves to the fact that she will NEVER get married...

During Tim’s visit – well – let me cut to the chase. He told Irina her garment looked like “roadkill”. I think he actually called it a “post apocalyptic moment” I was soo delighted I must have blacked out for a minute.

When I woke up, they were introducing this week’s “judges dujour”: Cynthia Rowley (her black jacket was the best thing on the show), Cindy Crawford, Nina Garcia and Heidi. No kidding. Not one -- but TWO virgin judges for the final challenge?? Mercy. Why not just draw names out of a hat?

Here's how it came down the runway:

Althea: Her inspiration was the building itself. The off-white multi-pleated skirt was a puckered mess. Cindy said she was brave to make the pleating. (isn’t that what your Mom tells you when you try out for cheerleading, even though you can’t do a cartwheel?) Cynthia called it ambitious, overworked. Nina said nothing wrong with an ambitious plan, but she barely got to the top. Heidi called it a “mess fest”…


Carol Hannah – She was inspired by an enormous, ornate, baroque bed with layers and layers of lush silk fabric, plain and brocade, braided and tasseled. With all that inspiration, she made a long beige- guess-what-wait-for-it-OH, YES, IT’S DRESS #12 for Carol. Cynthia said the fit is fantastic and she liked the detail on the shoulder. Cindy thinks it’s a beautiful dress, but did not get the reference to the inspiration. (take another look, babe -- there's a bedskirt on the bottom.)



Christopher. He is oddly proud of the fact that with all the gorgeous views, architecture and priceless art at the Getty Center – he took his inspiration from the algae in the rock water fountain. Hey – I don’t want to be hard on the guy. I mean – HE ONLY HAD 30 MINUTES. Anyway – he made a gray dress. A fitted bodice with a long skirt and some barely visible green something splashed on the bottom of the skirt. Cynthia loved the top part, but said it seemed a little heavy on the bottom..Cindy thinks it’s flattering, but the stiffness didn’t move with the model (I’m thinking – PAY ATTENTION, PEOPLE -- HIS INSPIRATION WAS A ROCK!!)
Gordana. Her inspiration was a faded Monet painting. (redundant, I know) She made a strapless, A-shaped long white gown out of silk organza, with an inverted “V” in the front. Heidi said she could absolutely see the connection with the painting. Nina called it perfectly made, but can you really take a chance? Cindy said she would wear it…Cynthia said she’s not loving the big chunky zipper in the back. When the model turned around, Nina said, “not so great from the back”..

Irina. She was completely enamored with a painting of two fat girls in see-through dresses. The minty green dress she made was a shapeless 'OH YUCK" mess -- too low cut in the front – and the model didn’t dare lift her arms because the girls would have been totally on their own. I'm sitting up now, rubbing my hands together. FINALLY -- Irina made an outfit that really sucks. Then the judges started talking. Nina liked the back, but said the length was very old lady. Cindy loved the color…and could see the inspiration…but the model’s shoes are a disconnect. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? IN THIS POST APOCALYPTIC MOMENT OF A WORTHLESS DRESS, you're gonna blame the shoes?? It is, without a doubt, the WORST thing Irina has made during the entire season. Heidi wanted to take the shoes off…and all those other messy, distracting things, bracelets, etc.…

HEY -- WAIT JUST A DARNED MINUTE!! ARE YOU PEOPLE TRASHING THE MACY’S ACCESSORY WALL??

They just can't bring themselves to criticize the perfect Irina, so instead -- they blame Macy's! FINE, PEOPLE!! KEEP IT UP. Let's see who you get to sponsor the show NEXT season!!

They announce “three of you will be going to Fashion Week, and two of you will be out.”
HEY – WHY DIDN’T I KNOW THIS WEEK WAS A DOUBLE ELIMINATION?? Hey, Heidi -- COULD HAVE MENTIONED THAT?? I had NOOOO idea that was gonna happen.

Well, in all fairness, I did have that little blackout earlier....anyway, I realize I'm fine with a double elimination. YES! Throw two of them off. You should have started that weeks ago!! Of course, Chris is done – and Althea can go, too.

Here's how Heidi called it:

Irina – you’ve consistently performed well. Today was no exception…(I BEG YOUR PARDON??!) You’re going to Fashion Week. You may leave the runway. Okay, I know Irina is talented and she must go to Bryant Park -- but let's be honest. Her DRESS SUCKED BIGTIME.

Christopher…you’ve done some very inspired work – but you are OUT…we appreciate that you can see beauty in the unusual…

Backstage, Irina hugged Christopher and looked shocked…(oh, yeah, THAT WAS SINCERE….)

Carol Hannah – we didn’t totally understand the connection – But, Carol Hannah – YOU’RE GOING TO FASHION WEEK…congratulations… (expected)

Then, Heidi says, "Althea and Gordana – one of you will be going to Fashion Week. Gordana had some construction issues…it was not spectacular enough to overcome our reservations. Althea…you really disappointed us today…your look was a mess.."

Drum roll....

Althea – YOU’RE GOING TO FASHION WEEK…

Okay. They got me. I didn't see it comin'...

But -- hey -- wait just a cotton-pickin' minute. WHO WON THE CHALLENGE, HEIDI?? You slip in two different judges, you make it a double elimination with absolutely no explanation to the audience -- and then -- YOU DIDN'T EVEN PICK A WINNER THIS WEEK??

I'll say it again. ugh...