Rock N Runway
Updated 2008-09-25 09:05:02
Previously: The designers had to create looks for college graduates, with the moms of their clients around as an extra obstacle. Nothing spectacular occurred-- with the exception of the Kenley-as-total-asshole reveal. So, yeah, Kenley's that girl you totally hate. The one you see annually at that peripheral friend's birthday party. She's that mixture of conceited and defensive that makes every conversation with her a total nightmare. You walk away from her feeling as if she's turned you into your own gross mixture of stiff church lady and ranting Philip Roth. Thanks for that, Kenley. Joe created a pretty boring and unflattering skirt suit for his client. The judges, including Cynthia Rowley, gave him the big ole' boot. Jerell won his second challenge in a row, which he mostly deserved. I don't know if anyone else is surprised by Jerell's late-season surge -- I'm having a hard time processing it.
It's morning at the Atlas Building and Leanne says, as she and Korto are putting on their faces, that she wasn't surprised to see Joe be eliminated. Korto says that she has been seeing his elimination coming for weeks. That's true, but it makes me a little sad for Joe. Korto says that she is so close to Bryant Park, she can smell it. (I think that's the subway station next to it that she's smelling.)
Jerell tells Rayon that they're down to the final 5. Rayon interviews that, since Rayon has been in the bottom 3 for the past three challenges, Rayon needs to step it up or Rayon will most certainly be going back to Rayon's home. Leanne says that she would love for the finale to be all women, but she thinks that Jerell is really talented. So, he'll have to wear a wig! Har! I wonder if that was a little dig at Kenley, since we already have enough girls for a finale. I'd like to think that was a dig. We're off to Parson's.
Heidi greets the designers on the runway. She's carrying the black velvet button bag and tells the designers that they will "re-pick" their models. The girls come onstage. Since two designers were eliminated two challenges ago and the models weren't used in the last challenge, there are 8 models and only 5 designers. Jerell chooses first because he won the last challenge and he stays with Nicole. Kenley's button is drawn from the bag first. She tells Germaine that she really enjoyed working with her, and she's very "cute" but she's going to work with Topacio (she was Joe's model). Kenley interviews that Topacio is going to look really good in her dresses. Leanne is drawn next -- she tells Karalynn that it has been great working with her, but she's going to work with Tia. That's Rayon's model. He interviews that he's going to have to kill Leanne. He likens her to a kid in a candy store -- she wants what everyone else has and it's childish. Korto whispers, "You're a heartbreaker, Leanne." Leanne just kind of makes a face like, "Come on, it's just business, don't try to make me feel bad." It's kind of annoying. She interviews that she loved working with Karalynn, but she feels like Rayon had an unfair advantage with Tia. Rayon chooses Savara. Korto chooses Katarina. That means Karalynn is going home, along with Germaine (for the second time) and Paulina. Karalynn looks devastated. That is sad and unexpected. Good luck, Karalynn!
Heidi sends the designers to the workroom to hear about the next challenge from Tim. Along the way, we see a shot of that same Elle cover with Mary-Kate Olsen. Don't they publish that magazine monthly? Why am I always seeing damn Mary-Kate Olsen? With all of the designers lined up in the workroom, Tim tells them that he can count all of them on one hand. It's nice to know that Tim hasn't lost any digits from any freak mentoring accidents. Jerell interviews that he no longer tries to guess what the challenges will be, because he's always wrong.
Tim says that they will be designing... for each other. [ Thereby making that whole awkward model-picking thing unnecessary! - Zach ] Korto interviews that she doesn't want to design for anyone -- she wants to design a dress for her model that represents her as a designer. Well, wouldn't that be novel? Tim has the button bag. He tells Rayon that he will be designing for Jerell. Jerell responds that he is a very difficult client. I'm guessing that he's being facetious. Rayon interviews that he's not very experienced at making menswear (looks like he's going to have to make some pants after all), but he's all "bring it on." He says he's going to win and he's going to get Tia back. I see that definitely happening. Kenley is designing for Leanne. Korto is designing for Rayon. We see him laughing and Korto shaking her head. She hates this challenge already. Jerell is designing for Kenley. That means that Leanne is designing for Korto.
There's more to the challenge. Tim says that the designers must create a look inspired by a specific musical genre. Jerell thinks it's a cool idea because fashion and music constantly influence each other. Also, I had this film class in college where it was set forth that music and fashion are always the direct indicators of culture. Tim says that this is an opportunity for the designers to explore the relationship of fashion and music in a very personal way.
Kenley gets Pop. That means that Jerell has to create a Pop look for her. She interviews that she's not very excited about it. Rayon gets Punk. Now, this seems perfect. Rayon has seemed pretty harmlessly ridiculous lately, and I don't hate him nearly as much as I thought I would by this point, but what better genre to emphasize what a huge honking poseur Rayon is. Korto interviews that, prior to coming to the show, her biggest fear was menswear. Now that she has to make the look Punk on top of everything else, she says, "Who would want to be me right now? I don't think anybody." Korto gets Country. Yes. Again, this means that Korto will be walking down the runway in a Country-inspired design from Leanne. Even Tim laughs. She murmurs, "This just gets better and better." She seems positively dejected, which is pretty funny. Sorry Korto. Leanne gets Hip-hop, which also inspires a few laughs. Jerell gets Rock & Roll. Jerell interviews that Rayon is likely to make something cool, since Rock & Roll sort of lends itself to Rayon's eye. I think I can see that, too.
Tim says that they all have an hour to meet. Rayon presents Korto with what looks like a sketch of what he would like to wear. He's being very thorough and describing how he wants the top to be sleeveless and frayed and fishnet extending from one arm. Korto says that, if he has any problems with the outfit, he should tell her before Tim arrives. She adds that she wouldn't want to have to snap on him.
Kenley asks Leanne what she would want to wear if she were a Hip-hop artist. Leanne's eyes brim with tears, as she'd been waiting for years for someone to ask her that question. She tells Kenley that she has no problem getting gangster. Yes, she said that. Kenley whines, "Well, I don't want gangster." Instead, Kenley will draw from the great lake of Hip- hop knowledge that she undoubtedly has resting in that pea brain of hers. Leanne decides to do a little rap in her interview. Great, I love these. She says, "Kenley's gonna make an outfit for me/She better not make it look like it's from 1950." Okay, that was actually worth it. Kenley tells Leanne that high-waisted jeans are very popular amongst the Hip-hop types these days. And, she says, they're awesome. Leanne is looking at her like she's totally bat-shit crazy. I think she's trying to compose a lyric for her rap saying that, indeed, Kenley has managed to make her Hip-hop look pull from that same little tiny bag of vintage tricks. Kenley says, "This is gonna be a challenge." I believe she's saying that to try to fool us all into thinking that she is somehow doing something original, but maybe she hasn't made a lot of pants. I just think Kenley's totally unequipped to judge herself. That sort of blind confidence works for an awful lot of people, but as someone watching her in my home on TV, I'm begging the heavens to smite her down.
Jerell tells Rayon that it would be great if his outfit had a "killer-ass collar." Then, he describes some huge Elvis collar. He adds that a cape would be hot, if possible. Rayon looks bewildered and very polite. Jerell lifts his hands to the side and says he would like his outfit to be like, "Rwrowr!" Um, if you look at Jerell's face, as I am doing right now, it is clear to me that he is totally trying to fuck with Rayon. Like, he's trying to lead him in the wrong direction. Rayon interviews that he just got called out for sending down the runway a look that the judges found dated -- he knows what will happen if he makes something appropriate for KISS circa 1982. Bad stuff. Jerell tells Rayon that he will stand by whatever he creates and won't be throwing him under the bus .
With 25 minutes left for consultations, Kenley whines to Jerell that he should "do" her as a pop star in a video. He proposes that he make her into "Kenley Spears." She goes for it -- barely. He interviews that it's going to be very sexy and not 1954. Jerell tells Kenley that she's selling sex as a pop star, and she seems both mortified and excited at the same time.
Leanne is explaining her idea of country stars to Korto. She says that a modern country star is very put-together and definitely not sloppy. They're playing the wonky-plonky background music now, so we're supposed to be humored by how Korto isn't really country. She is from Arkansas, though. I think Kenley is more the fish-out-of-water. Leanne says that Korto is definitely not "about" country music-- this is not her look. Korto asks Leanne if she will get to show her cleavage, and indeed she will. Leanne interviews that she just wants to make sure that her outfit is not a costume.
While Korto and Leanne are consulting with each other, Kenley approaches Leanne and asks her to try on a pair of shoes. Korto shoos her away, telling her that her time to consult with Leanne was finished a half-hour ago. Kenley persists and Korto says that she's about to get hip-hop on Kenley's behind. Kenley keeps trying to butt in, insisting that Korto and Leanne are finished with their meeting, but Korto is having none of it. Thank you, Korto. She says that she's getting Kenley ready for her "Hip-hop world." That doesn't make a ton of sense, but I'm still enjoying it. Kenley finally slinks away, saying that Korto is just ornery because she has to wear Country clothes.
Tim enters and takes everyone to Mood. Jerell interviews that all of his fabrics are going to be "stretchy, netty, and sparkly." Kenley pulls out a (surprise!) retro floral print fabric. Tim asks her if it's hip-hop, and she sounds like she just smelled a sewer, saying, "Yes, it's hip-hop. It looks like graffiti." Uh, no it doesn't. That looked like graffiti. Tim says he doesn't see the "Hip-hop factor," and Kenley snaps, "Well, you will when it's done, Tim." I'm about to cut a bitch. She softens it with "I promise," but the damage is done. Seriously, who does this girl think she is? Korto interviews that she's making a two-piece outfit for Rayon. She's going to use a stretch denim fabric for the pants.
Back at the workroom, everybody gets to work. Korto tells the other designers that she's "Shania Janks" for this challenge. "Jank" is a code word for totally jacked-up. Korto said that -- I didn't make it up. Leanne interviews that she wants Korto to look like she's at the CMAs. She wants it to be very glamorous. Korto asks Leanne what her name will be and she comes up with "Lil' Leanimal." That sounds more like a wrestler name. Jerell offers "Lil' Lee J. Blige." I think we have a winner.
Kenley says that she will be making a leather jacket, a top and high-waisted jeans for Leanne. This is the first time she will be making pants for the show. She says it's not "her thing." She's nervous. A little bit later, as Kenley's working on her top, Korto interviews that they all see her making a floral print top that is more Country than it is Hip-hop. But, none of them are going to tell her. Jerell thinks that Kenley is in trouble and that there's nothing Hip-hop in her "bag of '50s-style dresses." Nice.
We see Jerell putting his nametag on the dress form holding his winning design from the last challenge. He says he would like to win three challenges in a row, because no one has ever done it. And, we all know how designers live for record-making in competitions. Really, though, they're just asked to say stuff like that, right? Because, I can't imagine that any fashion designer is really thinking, "I'm the first person to win two challenges this season! Gold star!" They're not Olympians. They make dresses. This will most likely be the only time they are using their design skills to win a contest. To set up the show like these people are here because they love the sport of it just seems stupid and unnecessary. Jerell tells us that he's making a Pop outfit for Kenley. He's making a fishnet mini-dress with diamond cuffs. Wow. Kenley is stunned when she looks at it. She says, "You're gonna make me look like [ whispers ] sex." That was kind of awesome. She interviews that she's a little nervous about being sexed up by Jerell. She says she thinks that Jerell may think she has a better body than she actually has. Oh, I don't think that's true. Whatever my problems with Kenley's attitude, she's a really cute girl.
Korto asks Rayon if he ever wears tight jeans. He tells her that he usually wears baggy, but he'll be fine with whatever. He interviews that he was a concert cellist for 14 years. I don't know what to say to that. Like, people came to concerts to listen to Rayon's cello playing? I'd like to see a program of said concert, if someone could arrange that. 14 years. Don't you have to study for about that long before you're ready to start playing concerts? Do you think maybe he just studied the cello for 14 years and played in the orchestra of Phantom or something for a while towards the end of that time? It's not that I don't believe him or anything, I'm just getting this ...feeling. A feeling that he's embellishing. So, yes, I guess I don't believe him. I don't believe that he was a concert cellist for 14 years. Because, when do you start the clock on your change from "studying the cello" to "concert cellist?" I'm sure there's a clock-starter that a lot of people could agree on, but I still don't think you would describe yourself as a concert cellist for blank years ( blank equaling number of years you have been studying the cello), nor do I think someone would be like, "I've been a concert cellist for a month" when they'd been playing for 8 years. This is so stupid. I'm gonna shut up now, but Rayon is a liar. I think he studied the cello for 14 years (a pretty big accomplishment on its own) and he played some recitals, as we do when we practice something. I'm not a concert tap dancer though. I took some classes. Anyway, Rayon says that he also played piano. He's emphasizing that he's not very punk at all. Korto says she's going to make her design in muslin first, "Cause I's no fool." Korto has her most dynamic moment of the entire season next when she's in her interview. She says that she is not even thinking about going home. She refuses it. She's going to own and claim her place in Bryant Park. "In the name of Jesus, I'm going to Bryant Park." I think she may have started that "In the name of Jesus" part as just a neat little tag to her story, but it definitely came out in the end as authentic. She was in a moment. We just had our first Pentecostal summonsing of the Lord on Project Runway .
Rayon shows the pants that he's making to Kenley. He says that he "adores" them. He interviews that he is making pants of stretch satin. He's matching it with a patchwork vest. Rayon tells us that Rayon has never designed for a rock star. However, Rayon did work for Jordache. Why is that so perfect? At Jordache, he dressed a lot of pop stars -- Britney, Christina, Destiny's Child.
Leanne sings to herself, "Making Korto country..." Jerell tags it with, "Country-fried Korto." I like that. Korto tries on cowboy boots that she will be wearing on the runway. She starts singing in a nasally country twang, "I got my boots, I got my boots." It's very funny. Seriously. She sounds crazy. Then, she starts line-dancing and laughing.
Jerell has a fitting with Kenley. He interviews that he is going to show everyone a different side of Kenley. In fact, he's going to show Kenley a different side of Kenley. The outfit is so skimpy she doesn't even know how to put it on. She says that her ass is "literally" hanging out and it isn't. It's really revealing, but it's oddly not that immodest. I know that's not really possible. Rayon comes in to watch her fitting and says very creepily, "Oh, I love your boobs." It's so weird and violating. Gross. Jerell says that Kenley is not used to showing that much thigh, but once she saw herself in the mirror she started to like it. He tells her that she's going to look "sexy as hell," especially when her hair and make-up is completed. Kenley interviews that she would never wear anything like Jerell's outfit and she's going to be showing things that she doesn't want shown. Oh, Kenley, don't worry -- you've been showing your ass for a few weeks now.
With four hours remaining in the day, Tim checks in. He talks to Jerell and tells him that the silhouette is beautiful. Jerell says that he feels that the look needs something more. Tim agrees, but says it has to be the right "something." Jerell shows Tim a couple of fabrics that contrast with the black of his outfit. Tim shrieks in disgust. Or terror. Or shock. Jerell explains that he wants to make a vest with panels of fur. Tim doesn't respond, but I'm going to choose terror. I think that was terror.
Before he even starts talking to Leanne, you can tell he has issues with her look. He wonders if it is too subtle. She says it is very easy to cross over into costume land, and Tim agrees with her. She concludes, saying that she has a lot of thinking to do. He tells her to watch the proportion, because she's currently on target.
Korto says she's not trying to go full-throttle punk. Tim asks why and she says she's trying to learn from the critiques she has heard of other designers. No clichés. Tim asks her if she's doing enough with her pieces. They should look "annihilated."
Rayon describes his look for Tim. After a few moments of silence, Rayon tells Tim that he scares him when he doesn't say anything. Tim says that he's just taking it all in. He thinks it's not "ramped up" enough. With rock & roll, you can get away with anything, but he's not really doing anything. Now that they're down to 5 designers, Tim points out that every detail matters. Rayon interviews that Tim did not love his look, so he's going to make a few alterations. Overall though, he's happy with the direction he's going in.
Tim approaches Kenley and asks her to describe hip-hop for him as if he were "from the moon." She says all whiny and eye-rolly that she sees a lot of hip-hop artists wearing leather jackets and dark denim. So, she's doing these high-waisted jeans. Tim interjects, "Forgive me, I'm an old fart." Then, he asks if oversized clothing isn't a part of hip-hop. She tells him that's '80s hip-hop. But, she doesn't just say that. She talks to him like he's the dumbest asshole on the planet. She tries to backtrack a little by saying that she can see how he'd think that everything was oversized, but she adds that she won't make Leanne look stupid. She's being super-defensive right now and Tim assures her that he's not disrespecting her. He reminds her that he's there to support her. She says, "But you said everything is oversized." Sweet Jesus, I don't know how Tim does this without smacking her. He tells her that she needs to listen -- it will help her tremendously as a designer, and he wants her to succeed. She says, "I just want you to understand the outfit." He tells her that if she removed the sarcasm and facetiousness, it would help him a lot. She acts like he's just being "snarky" (seriously, I don't really use that word. I'm QUOTING). She says, "Okay" then lets out this grunty little giggle, which is probably just a defense mechanism but it sounds so snotty. Tim shoots her a look that makes me think he's about to break. All of the designers appear to be looking on. Of course, they could all just be reacting to when the camera guy pooted or whatever.
Korto says that Kenley can come off as rude. Understatement. She says Kenley crosses a line that shouldn't be crossed. Whether or not you agree with Tim's opinions, he is to be respected. Yes. Seriously, Kenley is SUCH a brat. Why would you come onto this show to be rude to Tim Gunn? Tim says to Kenley, "I'm just trying to channel your thinking. Then, you led me off a precipice." Okay, that last part is a little needlessly florid, but I think I get it. No, I don't really. She led him off a precipice? Who the...? Kenley just sort of giggles again, which makes me wonder if she's suffering from some sort of neurological disorder. That's such a weird reaction. I feel like there's some creative editing going on here. I need to see more of the precipice. Finally, Tim just says sternly, "Thank you, Kenley." She doesn't reply. He briskly thanks the designers and leaves. He seems like his feelings are hurt. WE STILL HAVEN'T FOUND A HUSBAND FOR TIM GUNN!! I don't know what you people are doing with your time, but you obviously need a re-ordering of priorities. I've lined up my spinning instructor and International Criminal Court prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo . Luis Moreno-Ocampo is not my spinning instructor. I also don't think he's gay. Dreamy, yes. My spinning instructor is totally a silver fox, though. I'm going with a theme here. More importantly though, what have YOU done? Be honest with yourselves. And, damn Kenley. She can't talk to him like that and get away with it. She interviews that she can't really listen to Tim at this point and "What does Tim know about hip-hop, anyway?" Then, more of her stupid little grunty laugh. I hate her.
Later, Kenley fits Leanne in her jeans. They don't fit well. Kenley interviews that Tim thought she was being sarcastic with him, but he just doesn't understand her. And, she doesn't understand him. That's because you're stupid, Kenley. Seriously, this girl has no self-awareness at all if she doesn't know what she sounded like. She's fooling with the jeans while Leanne is wearing them, and she says, "You're grabbing my crotch, Kenley." More nasty Kenley interview, "I definitely know more about hip-hop than Tim does." Leanne tries to offer a suggestion to help the jeans. Leanne interviews that, if the outfit is called out on the runway, she's not going to defend something that she doesn't like. "Especially not for someone like Kenley." Nice. Kenley says that she was going for an Alicia Keys look. Jerell corrects her and tells her that Alicia Keys is more R&B. Kenley says that Keys has hip-hop style, though. I have to say, I don't consider her to be incorrect on that claim. Korto says sarcastically, "Kenley is a hip-hop designer. I can't wait for tomorrow." Kenley is trying on her tiny jacket that she has made for Leanne and she looks like Chris Farley in Tommy Boy .
With 35 minutes remaining, Korto is working on her jeans. They fit well, but they look like new jeans. She uses bleach to age the shoes and jeans for her look. Leanne is overwhelmed by the fumes and jokes in her interview that she wonders if Korto is trying to sabotage all of them. Rayon says that he has a sneaking suspicion that the judges are either going to love or hate his look. Now, Rayon, when you've had that feeling before, what direction did it go in?
The next morning, as they are getting ready, Jerell interviews that he has considered sabotaging Rayon on the runway. But, he's sure that everyone has considered it. Really? Kenley says that she's feeling confident. She's not changing any element of her design based on what Tim said. "I really think it looks hip-hop!" she whines.
Back at Parson's, Leanne says that she still has a lot of work to do. Tim enters and says that they have an hour for hair and make-up. Korto says that she's not worried about walking down the runway -- she would be good "butt-naked." Jerell interviews that there is a lot of junk in Korto's trunk and to tame that and make it look country will take a lot of effort. Rayon fits Jerell and interviews that, though Tim didn't feel that it was over-the-top enough, he thinks the judges are going to love it. Jerell tells him that the pants are amazing. Kenley notices that there is still bunching in the crotch of the jeans she made. She doesn't think the judges will notice. Jerell says, "Kenley's ass is ridiculous." He says she's trying to squeeze Leanne into a child-sized hip-hop outfit. He's glad to let her destroy herself.
Hair and make-up. Rayon's hair is multi-colored. He says he thinks he maybe should have been in the drag queen challenge. Tim enters and laughs. "What happened to all of you?" They have 15 minutes before the show. Jerell says it's odd being the model and the designer, because someone has their hands on you while you have your hands on someone else. Brings back memories of Woodstock. Kenley says that she thinks she will win. Rayon says that he's confident and hopes he wins. Jerell says that Britney Spears could wear the outfit he made at Madison Square Garden, then she would "kick off her panties and fall asleep in the back of a limousine." Ew. I think I'm just going to say people "kick off their panties." For fun. It's really evocative and jolting. Thanks, Jerell. I'm going to make a lot of friends with that one. Tim comes in to get the designers and says that this will be the most interesting runway show in the show's history.
At the runway, there are only judges. No designers. They're all backstage! Heidi greets LL Cool J. He's the guest judge! He has a new album that's about to drop, as well as a clothing line. Sorry LL, I've gotta call that a comeback. And, I also have to call that Botox. Right? LL's been Botoxed a whole bunch, I think. Anyway, Heidi asks them if they're ready for the show to begin and Michael Kors responds, "Absolutely."
We begin the show with Leanne's country look for Korto. It's a long black skirt that is really beautifully fitted. At the waist, there is a gold lamé band that comes to a point at the center of her waist. It's really cute. The top is violet and sleeveless. There are little cut-outs above the bust that resemble the cut-outs in a guitar. The shirt is knotted at the waist. She's wearing a gingham kerchief around her neck. The whole thing is cute, but not spectacular. Leanne says that she feels like she incorporated every element of country music in her design. She also feels that it's sophisticated. Korto adds a few country flourishes on the runway and Leanne feels like she really sold it. That's one designer who decided not to sabotage another designer.
Here's Kenley in Jerell's pop outfit. It's pretty amazing. It's a black mesh minidress. There's opaque black material around her butt and up through the middle of her bust and ends in a diamond collar. There are also diamonds over her bust. The back is completely transparent. There's a little purple fur shrug that just tips everything over the top. Which is perfect. To me, a pop star always has like one or two things too many going on with their outfit. This hits the bull's-eye in that regard. Jerell says she looks like one of the Pussycat Dolls. Kenley's doing an admirable job on the runway as well.
Oh my God. Here's Leanne in Kenley's hip-hop get-up. Oh no. The jeans are, as has been discussed, high-waisted. There are gold buttons down the front of the jeans. The crotch is a bunched mess. The top is patterned satin. And it's not special. There's a really tiny, half-sleeved leather jacket topping it off. Plus, Leanne is modeling like an idiot. She looks totally stupid and I almost think she's fucking with Kenley, which I approve of. Kenley says that Leanne is not selling the look. She looks like "a big fat poseur." Indeed she does. She adds that hip-hop is all about attitude, and Leanne doesn't have that. I don't know whether to think that Leanne is a jerk or awesome for doing this. I'm gonna go with awesome.
Wow, here's Rayon in Korto's outfit. They've added multi-colored extensions to the front of his hair and really thick eye make-up. He's just wearing a lot of make-up everywhere. This looks pretty good. It's a sleeveless brown shirt with black panels asymmetrically applied across the front. There are chains that hang from the neck of the shirt to the waist. The pants are jeans that fit Rayon really well. There are dynamic bleach stains all over them. There are more bleach stains on his shoes. Rayon is also selling the shit out of this. Korto should be very thankful. She says that Rayon no longer existed. He was this punk character instead.
Here's Jerell in Rayon's rock & roll look. The shirt is, I swear, the same cut as the one that Jerell wore to Parson's today. He loves to show his titties, that one. It's a loose, thin, pec-baring shirt of a lovely print of fuchsia and brown. It's covered by a black leather patchwork vest. Below, Rayon has made some really tight pants. They are patterned with different black fabrics. The metal zipper really brings your eye to the crotch and ...let's just say that Jerell has been blessed with more than design talent. Rayon says that he loves his look and Jerell loves it.
After the show, the designers/models stay on the runway. Heidi introduces Michael and Nina. She introduces LL Cool J as "musical innovator and style icon." Kenley interviews that she's mortified because LL is the "King of Hip-Hop" and Leanne's not hip-hop at all. She's really into blaming all of this on Leanne, isn't she?
Korto says that she chose a metallic denim for the jeans, and she distressed it with bleach. LL says that the outfit has energy, and that Korto was right on the money. Nina thinks Rayon looks like Marilyn Manson. She likes the fit of the pants. Michael thinks that, in addition to it being really appropriate punky, it is also flattering to Rayon.
Rayon describes his look as comfortable onstage, appropriate for partying later. Jerell says that he was thinking of Aerosmith when he and Rayon consulted and he feels that he got it right. Michael says that the pants were "expected." Rayon says that there is actually a lot of work in the pants, but LL says that it doesn't read from the stage. He also thinks it needs more accessories. Nina thinks that it's missing drama. Heidi says that Jerell looks like Jerell. That's true.
Jerell says that Kenley's outfit would read "way up in the nosebleeds." Kenley says that she would wear the outfit if she were a pop star. Nina likes that Kenley is exposed but not naked. Heidi says that she would like to have seen the boobs more supported. Damn, she just said that Kenley's got saggy boobs. Heidi HATES Kenley. LL says that they look supported to him. He says that when he saw her coming he wanted to see more skin, but she turned around and it was backless! What luck!! Michael says that it's smart and sexy without being vulgar.
Kenley says that her design is her take on what a woman today in hip-hop would want to wear. It's classy and expensive. Heh -- no, it's not. Heidi asks what happened to the pants. Kenley's like, "What?" Heidi says they are the most unflattering pants she has ever seen. Heidi really hates her. LL says that high waist is a problem with the pants. Heidi asks him if it reads hip-hop and he says no. Kenley says in return that she didn't want to design oversized pants with a backwards cap. Because those are the only two options? All of the judges emphasize that that is not what they are suggesting. She says she didn't want to make Leanne look like a fool (mission not accomplished). She wanted something stylish and fashion-forward. She is so completely defensive right now. I kinda love it when she's on the hot seat like this. Nina says that she didn't make the point of her genre as clearly as the other designers did. Michael says that you have to make something look luxurious without being garish. Kenley says that she can't do that in one day. Nina reminds her that she wasn't the only person who had this challenge. Everyone has had it as bad as her.
Leanne says she was going for vintage Dolly Parton with added modernity and glamour. Korto says she likes that it was old school but elegant. Nina likes the colors, but she wanted more sophistication. She thinks that the skirt is missing that. Heidi says she really likes the shape of the skirt. Michael likes the silhouette, but thinks Leanne could have taken it up a notch.
The judges confer. Michael and Nina say that they thought some people got the challenge, while others didn't. They love Jerell's. LL said it was like "another chapter" when Kenley took off the shrug. They all agree that it was provocative without being trashy. They liked Korto's too. Michael liked the chain on the shirt and felt that the look was authentic. They thought Rayon's look was boring. Michael says it was like rock & roll going to the grocery store. Nina says that Rayon is too safe in his design. Michael says that you could buy Kenley's outfit in a mall. The jacket was fine but the jeans were bad. Michael and Nina agree that the challenge freaked her out by taking her out of her little box.
Nina thinks that Leanne's look needed more glamour. Michael says that she looked like a woman going out to eat ribs. That's funny.
The designers return. Korto wins. Rayon says, "Good job, Baby." She is happy that she did a punk outfit and menswear and was successful. Jerell is in. Leanne is in. Down to Rayon and Kenley. Heidi says that Rayon was boring and Kenley had no bravado, glamour, or attitude. Kenley just smiles and kind of rolls her eyes. Kenley is... in. She walks off and kind of pats Rayon on the arm. He kisses Heidi, thanks everyone for the opportunity and says, "You guys are gonna see Rayon rock it. All my love." Michael laughs as he walks off the stage.
He's super-positive backstage and hugs everyone. I can't believe he has to leave while wearing that. He interviews that he's proud of making it to the top five. Oh, Rayon. He orders everyone to rock it as he leaves to clean up his workstation.
In his final interview, he says that, just like Madonna says, "You get up again, over and over. Madonna, I'm ready to dress you up in Suede." And, just because we wouldn't have it any other way, he's pointing his fingers at the camera like an absolute moron.
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