The Art of Fashion
Updated 2009-11-06 08:30:46
So, Internet, how are YOU doing? Me? Oh, I'm fine, I guess. Not much going on, really. Hmm, wait a second. When did we talk last? Did I mention that I became a mother a month ago? And quite suddenly? No, not like, I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant! , though how awesome would that be? My husband and I adopted a baby girl from Texas! Where I used to live. Seriously, we traveled there and stayed one block from my old apartment. We had our last dinner as non-parents at the restaurant where we had our first date. Life is crazy, man. Subsequently, I am also crazy. Parenthood is crazy. Babies are crazy. She was three months old the day we "took possession" (yes, that is really what they call it), and let me tell you, having an Instant Baby is the craziest thing of all time. We were shocked to get the call and completely unprepared. We like to live dangerously, I guess. Anyway, that is what I have been up to, and I appreciate the awesome Lulu Bates for the superb back-up. My only complaint is that y'all let Nicolas get sent home while I wasn't looking. I know you all hated him, but I will forever hold a torch for the Feather Prince.
Things are getting tense among the remaining ladies of the runway. Irina apparently accused Althea last week of copying her giant sweater design -- though I watched it and initially they made it look like Althea was accusing Logan of copying her zipper thing? Apparently it was both. Listen, Irina is talented, for sure, but has she forgotten something? Like, if she wins this bullshit she'll have to possibly work with people who watched it? Why doesn't anyone ever think about that? I can't stand her and was so disturbed in that past episode where it appeared she was using her vile influence on Althea, making her equally vile. That seems to have worn off, now, and Irina instead has turned her thinning-the-herd laser on Gordana, which pains me most of all. The morning of the challenge, the four remaining women are hanging out in their room and, without even getting out of bed, Irina uses her Machiavellian wiles to cause Gordana to snap at Carol Hannah. "I'm really competitive," Irina says in an interview, "and I always say that I won't say anything behind your back that I wouldn't say to your face... and I guess people would just rather I say it behind your back." No, child. They would rather you NOT SAY IT. At all! As in: why don't you just shut up? People of the television and the surrounding world, please heed my wisdom on this: defending your bitchassness by saying "that's just how I am" does not make it okay.
In his room, Christopher stands alone. I have no idea how this has ended up being the case. He certainly has a great deal of natural ability and desire to succeed, but... Christopher? Instead of, say, Nicolas? I mean, just for example. He says in an interview that he had assumed Nicolas and Ra'Mon would both be there at the end. "It's getting a little lonely in the boys' room," he says.
Gordana says that getting through the competition was always about surviving, and now that she is the at the last challenge, she wants to show the judges something she can be really proud of. "For me, for my family, for my country," she says, "for everybody that I love." Aw. Gordana is so awesome. If I was Tim Gunn, I would hire her. She works like a dog, and can sew better than anyone I have ever seen on this program. Plus, she IS creative, no matter how the judges want us to think otherwise, and except for that Irina-inspired swipe at Carol Hannah, she seems nice.
Here we are at the last challenge prior to the final runway. Heidi is looking gorge as always, though her hair... how to put this? Looks like a rat's nest. A stylish rat's nest, I am sure, but crazy nevertheless. "Fashion Week is at your finger tips!" Heidi tells the designers, and adds that for the last challenge, they will be sent to an iconic L.A. location rich in culture and "priceless views." Everyone's eyebrows go up and they head out to meet Tim Gunn. "Behind me I see the ocean; I see the hills," Althea says as we see the designers walking outside in the sunshine. "And then in front of me I see this amazing building! Could it get any better?" I suppose it could not, no, for the amazing building in question is nothing less than the amazing Getty Center . But that is not even the most amazing part. Tim Gunn is joined by none other than L.A.'s mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa. Was it just me, or did Tim seem close to tears when he said that "in the sixth season of Project Runway, we have embraced Los Angeles, and in turn, Los Angeles has embraced us?" I swear I think he got choked up, but I can't tell if it's because he's happy or embarrassed, like a high society party guest, to be embraced by L.A. The mayor gives them some schtick, welcoming them to Los Angeles. Carol Hannah says that the fact that the mayor would take the time to come and speak to Project Runway contestants makes her realize how serious this whole competition is. I think, actually, it really just indicates that the mayor likes to be on TV. Because... I think there are a FEW things going on in Los Angeles that he should be getting busy on.
TG says that they are to use the Getty Center as their inspiration for the next challenge -- the fountains, the architecture, the art, any and all of it. And, as a special surprise, their models are there to serve as their muses. Christopher says that getting inspired by the Getty is not going to be very hard. "There's so much to see," he says, "and so much to not touch." Hee. Carol Hannah, also, is blown away by the whole place. "Everywhere you look," she says, "it's just beautiful." She is particularly moved by this gorgeous French bed in the European decorative arts exhibit. It is huge and gilded with brocade and feathers and she can't get enough of it. Althea, meanwhile, is overwhelmed by the inspiration provided by the building's architecture, itself. She tells Tanisha, her model, that looking at the building makes her want to do something tailored. Inside, Irina and Kaelyn are drawn to Mischief and Repose , by John William Godward. What a gorgeous painting -- and when I look at it, I can almost imagine some luscious, diaphanous concoction that I am sure Irina is capable of creating. When Kaelyn reads aloud that the painting revels "in the contrast of marble, tile, silk, fur and flesh," Irina is particularly excited. "I need that!" she says. "I want to rip that plaque off!" Writing it down might also work, Irina.
Causing me some concern is Christopher, who has -- of all the things to look at in this gorgeous place -- become drawn to a fountain. He is particularly excited that it has algae growing on it. Siiiiigh. Christopher, you rule the category of Overthinking. And, while we're on the subject, also the category of Unfortunate Beard Styling. There! I said it! Randomly, we hear him say in a voiceover that it is fantastic to finally have the opportunity to "vocalize" his "mindview." Raise your hand if you think Christopher is going to have to have therapy when this is all over!
Gordana's inspiration is the absolutely breathtaking Monet painting The Portal of Roeun Cathedral in Morning Light . She says the muted colors remind of her of Europe, where she's from, and that looking at it makes her want to recreate the beauty of her homeland. She and Matar, her model, discuss how important it will be to create something very light and spiritual.
Finally, sketch time is over and Tim drags them on their last journey to Mood. Oh, how happy these Mood employees must be now that their long-awaited freedom is finally within their reach. The designers have budgets of $300 and thirty minutes to shop. Gordana goes all out trying to match the colors and, dare I say it, the MOOD of her inspiration painting to the available fabrics. She buys a lot, and obviously hits the top of her budget. On another table, Irina shows Tim Gunn the fur she has found to work into her design. "It's not goat," she says, perplexed as she moves the pieces around. "Maybe it's rabbit." TG can barely contain himself. "It's too big to be rabbit," he whispers in horror, holding back a laugh. "It's a giant, giant Scandinavian rabbit." He encourages Carol Hannah to spend her entire budget. "I am," she says, shooting a sideways look at the Mood cutter. "If we can cut faster." Christopher darts around the store picking stuff I find questionable without even seeing it... since his inspiration is a rock with mold on it. " Qu'est que c'est " Tim is forced to ask in French, when seeing Christopher's moss-green fabric causes him to lose his ability to speak English. Christopher: "It's supposed to be an accent!"
Finally back in the workroom, the pressure is on. Tim tells the designers to invest themselves in this challenge more than ever before, and leaves them to work for two days. Irina thinks this one is hit or miss, since they are being inspired by works of art. I'd love to hear her expound on that, since I think it is one of their more straightforward challenges, but the producers of this show would rather show us the same shots of the workroom that we see every week, and have Christopher remind us AGAAAAAIIINNN that he is from a small town. Look, I love an underdog -- I almost always root for them. But he's been hanging his hat on it for weeks now, and some of the stuff he makes is ultratack. "To come here and to perform, and then to go on to Bryant Park, it's... unbelievable," he says, grabbing his tragic sideburn-beard combo as if he is having an aneurysm, and adds "OH MY GOD." Gordana worries that whatever she does with her dress, Heidi will not like it. "Heidi will be like 'you deena pain' the peecture on eet.' You know how she vants to be leeeterally."
The atmosphere in the workroom has become awkward for Althea. She explains in an interview that Irina and Gordana have sort of become recent friends, and that Christopher and Carol Hannah seem to be buddies, so she's kind of alone. Irina, to illustrate her overall assholery, complains that Althea is "like King Kong," and wants to grab everything in the workroom for herself. For example, she says, Althea is using too many tables in the workroom and she's tired of looking at her everywhere she turns. "But," she rolls her eyes, "her highness has to iron." Yes, well, don't you all have to iron? And if the table is empty, what's the probs? Unfortunately, Althea is letting it get under her skin and insecurely asks Carol Hannah if she thinks Irina's being over the top with her table complaints. "I'm gonna go with 'what's the point?'" Carol Hannah responds -- and isn't she crafty? Because couldn't that response be read either way? Smart girlie. "I think she's just out for blood at this point," Althea says, and CH agrees, because it is obvs so true.
Disappointing me greatly is what appears to be Gordana's involvement in this little Mean Girls tableau. "You know what they say," she says to Irina, "'the dogs that bark don't bite.'" Do they say that? I guess somebody does. "It's the quiet ones you have to be worried about," Irina translates, giggling like a beyatch. "It's always the cute dogs that just bite your fingers off." I can't figure if she's talking here about Althea or Carol Hannah, but who cares? She sucks. CH says in an interview in her fantastic tired drawl that she thinks the sniping is silly and that people need to do their work and shut the HELL up. I am paraphrasing, but I know that's what she meant.
Irina reveals in an interview that her family is from The Republic of Georgia . Okay, that is interesting. What an amazingly diverse and interesting place that is. Irina says that she hopes her involvement with this contest and the possibility of going to Bryant Park will show her parents that she can have a good life, despite being -- to them -- an old maid. She's 26. If I were her parents, I'd be far more concerned that no one wanted to marry my daughter because she is, in fact, a witch queen, not because she's "old."
Tim Gunn comes in for my fave part of every show, the time in which he provides guidance. I have to look twice to make sure that I am actually seeing this, but... did TG just cruise up in this workroom in jeans?! And no tie?! Y'all, Tim is trying his damndest to relax and live the Cali lifestyle. He needs to, I'm sure, since he first has to deal with Christopher's rock/moss dress. Christopher talks again about the boulders in the fountain and how he loved the look of the moss growing up the side of the rock. He has cut some angular pieces that he plans to edge in, but Tim ain't going for it. "They look like stalactites!" he says, and encourages Christopher to "keep an editing eye" on his dress, else the judges look at it and end up saying "Christopher, whaaaat?" Poor, sweet Minnesota Nice Christopher sighs: "That happens a lot to me." Aw.
Carol Hannah thrills Tim with her bed inspiration. You know sister is tired, because her accent is on full blast talking about "techsture" and "sew minny in-trest-tin shayps." Love it. Thus far, she has constructed a really beautiful, slinkly gold sheath dress with a skirt that sashes around the hips and flares out. It is, to borrow the name of one of my most beloved television programs of all time, solid gold. Tim is feeling it, apparently, until she explains how she is going to mimic the texture of the bed by having some kind of ornate thing happen across the bodice. Not if TG has anything to do with it. "What are you doing?" he says. "I think it loses the taste and it loses the sophistication."
"So talk to me," he tells Irina as she ponders her, frankly, awful dress. "I just really want to do a very, sort of, sheer, fleshy-looking..." Whoa. The needle comes off the record. "FLESHY?" Tim asks, mortified. Hilarious. She means sheer, so you can see the model's skin, not fleshy which is something else entirely . Tim points out that in the painting, the dresses worn by the women are completely diaphanous. Of course, you can't send a nude model down the runway (Mitchell), so Irina has lined the crepe-y material she bought. It looks awful to me (and to Tim). You know what it looks like, actually? Fleshy! She also has some kind of insane wrap made of the fur. "It's looking a lot like road kill," Tim says, obviously disturbed. "It worries me. And seeing it with [the dress], it's like a post-apocalyptic moment." He laughs reeeallly uncomfortably, and tells her to make it work.
Also having major troubs is Althea. She's constructing this dress of panels to look like the architecture of the Getty building and, to Tim's eye, it is a mess. In fact, he calls it a panel of puckering. He's confused, he says, as to why she chose to do the construction the way she has. It's a shame, since many of her other garments were really well constructed. "This needs... work," Tim says, and goes off to find Gordana.
Finally, she has risen to the occasion. The flowing dress she has made with sheer pieces of fabric calling to mind the colors found in the Monet is really beautiful. Something about the way the shades of color line up in the front calls to mind... the female reproductive system... but even then, I can acknowledge that it is beautiful. Gordana is overwhelmed by the whole thing. "This was my challenge," she says, starting to cry. "I couldn't tell you how emotional I am about this painting." Sweet Tim also becomes a little emotional as she explains that, though no one realizes it, she is a very spiritual person. She finds the muted grays, lilacs, and pinks to be angelic. "I wanted to create something regardless of the judges," she says. "I wanted to create something that I am in love with, and I am in love with this." Tears. Tim somehow holds it together and says that though he never knows what the judges will say, he is really impressed with the gown.
Finally, it is time to send in the models, but before he does, Tim reminds everyone that they are all at risk to be sent home. Evil, but necessary. The girls arrive and Althea consults with Tanisha on her puckering problem. Carol Hannah says in an interview that the fabric Althea chose is the problem. "I like where she's going," CH says. "I just hope she gets there."
Christopher tells his model, who I think is sort of weird looking, that he knows he's the odd duck in the contest and hopes she's not scared to be sent home. The thing is, he THINKS he understands his role in the competition, but when he describes himself as "the wacky, weird guy who doesn't listen and who just does whatever he wants to do," it is so clear he is not quite yet self-aware enough to be doing this. Dude, you are actually the weird guy who doesn't understand what the judges are saying -- it's not that you don't listen. You just don't get it, yet.
After Tim's critique, Irina has chosen to axe her fur wrap. She is, instead, giving her full concentration to the dress. Her model encourages her by reminding her that all of this stuff will only last a few more days. "You can do anything for a few days," she says, and it's good advice, but for once I think Irina has really stumbled, dress-wise.
Elsewhere, Althea tells Christopher that she is more stressed now than she ever has been on a challenge, because this is the last one. "It's just that I really want to go to Fashion Weeeeeek," she says, and she draws that last word out like you do when you realize you are stating the RIDICULOUSLY OBVIOUS. Oh, really? You really want to go to where? Fashion Week? Because Christopher really was hoping to go to a Star Trek convention. Althea also says that she is impressed by the simple, beautiful silhouette of Gordana's dress, but does not feel it's a dress worthy of the Last Challenge. It doesn't wow, she says. As someone with a mannequin covered up with puckered fabric, she has little room to talk.
Meditating on his terrible beard, Christopher is alone in his room. He says in a voiceover that he's more nervous now than before, and blah blah blah hasn't each of them said this already, in practically the same words? Why would it be at all surprising that they are more nervous about the last challenge? This is the one they SHOULD be nervous about. In the ladies' room (not that one), Gordana says she keeps having to tell herself that all of this is now out of her hands. She's done everything she could have done by this point.
Back in the workroom, Althea is overwhelmed with her mess of a skirt. Carol Hannah is also feeling crazy, like she's on a bridge in an adventure movie, "and I'm running as fast as I can before I fall off completely." Tim arrives and ushers in the models. Again, from the glimpses we see of Gordana's dress, it is beautiful. She is fully confident that she achieved what she meant to achieve on the challenge. Christopher, also, claims to be confident. His dress, he says, represents who he is as a designer. Y'all, his dress is awful. I hate to say that, because he is capable of making pretty dresses, but this is a mess of the hottest degree. It looks like it is made of Bondo . He does not get it, though. "It's pretty and it's kind of dirty," he says, and adds that he thinks the judges will see it and send him through to Bryant Park. In a later talk with Irina, he reiterates that he needs to do what is right for him, and that is why he's in the competition. "Christopher is very confident, but it's a false confidence," Irina very astutely observes. "Because he's so in his head, he just can't see anything outside of it." She is SO right. She adds that his look is probably really going to put him in trouble, again.
Meanwhile, her opinion of Althea's dress is no better, and this time the feeling is mutual. Althea thinks Irina's dress -- which looks to me like a loose, unsheer wine gift bag -- is not all that great. "It's not ugly by any means," she says, in a beautiful back-handed compliment, but it's not a "wow" dress that will really impress the judges. Irina, of Althea's work, says she "sometimes does an okay job with construction," but that she rarely ever does a good finish to her designs.
Finally, it is time for this nail-biting runway. Tim Gunn comes in for a final rallying cry. "I wanna wow those judges!" he says. "I want Nina Garcia's stilettos to blow right off of her feet and shoot across the runway!" Oh my God. I die.
When they arrive to be greeted by Heidi's evilly chirping "hello!" they respond with the lamest, most tired "hiiii" you have ever heard. I feel sorry for these people. What a ridiculous ride they have put themselves on, and all for the honor of winning this contest that will basically get them invited to the VH-1 Big in '09 Awards, and not much else. It must be at least slightly gratifying to see Heidi wearing a dress that looks like it came from K-Mart. Whatever, I am sure it is some high fashion $9,000 dress, but the fabric looks like something you would use to upholster your patio furniture, and is saying 1988 K-Mart Jaclyn Smith Collection to me.
This week, the judges include the fabulous Cynthia Rowley , the wickedly wonderful NEEEna GarCEEEa, and the unbelievably gorgeous Cindy Crawford. Snap! Heidi reminds them that after this, two of them will be sent home and the remaining designers will appear at New York's Fashion Week. Let's get on with it.
Althea's look... you can see what she was going for, but it's bad. The skirt is of heavy champagne satin and it puckers and just doesn't look quite right. She obviously got desperate for a top and ended up with something that looks like a ripped up ice skating costume. It's a shame. When I think back to the dress she made out of paper, I can imagine that if perhaps she had chosen a different fabric, this could have gone better. She says in a voiceover that if she gets sent home, it won't be because she played it too safe.
Carol Hannah's gold, satin dress turned out nicely, though I fail to see the influence of the bed in it. There appears to be some braiding at one shoulder, but I am not seeing how this stands out from anything she's done in the past. She definitely got spooked by Tim's comments in the workroom and did not exactly branch out. As always, her model, Lisa, looks fantastic in the dress. She has a gorgeous shape and everything looks good on her.
Christopher's autoshop prom dress is next and it's really too terrible for words. The fabric on the bodice and the skirt is SO heavy, and the top is so light, it just makes no sense. He finished it by tying a weird cord around the model's waist... it just does not look good. If Michael Kors were only around, he'd surely make a comment about the taste level, or lack thereof.
Gordana's model, Matar, is so stunning and she looks wonderful in the flowing, angelic dress. The colors are totally lovely and it looks very well made. But y'all, you're seeing the uh, lady parts resemblance in the color pattern, right? I mean, am I the ONLY one seeing it? Am I suddenly perverted somehow? And I HATE that I am seeing it, because like I say, it is a beautiful garment and worthy of praise. Gordana is particularly thrilled that she has made something she can say she put her soul into, and not just her capable hands.
Irina says she really wanted to do something different for this challenge, and feels like her dress looks great. It actually looks fine, but something about it is so cheesy. Maybe the model's hairstyle, a top-knotted long ponytail. She looks like a hostess at a Greek restaurant. And what she did with the fabric is just kind of not working. Somehow, this gauzey, flowing stuff looks as heavy as wool.
Finally, it's time for the judging. I look nervously at the clock because... do I seriously now have to watch these people get eviscerated in their most stressful hour? It's hard on my sleep-deprived mind.
They start with Althea, who explains again that she was inspired by the architecture of the Getty. Cindy Crawford says she thinks Althea is brave to try all the pleating, since she knows it is hard to make. "But it's also hard to wear," she adds, and Cynthia Rowley agrees. "It seems a little ambitious, maybe," she says. "It seems that the skirt is a little overworked, and the top is underworked." Nina says there's nothing wrong with being ambitious, but that it's clear Althea spent all her time on the skirt and not on the top. Heidi pounds in the final nail, calling the ensemble "a bit of a mess fest." She says she's surprised to see this from Althea, who appears to have bitten off more than she could chew.
Irina explains her inspiration again -- using the word "fleshy" again -- and how she wanted the dress to be sensual and beautiful, but with tough styling. Nina, completely tired of this whole escapade, says she likes the back of the dress, but that the mid-calf length is "very old lady." Cindy adds that the color of the dress is nice, but the heavy black pumps create a big disconnect. Heidi agrees and says that if the shoes and so much more of the heavily styled jewelry could just come off, the dress would look better. "Okay, let's do it," Irina says, and Kaelyn removes a bunch of stuff. "It's better," Cindy says. "If you're going for simple, just make it what it is."
We turn now to the emotional Gordana, who discusses her inspiration and how she used her silk organza to create brush strokes. Heidi says she can clearly see the inspiration come to life in the dress. "You know it's a perfectly made dress," Nina says, bored as hell. "But I wonder... if you can really take a chance." Would these people please shut up about taking chances? Did Gordana's people invade their countries or something? Because this dress is very beautiful. Cindy Crawford says she could see herself wearing it. Of course, Cynthia Rowley wants to see it from the back and notices that the zipper Gordana used is not as aesthetically pleasing as they might like. "Not so good from the back," Nina says with quiet viciousness. "But beautiful from the front." Did she have like, a root canal the day this was filmed. Her subdued evil is more frightening than even her animated evil.
Carol Hannah explains her inspiration, but no one gets it. They love the dress, itself, and consider it perfectly made and fitted, but are afraid she is playing it safe.
Poor Christopher now must discuss his rock mold. The ladies are kind of nice about it -- they like the top and the colors, and even call the shape of it flattering, but the fabrics are not right. Heidi very kindly tells Christopher that he is very talented, and asks if he is confident in this as his final look. She's almost too nice to him, and it makes him start crying. "This piece says more about me than any other piece I've put down the runway," he says, and the mother-eyes on the faces of the judges as he cries are almost too much to bear. He babbles about how he's proud that the others found inspiration in beautiful pieces of art, and he found his in "a rock, with algae on it." Not everyone, he says (cries), would see the beauty in that. "And, it's like, that's me," he says. Finally, his model hugs him, probably to get him to shut up. Heidi thanks him for sharing.
She asks Gordana, in the coldest tone, why she deserves to go to Fashion Week and which two designers should come with her. "When I was growing up, I was dyeing fabrics in onion peel," she says. She goes on that if she had the time and resources to go to Fashion Week, she knows she could create something truly unique. She thinks that Christopher, because he really wants it so much, and Irina, for the same reason. Ugh. You had me at "onion peel," G, but that last part ticked me off. They all want it.
Althea says she thinks that she consistently pushed herself throughout the contest. "I have the skills and the vision to put a really beautiful collection out there," she says. It's awkwardly edited, but she says Carol Hannah and Irina both deserve to go to Fashion Week with her. I'd love to know what they cut out of what she said.
Carol Hannah is tired, people. She sighs and says she could go into her whole story about how she's self-taught and did not go to school for this, but when it comes down to it, none of that matters, nor does it matter how bad anyone "wants it." What matters, she says, is that she makes beautiful garments that women want to wear. Boom. So true. She says that she'd like to see Christopher come with her, because he always has interesting ideas, and Althea, because she is capable and talented.
Irina attempts to pull the heartstrings by rolling out her immigrant status. Something yadda yadda about the American dream or something, I don't know. "It's okay to dream, as long as you push it," she says, which makes no sense, and it's interesting to see Ms. UberConfident kind of flub it at the last minute. When Heidi asks who else should get to go, she has the nerve to laugh and say "I've already been called 'mean,' I don't want to do this!" Um, you've been called mean because you totally are mean. Ultimately, she makes a fair assessment, however, of who should get to go. Judging by their work, she says, Althea and Gordana should go.
Christopher can barely get through his reasons for why he deserves to go Fashion Week, but it boils down to the fact that he hasn't had a lot of opportunities for success in his life, and thus it would be really great to succeed at this. Well, sure it would. For anyone! In his heart, he adds, Irina and Carol Hannah are the ones that deserve to go to Bryant Park as well. Ooo, everyone is afraid of Althea.
Heidi sends them all away, finally, so that the judges can make their final decisions. They all agree that Althea's dress was a mess, but that she pushed herself, and is a very talented designer. Nina says that Irina's dress from the waist down was dowdy. Cynthia was impressed with the inspiration she chose, "which is part of it," and Cindy admires the fact that she has a clear vision. They all feel sorry for Christopher. Cynthia and Heidi compare the heavy skirt to denim, and say that paired with the crazy corset, "it's all the things you don't want to wear." Cindy hits the nail on the head when she adds: "The thing is, he still doesn't know it's the wrong fabric." Perfectly stated -- that is his problem. Nina agrees, and says that Christopher is just not technically there yet, not having worked enough to realize it's the wrong fabric.
Heidi thinks Carol Hannah played it pretty safe on the dress today, but all agree that the dress she made was the standout piece. "Carol Hannah has a bit of class," Heidi says, and Nina says the dress was "impeccably made."
Is Nina taking Valium or something? She is seriously subdued tonight, even when twisting the knife in her favorite voodoo doll, Gordana. She says for the millionth time that she just doesn't know who Gordana "is" as a designer. I have to put it in quotes, because it's so dumb. I'm sorry -- I get what they mean when they repeatedly say this about Gordana, but the thing is, she doesn't lack vision, she's just NICE. And kind of normal. And they don't know how to deal with such a creature at all. Heidi says it's been hit and miss with Gordana.
Finally, the decision is made. Heart attack time. Heidi tells Irina that she has consistently performed well and today was no exception. "You're going to Fashion Week." Irina thanks everyone and leaves. I think it is really hard for Heidi when she has to tell Christopher that he is going home. They believe, she says, that he needs more work before going on to the big leagues, but really appreciate that he can see beauty in the unusual. "Remember, that is a strength that you have," Heidi says. "Never lose that." The poor thing. He goes back to the green room and must receive condolences from Irina. It really does break my heart, but the judges were so right.
Heidi tells Carol Hannah that though they did not see the inspiration of the Getty in the dress she made, they think it was very well done, and that she is talented. She is going to Fashion Week! She naturally bursts into tears.
Thus, in a cruel twist of fate, Althea is left on the runway with Gordana. Poor Gordana, she has to hear the drums of doom. I want to smack Heidi when she says that the judges considered Gordana's dress beautiful, but thought it had construction issues. Every single week they are all over her about how good a seamstress she is, but that she isn't creative enough, and this week they reverse it. It doesn't matter, because they were never going to let her go, but STILL. Just call it what it is -- you don't LIKE her for some reason. She's too old, or too reserved, or too normal or whatever. They keep the drama ramped by having Heidi tell Althea how disappointed they were in her look, but whatevs, Althea's going to Fashion Week. I mean, she deserves it, but I believe Gordana also deserves to go. Althea goes back to be congratulated, sort of, by everyone, and Gordana receives the kiss of doom. "I'm out," she says, as she goes back to the back room, and everyone hugs her. "Well," Carol Hannah shrugs, "it was a gorgeous dress." Tim comes back and says that he's sorry that five of them couldn't go to Fashion Week. Sadly, he has to send Christopher and Gordana to clean up their spaces.
Christopher says in his exit interview that he's lucky to have gotten to participate in every challenge. "I didn't get to create a 12-look collection for Fashion Week," he says, "but I got to create a 12-look collection on the runway." Natch, he's in tears as he says this, but who can blame him. Bless his heart, he's tired. Believe me, this month, I recognize sleep deprivation as the deadly disease it truly is.
Gordana says she doesn't want to leave there sad that she's not in the top three. "What I want to leave from here is as a proud person who came from nowhere and made it so far." MAN. I wish Gordana was going, but I am excited to see what these other ladies come up with for Bryant Park.
Get the latest recaplets, weecaps, blogs and more on-the-go via your smart phone with TWoP's mobile site.