During the first two episodes of Project Runway, Gretchen, whose style is very straight-forward, very boring and all one color all the time and who makes beautifully constructed clothes that have been one single color without very much else to them, has won both challenges. The third episode opens with Gretchen talking about how all of the other designers on the show are very nice, loving and congratulatory. She talks about how all of the other designers have been rooting for her throughout the challenges and how she has set the bar so very high for the other designers on the show. Meanwhile, her very nice, loving and congratulatory fellow designers are seen talking about how big Gretchen's head has gotten since she won her second challenge last episode and how annoying it is that she has won both challenges so far, but also how annoying she has become as a person since her wins.The third episode is the first time we see the model-choosing process. In all of the previous seasons of Project Runway, Heidi Klum would bring out all of the models and let the winner of the last challenge either choose to stay with the model they had the previous challenge or switch it up and choose someone new. After, Heidi would choose the other designers' names from a bag and that would be the order they would choose their models in. This has worked for seven seasons, but for the eighth season they don't seem to be giving the models a fair shake in the least. Heidi brought out Gretchen's model, as well as the models from the two people who were eliminated in the last episode, Bowler Hat Jason and Nicholas. Gretchen chose to stay with her model, which was wise because her model is absolutely gorgeous and has obviously worked very well for her thus far. However, the other designers do not get to choose new models; instead, Gretchen has sealed the fate of the other models on the runway by choosing to stick with the model she was randomly given at the beginning of the season and the two other models were automatically sent home.
For the designers' third challenge, they are told by Heidi that Tim Gunn is waiting for them at the specified location and that they would be having a party. That was merely code for the designers arriving at a party supply store and having to make a garment out of party supplies.
Some of the designers were very comfortable with this challenge; for instance, A.J. puts random toys, glitter, feathers and other such items on his clothes to begin with. This challenge was practically thought up for A.J. to do his thing and he immediately ran through the party supply store knowing exactly what he wanted to make his garment out of. Gretchen on the other hand, was not too thrilled with this challenge, saying that a party supply store is Cheeseball Central, which I can definitely agree with. What I did not like about Gretchen however, is the fact that maybe the other designers are onto something here when it comes to her attitude because she was acting like she was just so above having to put together a look made purely from party supplies, saying that her design aesthetic is anything but cheeseball. Another designer who was not only having trouble, but had absolutely no idea what he was doing was Casanova. Before the designers were let loose into the party supply store, Tim Gunn specifically told them that the judges do not look fondly on designers using material-like supplies (ie: tablecloths, wrapping paper) and things that lend themselves well to being used as fabric. Using these types of items is really a cop out when the designers will have muslin and unbleached cotton available to use as a base for their garment. Casanova however, gets some stuffed animals and a whole mess of tablecloths to use for his garment and nothing else. Several designers warned him of using material-like supplies instead of actually putting any creativity into his look whatsoever, and after disregarding them and stating that he was not into circus things, decided to continue on in hopes of winning over the judges with his design.
By the time Tim checked in on the designers, none of them were really as far along as they should have been, but it was obvious some designers were having more trouble than others. A.J., for being the designer who works with party supplies and other "cheeseball"-like items, as Gretchen would put it, was feeling a lot of pressure because he felt everyone expected him to come up with something astounding and fabulous--and they did. Speaking of Gretchen (again), she seemed to progressively get more annoying as the episode progressed. I'm fairly certain she gave every other designer there critiques on their designs and what she saw them doing, most of whom did not ask her for her opinion. In addition to her endless, unprompted critiques, when the designers went back to their workstations on the second day to finish their garments, Gretchen announced to everyone to make sure that they finish in enough time to clean up their stations. Are you kidding me, Gretchen? You want Tim Gunn's job and you want to play the mom of the house? She's like the overbearing mother that makes you want to scream at the top of your lungs, stomp your feet and beg them to just shut their mouths already. She's the Emily Gilmore of Project Runway.
When Tim checked in on Kristin, she began telling him her thoughts on a waistband for her garment when she and Tim got into a discussion on animal woolly balls.
As Tim left the workroom, he told the designers that their models would be in shortly and with them, they would have a present for each of them. The models walk in with little gift bags for their designers and for a second I did question what was going on. I know, this show is very much set up, but these gift bags were small and cute! Maybe they really did just bring them presents.
No. No they did not. The designers have an added challenge to go along with their party supply garments. They had to create an additional accessory using only the materials provided in their gift bags. Located in the gift bags were ribbons, sequins, polka dots and lots and lots of colorful materials and doodads. A lot of the designers made rings, others made necklaces and even gloves (made out of balloons) were seen on the runway.
The guest judge for this episode of Project Runway was Betsey Johnson. She was such a fitting, perfect choice for a challenge where the designers had to be a little quirky, crazy and really think outside of the box because Betsey Johnson is just ridiculous and intriguing and pure awesome.
Considering A.J. should have done something really intriguing and cool with the party supplies since he works with these types of materials all the damn time, his dress was horrendous.
Nina Garcia called A.J.'s garment a hot mess, which I believe is the second time she has referred to something as a hot mess in three episodes--I think she learned a new phrase over the summer and wants to use it as much as possible.
Valerie was yet again in the top with a really fantastic and classy looking black and white dress that I liked a lot.
I'm getting kind of angry about Valerie coming in right at the top but not winning. I thought she should have won last episode and when Gretchen was named the winner, Michael said that he thought Valerie should have won. She's a great designer with interesting ideas and she can make an awesome dress out of nothing but paper napkins. Come on, judges!
Andy and Gretchen were both singled out for their looks, but Andy ended up winning this challenge.
I still would have picked Valerie's garment to win over Andy's, but I really can't complain about his win because a ton of detail went into his dress and hey, Gretchen did not win three out of three challenges, so maybe her head can deflate a little before the next episode.
Michael Kors is getting all of this season's isms out on Casanova's garments. This little gem...
...was described by Michael Kors as looking like a "transvestite flamenco dancer at a funeral" and Heidi Klum said it was a "parade float." Casanova lives to see another week, coming in the bottom two.
The judges described Sarah's look as "boring, safe and sad," which I have to agree with; it does look sad, but not safe because I wouldn't consider something that doesn't look finished safe.
Sarah was eliminated this episode, which made me sad because I thought she had some interesting things up her sleeve that we just hadn't had the opportunity to see. I was a little interested in her from the season premiere, but now she is gone--instead of Casanova, at that.
The next episode of Project Runway airs tomorrow night on Lifetime, so check back here Friday afternoon for another recap and lots of thoughts on the episode!
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