So this episode started out like last week’s episode with the winning designer given the option to switch models.  We were shocked last week when Leanne decided to choose Tia over Karalyn so we were pleasantly surprised when Korto kept Katarina. Once that was out of the way it was off to meet Tim for a field trip.

The final destination of this field trip was the New York Botanical Garden where Collier Strong met them to discuss how he gets inspiration from the colors and textures in nature. The designers’ were asked to grab a camera and start shooting inspiration for an evening gown inspired by nature. This seemed easy enough. Right? WRONG.

The designers’ ran around Mood looking for fabric, agonized over their designs, and stressed about having enough time to finish their designs. Just when we thought Kenley was completely doomed because she left her tulle at Mood Tim saved the day by allowing her to return to Mood to retrieve it. We aren’t surprised at Jerell’s amusement at Kenley’s misfortune saying,” I am dying to see how this will all pan out. I’m staying tuned!”

In the workroom it was clear that Leanne, Jerell, and Korto were supportive of eachother and that there was definite divide between the trio and Kenley. Kenley appeared to be disappointed by this however explained that she was used to it.  The sulking and stressing didn’t last for long as it was on to the runway. Here Heidi announced that Georgina Chapman Co-Founder and Designer of Marchesa was the guest judge. This was the perfect challenge for her to judge considering her elegant whimsical gowns grace many a red carpets. Who can forget the beautiful looks she did for Anne Hathaway and Jessica Alba at last years Oscars.

As far as the runway show we would like to first point out that we disagree with the judges. We actually thought the designers did a great job and we were torn between several designs as to who we thought should win. Again, we obviously did not agree with the judges. Here is their take:

Heidi and Michael criticized Korto’s gown calling it a  “Pageant dress” and Nina told her that she did not think that the gown was elegant.  In Nina’s opinion Korto’s attempt to impress the judges left her gown looking overworked.  Leanne was given praise by Georgina for mixing soft and structured elements in her gown, however all the judges disliked the back of the gown and felt that she should have omitted the blue fabric at the bustle.  Jerell was applauded for making the most modern and youthful gown, but lost points because his piece seemed unfinished. Finally, there was Kenley’s mock neck sleeveless gown which received no praise from anyone. Georgina felt it wasn’t organic, Nina called it “creepy”, Michael thought it was cliched, and Heidi did not find her detailing “elegant.”

Next it was time for the designers to give their two cents. Heidi asked each of them to  tell the judges why they should go to fashion week and which two of the other designers should go to fashion week with them. Leanne, Korto, and Jerell all talked about their point of view as a designer as evidence of why they belonged at Bryant Park and picked eachother to join them on the runway. Kenley, the odd woman out, said she deserved to be there because she could put on a show and without flinching announced that Leanne and Jerell should join her on the runway. Oh the drama!

Ultimately, the judges picked Jerell as the winner but were deadlocked as to who lost the challenge. Essentially  all four were passed on to the next level of competition and asked to create a collection for fashion week with an elimination upon their return to New York. This did nothing to quell the tension behind the scenes as Korto lashed out at Kenley for making a personal attack, and Kenley moved even farther apart from the other designers even refusing a group hug invitation from Tim.

We can’t wait for the collections–and we certainly can’t wait to see what’s going to happen next. Bid in our auction and take home a piece of the runway!

We admitted last week that we sometimes relished in the designers’ anguish, but this week we must admit we also relish in the “real” challenges where they work with people like you and me.

After the designers discovered they would not be working with the first women Heidi brought out on the stage but rather their younger daughters all recent college grads, we knew it was about to get interesting. Would the young women take to a more professional look? Would they like what the designers sketched for them?

Turns out due to the grad’s mothers being around on the first day in the workroom, none of our questions above applied. Some like Jerell, Korto, and Kenley had a great working relationship with the mother daughter duo, while people like Suede and Leanne struggled with their duos. We’ll be the first to admit we were not sure if Leanne or Suede would be able to withstand the pressure, however all our worries melted when the young women returned the next day sans their mothers.

Knowing that the designers knew Cynthia Rowley would be the guest judge we figured they would take more risks and have more fun. After all, Cynthia is known for her funky style as well as her irreverent design aesthetic. It is for this reason that both Leanne and Joe’s designs were criticized.

The judges, especially Cynthia, found Leanne’s design for Holly too buttoned up. Michael and Nina felt like it should have showcased  her youthful figure while Cynthia argued that the design should reflect the fact that Holly will more than likely be working hands-on with the children. They all found Joe’s design for Laura too cliched and felt like he should have done a younger look that was more modern. We can’t say we were surprised. Laura expressed that she was apprehensive about the pinstripes while Joe insisted that they would be good. Just another example of what happens when you don’t listen to your client.

Given Suede’s point of view as a designer coupled with Avital and her mother’s design requests we knew Suede’s design might be a bit of a disaster. While we like the dress, we aren’t sure if it was appropriate for the office and we don’t even know where to begin with the jacket.

We agree with the Judges top picks this week. We found Kenley, Jerell, and Korto’s designs both professional and modern. Kenley’s design was young and flattering and perfect for Anna who is a buyer. We do however agree with Heidi that she looked a bit like a “mini-me” of Kenley. Jerell’s look impressed the fab four on the judging panel and achieved the chic and put together look Caitlin and her mother wanted . We love that she said that Jerell made her feel beautiful. Lastly there was Korto’s design, a modern dress and jacket look, which would be perfect for any young grad entering the workplace and equally as appropriate for Medical school interviews. If she had any doubt about whether her look would be cohesive the expression on the judges faces should have put her at ease.

Ultimately, Joe was elminated and Jerell won both the challenge and a  TRESemmé  ad in Elle Magazine. Come back next week as we get closer and closer to the final three- and bid now to take home a piece of runway inspiration with a sketch from your favorite designer!

After the first challenge in Gristedes I think it’s fair to say that most of us cringe at the thought of the designers working with unusual materials. It’s true it always makes for an interesting show, however it’s just so sad to see them flounder. In our experience, the designers either can’t think outside the box or create something so basic by using the most fabric-like material that the innovation the challenge calls for is lost.  On the flip side there are those rare gems that manage to rise to the occasion and laugh in the face of unusual and creative challenges, like first guest judge Austin Scarlett.

For this challenge, as soon as the designers arrived on the roof for their introduction and saw the cars I could cut the tension with a knife. Our favorite line was from Terri who asked ” What am I supposed to do with these cars? I don’t have blow torch!”

As we predicted many of the designers picked seat belts and other pieces of cloth they could easily form into fabric-like pieces. Luckily when they got in the workroom designers like Kenley and Leanne realized early on that to stand out they needed to avoid using seat belts or at the very least use them in a different way. Let’s face it, The judges either dock you for taking the easy road and following the flock or applaud you for taking something everyone else has and re-thinking that material. The choice is yours.

Jerell, Leanne, and Korto were the top three with their dazzling innovative designs. We love the Barbarella/ Judy Jetson look of Jerell’s design. Not only did the piece look modern it combined the materials in really great way and was totally wearable without being a bore. We agree with Rachel that we would wear Korto’s elegant weaved coat in a second. Just as Micheal said we think it was chic. This look took a lot of effort and time, and is an example of a great way to work a common fabric many of the designers snagged. Last, but not least is Leanne who never ceases to amaze! We definitely think she is one to watch. Taking a departure from her pleats and pintucks she made a party perfect cocktail dress out of seat material of all things!

It was no suprise that Keith, Stella, and Blayne ended up in the bottom three. Keith, who finally made a different silhouette ( we were in no mood to see more torn strips attached to a skirt or a sleeve), ended up boring the judges with his conservative look. One could chalk it up to karma for yelling at Alyssa for sitting in the makeup room! Come on! Then there was Stella with her  separates in the bottom three who in all fairness went outside her comfort zone. Be honest, you all thought she was going to make an all leather piece too! It didn’t make sense to Pr Alum Laura or to Micheal Kors and her skirt was clearly puckering and coming apart. Lastly, there was Blayne who rounded out the lowest scores with his elegant, but poorly made dress. We give props from his ‘licious’ departure with his more elegant design. We know he was reeling from not having anything hot pink to choose from. Unlike Heidi we liked the broken glass shards on the bust ( we aren’t superstitious), and we think the look is chic. However, as Laura pointed out it was ill-fitting on the top.

Ultimately, Leanne won with her snazzy dress and Keith was out. We agree with the judges choices for this challenge. Do you? Don’t forget you can take home a piece of the runway by bidding on these creative designs on our Project Runway Auction.  Bid now- and pick up Rachel’s Zoe’s book packed with all her fabulous style advice!