Five? Four? Three? - Project Runway SPOILERS

I was really looking forward to seeing the challenge designs that the five remaining designers would come up with this week. As I reviewed yesterday, this challenge featured cold weather outer wear as the focus, although everyone designed both a coat or jacket and a garment underneath. In this challenge there was no winner - the winners would be passed on to make collections for New York's Spring/Summer Fashion Week. Any losers would go home, falling one step short from grasping that golden ring. 

Here are the designs, presented in the order of designs that I liked, which mostly corresponded to the order that the judges called them out from the lineup. 

WARNING - SPOILERS AHEAD

Kentaro was the first person awarded a place in Fashion
Week. He said that he designed for his model, Meisha,
a partnership that has resulted in a strong friendship
between the two. 

The multiple folds which were actually easy to fasten and retie, were vintage Kentaro. When he returns to his roots, embracing his Japanese culture, he designs beautifully. He's had some wonderful designs this year, even though he's fallen flat a few times too. This winter white ensemble was perfect, the leggings emulating boots were ingenious, and the side-split shorts in two lengths were melded into a fully realized look. I loved this and if I was younger, I'd try to buy or replicate it. I think it's probably a bit too youthful of a look for a woman of my age though, *sigh*. 

Brandon's look was the second one chosen by the judges. I
suspect that most of us already knew Brandon would be
going to Fashion Week. His style is consistent, edgy,
and beautifully made. He's developed some real
self-confidence through this competition. 

The multi-level winter white outfit coupled with the forest green waxed canvas and shearling mid-length coat with off-set diagonal toggle fastenings and matching bag was trendy and functional. I haven't liked every design Brandon has done over this season, but he's been a consistent front runner. He would have had to really mess up to miss his invitation to make a collection for Fashion Week. This design was a total hit, except for his choice of open-toed shoes. Shoes like that in snow? Hell no! 

Ayana kept her focus on designing modest clothing
firm throughout the competition, earning the
respect of the judges through her focus and her
design skills. 

Ayana had a bi-level jacket/coat which unzipped at the waist and down the center front. It was a wonderful design decision. I loved the painted embellishments on the diagonal pink section. That particular idea came from Tim Gunn, and it was pure genius because it made the panel visually interesting. The herringbone jumpsuit beneath the coat was boring and a design miss. Still, she's a serious competitor and firm competition for Brandon. 

That coat  - that beautiful coat. This absolutely marvelous
tri-color houndstooth-weave plaid was a perfect
color to shine through in a winter challenge. Kenya
did a lovely job matching seams, allowing the
pattern and the fabric to be a star. 

Kenya was hoping she would win a challenge, but was destined for disappointment since there were no winners or losers this week. She was passed through to Fashion Week basec upon the strength of her consistency. Kenya isn't an edgy designer, but she is passionate about her craft, skilled at the sewing machine, and has some killer design construction skills. I really like her as a person, too. She seems to be a genuine, likeable person who really deserves a break and a job in the industry. 

Finally, we have Margarita with, what's being called
the "Wilma Flintstone" dress on the on-line forums.
The coat was actually lovely, but that dress! OY! 

I have no idea what Margarita was thinking about with this dress, but despite the fact that the judges found it interesting and worthy, I considered it only worthy of being placed into the trash bin. The camel wrap-around coat was classic, and beautifully made, but there was nothing edgy about the coat. In my opinion Margarita should have been sent home after presenting this on the Runway. 

So, who won and who was sent home? Nobody! Nobody won or lost, although Kentaro and Brandon were, essentially, the winners this week. Each of the five designers will be making a 10-outfit collection for Fashion Week, with a budget of $10,000. Tim Gunn will be putting in some serious airline miles to travel to the homes of five designers. 

HOWEVER, not all five will actually get to show on the Fashion Week runway. Only three designers will actually get to show their collections for the final. The other two competitors will be eliminated after the preview section. They'd better design some killer preview items for their short show of what is usually three garments that should show the theme and strength of their collections. 

It's two weeks to go before five become three who are then reduced to a single winner. Who will come onto the larger runway with the strongest design voice? I can hardly wait for the final two episodes! 

It's Saturday, we had a snowstorm of 2-3 inches and some nice ice last night, so driving to the pool this morning will be a bit more challenging, and I may have to start wearing my boots. Boo hiss! Have a great weekend. Enjoy today's full moon, and don't forget to set your clocks back on Saturday night (in the USA) so that you can relish reclaiming that extra hour of sleep that you sacrificed in March. I'll be back on Monday.