Project Runway - Channeling Sir Elton John - Performance Outfits

After last week's team challenge, the field has been lessened by one more designer and the eight remaining are going head-to-head for another challenge. Pieces of a Yellow Brick Road lead the designers into the workroom where they are confronted by a row of over-the-top costumes used in the upcoming film "Rocketman", a bio-pic about Sir Elton John. Julian Day, the costume designer for the film, is introduced to the designers and they will be designing costumes that Elton John would have worn in his career - early, middle or current. I'm showing the photos of the finished outfits in alphabetical order of the designers first names, so no clues about placement in the photo order. 

Bishme Cromartie went for "I Guess That's Why
They Call It the Blues" in his look, with lots
of sparkle and some well placed feathers. 

The designers need to channel the man, the time period and the music, creating a period piece for Elton John similar to those used in the film. They will have male models for this challenge, which might be a bit of a personal challenge for some of them - male or female. The designers voted off in prior episodes have been brought back act as assistants for each current contestant and it's a two-day challenge. They'll be visiting Mood with a budget of $400 and a specialty notions store with a separate budget of $300. After 30 minutes to sketch, the models are assigned and they all head to Mood. 

Garo Sparo chose "Rocketman" as his theme for
this over-the-top sparkle fest. He designs for
Madonna and other high profile artists and
had a good idea of what would be involved
in a performance outfit. 

A costume channeling 1979's Electric Cowboy with long fringe is Lela's decision. Hester is going for early Elton with exaggerated bell-bottoms and a rock-and-roll rooster look. A version of Rocketman with flames and a sparkling codpiece is Garo's idea. A jumpsuit with a floor-length denim jacket for "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues" is Bishme's idea. 

Jamall Osterholm came up with this outfit that,
truly, I didn't care for at all. But, it's a bit of
gender-busting, and that's totally Sir Elton. 

I was really looking forward to the second shop called, appropriately, "Trim and Feathers". I'm in love and if I ever get to New York, I want to shop there. Actually, to be truthful, I absolutely hate working with feathers. But I'm totally into glam and sparkle and there's more than just the fuzzy things that trigger my sneezing fits. Trimmings purchased, they all return to the workshop and begin working with a midnight cut-off time. 

Lela Orr had this outfit almost completed when
the lapel was ruined in the final ironing. She
grabbed the feather boa to cover the problem.
I don't think the boa really worked with the
fringing. 

Sebastian is having problems wrapping his head around the concept. He's doing bell bottoms with a bomber jacket and possibly some large, over-the-top wings. Venny is doing bell bottoms also, along with a train from the back of the pants. At this point, conceptually, it sounds like everything is in a very similar vein - bell bottoms rule. But the cracks are starting to appear in the partnerships. When the models come in for a first fitting it's really apparent that some pairings are clicking and others are contradicting each other every step of the way. Having male models seems to be throwing everyone off their game a bit, but I'm finding it wonderful to see some beautiful males for a change of pace. 

Tessa Clark played it safe - I think a bit too safe, with
this outfit. Although I could see Sir Elton in it, I
don't think it's a great performance piece. I could
see it as day wear, though. 

Day Two begins with missing fabrics and revised ideas. Even though it's a two-day challenge, it always seems as though time is slipping away when the second day begins. No matter how advanced the design is, there is never truly enough time. Some of the movie costumes are in the workroom to inspire, and the accessories wall is filled with stacked glam high heel platform shoes and boots - totally Sir Elton from bottom-up. 

Venny Etienne ended up with a costume,
not an outfit. I really hated the "train" following
the pant legs, and the feathers just didn't
work in this. I liked the hat, though. 

Christian makes the rounds, criticizing, suggesting, and pointing out where things aren't quite enough for Sir Elton's image and clothing choices. He pushes Sebastian to have more fun with his design, and Sebastian decides to continue doing the basic design, but then adding his signature stitching to make the design fly. Christian also encourages other designers to rein things in a bit, reminding them that although Elton was over-the-top, he also was very British tailored. The cracks in the teams are beginning to become chasms in some cases. 

The day of the Runway dawns and everybody is gluing - the multitude of hot glue guns in use are probably raising the base temperature in the workshop. Even though they are male models, they are still heading to hairstyling and makeup - body parts don't make a difference when it's a total look that's in demand. 

SPOILERS BELOW THIS CUT - YOU'VE BEEN WARNED

Were there problems working with pairs? Absolutely. Were there design issues and minor failures? Of course. This is going to be a FUN Runway! Oh wow - there were a few designs that I really didn't like, but the majority of them were fun, very performance-oriented, and totally over the top. Karlie said they should have male models more often because it seemed to bring out the best in some of the designers and it was a great challenge for people used to designing for female bodies. 

So, I showed the top and bottom looks above the cut. Did you guess who was where in the rankings? Hester Sunshine and Sebastian Grey were safe, Hester only because she had immunity. BTW - there is no more immunity to be had from this point onward. The bottom looks were those of Venny Etienne, Tessa Clark (who has been a bottom look for several weeks now), and Lela Orr. The top looks were Bishme Cromartie, Jamall Osterholm and Garo Sparo. The winner was Garo - a bit of a relief since he designs for performers regularly, and the loser was Lela. I didn't mind seeing Lela go home, although I'm waiting for Tessa to go. Do you want to see all eight designs? Just follow the link here.