Project Runway - Three Looks and Three Team Efforts

Last week's loser lost by 1/2 point - one of the closest decisions I've ever seen on Project Runway. A lot of us were horribly disappointed with the decisions of the judges last week. This week the claws are out and Marni Senofonte is once again an "unofficial" official part of the Runway royalty. This time the designers are working in teams of three to create signature looks - beachwear, a day look and an evening look for Morena Baccarin's return trip back to Rio de Janeiro for Carnival. Each outfit should include everything from head to toe, including hairstyle and shoes. It's a one-day challenge so the pressure is on. 

The models are in their triads and ready to move to the Runway. 

Three teams are assembled - Team 1 is Heather, Bishme and Garo, Team 2 is Tessa, Lela and Sebastian, and Team 3 is Renee, Jamall and Venny. The budget for each team is $500 and the teams get a total of 30 minutes to shop. Prints and colors seem to be taking the forefront, no black this time, except a little bit for Hester. The palette seems to be turquoise, yellow, coral, and blue  Of course, in any team challenge, personal dynamics are going to play a major role. 

As beachwear, Jamall Osterholm totally failed with this
mess. It's a good thing he had immunity because
he would have been sent home on this hot mess. 

OMG Jamall just ironed Lycra - can we say STUPID!??? It's a total DUH! 

In addition to working in teams, the outfits have to work together as a collection. That can't just be through colors and fabric, but it also has to pull into the actual design. Christian has worked with Morena in the past, so he has an idea of what she might look great in and where the designers should be more daring. His initial walk-through was helpful to most of the designers, at least it seemed that way. 

Venny Etienne made a cute dress, for a teenager. When
the judges pulled the straps down, the dress became
a lot more sophisticated. The sewing was poor, and
off-set, making the hem uneven too.  

Each team has a theme flowing through their garments - Rio Holiday, Carnival, and a Disco Queen. Tempers are starting to flair, and the teams only have two hours until their models arrive for their fitting. The clock is ticking and I'm not seeing a lot of innovation going on here. I really hope Morena enjoys the colors because she's certainly getting a lot of them. From yellow pants to a turquoise gown - color isn't a problem. 

Renee Hill ended up with a poorly-fitted
pair of pants and a shirt that just failed in
so many ways. She knew she could have
done better.  

Four hours before the end of the day, the models come in for their 30 minute fitting. The fitting is showing exactly who needs to work on their fit - bathing suits are puckering or looking too much like bathing dresses, pants are too loose and unstructured, and tops are making models look like teenagers instead of sophisticated adults. There are several designs that are borderline and tine is running out! 

Garo Sparo was in the winning team with this effort,
but I wasn't overly fond of it. It was, however, a
really nice way to use a mini-corset in everyday wear. 

A sudden twist - Karlie comes to the workroom with Christian first thing in the morning. As it turns out, Karlie will be missing the show to attend the wedding of a dear friend, and Nina is running a fever, but Marnie and Morena will step in to judge, keeping the total to four. This might be bloody, though. The designers are being stressed to the max and are each one seems to be designing against the norm. I can hardly wait for the Runway show. 

Bishme Cromartie had a strong contender for the
win with this innovative crop top. It was just
as unusual and well-fitted in the back as it
was in the front. Great daytime outfit. 

After the Runway walk, Tessa's group is safe, Hester's group is at the top and Renee's group is in the bottom. I think the best outfit of the week was Sebastian's look for Mimi in Tessa's group, but his design couldn't push the ho-hum of Tessa and Lela's designs into the winning level. He totally understands how to dress Mimi, though. It's always a joy to see what he's designed for her. 

Hester Sunshine pulled off a reversible side-laced
bathing suit with coverup. Morena said she
could see herself just stepping into it.
The fact that it was reversible to a black suit was
also a selling point. 

Jamall has immunity from last week's win, so even though he is in the bottom group, he won't be going home. That leaves either Venny or Renee going home. For the win, Bishme and Hester seem to be at the top of the three looks in that grouping. Who pulled it out? 



SPOILERS BELOW THE CUT  - YOU'VE BEEN WARNED! 



The judges were splitting hairs for this one - especially for who got sent home. Renee has produced consistently competent looks, but failed miserably with this challenge, just as she did with the other team challenge. Obviously team challenges are not her strength. Venny has had a few highs, but most of his work has been mediocre. 

Hester ended up with her third win for the season. That reversible bathing suit was a total win, even though the rear needed a bit more stretch. The decision for who's going home ended up with Renee. I guess she'll get a chance to get married now, since she postponed her wedding to come to the competition. I enjoyed having an older competitor on the Runway, and I'll miss her. Be sure to check out all of the designs by following this link. Sebastian's design was awesome, just wasn't enough to pull his trio into the finals. 

Have a wonderful Friday and I'll be back tomorrow. I hope you enjoyed this run-through of the Runway.