Project Runway Episode 4 - A View From On High (No Spoilers)

Adult sleepovers can be a kick, and Project Runway decided to host the ultimate sleepover. The designers were treated to a night of sleep at the top of the Empire State Building snuggling into sleeping bags on the Observation Deck. (Although who could sleep with a view like this?) What a concept - pushing some boundaries (and getting some MAJOR permissions, too). The designers assignment:  produce a sleepwear look with their own, originally-designed and/or embellished fabric. The ultimate prize? The winning design will be produced and sold by Heidi Klum as part of her Intimate Sleepwear collection.

The designers spent the night in sleeping bags on the observation deck
of the Empire State Building. What a rush! 

Eighty-six floors up, with Shawn and Claire (the terrible Twins) freaking out because of the height, the designers finally arrive at the top of the world, go all google-eyed at the view from all directions. Then they settle down with their sketchbooks and model descriptions cards (models were pre-assigned by Heidi). Early the next morning, Tim Gunn wakes everyone up with breakfast sandwiches and herds them to the workshop.

I'm not sure if they even flashed the brand name(s) of the paints and dyes
used for this episode, but I've used the Pebeo brand before on fabric and
they work easily and have a lovely light hand. 

In the workshop, several buckets hold rolls of fabric chosen by Heidi, and tables arranged against the wall hold paints, dyes and other materials for the designers to use in the creation of their own fabrics. For a change, it isn't a commercially made print, but each designer is dying and/or painting their unique fabric. Silk seems to be the mainstay of Heidi's fabric choices. Silk is a joy to wear, but has its' own problems in construction and embellishment. Too bad the designers only have a few hours to pull all of this together - with more time, they might have been able to do some amazing silk painting work.

Think handpainting fabric only came in with tie-dye
shirts and skirts? So wrong! This stunning, fitted
dress is from the 1950's and features hand-painted
organza. 

After sharp individual critiques from Heidi as she toured the workshop to view the outfits in progress, the designers seemed to all revamp their fashions. They were changing colors, changing drapes, and rethinking the complexity of their designs as well as their fabric embellishments and colors. It was a major blood bath in the workshop, but out of the bodies of fabric and paints left behind, some decent fashions were created.

Look at these wonderful hand painted silk Kaftans. A good
sense of design and color can pull a standard design out
of the pack and make it unique. 

So who won and who lost? I'll have a breakdown of the top and bottom looks for you tomorrow, so that gives you a day to watch the show and catch up before I throw spoilers in your direction. Have a wonderful Friday, and "Make it work!".