ENTERTAINMENT REALM

Project Runway. Season 16. Episode 4 on LIFETIME. judges: Heidi Klum, Nina Garcia, Zac Posen. Guest judge: Demi Lovato. Host: Heidi Klum. Mentor: Tim Gunn.

Episode 4: “We’re Sleeping Wear?”

Heidi and Tim arrive onstage. Apparently designers were called back right after last week’s elimination. Heidi is wearing a backpack and Tim’s hauling backpack on wheels. They announce that designers will be spending the night atop the Empire State Building.

This week’s challenge: create a sleepwear look for Heidi Klum Intimates sleepwear inspired by Empire State Building and New York skyline. Designers will also create their own textile.

Aaron: “Sleepwear’s kinda cute and sexy so I think it could be fun.”
Samantha: “I love painting so this seems like it’s right in my wheelhouse.”

Heidi calls out Claire for looking scared. Claire says: “That building is very tall.” They all head over in pajamas. Claire holds Shawn all the way up on the elevator. Amy notes: “It feels like floating through some kind of vintage movie dream.” Once on the 86th floor and out on the observation deck, they sketch for 30 minutes. “It’s definitely a magical moment,” Brandon observes.

Kenya plans to design a romper. Michael is making a slip style garment with angles like the Chrysler building or a “Harlem renaissance” dress. Kentaro says he’s not going to construct an all-black garment but instead a colorful maxi dress. In the morning, a full suited Tim bearing breakfast sandwiches sneaks up to wake the designers. I hope they brushed their teeth at least!

Back in the workroom they have about 11 hours for this one-day challenge. Brandon’s wearing his hair in two braids. Aaron said he’s doing a two piece. Sounds like pajamas to me. Kenya says her style is classy, sexy, trendy and she doesn’t do sleepwear. Shawn’s designing a long jumpsuit while her twin Claire is making an art deco print. The twins seem calmer and quieter. As annoying as they can sometimes be they’re also enthusiastic and dedicated. It’ll be hard when one gets eliminated before the other. Deyonte isn’t yet sure of his direction.

Kenya’s struggling with her textile. As he holds up his textile, Kentaro says to Brandon: “Hey brother it looks like I killed someone with this fabric.” Brandon explains: “Kentaro’s my buddy. That’s my G. That’s my brother. I look to him for advice. Just to have the connection has got me in a good place.” We’re getting to that time in the season when bonds get formed.

Heidi and Tim arrive for critiques and Heidi says: “Did you have time for a shower or no? No. That’s okay.” As they approach Shawn, Tim tells Heidi: “This is remarkable. She has something on a form. She never has for me.” Tim may not be a fan. Heidi tells the twins to chat less, work more. Deyonte’s hot pink and gray confuses Heidi who refers to it as a clown costume. Ayana explains she won’t be designing modest this time around because under the modest clothing is something not so much modest. Margarita shows her kimono robe. “I see a menstrual cycle,” Tim says. When Michael shows his strappy design, Heidi’s concerned. She wonders how to get out to go to the bathroom. I think it’s not the bathroom that concerns her. Claire is using purple and bright pink. Amy talks about a sunset and cityscape and Heidi tells her she’s thinking too literally. Heidi doesn’t think Kenya’s romper jumpsuit is very sleepwear. “You wanta be in the bed. You’ve got a boo. It’s gotta be easy.” In other words for the Heidi Klum Intimates collection it should be easy access and easy in and easy out. [I took a look at Heidi Klum Intimates and wasn’t wowed by anything. nothing stands out as unique sleepwear.]

Later on as they continue to work it turns out the twins ARE irritating everyone again. This time their tag team approach bothers the other designers. “I think we all help each other out in the workroom but I think the twins take it to another level. It’s not fair,” Margarita says.

Kentaro’s model says she’s the “Naomi of plus size” and that she gave some advice to Kentaro because she’s known for her shape. Aaron’s having problems with his fabric as its texture changed and there’s not much flow. Amy had remarked that he’d have a tough time working with his fabric. Kentaro has learned a new American term and tells Samantha he wants to stop being anal so often. Samantha hugs him. “Kentaro is all sugar and happiness and butterflies and so sweet,” she explains. A model says she feels frumpy and matronly and too covered up in Deyonte’s design.

Runway notes: Amy’s design is in a pretty print and color. Margarita’s look is bleh. Claire’s doesn’t do it for me. Michael’s look is very pretty. Don’t like anything about Deyonte’s design. I want Ayana’s look. It’s super lovely. I want Shawn’s look in a different color. Kentaro created a nice print. I adore Samantha’s design and want those pants.

HIGH SCORES:

Michael

He tells judges his inspiration is art deco.
Demi: “I love the color combination. The blush is so pretty and flattering on many complexions. The neckline is unique. It’s practical and comfortable.”
Heidi: “It looks sophisticated, sexy, expensive.”
Zac: “I wrote down Deco Cleopatra.”
Nina: “I love the effect in the back. The multi straps. It feels very 1920s. Very New York.”

Shawn

She says she noticed the plaque of origin that stated that the building is sleek and slender and she wanted to “evoke the same kind of feeling.”
Heidi: “You are giving us something sophisticated, sexy, elegant.”
Zac: “It looks very polished.”
Nina: “I love the detail of the print. It looks modern, sophisticated, sensuous.”

Kentaro

He says he saw a sunrise and the top part he modeled after the building. He also noted that it “flows like a butterfly.”
Heidi: “This I can see a woman wanted to go to bed in. We have design here. It feels easy. A little flouncy.”
Nina: “This is adorable, charming, fresh. There’s something very feminine about it in a very quiet and modern way.”
Zac: “Beautiful draping. Effortless. Easy. It has something playful. I thought it was a breeze and happy.”

LOW SCORES:

Aaron

He tells designers that he was inspired by a vent. Which is problematical in and of itself. A vent? Of all the aspects of that building?
Heidi: “I’m so surprise. You’re giving two pieces that are too tight.”
Nina: “The waistband looks like a bad sweatpant. It’s a problem.”
Zac: “I thought it was lackluster. This is Runway. The world is watching.” IS it Zac? I’m not sure ratings-wise.

Deyonte

He tells the judges that after Tim and Heidi’s critique he did some revamping and thinks the model looks beautiful and dreamy.
Nina: “First of all, this doesn’t even look like something to sleep or lounge in. It looks like a dress. Her armhole feels very high up so she’s looking tight on top. The shape is nothing.”
Zac: “It’s boring. This didn’t do it for me today.”
Heidi: “Where is the sexy? Show me the sexy.”

Kenya

For her inspiration, she says she thought art. She starts crying during the critique and judges go easy.
Heidi: “I’m sad to see you at the bottom.”
Zac: “You have a beautiful color palette.”
Nina: “You didn’t take the easy way out and you get a lot of credit.”

Michael is the WINNER

shop Michael’s design here.

Deyonte is OUT