Between the sponsored design challenges and lackluster designers, Project Runway has less pizazz than in earlier seasons. I barely remember who won the past few seasons and can’t recall that many designers that really stood out. In a few weeks there’s another Project Runway All-Stars and looking at the list of designers, I only recognized three and I’m almost positive I only missed the first season and *maybe* one other. I’ve liked Dom since episode two and wanted her in the final three and that’s happening. Of course for the final spot, as with the past few seasons, Heidi decided that the judges would make the designers complete collections and then show the judges three looks on the runway. One designer would advance to New York Fashion Week [NYFW].

The remaining designers need to create a 10-look collection for Spring.

$9000 budget and one look designed with unconventional materials. They have six weeks to design their collections.

Bradon and Dom are designing for NYFW.

Alexandria, Justin and Helen must compete to show at NYFW.

Tim Gunn visits everyone at home to see how they’re progressing.

Dom in Philadelphia
–raised by single mom and her mom runs a restaurant
–inspired by Blade Runner and retrofuturism, angular lines meeting curved lines
–did some drawings and prints with watercolors and made prints
–Mending braces for doors for unconventional piece
–only 3 ½ looks completed
–Dom’s drawings are gorgeous and her concept’s great.

Bradon in Los Angeles
–inspiration growing up in New York state with crocuses poking up through the snow and springtime “clash of nature”
–he’s completed six pieces
–Seeing lots of floral dresses. Unsure what to think and not inspired by his inspirations.

Alexandria in San Mateo, Calif
–edgy, strong and modern “neo-romantic-punk”
–she says it’s “understated but detail oriented”
–she takes Tim to Camp Couture. Not sure if it’s sweat shop training or what it’s supposed to be. the kids are cute and look pretty happy.
–I like the idea for her collection but it’s all in black, beige, gray and white.

Helen in Unionville, NJ
–inspiration is clairvoyance—knowing the unknown—took a photograph of an eye
–using red and some print
–Tim says: “you need to do something that speaks to some innovation”
–Not liking her color palette. The entire collection’s red and a blue print. That never works.

Back in New York when talking to Tim, Helen kept saying how long she worked on something and how hard she worked. “I spend hours on this.” As soon as she talked that way which she’s been doing the entire show I knew she wasn’t making it to New York Fashion Week. Although she’s been a good designer and had won some challenges she’s insecure about her designs and can’t push herself enough. Her vision isn’t clear enough on its own. She needs more time.

Justin in Raleigh, NC
–inspired by sound waves and the story of before and after he got his cochlear implants.
–for unconventional he’s using test tubes and covering a garment with them
–Seems pretty cool.

Runway

Justin

“I am so happy that Tim Gunn used his save on you and brought you back. I thought it was very fashion forward. Your clothes are very fashion-forward.” –Heidi Klum

“Your first look is very chic. You finale is a wow piece. The 3-D printing is so cool. It’s a great resource in technology.” –Zac Posen

“There’s something very poetic about your designs.” –Nina Garcia

As far as a theme, Justin’s collection has it. And the story’s inspirational and intriguing. His test tube dress looks totally cool.

Alexandria

“Your clothes are fashion-forward. There’s so much detail. I want to have all of this.” –Heidi

“It has a luxe quality to it. The detailing looks very professional.” –Zac Posen

“When it walked out I knew immediately it was you. I fear this is going to look boring. I don’t know if these clothes are show-worthy clothes.” –Nina Garcia

When the judges were discussing the three designers later, Heidi said “poor thing she thinks gray, beige and white are colors.” Very funny.

Helen

“I love this minimal yet feminine silhouette that your clothes have.” –Nina Garcia

“You get modern women. The last dress looks like a concept that didn’t come to fruition.” –Zac Posen

“I’m so not happy with what you did today. They’re stuck and they look sad to me.” –Heidi Klum

Justin is IN. Not surprised at all. Alexandria is IN. Both showing at NYFW.

Helen is OUT.

HP INTEL textile challenge- create a print inspired by a NEXT GEN innovator

–each designer meets with a young innovator to serve as a muse for the designs as “core inspiration” for the textile design

“I don’t have to run around Mood looking for a print this time, I can just make it.” –Dom

Only seven designers left:
Alexander
Bradon
Justin
Dom
Helen
Kate
Alexandria

Justin—Nana Meriweather (Miss USA)– non-profits to educate children around the world

KATE—Maria “Girls Who Code”- app- say something- is a software developer—Kate wants to design “binary code” in the textile

Bradon—Nigel-prof BMX biker and also entrepreneur and youth mentor— Bradon envisions “city scape” in textile

Alexandria—Ilana is a chef— Alexandria feels “drawn to brick walls”

Dom—Premal, founder of Kiva, crowd funding loans for business ideas/entrepreneurs- “I’m so inspired by how many people this has reached and I’m excited to translate so many people from so many places into my textile.”

Helen—Ryan—artist, combines new media and technology, Helen’s nervous because she’s never worked w/ textiles but both her parents are artists so she feels a connection with Ryan.

Alexander—Thiago—pastry chef at Catch, named Zagat’s 30 under 30—Alexander says: “Honestly, I’m not that inspired by cakes. I don’t do cake-like things.”

Tim’s critiques

Dom
Tim: “I am crazy about this print.”
Dom: “Making a basic body column dress. I don’t know if it’s too much color.”
–I love her print. I love the sketch for the dress and what it looks like she’s doing.

Bradon
Intends to make a jacket and long skirt
Tim: “I am so perplexed by this. I don’t get it.”
After Tim leaves, Bradon decides to rework everything and scrap the long skirt idea. He makes a bomber jacket instead.

Kate
Dress with a blouse under it. “Gussets with a starburst pleat.”
Tim: “Just move forward.”

Justin
Making a gown
Tim: “Keep the curves going.”

Helen
Having doubts. “I don’t do prints. I’m freaking out. I don’t know what to do.”
Tim: “A challenge has come along where you’re not in your comfort zone but you have to make it work.” He gives her a hug and moves along.

Alexandria
Making an A-line mini skirt and some sort of top or vest
Tim: “Either all the work goes into the top or vest. It can’t go into both.”

Alexander
Tim: “It’s looking very clerical.”
Alexander: “Tim doesn’t really understand it but I’m not going to change it. This is me.”

Tim: “Most of you are over-thinking it. Don’t. Go with your viscera. That’s why it’s there.” Ah, okay. I realize that much of this gets edited so we don’t know what the designers truly make until it gets to the runway show.

Runway
Love: Dom
Like: Helen, Justin, Alexander, Bradon
Dislike: Kate, Alexandria

SAFE:

Alexandria

design by Alexandria

HIGH SCORES:

Dom

design by Dom

“This dress is runway ready. It feels modern.” –Zac Posen
“This is a challenge that was made for you. You love color. You love prints.” –Nina Garcia
“I loved your dress. It’s vibrant. It’s dynamic.” –Heidi Klum
“There’s a global aspect.” –Peter Som

Bradon

design by Bradon

“I like your print a lot. I think it’s very modern. This is a cool dress.” – Heidi Klum
There’s something very dynamic about the print. There’s something very sporty chic about the outfit. – Nina Garcia
“Totally wearable. Totally now.” – Zac Posen

Helen

design by Helen

“I like this print. It looks patriotic. It’s sexy but not slutty. The fit is not perfect.” – Heidi Klum
“This is one of my favorites too. It looks vintage but it could be very modern.” – Nina Garcia

LOW SCORES:

Justin

design by Justin

“To me it looks like you spent all your time on the corset part of the dress. This is so not cool and modern.” – Heidi Klum
“I wish you had made this a shorter dress.” – Nina Garcia
“This looks like a depressed dress.” –Peter Som

Alexander

design by Alexander

“I feel that the print you designed isn’t showing me fun and yummy.” – Heidi Klum
“The cut of the dress is very good. She looks like a cult leader of chocolate.” – Zac Posen
“It’s almost like two different recipes came together.” –Peter Som
“I kinda like the print. She’s so covered that it’s almost like when you overindulge in chocolate cake. It’s too much.” – Nina Garcia

Kate

“I am overwhelmed by the pleats. There’s too many elements and none of them are working well.” – Nina Garcia
“It is ugly. It really is.” – Heidi Klum
“The fabrication and choice shows every choice. I’m seeing a whole different thing from you.”

Dom is the WINNER
“Your print was vibrant and thoughtful and your dress was super flattering!” –Heidi

Both Alexander and Kate are OUT

Surprised because I didn’t think Alexander’s construction was bad. I liked his dress, didn’t think it hideous at all. I liked the print. Kate had no print and that was the competition–design a textile. Alexandria. Did she design an interesting textile? I really don’t think so.