Project Runway and Models of the Runway, Episode 2 Recap

(Warning: this article contains spoilers!)

It's almost like we've never left, already, n'est-ce pas? Except for relocating the show to L.A. and adding on a half hour spin-off that follows each week's episode to focus on the models (more on that in a minute), we're already back in the Project Runway groove. Heidi announces the week's challenge, which is to create a chic, form-fitting look for model/actress Rebecca Romijn, who is carrying twins. The gang is given a half hour to sketch out their look and then a half hour and $100 to buy the fabric at Mood. Each designer also has a tie-on pregnancy pillow to put on their model form.

Mitchell, who was almost sent home last week, could pretty much have the word 'loser' branded into his forehead at this point. No one likes him; not his fellow designers nor the models, who are skittish of him after he badmouthed his model because of the faulty measurements which almost sent him home in week one. The models, we later find out, hope they never have to work with him. They can see that he's mere days away from losing. After his scare last week, he decides he wants to play it safe this time, not exactly the kind of thing you'd expect to hear from someone who plans to show their collection on the world stage. The designers get two days to complete their look. As Tim comes in to check on them, he tsk-tsks over Malvin's chicken leg concept with the jodhpurs. He warns Malvin not to go into costumeland but also expresses a caveat: "Very interesting. I am not bored."

This week designer Monique Lhuillier sits in Michael Kors' seat as his substitute, possibly because he has not and never will be pregnant and she has been, as has Nina Garcia and of course Heidi. Rebecca Romijn is the guest judge. Their faces are impassive for the most part as the models walk the runway with their baby bumps. Ra'mon created a cocktail dress which, as Mitchell pointed out to him in the workroom, bears an uncanny resemblance to a bowling ball bag. Luckily for him, other designs are worse. Malvin's design "drew reference to a mother hen and her egg" and looks like a hospital sling. Mitchell's casual shopping outfit falls flat and is badly executed. "She is a mess," says Nina. "A pregnant mess," Heidi qualifies. Rebecca appreciates that he was going for a cool, urban look but the execution doesn't work.

Shirin, who went above and beyond by also creating a fully lined coat to go with her elegant dress, is the winner. All agree that hers is the most wearable design and very versatile. Malvin and Mitchell are in the bottom two. Malvin is told that his look is complicated but not in a good way and he is sent home. I think on these types of shows they'll deliberately keep a contestant around who is so obviously going to lose, just for the drama. Thus Mitchell stays. It's a safe bet he won't be sleeping too well, this being his second week in the bottom two. I for one will be surprised if he makes it through week three.

After the show ends, the new half hour spinoff Models of the Runway follows. This season, to up the drama and provide more incentive to watch the spinoff, the designers have to choose new models every week unless circumstances conspire to make them lucky enough to keep their model if they so choose.

The show apparently will follow the template of starting off with the models watching the judging proceedings on close circuit TV. Then we'll have a little dishing, some day in the life of a model stuff (working out, cooking, bitching), and the final scene is the next elimination. All of which is meant to make the models more three dimensional and urge us to care about them. I'm not so sure this recipe is working, at least for me. A 15 minute show would have worked better, or perhaps a web only series. A half hour with these ladies is several minutes too long, methinks.

The models already have definite ideas on who is good and who isn't and who they want to work with. They like Shirin and Louise (who created a beautiful red lingerie-style romantic dress this week finished with hand-died lace). They like Logan -- the pretty boy -- in fact they have a Logan fan club in the model house, headed by Fatma who's more than a little scary. They do not like Mitchell -- they can smell his eventual certain failure and no one wants to be his model.

Erika is disliked because she's always on the phone with her agent, going on a casting, or some such, instead of hanging out with everyone. Fatma waxes scarier by the minute; she's been Logan's model for two weeks and has a fierce crush on him, thinking she is his muse because he thought about her skin color when he was designing his last outfit. But, as luck would have it, Mitchell gets to choose his model before Logan does and picks her. She goes completely batshit, and as she leaves the runway, visibly cringes behind the curtain. Valerie, Malvin's model, is sent home.

Who do you think is next on the chopping block? Who do you think is the dark horse in the competition? My money's on Louise Black. She's the one to watch in my opinion. Your thoughts?

Project Runway airs on Lifetime Thursday nights at 10pm. Models of the Runway follows at 11pm.

Follow Holly Cara Price on Twitter: www.twitter.com/hollycara

Comments

[honeyjones]

The show is a hot mess, but I can't help watching

[honeyjones]

The show is like a car wreck, I can't help watching, I think Louise is on the fast track and will stay there.

[MsNfp]

It takes me a few episodes to get all the names straight.

What was up with egg and the chicken guy (Mervin)? he wrapped a model in burlap
and glued some feathers on a shirt, That outfit was bad bad bad

I need another week or 2 to determine if any of the peeps I like are
one trick ponies, doing the same look over and over again.

Mitchell can't sew? He is the next to go.

Great recap Holly! If I miss the show now, I can just pop in here and catch up

[kitkat4089]

I agree about the Models of the Runway show -- it's too long, 'cause these girls just ain't that interesting.

[ACIM1122]

Project Runway is my favorite show and the only thing better than watching and re-watching the show is reading these great recaps from Ms Price!!!

a pregnant Rebecca Romijn and the writing of Agent Provocateur Holly Cary Price - BE STILL MY HEART!!!

Louise Black definitely is the one to go.

[redheadfromtoronto]

Very nicely written. I don't really watch the show but this makes me want to!

[RunwayTopDog]

I loved the typical day description - '(working out, cooking, bitching)' :)
Excellent writing, enjoy your work!

[Holly Cara Price - Huffpost Blogger]

blush!!! thanks so much y'all. watch this space every week for more slicing and dicing of the project runwayana experience.

[shoparound]

Another great recap! (I admit, I actually enjoy Holly's columns more than the show!)

[michelenj66]

great recap, thanks so much & keep up the great work!!

[MoeJoeK]

nice recap Holly, i agree 100%. keep those spoilers coming.... can't wait to see what happens next time! keep up the excellent work.

[Lowell Chile1]

As a regular reader of Snoop Du Jour, I welcome Holly's runway recaps, as an ex-model myself, I'll admit this show is making me highly amused!!!!

[celiaw]

I love Holly's insightful musings, they're a great companion piece for the show. Keep up the fabulous work!

[Mark Blankenship - Huffpost Blogger]

Personally, I am very interested to see what happens when Mitchell has to work with Fatma. They're both so breathtakingly unprofessional that they seem poised to creat excellent television.

But do you think Mitchell's choice and Fatma's reaction were at all manipulated by producers? Now that Bunim-Murray is behind the scenes, it seems possible.

[Holly Cara Price - Huffpost Blogger]

i think you're spot on with the Bunim-Murray manipulation scenario.

[iwishiwereheidi]

Another great recap, Holly. I love Project Runway and try to watch every week but sometimes life gets in the way and it's comforting to know I can read your recap and it's like I saw it myself. By the way, I agree with you about the Models spinoff. I don't think it hits the mark. It's kind of a snoozer.

[jayjay923]

I've never watched the show but must admit after reading this it sounds like there would be some mighty good giggles!!!