Project Runway Round-up: Episode 11

My heart was heavy tonight. I realized rather quickly that this was the last episode of Project Runway before the reunion show and then the final Bryant Park extravaganza. Maybe I realized it when Heidi came out in the very first seconds of the show and said just that. That line. Verbatim. Probably when it dawned on me.

I don't mean to jump ahead or anything, but I just can't not point out that Episode 11 is where we heard the Understatement of the Century. It was the episode in which we heard, from the horse's mouth, that Rami was indeed, "passionate about draping." I could swear I heard this collective "DUH!" ripple out from the entire world. The second Understatement of the Century was also uttered tonight when Christian confessed to a forever oranging Collier McMakeup that he loved "a strong brow." It was a night for the books...historical, if you will.

The challenge presented to the designers was to create a design based on a work of art based on the initial field trip. And ACTUAL field trip, I might add. Not a walk down a coupla flights of steps. They could choose from three rooms -- the Grecian room, the European painting wing and then a room with a temple in it. Just a temple. So, I'm thinking unless someone designs the Fantastic Four's Thing again, that room was pretty much just for show.

Let's start with the two designers who are definitely going to show in Bryant Park (and yes, I know there are a ton of leaks out there showing exactly who made it...but, despite all the attempts to sully my Project Runway Innocence on the Internets - I do not know all the ill gotten details. Why do people want to hurt me so?)

Christian chose this portrait of a Spanish military man. And this is where he really proved that he...he has that thing. The ability to see beyond what you and I see. It's what separates him and makes him the little, arrogant prodigy that he is. He saw couture in that painting. I saw Adrian Grenier in an awkward period piece. Christian knew he had to go big or go home and he was excited to do just that. He was in his element and he was really the only one, in my opinion, that really went the full nine (with Jillian close behind...)

Speaking of Jillian -- she chose this Argonauts painting with like 10,000 people in it -- and in that she saw this armor-esque type of outfit that she could modernize. Once again -- she just sees the world differently than we do. Her jacket was impeccable -- I mean, the little cut-outs in the back, the piping -- it fit the model like a glove. Perfect. We've really come to expect these pristine designs from Jillian. And I think the judges were right when they said that she really is the only designer that switches shit up, wows them on the runway..."ballsy" as Heidi put it. Couldn't agree more.

That brings us to Rami and Chris.

Rami. I found him defiant right off the bat...why? Because he knew he was wrong. He knew that the minute he took that first picture of Aphrodite that he was knee deep in draping shit. And that he was just going to do what he wanted despite the previous 10 episodes (10!) where he produced that exact same dress. That Grecian hall looked like a portfolio of Rami's designs for the entire run of the show and here he was designing yet another. And in another just-off color. What's with the flat, 1980's hues of fabric? Haven't I seen that mauve on my Nana's wicker furniture?

Chris...I think Chris is the most underrated designer in the bunch. I think he does have a more costume-y design taste, but goddamn if he doesn't consistently deliver an absolutely perfectly made garment every time. I mean, I can point to most other designers and show you a piece that went down the runway unfinished or just not well thought out. Not Chris. He delivers. And this dress was gorgeous...but, yeah -- looked totally like that haute couture piece he and Christian designed back in the day. I wondered why he didn't just mix that collar up a little -- the dress itself was just beautiful -- and the colors he chose were lovely...I wish he would have just made the collar part a little less like the other dress. Although, Roberto Cavalli thought it was the best piece -- because he hadn't seen the other one.

Heidi then told both Rami and Chris that they were moving on to Bryant Park...kinda. They are both to design their line and then show the judges what they think are their top three designs...and then the one they choose will go on to show at Bryant Park...the other one? What...throw themselves in oncoming traffic? It's cruel, isn't it? Yeah...these other two are going to absolutely show...they're going to Disneyland...you? You get to drive all the way there and then sit in the car and wait. I'm not feeling it.

And all this then brings us to Sweet P who was the only designer sent home. It was a tad awkward in the green room at the Runway show as the other four designers were excitedly talking about Bryant Park and this and that...and then in the background of the shot was Sweet P...kind of going, "hey, that's great....that's so cool...." Heartbreaking. And what I've always liked about Sweet P is her authenticity...she has this uncanny ability to totally see the truth in a situation. She knew she should have gone home last week. She knew her outfit this week didn't measure up. And no matter how much "peace and confidence" Lee, her model, gave to her aura (what the fuck was up with that?!?!?! Was she serious?!?! I had to play that shit back a grip of times just to understand a) what was going on b) if she was, in fact, serious and c) how Sweet P kept a straight face.) Nonetheless...despite her authenticity, Sweet P's dress just didn't do anything. It was like she never got inspired. First with the peacock painting, then with the Comfort Inn desk chair fabric and then her model being late (even though that model was built just like the dress form, as well as being her model for 10 weeks...so, wouldn't she have an idea of how the dress would fit?) Sweet P just never got started and in the end it was her, and only her, that got sent home.

So -- next week is the reunion show, which I refuse to watch. Why do I refuse? Because those reunion shows are always hijacked by some person who was kicked off in the very beginning (read: Carmen) who takes this one opportunity to air all their grievances. It's a giant circle jerk...but I do wager that Jack will be voted the fan favorite. HOW COULD HE NOT?

Bryant Park here we (Christian, Jillian and maybe Rami or Chris) come!!!

(My bet is on Christian to win it...if he can pull off a full collection. Otherwise it'll be Jillian, because I believe her design sense has got more of a spectrum).