Style Fix

Season 4 of Project Runway is moving along quickly! From 15 designer-contestants in the beginning, to 6 in the episode coming up, down to just 2 who will get to show their stuff in Fashion Week at Bryant Park.

With a rerun on TV this week, (and an assignment for Project Blog!) I’ve been inspired to work up a full recap of the season thus far, and a tiny peek into next week.

Episode 1: Sew Us What You Got

Taken into the open air of Bryant Park, the shows begins where it will later end. Almost immediately after they arrive in New York, the 15 designer-contestants must race to collect their material from three tents decked out with $50,000 worth of fabric. With no guidelines but to “wow the judges,� Rami first showed off his twist-and-drape skills for an early win. Despite kooky Elisa’s colorful butt train, forgettable Simone was the first to go.

Episode 2: I Started Crying

Also titled “Money Changes Everything,â€? this episode introduced us to Sarah Jessica Parker’s line Bitten. Working in teams of two the designers had to create a look for SJP using only $15. Victorya, partnered with Kevin, won, and got to see her jacket in Steve & Barry’s stores. Marion, leader of partner Steven, and the other contestant that I completely forgot about, created a hot mess and was told “ick. See you later … not!â€? by SJP (in politer words, of course).

Episode 3: Fashion Giant

*Ominous doom noise* Footballer twin Tiki Barber guest stars for the dreaded menswear challenge. Although most are pleased by the gender change of models, most struggle to complete a three-piece look. Jack won after ripping apart what he was wearing to use as a pattern. Faux-hawker Carmen finally gets off the show and thus off my nerves for sending her poor model out with just a scarf for a shirt.

Episode 4: Trendsetter

They each have to pick an out-of-date style (Jillian took overalls because she had a pair on), then team up with two others to collaboratively make a cohesive collection of three updated versions of their chosen looks. It was a hard judging week because even though Sweet p, Elisa, and Victorya were favorites, their teams did not work well together. In the end, Jillian won (whose laughing now?) and costumer Chris (temporarily) went home for his insane shoulder pads.

Episode 5: What’s the Skinny?

Women who have recently lost around 100 lbs. were this week’s models - and their pre-weight loss fave outfit was the material (plus $10 spending cash). Back in the workroom, Jack announced that he has a serious infection and must step down. Welcome back, gigglemaster Chris! Steven spends too much time pitying himself for getting the woman who brought her wedding dress that he never gets the creative juices going. He lost (even though Chris made his woman look like a sailor). Youthful Christian nabs his first win with a rocker-chic, cropped, short-sleeve jacket, and perfectly fit pants.

Episode 6: Eye Candy

Dumbest episode ever. Hershey’s was mega advertised, Elisa lost, Rami won, and I actually liked Chris (second picture).

Episode 7: What a Girl Wants

Ah, the prom dress one: this is definitely one to catch if you missed it. High school girls were brought in - uniforms, Jersey attitudes, and all - and given the chance to select whom would work on their dream prom getup. Christian is on the verge of strangling his diva-in-training by the end, Kevin gets nixed after deciding to leave the edges unfinished, and snobby Victorya won with a dress necklaced in chunky jewels (first picture shown here). Miraculously, for the second week in a row, Chris is my fave.

Episode 8: En Garde!

The task at hand: with a partner, create an avant-garde outfit inspired by a crazy hairstyle, and a ready-to-wear version. Drama! Sweet P rocked it, but the judges couldn’t give it to her because her partnership with Rami was a flop. Kit lost for finding inspiration in Little House on the Prairie. Ricky cried. Victorya and Jillian worked terribly together, but ended up with a killer jacket. Christian led Chris to a victory and a photo shoot with TRESemme featuring their ruffled layers.

Episode 9: Even Designers Get the Blues

Levi’s 501 asked the remaining seven to fashion an iconic look using only denim pants and jackets, and some white cotton. They had to run to grab as much material as they could, again. Victorya and Jillian made jackets, again (Vic went home for her cut-and-paste number). Ricky cried, again (though this time he won). Christian made perfectly fit pants, again. The only thing new was that Rami didn’t twist and drape fabric (but really, how could he with denim?).

This was my Project Blog entry. Will you vote for me? Please?

Want that episode teaser I mentioned? Click below for a tiny peek into next week …

Episode 10: Raw Talent

Word is that wrestling girls from WWE Divas will model as the final six - Rami, Ricky, Chris, Christian, Jillian, and Sweet P - create a story through fantasy.