Shannon's Blog

By Shannon Sturgis

Project Runway, Episode 11

Posted February 14, 2008

Firstly, you must understand, reader, my most hefty concern while watching this episode is that Jillian is ensured a spot in the final three. Now if you've read even one of the other blogs you know this piece of information, but I'd like to declare it now: Jillian is my valentine. And yes of course she reciprocates the feeling.

By the way... big-time Italian designer Robert Cavalli, a judge? Holy cannoli.

If you'd like to look at the designs while reading this, copy and paste this into your browser:

http://bp1.blogger.com/_N2GwfFRCkGA/R7PBBtZ-FlI/AAAAAAAABjk/jWqOwV4gXWA/s1600-h/PollEpisode11.jpg

The episode:

After Heidi tells the remaining five designers that two of them will be sent home this episode (two? at once?! AHHHHHHH), Tim takes them on a field trip through the Upper Eastside where they land on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. How they got all the crazies, tourists and human statues to clear the steps is beyond me. PR is like a god, so I suppose it's not that outlandish that it could do such things.

The designers are to choose one piece of art from three designated wings of the museum for their inspiration. Each designer is extremely excited (so they claim in their testimonials, but their faces couldn't shake the awe of the situation). The three wings to choose from were the following: the Greek and Roman Sculpture courtyard, the European Painting wing, or the Temple of Dendur (Egyptian). Most everyone chose from the second wing, but as predicted Rami chose from the Greek and Roman sculpture courtyard. How could he resist the duh duh duh... draping? Give the guy a break, maybe he'll do something new and interesting with it.... eh.

The designers are given digital cameras to shoot art they might like to use as inspiration. I'd like to note that the designers were never shown using the flash on their cameras. That's basic museum photography 101: NO flash photography. It deteriorates the painting just as touching it might, which Sweet P mentioned that she could do, but claims she didn't. Who's to know if they did or not, and who cares besides myself? I'm sorry, I should have warned you earlier to skip this paragraph.

ALL the designs

in the order in which I believe they were ranked:

Christian:

(White puff shirt with black vest, pants and hat... Spanish conquistador of sorts)

Christian can sew the fastest out of everyone and this only strengthens my theory that Christian is actually one of the elves from Santa's workshop, escaped and eyes fixed on fashion rather than toys. Anyhow, his interpretation of the Spanish painting was nothing short of incredible. Sure, it's fantasy, but wowza. Yes he is small and hurt my Jillian's feelings at one point in the episode, but this kid deserves his spot at Bryant Park. If he can create this many pieces in such a short period of time, think of what he can do with the time allotted to create a collection. His show will be exciting to watch. Congratulations on the win Christian, although you know I wanted it for Jilli-Jill. It's okay.

Jillian:

(Black jacket with gold piping, gold mini dress underneath)

Jillian, I love LOVE loved your design. You and jackets go together like pizza and beer--sure not quite an elegant comparison but you get where I'm going. I much prefer your jacket aesthetic to Christian's, though his are nice too. Jillian chose a painting of a battle with argonauts as her inspiration. The gold dress underneath her beautifully crafted jacket was wonderfully strong and feminine all at once. The fabric was perfect--metallic to be like the armor of the argonaut she chose to emulate. Heidi almost flipped her lid. The judge and host likes gold and the inside of Jillian's jacket was lined to the brim with the stuff. Congratulations on earning your spot in the final three, Jillian. I'm already thinking of a t-shirt design to wear during the final episode. Something with hearts perhaps...

Chris:

(Familiar large gray collar with long nude collared fabric gown)

When Sweet P was aufed and Chris was announced as "in," I immediately screamed my favorite expletive and hid my face in a pillow. I was immediately shushed by my fellow PR-watchers. He's not IN in, yet anyway... more on that later. Chris, this dress would have been really awesome if well.. we hadn't seen it before. You jerk. I'm also quite surprised by your tasteful color choices. Who are you?

Rami:

(lilac draped number with one fallen strap)

Rami. Really? Really, Rami? Why do you let things like this happen? You are defiant of the judges and it's a bit wearing. Sure the dress is pretty, but you apparently don't have the imagination to take what you do further. Perhaps if you hadn't draped in every other challenge, the judges wouldn't have been so rough on you. Or maybe they would have because let's face it, this dress was a bit boring. Pretty, but... yaaaaaawn. You talked all this talk about not being "loud" like the other designers and that you weren't here to make noise, but to make beautiful garments. Dude, you're not making a quiet statement; this piece isn't even an understatement. BURN. I hope you bring something incredible with your Bryant Park collection; I'd like you to beat Chris out for a runway show.

Sweet P:

(colorful cocktail dress with purple, red and turquoise solids on bottom):

Sweet P-zers. I love you, but you had to go this round. I defended Sweet P's designs because she always made cute little dresses that I thought were great, but she didn't win any challenges for good reason--they were simply cute dresses. She is, as the judges said, a wonderful commercial designer. I was very sorry to see her go and sorry to see that Chris was staying... but I didn't really like this design anyway. Her inspiration was a peacock and ... ugh... it just did not translate into this dress. Sweet P, you've been deservedly aufed. Good luck with your future endeavors and call me, I'd like you to design me something.

Can I just say this season has been ultimately satisfactory thus far. Last night's episode was very good and PR has managed to still do something new with its finale. This season, there will be two designers who are for sure going to fashion week (Christian and Jillian), but the final spot is not yet decidedly given to Chris or Rami who were both voted "in" this episode. Each will make a complete collection, then choose which three looks they find to be the strongest. The judges will then choose by looking at the three looks which designer's collection they'd like to see go down the runway.

To do all that work and get so close and not show? That is rough. Heartless even. Project Runway, you are mean and I like it. Bravo.