Project Runway: Michael Drummond's Waterloo

Hello dear hearts! It's time for a recap of tonight's Project Runway, aka "Michael Drummond's Waterloo." 

1. Jackie O Today. We begin tonight's episode with Ivy giving herself some daily affirmation. Today's another day. I'm a strong woman. Gag. Cut to Mike C. who takes her down a peg or two (we think?), explaining that Ivy uses the same colors again and again, and explains that "opaque is not a color." We are about 99% sure that Mike C has no idea what opaque means, since we haven't noticed any of the designers using a lot of transparent fabrics thus far.

The Muse: Jackie O.

Next, Tim presents tonight's challenge: Create your own contribution to American sportswear, using Jackie O as your muse. Andy immediately worries because his aesthetic is more Asian than American, so he decides to just go with his aesthetic on steroids, since Jackie O liked to make statements with her attire. Val says she has no idea what she wants to do.

After the designers return to the workroom after their field trip to Mood, Tim Gunn decides to make nice with Gretchen for those mean comments he made a few weeks ago by giving her a pep talk: "Gretchen, Remember you're a leader." Tim's comment seems to give Gretchen her voice back... to critique every other designer in the room. Gretch first worries about Mondo's look because she thinks the fabrics, which include a purple and black houndstooth and a black and white stripe, are all wrong.

Michael Drummond  is worried about this challenge because he enjoys making dressy designs. He proceeds to talk about making a Puritan garment and quickly admits he is losing his mind. Not a good sign.

Susan Lucci...or Val?

Val has decided to make a jacket and blouse. Val reminds us that she's the Susan Lucci of the show because she's always a bridesmaid, never a bride. Funny, we remember her being in the bottom pretty recently. Val begins asking everyone in the room what they think she should do (never a good sign). Mondo points out the obvious, stating that Val always needs feedback from everyone. Gretchen, always ready with her two cents, tells Val the piping she used in the Marie Claire challenge might make her current look appear richer. Always a fan of sticking assorted "stuff" on her garments, Val likes this idea.

Ivy, as the new Gretchen, decides to criticize her fellow designers. She takes particular issue with Christopher and Mike C, who she says obviously don't know what sportswear is. Both are creating cocktail dresses.

Andy, who is forging ahead with his outrageous Asian-inspired sportswear,  tries to convince himself that a fashion forward person, such as Jackie O, took risks with her wardrobe and would totally love the huge pair of pants he is making. 

2. Tim's Take Part 1. Tim takes one look at Val's garment and declares it vulgar. Val asks 900 questions and Tim says, sorry Val,  figure it out yourself. Yeah Val, seriously, figure it out yourself. This is a competition after all.

Andy shows his draped cargo pants to Tim, which we must admit we thought looked awesome in their early stages of development. However, when April says Andy's pants look like saggy saddle bags, we do not disagree with her assessment. April is on a roll: "It's more Jackie Yo than Jackie O."

The inspiration for Mike D's design.

Tim drops by Michael Drummond's work station and quickly lets him know that the skirt is very Annie Get Your Gun, and not in a good way. Apparently Mike D. has succeeded in creating a Puritanical look, because Christopher thinks the skirt is definitely a little Crucible. Michael Drummond expresses concern that he doesn't want the skirt to look like something a teacher who beats kids would wear. After awhile though, Mike D. seems to grow comfortable with the look, saying it may be a little Annie Oakley, but it will be fabulous.

In retrospect, these three were clearly getting the loser's cut. Tim leaves and the designers go about their business.

3. The Dreaded Tim Returns With Another Challenge. The next day, Tim busts into the workroom unexpectedly, "Today is not a runway day!" Whaaaaaa? After the commercial break, we have had a chance to regain our senses and notice Tim is wearing a seersucker suit. Hmm. OK.

Tim tells the designers he is totally psyched about what he's about to say. Mike C wants to beat the crap out of him. Alright Tim, lay it on us.

Typical Parrothead.

Guess what designers? Not only do you have to complete the look you have already been created, but you must now also complete outerwear to go with it.  Mike C says Floridians don't wear outerwear. 500,000 parrotheads beg to differ.

Uh oh. Val has already created a jacket. She hems and haws and decides a vest over the jacket she has already made is obviously the best solution to her problem. Obviously. Meanwhile, Michael Drummond is so befuddled he doesn't know what year it is.

Ivy decides she is going to make silk organza outerwear. Mondo, on the other hand, has decided on a black linen jacket and wants to try elegance, not just fun. Christopher has decided to do coverage with elegance and so he chooses a deerskin rug to work with. We are confused, too, dear readers. 

4. Tim's Take Part 2. After the designers have had a little time to work their magic, Tim comes in for another critique.

Mike C hates his jacket which he thinks looks like terry cloth. He waits to see what Tim thinks. Gretchen says Mike C always waits to see what Tim says and that he lacks conviction. Tim, is not, in fact, a fan of the terry cloth look.

Val explains to Tim that she has changed her look from pants to a skirt. Tim is concerned that she will not have enough time to make yet another piece. 

Tim still really, really, really hates Michael Drummond's Annie Oakley skirt.

When he gets to Andy's look, Tim says that he's never seen so much of Andy in Andy's work, but he warns him that Jackie O would never have so much camel toe.

5. The Runway. As the designers get ready for the runway, Mondo says: "I don't think you're going home Michael Drummond." Famous last words. Michael Drummond is much more interested, however, in the outfit Mondo is wearing which involves black shorts, a wife beater, and suspenders. Mondo explains his outfit is inspired by the Cotton Club. Awesome. And then Mondo proceeds to tap dance. More awesome. Many of the designers try to make some last minute changes to their designs. Gretchen is worried for 50% of the room (which does not include herself, of course).

Tonight's guest judge: January Jone

On the runway, Heidi introduces tonight's judges. Along with Michael Kors and Nina Garcia, January Jones will be joining in on the fun. We immediately think she'll love Andy's pants, since her taste tends to be funky. We are apparently wrong. 

Christopher: His gold colored dress is cute. His leather shrug/ wrap/ collar is absolutely hideous. Despite this, Chris is in the top 3! January Jones loves the dress. Michael Kors also likes the elegant and sexy dress and even likes the texture and color of the wrap. Nina says that without the shrug, the look is much, much better. Heidi says what we're all thinking: the shrug looks like a dirty, old rug and that's not good. 

April: Her completely black ensemble includes a one sleeved jacket. It's pretty crazy and we don't actually like it very much. With better execution, though, it may have worked. She is safe. 

Ivy: We hate to admit it, but Ivy's look, which includes a tuxedo pant, a white top and a sheer organza jacket, is very clean, very Jackie O, and very much a contender for the win. And, in fact, we are right. Ivy is in the top 3! Michael Kors says her design is intrinsically elegant.He likes the tailoring of the jacket.  Heidi actually thinks the top is overdesigned and doesn't like the competing necklines of the shirt and the jacket.  JJ loves the top and the twist in the tuxedo pant. 

Mike C: Mike C presents a royal blue cocktail dress, with a denim jacket. Pretty color and dress, ridiculous jacket that has no relationship to the dress whatsoever. He is safe. 

Gretchen: Her outfit is all earth tones...again. We're starting to wish Gretchen could branch out into a different color scheme. We could maybe see Jackie O wearing this outfit in the 70s though. She is safe.

Cotton Club Mondo

Michael Drummond: Along with his Annie Oakley skirt, there is a kind of Chanel-esque suit jacket. We actually didn't completely hate this. Apparently, we are wrong. Mike D is in the bottom 3. He explains that he wanted to do a deconstructed vintage look. Kors tells him it looks like schizophrenic Jackie O, an old lady on top and ice skater on the bottom. Is Mike K through beating up Mike D? No, no he's not. He continues to bash poor Michael Drummond, telling him his design looks like Jackie O at a mall (well, she has to shop somewhere doesn't she?). Kors even says the look is an insult to American sportswear. OK. Mr. Kors, we get it. You hate it. Lay off. Nina only says that she is surprised at his look and JJ and Heidi describe the look as sloppy. 

Val: Val's tube skirt with North Face vest is too boring and way too casual for Jackie O. We have felt for weeks now that Val has been slipping. This week proves we are right. Val is in the bottom three and explains to the judges she was going for modern, classic with edge. Heidi asks Val if that is why she decided to put a jacket over a coat. Meow. Kitty's got claws. Michael Kors is just sad that what he's seeing is a lycra tube skirt with no design. January Jones says the ankle boots are a strange choice with the skirt. Nina totally calls Val out on her use of pleating and zippers on all of her garments, deeming such details as gimmicks, not design. We could not agree with you more Nina. 

Andy: The fit in Andy's giant pants is WAY off. If they had fit properly and if the other elements (long sleeved shirt with vest) had been executed properly, we think this could have been cute. That does not mean that Jackie O ever would have worn it. Andy is in the bottom 3 and the judges really let him have it. Heidi tells Andy she actually had a hard time not laughing at his design as it came down the runway.. JJ is unable to recognize any element of American sportswear in his design. Andy explains that he doesn't consider himself to be an American sportswear designer. Michael Kors, the king of American sportswear, flies off the handle, and asks Andy: "What are you, a grand couturier?" Poor Andy. All he meant, Mr. Kors, was that he is more influenced by Asian design. Lighten up, MK.

Sweetheart Michael Drummon

Mondo: Mondo's outfit is perfect. A purple and black houndstooth skirt with a black and white stripe boatneck t-shirt and a cute little black jacket lined in purple. We love it. Very, very , very Jackie. And very, very, very Mondo. Mondo is in the top 3! Heidi says Mondo's look is sharp, but loud, but she can see Jackie O in it. Kors is in love with his t-shirt, probably b/c his collection has had the exact same horizontally striped boatneck tee in it since 1985. Nina is impressed by Mondo's clever mix of patterns.

After further discussion amongst the judges, we are convinced that Ivy is going to win this one, for drama's sake, and Andy will be going home, because Michael Kors now hates his guts. Luckily, we are wrong on both counts. 

Mondo is awarded the win! In fact, Heidi declares him the "clear winner" in this challenge. We again  have faith in our judges and know that the producers haven't completely taken over the selection process. 

And, Michael Drummond, to our surprise, is out. We are saddened by this decision as we really love Mike D. At the same time, though, we were going to be upset if Andy went home. To be honest, we were really hoping for Val's demise. We don't think she has much to say after a promising beginning.

As Michael Drummond prepares for his departure, Tim tells him the skirt was his Waterloo. Michael Drummond responds: "You're right...I'm like going to have to go look that up now." We will miss you terribly, Michael Drummond. 

To see photos (eventually, they aren't posted yet!) of the runway designs, http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/project-runway.