Project Runway: Heidi, You're Out (Part 2)

4. On the Runway. Heidi comes out to the runway wearing a bright, candle apple red suit, which we didn't like when we saw the pics at first, but there is something mesmerizing about the way she appears to glow in the dark. Along with Michael Kors and Nina Garcia, Jessica Simpson will be on the judging panel. Jessica Simpson, who is wearing a sparkly sacklike Micheal Kors minidress, which would look great on a tall skinny model, looks like a dumpy ex-cheerleader who thinks she still looks hot.


Gretchen Jones on the Runway. Gretchen's collection is called Running Through Thunder. With each look, we are reminded why we disliked her collection before. We hate those prints, but then we realize as more of them come out, that there's a seventies vibe (or is it the early nineties?) about her collection that feels on trend. Plus, she's even got animal prints. But then she also has sweater diapers, which we can't get on board with. And then we realize that this collection would look good on someone like Nicole Richie or someone else much more hip than we are. Someone who shops at a thrift store and finds clothes that they can put together to create an image, a look, a feel. It's not our style, but we're starting to get it and we're starting to think she has a shot. Plus, after seeing all of the runway shows this year, it looks very now, now, now, but in a hippie chick way. Hmmm. Were we wrong about hating her collection?

Apparently, we were utterly and completely mistaken in ever disliking the Gretch's collection. Nina says overall she likes the prints and the amount of choices in her collection. In particular, she loves the patchwork pant (which we actually hate). Nina also thinks it feels easy and ready to wear (we agree). Michael Kors likes the relaxed and easy vibe of the girl who would wear these clothes, but he doesn't get the leathery material. Both MK and Heidi love the jewelry, which Gretchen has designed herself. Heidi wishes there were fewer prints and Jessica Simpson wishes she could have seen just one extravagant piece.

Once they are amongst themselves, Heidi admits she likes Gretchen as a designer. Nina again says that Gretchen has a good eye and is in tune with what is happening and is on trend. Michael Kors is glad Gretchen listened to them and sexed her collection up by showing some leg (we guess that's why she had so many sweater diapers!). MK says Gretchen's collection is memorable. We hate to admit that it kinda is. Whether or not we actually like it is quite another matter. The prints (and earthtones) are really killing it for us, but we do, after much thought, understand why the judge like the collection and how someone might want to buy her clothes.In fact, we kind of want the non-animal print dress (not the one with the weird leather vest, which is too 1992 for us). In some strange way, we even wish we were the girl who could pull off these clothes.

Or maybe Nina and MK have just brainwashed us.

Stay Tuned for Part 3.