Project Runway: (A Very Sad) Finale Part 1

So, tonight's episode, which is the first part of the two-part finale,  begins and we are reminded again that April is out. So sad. We plan to show her collection in its entirety in the next post, so you can see it.

Heidi informs the remaining four designers that they each get $9000 and 6 weeks to show a 10 piece collection. See you in 6 weeks suckers...

Tim Visits the Designers at Home. First, Tim visits Andy in Hawaii. We are so jealous of his Hawaiian lifestyle, until we see that the poor kid lives in a sad sort of shack. Andy is a first generation immigrant from Laos. His family farms, specifically raising Chinese catfish. He shows Tim one of the slippery little critters. Tim practically faints at the sight. After Tim meets Andy's family he goes into Andy's workspace to check out the collection. Unfortunately, Andy hasn't completed many looks yet as he's been waiting for fabrics he ordered from Laos. Because he's been waiting on the fabric, Andy now only has two weeks to basically complete his entire collection. Tim's a bit worried as are we.





Next, Tim visits Michael C in Palm Springs, CA. Michael has completed almost 20 looks and has been inspired by feathers! Tim is concerned that Michael is spreading himself too thin and that he should start choosing designs and editing. Then, we find out some of the family drama inside of Michael's little world. Seems Michael C has a boyfriend named Richard, but his family wants him to marry a woman. Mike's son Giovanni is there supporting his dad, but we're wondering what kind of twisted politics Michael C's family is playing in their relationship and for the first time, we feel truly sorry and worried for Michael. We're pretty sure his life is not easy and we're even more sure Michael's mom and dad are not making it easier.

Tim is then off to Denver to visit Mondo. Mondo explains that his collection is inspired by his Mexican roots and, in particular, by vintage circuses in Mexico. Tim sits down to dinner with Mondo and his family. Mondo's parents basically say they tried to not make him the way he is (NICE). Tim, very tactfully, says "Well, Mondo and I are kindred spirits because I was always picked last on the team, too." We love you Tim. The visit finishes with Mondo playing piano for Tim.



Finally, Tim visits Gretchen in Portland. Before he arrives, we find out that poor Gretchen returned home from Project Runway to find that her relationship had failed and that she was completely broke. Wow. Can't any of our designers get a break? Seriously?  Never fear. Gretchen has decided to pull herself up by the bootstraps and says that her misfortunes have inspired her to focus more on her work. For her final collection, she is using her western roots and has decided to mix them with other rural cultures. Tim is concerned that it is too costumey, but overall he seems ok with it.


Back in NYC. Back in the Big Apple, and our final four reunite once again. Everyone loves Andy's new Pocahontas-meets-Naomi Campbell hair. And, then, in comes Tim...with a little black bag. Fear invades the room, until Tim reveals that each of our remaining designers will be receiving a resort vacation in either Costa Rica, Barbados or Hawaii!  Never fear, there is a twist as well. We also soon find out that the designers must present three looks to the judges and one of the looks will be created over the next two days for $300.  The designers work over the next two days and Tim seems to be mostly concerned about Michael C.

The Runway. Tonight's runway judges consist of the original and best (or used to be the best anyway) judges of the show. It will be just Heidi, Michael Kors and Nina Garcia doing the honors this evening.

Andy: Andy presents two evening looks and a bikini. The first evening look has a gray ruffled top with gray shorts. We are not overly impressed. His next look is a bikini with a fly away chiffon cover up. It's pretty...for beachwear. Finally, the look he created for the challenge is a green pleated top with a skirt. It's a nice color, but again, not too impressive. Heidi and Michael Kors both like the green dress a lot more than we did and are impressed by the pleating. Nina is concerned because his collection looks very bare. In fact, Nina just doesn't look happy at all with this collection. The judges are happy, however, that Andy has toned down the warrior girl aesthetic, but are very worried about what he might end up showing at fashion week.

Michael C: Michael C's looks consist of a brown draped gown (pretty), a brown short dress, with poofy brown feather bottom (terrible proportions), and sequin pants with a brown shredded top (the top is interesting, we think, but the pants are awful). Michael Kors likes Mike C's effortless gown. Heidi likes the brown shredded top. Nina is amazed that everything is in the same color and not in a good way. She goes on to say that the "wow factor" should not come from beading and feathers but from the lines. The judges think his clothing looks like stage costume cocktail wear.

Gretchen: Gretchen's looks consist of a green short romper made out of some kind of burlap material, a brown shirt and pants  in safari-looking prints, and a  sequin tuxedo jacket with shorts which do not appear to go with the other two looks at all. Gretchen's collection is not loved by the judges. Nina says her interest is not piqued and feels  like the collection is too granola (we agree). Heidi says that maybe the granola would go away if they all wore heels. MK says Gretch's clothes don't look expensive (we agree). The consensus is that Gretchen's clothes are way granola (yes).

Mondo: Mondo's first look is our fave shown of any of the looks. The top is a black and white print, with a different black and white print used for the shorts. They totally complement one another and they are totally cute. Plus, the bag, with a day of the dead skull, is to die for and would be a must have accessory. The second look, the one he made for the challenge, consists of a throw away turquoise jersey top, with a brown houndstooth skirt, which is cute enough and very Mondo. The final look is a slinky black and white polka dot long sleeved column dress which skims the floor. We're not sure if it's formal enough for a red carpet event, but think it would be cute for going out to a nice dinner on the beach if you paired it with some flip flops.Overall, his collection blows everyone else's away. Michael Kors mostly agrees with us and says he likes the individual pieces. Heidi loves the dress. Nina loves Mondo's boldness and theatricality, but thinks the polka dots are walking a fine line and may not be elegant enough. The judges are worried the circus is coming to town.


After much deliberation, the judges decide. Michael C is OUT. Michael completely breaks down. We're talking slobbering, snotty crying here. And it is sad to see. He wails that he can not face his family. After several minutes of utter heartbreak, Michael is finally able to get it together enough to tell the rest of the designers to "give 'em hell."

Well, Michael C, we hope the designers are able to do that, because after seeing the looks this week, we are not exactly looking forward to the finale.




Stay tuned for next week's PR...

To see this week's designs: http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/project-runway