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electric_butterflyIt's taken me forever to get to this one. Yes, I procrastinate, but it's not the only reason. I honestly didn't like this episode very much, but since I committed to recapping this show, I have to. You'll see why I didn't care much for this challenge soon enough. And no, it's not because I'm prudish. Heh.
So, we're back at Atlas Apartment where Nick is "HAPPY!" and he's having his "Parade"! Who wouldn't be? Especially since it means that the doll featuring YOUR design will be sought after since it is Limited Edition and your face is shown on the tag. Gives you some notoriety. YAY! Santino, however, is bummed that he didn't win. See, for Santino, not being the best means the end of the world as we know it. Second place isn't good enough for him and he makes that clear to Nick. Sound familiar, Yu-Gi-Oh fans? If Santino made games, he could be Seto Kaiba. Santino Kaiba. Heh. Maybe Santino and Nick will duel with their designs(and I honestly predict that's what's going to happen).
Santino: I summon: Confection Dress! It has a special ability. When I sacrifice it, I can summon a seven star monster and I bring forth: Leather Ensemble with 2800 life points! Leather Ensemble! ATTACK!
Nick(who is, of course, Yami Yugi with a sense of humor): No attack for you! You've just activated my trap card: Anti-Whickety Whack! It destroys all monsters on the field. Now I summon, Copa Cabana Barbie Girl! Attack Santino's Life Points directly!
Ehem. Anyway, in his confessional, Santino mentions how he helped Nick a little bit and it's shown with a flashback. He makes it clear that he will now think twice before helping Nick again. I would think that just making it to the finals should be all that matters. Yes, it sucks to lose. Nobody likes to lose, but just NOT being eliminated should be more important than winning a challenge, especially since there's no longer immunities for winning. The only perk of winning now is that you get first choice in a model and even then it's between your own and the one who worked with an eliminated designer. It's a pride thing, I know and some people do believe that coming short of first is a loss. Whatever. You can't win all the time. After all, winning the entire show is more important than winning any challenge, but that's just me. The consensus among the other recappers is that Santino's help didn't make much of a difference anyway. As for me, I agree with Tim. Santino's was a nice dress, but Nick outdid him with or without any help. It happens everywhere.
Diana, who IS Yugi Moto, confesses that she likes the challenges and says that it's like "Living in a book". I can't help but smile at that. How sweet. God I love her. :D
Now on the to challenge, Heidi announces that the challenge is something that she knows about: Lingerie. Everyone goes "OOOOH" and people are excited. You see pictures of Heidi wearing some lingerie on various catwalks. Nice. Nick chooses his model and quite naturally, he picks Tarah, sending Allison home. Heidi tells everyone that they will be pitching their ideas to her and she will choose the leaders based on what the ideas are, so there will be four teams. One person or an entire team could be eliminated. Yikes. Daniel Franco says that they must "Present an impression." Yea, pretty much.
Daniel V presents an idea that I'm sure we can all relate to: Revenge. Basically, it's women tearing up their ex-boyfriend's clothes and making lingerie would of them. Neat and a sweet way to seek revenge on people. Love this concept.
Guadalupe presents an idea based on Super Heroes! Pow! Bam! Kabam! I don't want to know what goes on behind closed doors with her, but I actually liked her idea. I think powerful lingerie could have come from this! Yes, stuff that can make you leap tall beds in a single bound! Pow indeed!
Andrae's is basically "Tie me up." Either it's a clever play on ties or it's literally bondage. No thanks.
Chloe pitches some kind of a "slip combo". Something you can wear both in bed and over jeans. I'm sure her execution of it would be adorable since she's among the best in the show, in my opinion, but her idea sounds too basic to have any appeal. Oh well.
Santino's is inspired by Heidi's homeland(Germany). "Auf Wiedersehen" is on the butt and "Guten Tag" is on the crotch of one of sketches. Santino just sells this idea so well that Heidi loves it. Can't say I blame her. I think it's s cute idea. I wouldn't have gone with it(my homeland is Greece. Now THAT would make some interesting lingerie, but Heidi is not from there), but I don't think it's too bad a concept since it's also based on humor.
Zulema's is basically described as "cute" and "Short". Heidi knows that Zulema likes short given the golden dress debacle. I kind of "Bwahed" at the sketches. I don't think the idea is too bad, but not one that I would have gone with.
Kara's is basically "Boudoir Babes" and I'm not interested at all. Not a bad name, but the concept seems a little boring.
Nick's is "Asiana Nights", which interested me. Too bad no one else seemed interested. I guess it's because I just love Nick and I love his sketches.
Marla's is "Sweetie Pie". No thanks.
Emmett is "Heidi's Hollywood Honeymoon." No. We don't even see sketches. Well, some people can't sketch. Still, no.
Diana comes up with a great idea. It's basically "Wind Goddess"(I'm a wind person, so sue me) and her sketches are fabulous with the body suits and the flowing fabric that surrounds them! This is my favorite idea! Basically, when the model walks around in it, it'll look as if the wind is blowing. Heidi asks Diana if she'll be needing a wind machine. Heh. Cute. But, this is a great idea and probably the best in the bunch. At least the concept is. Okay, I'm biased. Still, the sketches were gorgeous.
Daniel Franco comes up with "Elegant Romance". This is a concept done to death, but the way Daniel presents it seems to win Heidi over. "I'd love to show you something beautiful." It's the way he says it, I guess! I thought it was kind of sweet, but I don't blame people for seeing it as a bit creepy. Heidi just smiles. I wouldn't have picked the idea because even if he's going by the 'romance angle', I think it's just something that's too commonplace in lingerie anyway.
Anyway, Heidi chooses Daniel V, Daniel Franco(I guess she really liked his idea after all. I do think it was the way Daniel F sells it that gets him a leadership role), Diana(YAY!) and Santino(Go Figure). I would have gone with Guadalupe(POW! Kabam! Makes me think of Batman and Wonder woman), Nick(I liked his concept), Diana(Do you really have to ask why?) and Daniel V (though I do admit that it's interchangeable with Chloe because I know she's damned good). But, I'm not Heidi, so moving right along. Daniel V chooses Andrae and Zulema for his team. Daniel Franco chooses Chloe and Kara. Santino chooses Nick(DOH) and Emmett. Diana chooses Guadalupe and Marla(who understands why she is picked last since she was almost eliminated in the previous challenge).
Everyone goes about their duties in terms of planning, suggestion making and what materials to buy, bla bla bla. During this, Diana is seen with Marla and Guadalupe discussing how her designs will be "cut-bias" in order to fit the model's butt. Eheheh, you said butt. Course I've said much worse. Then Santino is seen with Nick and Emmett. I don't know how close they are and I don't if Diana hears this coming from Santino:
"I think the three of them are so fucking lame. They haven't had sex in their life."
What? The? Fuck? Okay, I LOVE Santino. Gods know I do, but when he says that and with the malicious way he says it, I lose a little love there. I find that absolutely unnecessary. If Diana, Lupe and Marla were evil bitches, then I could understand the barb thrown. But, none of the three women have said or done anything to warrant that. All it does is make Santino look like a complete dick rather than just an arrogant person with talent to back it. UGH! One of the reasons why I don't like this episode much. Gah. I'm pretty sure Marla has had sex given that she has a kid. As for Lupe, I get the impression that she gets it on frequently. And Diana? I don't know and who really cares? All I care about is that I hope Diana wins this challenge and I actually have a feeling that she just might at this point. Boy, would that please me!
Thankfully, Emmett, a god among men, saves the day by retorting, "Neither have you!" And Santino smiles and nods while Nick steers them back in the right direction. Chloe, Daniel and Kara butt heads. Or rather, Daniel butts heads with both Kara and Chloe. According to Chloe, Daniel's designs are too ambitious for the time needed and that he's not listening, which is going to be a problem. Seems that neither one of them listen to each other as Chloe cuts him off, Daniel just goes about his merry way, Daniel gets scolded and he giggles at that. I don't think Chloe is necessarily being a bitch. I think she's being objective in her opinion that Daniel F is simply trying too hard. But, she does mock some his sketches as looking like a 'birthday cake'. I swear, it's like two bricks being smashed together.
Moving right along, everyone is given their budget of $200 dollars and they go to a fabric store where they have thirty minutes to shop. Zulema and Daniel V are civilly dueling over fabrics and colors, colors and fabrics. It's nothing serious, it's just a discussion over which would be better for the pieces. Hmm...I think both are equally important. There. Kind of solves everything, yes? Then, there's Santino, who, according to his teammates is micro managing everything down to the subatomic particles. Sheesh. Of course, there's complaints about that and the fabrics being a "little disco" and Emmett is in charge of shopping. The Great Santino then loses his sketches while everyone else is finished. In a nutsack, he goes insane as he frantically looks for his precious sketches. Not that I blame him, I'd be going a bit nuts too. BUT, I wouldn't be dumping stuff the way he is. Gods. When he eventually finds him, there's a big festival and everyone is happy. Nick says that, "Out of Chaos comes Beauty". Which is why I often love the concept of Chaos. Ehem.
Back at the studio, it seems that Emmett can't sew or make patterns. I guess that's for women though, right? I mean, he did well in men's wear, so my guess is that he could do both just fine, but not for the ladies. At least that's the impression that I'm getting. Still, Emmett is nowhere near as good a designer as Nick and Santino, but I did love a couple of his clothes, so I guess it all evens out or something. While working on the concept, Nick says to Emmett that the work is "Campy with a capital "C". HEEE! Nick. Course I think that's the point, yes?
Kara and Chloe are ready to hang Daniel F by his nostrils. According to Kara, Daniel is "Overthinking the design". Daniel F? Overthinking anything? Nah, of course not! Must be projection on Kara's part, yes? Chloe, to put it mildly, is also a bit frustrated. I honestly don't blame either one of them since everything they're doing seems to be changed by Daniel every nanosecond. Christ. I think Daniel is determined and sweet, but I can see him driving a lot of people insane. AAGH!
Back to Santinoville, our fearless leader, General Santino Zod the Great believes that Emmett is "Dead weight, like a sack of potatoes." He hates Emmett's piece as it looks like a "Christmas Elf's outfit". Santino wants to cry because he will not accept mediocrity and then he slides down a table as if his mother died. Emmett tries to comfort him by calling him a great designer and that his teammates are there for him. Ah, Emmett, I've grown to like him quite a bit. Most people would have mocked Santino the same way Andrae was mocked in previous episodes. Andrae, btw, is doing quite well with Daniel V and Zulema. Complete with finishing each other's(you know, I actually thought that was one word? Jesus) sentences. Heh.
Kara is hoping for a miracle because she knows that Daniel Franco could cost all three of them their spots on the show because of how he wants things constantly re-done, which takes up time. Oi. I feel for the two of them, I truly do. Daniel is not a bad person, but I could see him being a nightmare to work with. Kara goes on to say that, "I am going to snip your pee-pee off you get me off this show!" Hilarious! I've grown to like her a little bit. She's nuts, but she's competent and quite entertaining. Chloe intends to blame Daniel F. for everything and I don't blame her. I'd do the same thing.
Now to Diana. Okay, that model(named Cara) needs to DIE! She's Marla's model and what a "disagreeable" one she is. She doesn't want to wear any of the pieces because they "inappropriate" and she apparently doesn't feel comfortable in them. You wouldn't believe how FURIOUS I would have been if I were there. Oh, god, just thinking of it scares even me. Just that to scream at Cara "Get THE FUCK OUT OF HERE!" probably wouldn't have worked so well given that even more drama would be created. Pieces would be torn, there'd be a dead model and Project Runway would have turned into more of a drama circus then it already is. GAH! I keep thinking, "DO NOT LET A MODEL STEAMROLL YOU!" Unless, she's Naomi Campbell or someone like her. AAAGH! How could Cara have not known what she was getting into? How could she not know about the possibility of wearing revealing clothes!?!? She's damned lucky that she's with someone as smart and relatively nice as Diana. See, other designers would have murdered Cara at worst and at best? "Oh, you have a problem with the designs? Then, put your clothes back on because I'm going to have to ask you to leave." Only thing is, it probably isn't a feasible option given the time and the fact that there might not have been an alternative model anywhere. Bah, so Diana is stuck with her and does the best she can.
In an interview, Diana says that it's a model's job to achieve different looks and if the model can't do that, then perhaps she should consider a different job. Diana is spot on. Marla mentions that Cara has also complained about hair styles and basically Cara does little more than complain. Diana makes it clear that she does not want to work with someone like Cara and I don't blame her. Cara's days are numbered. I'm aware that sometimes a model, especially an experienced one, knows what works on them and what doesn't, but a model can only say so much since her job is pretty much wearing other people's clothes and presenting them to the best of their ability. I don't think Cara is doing that, I think she's shooting herself in the foot. This nonsense is another reason why I dislike this episode. Feh.
At this point, I am thinking that Diana or Daniel Franco will win this. Santino is too argumentative with his weak designs and while Daniel V's team is very well put together, I haven't seen anything that's gotten to me either way, except that Daniel V. is a great leader with Andrae and Zulema. I think Emmett may be the one to go given that both Nick and Santino are ready to give him the heave-ho as soon as they can. Nick believes that while his group's work is weak, Diana's is even weaker. I disagree.
Now onto my favorite part of the show: the Runway!
Diana: I find the collection odd, but God I love it! The first one is very nicely cut around the shoulder straps and the bikini region. Very delicate-looking, but I love the light green fabric flowing down her hip. The second one is the one that Cara is in and ironically enough, it's my favorite of the three. It looks like a dress with the front sides cut, but it's pretty. The red fabric looks gorgeous as it sweeps around Cara as she walks down the Runway. I think the second one exuded the most power, despite Cara's rather unhappy walk down the Runway. I say this because the outfit was still revealing without showing too much and it does add some variety and the red fabric works perfectly as it swings around the "disagreeable" model. Heh. Go figure. The third one is very strappy and intricately cut on the neck. I like the neckline a lot. The bottom? Just a small bikini. The light blue fabric is around Lesley's arms and it looks very nice as it flows down her back. I give the whole thing a five, despite the fact that something like those pieces would be difficult to wear, even for models. Could be the point though given that it's a "GODDESS" theme. Too bad my love for the collection is an unpopular opinion. Beh. It's interesting to note that Diana's work on the designs are based on the strappings of a Roman sandal and a female toga. Interesting. No, she doesn't win, but she comes in second and that's good enough for me. Santino is displeased that she is safe. Grrr...jerk idiot. It gets worse as you will see.
Santino: The first one is actually okay. I like the flowing off-white negligee, but I hate everything else. The colors look awful. Brown leggings, blue lace shoulder straps and red trim? BLEAGH. I said it was okay, but only for the top and the model looks cute. The second one? Uuhhh, cute, I guess? Ack. At least the model looks fierce and I think that's what saves the piece from total AAAARFGhood. Brown is the dominant color with some red and cream colored trim. It's impossible to describe. The third one? Emmett mentions "vaudeville" and he is right. It's a bra and panties set with brown being the dominant color again and it's full of light brown trim with a little red and light blue. Yes, I do think the collection is kind of cute, but the colors are terrible. Honestly, it looks someone sprayed liquid shit on the fabrics. If the collection had been a different color, it might have worked. As it stands now, I can honestly say that at least it's not boring, so I give it a three and that's only because I still happen to like Santino, despite the meltdown in both the studio and on the Runway. Runway, I say? Yes!
See, what happens is that after Diana is declared safe, Nina and Santino argue for ninety minutes. You don't see that on TV, but Tim's Pod cast says that they argued for that long. The gist of it is that Nina hated the designs and says that they're not "aesthetically pleasing" or "well made". Santino makes the claim that his collection has never been done before, but Nina disagrees and names designers that could have easily done it. Santino says that he's not a copy-cat. I don't think that's what she's saying at all. All she's saying is that Santino's designs are not that original, which is probably true. I like the collection more than Nina does, but that doesn't mean that the work of avant-garde, because it's not. Cats and Moulin Rouge are mentioned in other re-caps and I think that's true. Like I said, the colors were terrible and it isn't what Heidi imagined at all. Me neither. Santino and Nick gun for Emmett to be eliminated and Emmett says that Santino should be eliminated because a leader has to take responsibility for how the collection turns out. That's not the only reason. Emmett also reveals how Santino broke down and just how awful he is as a leader. Santino just rolls his eyes. Big surprise! The judges consider him a cowardly leader. Despite all that and my feeling that Emmett may go, all three are safe. I can live with that, but I wouldn't have been surprised if Santino is eliminated right there.
Daniel V.--So, where is the revenge? Oh, the tie and the cuffs. Oh, the boxers. Oh, okay, For something that's supposed to be a revenge theme it sure is bland. I really liked the first one though, but it looks like a black club dress with white cuffs. Still, very nice, but a little boring. I liked the second one though. It's a black spaghetti strap one piece swimsuit with a neck tie complete with the collar. Looks great! I love how simple and to the point it is. The third one? BLEAGH. I hated this one. It's black boxers and a bra and the strap comes off the model's shoulder. ZZZZZZ... I really do not like the execution of this because only the second one conveys any kind of revenge. I give it a two. Red would have been a nice color for the revenge theme. Still, Daniel V. is the one who wins and I am stunned. I don't necessarily think the team deserves elimination, but not the win. Sheesh. I figure it's because the pieces are the most wearable and minimalist. Then, there's the fact that they are a great team and Daniel V is truly a good leader. I live with it.
Daniel F.-- I actually liked these a lot. Then again, I'm a sucker for lace. The first one looks like sleeveless vest with a sash and a skirt. It's pretty. The second one is a lace bra connected to a short, frilly skirt. It's cut on the sides and I think it's lovely. The third one is basically a lace dress with a sash in the middle. Say what you will about the collection, but I think they are beautiful. I give it a four. Too bad the judges don't agree because they consider the collection "Old". Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't most lingerie purchased by women over thirty anyway? I myself am...uh...getting there and I NEVER buy lingerie because it would remind everyone of just how FAT I am, but I'd buy Daniel Franco's. Then again, I'm a sucker for lace. Whatever. One thing I am forced to agree with is that yes, they all do look pretty much the same and yes, they are "too safe". Oh poo. However, the judges acknowledge the fact that Daniel does take responsibility for the loss and how he isn't willing to sell out Chloe or Kara, despite the two of them being more than willing to punt him. Whatever. He's the one that ends up going. I'm surprised and yet I'm not. He's certainly talented and not afraid to go after what he wants, but he's trouble and has been that way from day one. I wish it didn't have to be this way though, but I accept that fact that it is inevitable.
People are upset that he's going. Despite the fact Daniel Franco can be like a faucet that drips endlessly, people like him. Chloe is especially upset as she cries and says that being a good person is more important then being a great designer. And no, I don't see it as a veiled insult. Unless Chloe is the queen of acting, I think she sincerely believes that Daniel is great at what he does and is also a good person, but for her, the latter is more important. I also think that her behavior is not because she's safe, but rather because Daniel never does point fingers at her or Kara and he easily could have. Tim says to Daniel, "Daniel, you leave here with tremendous dignity and integrity. I have a lot of respect for that." People agree as they cheer and I doubt they're doing it because they're safe. It seems clear to me that people sincerely liked and respected Daniel, despite his antics. People hug him, others cry, people are proud of him and so am I. He's not my favorite designer or person in the world, but I'm glad he got his second chance. He proved that he deserved it.
Next up, "Design for a Socialite". All I remember is people going nuts over forms and Andrae wondering where his chiffon is. Better be good after the Lingerie disaster.
So, we're back at Atlas Apartment where Nick is "HAPPY!" and he's having his "Parade"! Who wouldn't be? Especially since it means that the doll featuring YOUR design will be sought after since it is Limited Edition and your face is shown on the tag. Gives you some notoriety. YAY! Santino, however, is bummed that he didn't win. See, for Santino, not being the best means the end of the world as we know it. Second place isn't good enough for him and he makes that clear to Nick. Sound familiar, Yu-Gi-Oh fans? If Santino made games, he could be Seto Kaiba. Santino Kaiba. Heh. Maybe Santino and Nick will duel with their designs(and I honestly predict that's what's going to happen).
Santino: I summon: Confection Dress! It has a special ability. When I sacrifice it, I can summon a seven star monster and I bring forth: Leather Ensemble with 2800 life points! Leather Ensemble! ATTACK!
Nick(who is, of course, Yami Yugi with a sense of humor): No attack for you! You've just activated my trap card: Anti-Whickety Whack! It destroys all monsters on the field. Now I summon, Copa Cabana Barbie Girl! Attack Santino's Life Points directly!
Ehem. Anyway, in his confessional, Santino mentions how he helped Nick a little bit and it's shown with a flashback. He makes it clear that he will now think twice before helping Nick again. I would think that just making it to the finals should be all that matters. Yes, it sucks to lose. Nobody likes to lose, but just NOT being eliminated should be more important than winning a challenge, especially since there's no longer immunities for winning. The only perk of winning now is that you get first choice in a model and even then it's between your own and the one who worked with an eliminated designer. It's a pride thing, I know and some people do believe that coming short of first is a loss. Whatever. You can't win all the time. After all, winning the entire show is more important than winning any challenge, but that's just me. The consensus among the other recappers is that Santino's help didn't make much of a difference anyway. As for me, I agree with Tim. Santino's was a nice dress, but Nick outdid him with or without any help. It happens everywhere.
Diana, who IS Yugi Moto, confesses that she likes the challenges and says that it's like "Living in a book". I can't help but smile at that. How sweet. God I love her. :D
Now on the to challenge, Heidi announces that the challenge is something that she knows about: Lingerie. Everyone goes "OOOOH" and people are excited. You see pictures of Heidi wearing some lingerie on various catwalks. Nice. Nick chooses his model and quite naturally, he picks Tarah, sending Allison home. Heidi tells everyone that they will be pitching their ideas to her and she will choose the leaders based on what the ideas are, so there will be four teams. One person or an entire team could be eliminated. Yikes. Daniel Franco says that they must "Present an impression." Yea, pretty much.
Daniel V presents an idea that I'm sure we can all relate to: Revenge. Basically, it's women tearing up their ex-boyfriend's clothes and making lingerie would of them. Neat and a sweet way to seek revenge on people. Love this concept.
Guadalupe presents an idea based on Super Heroes! Pow! Bam! Kabam! I don't want to know what goes on behind closed doors with her, but I actually liked her idea. I think powerful lingerie could have come from this! Yes, stuff that can make you leap tall beds in a single bound! Pow indeed!
Andrae's is basically "Tie me up." Either it's a clever play on ties or it's literally bondage. No thanks.
Chloe pitches some kind of a "slip combo". Something you can wear both in bed and over jeans. I'm sure her execution of it would be adorable since she's among the best in the show, in my opinion, but her idea sounds too basic to have any appeal. Oh well.
Santino's is inspired by Heidi's homeland(Germany). "Auf Wiedersehen" is on the butt and "Guten Tag" is on the crotch of one of sketches. Santino just sells this idea so well that Heidi loves it. Can't say I blame her. I think it's s cute idea. I wouldn't have gone with it(my homeland is Greece. Now THAT would make some interesting lingerie, but Heidi is not from there), but I don't think it's too bad a concept since it's also based on humor.
Zulema's is basically described as "cute" and "Short". Heidi knows that Zulema likes short given the golden dress debacle. I kind of "Bwahed" at the sketches. I don't think the idea is too bad, but not one that I would have gone with.
Kara's is basically "Boudoir Babes" and I'm not interested at all. Not a bad name, but the concept seems a little boring.
Nick's is "Asiana Nights", which interested me. Too bad no one else seemed interested. I guess it's because I just love Nick and I love his sketches.
Marla's is "Sweetie Pie". No thanks.
Emmett is "Heidi's Hollywood Honeymoon." No. We don't even see sketches. Well, some people can't sketch. Still, no.
Diana comes up with a great idea. It's basically "Wind Goddess"(I'm a wind person, so sue me) and her sketches are fabulous with the body suits and the flowing fabric that surrounds them! This is my favorite idea! Basically, when the model walks around in it, it'll look as if the wind is blowing. Heidi asks Diana if she'll be needing a wind machine. Heh. Cute. But, this is a great idea and probably the best in the bunch. At least the concept is. Okay, I'm biased. Still, the sketches were gorgeous.
Daniel Franco comes up with "Elegant Romance". This is a concept done to death, but the way Daniel presents it seems to win Heidi over. "I'd love to show you something beautiful." It's the way he says it, I guess! I thought it was kind of sweet, but I don't blame people for seeing it as a bit creepy. Heidi just smiles. I wouldn't have picked the idea because even if he's going by the 'romance angle', I think it's just something that's too commonplace in lingerie anyway.
Anyway, Heidi chooses Daniel V, Daniel Franco(I guess she really liked his idea after all. I do think it was the way Daniel F sells it that gets him a leadership role), Diana(YAY!) and Santino(Go Figure). I would have gone with Guadalupe(POW! Kabam! Makes me think of Batman and Wonder woman), Nick(I liked his concept), Diana(Do you really have to ask why?) and Daniel V (though I do admit that it's interchangeable with Chloe because I know she's damned good). But, I'm not Heidi, so moving right along. Daniel V chooses Andrae and Zulema for his team. Daniel Franco chooses Chloe and Kara. Santino chooses Nick(DOH) and Emmett. Diana chooses Guadalupe and Marla(who understands why she is picked last since she was almost eliminated in the previous challenge).
Everyone goes about their duties in terms of planning, suggestion making and what materials to buy, bla bla bla. During this, Diana is seen with Marla and Guadalupe discussing how her designs will be "cut-bias" in order to fit the model's butt. Eheheh, you said butt. Course I've said much worse. Then Santino is seen with Nick and Emmett. I don't know how close they are and I don't if Diana hears this coming from Santino:
"I think the three of them are so fucking lame. They haven't had sex in their life."
What? The? Fuck? Okay, I LOVE Santino. Gods know I do, but when he says that and with the malicious way he says it, I lose a little love there. I find that absolutely unnecessary. If Diana, Lupe and Marla were evil bitches, then I could understand the barb thrown. But, none of the three women have said or done anything to warrant that. All it does is make Santino look like a complete dick rather than just an arrogant person with talent to back it. UGH! One of the reasons why I don't like this episode much. Gah. I'm pretty sure Marla has had sex given that she has a kid. As for Lupe, I get the impression that she gets it on frequently. And Diana? I don't know and who really cares? All I care about is that I hope Diana wins this challenge and I actually have a feeling that she just might at this point. Boy, would that please me!
Thankfully, Emmett, a god among men, saves the day by retorting, "Neither have you!" And Santino smiles and nods while Nick steers them back in the right direction. Chloe, Daniel and Kara butt heads. Or rather, Daniel butts heads with both Kara and Chloe. According to Chloe, Daniel's designs are too ambitious for the time needed and that he's not listening, which is going to be a problem. Seems that neither one of them listen to each other as Chloe cuts him off, Daniel just goes about his merry way, Daniel gets scolded and he giggles at that. I don't think Chloe is necessarily being a bitch. I think she's being objective in her opinion that Daniel F is simply trying too hard. But, she does mock some his sketches as looking like a 'birthday cake'. I swear, it's like two bricks being smashed together.
Moving right along, everyone is given their budget of $200 dollars and they go to a fabric store where they have thirty minutes to shop. Zulema and Daniel V are civilly dueling over fabrics and colors, colors and fabrics. It's nothing serious, it's just a discussion over which would be better for the pieces. Hmm...I think both are equally important. There. Kind of solves everything, yes? Then, there's Santino, who, according to his teammates is micro managing everything down to the subatomic particles. Sheesh. Of course, there's complaints about that and the fabrics being a "little disco" and Emmett is in charge of shopping. The Great Santino then loses his sketches while everyone else is finished. In a nutsack, he goes insane as he frantically looks for his precious sketches. Not that I blame him, I'd be going a bit nuts too. BUT, I wouldn't be dumping stuff the way he is. Gods. When he eventually finds him, there's a big festival and everyone is happy. Nick says that, "Out of Chaos comes Beauty". Which is why I often love the concept of Chaos. Ehem.
Back at the studio, it seems that Emmett can't sew or make patterns. I guess that's for women though, right? I mean, he did well in men's wear, so my guess is that he could do both just fine, but not for the ladies. At least that's the impression that I'm getting. Still, Emmett is nowhere near as good a designer as Nick and Santino, but I did love a couple of his clothes, so I guess it all evens out or something. While working on the concept, Nick says to Emmett that the work is "Campy with a capital "C". HEEE! Nick. Course I think that's the point, yes?
Kara and Chloe are ready to hang Daniel F by his nostrils. According to Kara, Daniel is "Overthinking the design". Daniel F? Overthinking anything? Nah, of course not! Must be projection on Kara's part, yes? Chloe, to put it mildly, is also a bit frustrated. I honestly don't blame either one of them since everything they're doing seems to be changed by Daniel every nanosecond. Christ. I think Daniel is determined and sweet, but I can see him driving a lot of people insane. AAGH!
Back to Santinoville, our fearless leader, General Santino Zod the Great believes that Emmett is "Dead weight, like a sack of potatoes." He hates Emmett's piece as it looks like a "Christmas Elf's outfit". Santino wants to cry because he will not accept mediocrity and then he slides down a table as if his mother died. Emmett tries to comfort him by calling him a great designer and that his teammates are there for him. Ah, Emmett, I've grown to like him quite a bit. Most people would have mocked Santino the same way Andrae was mocked in previous episodes. Andrae, btw, is doing quite well with Daniel V and Zulema. Complete with finishing each other's(you know, I actually thought that was one word? Jesus) sentences. Heh.
Kara is hoping for a miracle because she knows that Daniel Franco could cost all three of them their spots on the show because of how he wants things constantly re-done, which takes up time. Oi. I feel for the two of them, I truly do. Daniel is not a bad person, but I could see him being a nightmare to work with. Kara goes on to say that, "I am going to snip your pee-pee off you get me off this show!" Hilarious! I've grown to like her a little bit. She's nuts, but she's competent and quite entertaining. Chloe intends to blame Daniel F. for everything and I don't blame her. I'd do the same thing.
Now to Diana. Okay, that model(named Cara) needs to DIE! She's Marla's model and what a "disagreeable" one she is. She doesn't want to wear any of the pieces because they "inappropriate" and she apparently doesn't feel comfortable in them. You wouldn't believe how FURIOUS I would have been if I were there. Oh, god, just thinking of it scares even me. Just that to scream at Cara "Get THE FUCK OUT OF HERE!" probably wouldn't have worked so well given that even more drama would be created. Pieces would be torn, there'd be a dead model and Project Runway would have turned into more of a drama circus then it already is. GAH! I keep thinking, "DO NOT LET A MODEL STEAMROLL YOU!" Unless, she's Naomi Campbell or someone like her. AAAGH! How could Cara have not known what she was getting into? How could she not know about the possibility of wearing revealing clothes!?!? She's damned lucky that she's with someone as smart and relatively nice as Diana. See, other designers would have murdered Cara at worst and at best? "Oh, you have a problem with the designs? Then, put your clothes back on because I'm going to have to ask you to leave." Only thing is, it probably isn't a feasible option given the time and the fact that there might not have been an alternative model anywhere. Bah, so Diana is stuck with her and does the best she can.
In an interview, Diana says that it's a model's job to achieve different looks and if the model can't do that, then perhaps she should consider a different job. Diana is spot on. Marla mentions that Cara has also complained about hair styles and basically Cara does little more than complain. Diana makes it clear that she does not want to work with someone like Cara and I don't blame her. Cara's days are numbered. I'm aware that sometimes a model, especially an experienced one, knows what works on them and what doesn't, but a model can only say so much since her job is pretty much wearing other people's clothes and presenting them to the best of their ability. I don't think Cara is doing that, I think she's shooting herself in the foot. This nonsense is another reason why I dislike this episode. Feh.
At this point, I am thinking that Diana or Daniel Franco will win this. Santino is too argumentative with his weak designs and while Daniel V's team is very well put together, I haven't seen anything that's gotten to me either way, except that Daniel V. is a great leader with Andrae and Zulema. I think Emmett may be the one to go given that both Nick and Santino are ready to give him the heave-ho as soon as they can. Nick believes that while his group's work is weak, Diana's is even weaker. I disagree.
Now onto my favorite part of the show: the Runway!
Diana: I find the collection odd, but God I love it! The first one is very nicely cut around the shoulder straps and the bikini region. Very delicate-looking, but I love the light green fabric flowing down her hip. The second one is the one that Cara is in and ironically enough, it's my favorite of the three. It looks like a dress with the front sides cut, but it's pretty. The red fabric looks gorgeous as it sweeps around Cara as she walks down the Runway. I think the second one exuded the most power, despite Cara's rather unhappy walk down the Runway. I say this because the outfit was still revealing without showing too much and it does add some variety and the red fabric works perfectly as it swings around the "disagreeable" model. Heh. Go figure. The third one is very strappy and intricately cut on the neck. I like the neckline a lot. The bottom? Just a small bikini. The light blue fabric is around Lesley's arms and it looks very nice as it flows down her back. I give the whole thing a five, despite the fact that something like those pieces would be difficult to wear, even for models. Could be the point though given that it's a "GODDESS" theme. Too bad my love for the collection is an unpopular opinion. Beh. It's interesting to note that Diana's work on the designs are based on the strappings of a Roman sandal and a female toga. Interesting. No, she doesn't win, but she comes in second and that's good enough for me. Santino is displeased that she is safe. Grrr...jerk idiot. It gets worse as you will see.
Santino: The first one is actually okay. I like the flowing off-white negligee, but I hate everything else. The colors look awful. Brown leggings, blue lace shoulder straps and red trim? BLEAGH. I said it was okay, but only for the top and the model looks cute. The second one? Uuhhh, cute, I guess? Ack. At least the model looks fierce and I think that's what saves the piece from total AAAARFGhood. Brown is the dominant color with some red and cream colored trim. It's impossible to describe. The third one? Emmett mentions "vaudeville" and he is right. It's a bra and panties set with brown being the dominant color again and it's full of light brown trim with a little red and light blue. Yes, I do think the collection is kind of cute, but the colors are terrible. Honestly, it looks someone sprayed liquid shit on the fabrics. If the collection had been a different color, it might have worked. As it stands now, I can honestly say that at least it's not boring, so I give it a three and that's only because I still happen to like Santino, despite the meltdown in both the studio and on the Runway. Runway, I say? Yes!
See, what happens is that after Diana is declared safe, Nina and Santino argue for ninety minutes. You don't see that on TV, but Tim's Pod cast says that they argued for that long. The gist of it is that Nina hated the designs and says that they're not "aesthetically pleasing" or "well made". Santino makes the claim that his collection has never been done before, but Nina disagrees and names designers that could have easily done it. Santino says that he's not a copy-cat. I don't think that's what she's saying at all. All she's saying is that Santino's designs are not that original, which is probably true. I like the collection more than Nina does, but that doesn't mean that the work of avant-garde, because it's not. Cats and Moulin Rouge are mentioned in other re-caps and I think that's true. Like I said, the colors were terrible and it isn't what Heidi imagined at all. Me neither. Santino and Nick gun for Emmett to be eliminated and Emmett says that Santino should be eliminated because a leader has to take responsibility for how the collection turns out. That's not the only reason. Emmett also reveals how Santino broke down and just how awful he is as a leader. Santino just rolls his eyes. Big surprise! The judges consider him a cowardly leader. Despite all that and my feeling that Emmett may go, all three are safe. I can live with that, but I wouldn't have been surprised if Santino is eliminated right there.
Daniel V.--So, where is the revenge? Oh, the tie and the cuffs. Oh, the boxers. Oh, okay, For something that's supposed to be a revenge theme it sure is bland. I really liked the first one though, but it looks like a black club dress with white cuffs. Still, very nice, but a little boring. I liked the second one though. It's a black spaghetti strap one piece swimsuit with a neck tie complete with the collar. Looks great! I love how simple and to the point it is. The third one? BLEAGH. I hated this one. It's black boxers and a bra and the strap comes off the model's shoulder. ZZZZZZ... I really do not like the execution of this because only the second one conveys any kind of revenge. I give it a two. Red would have been a nice color for the revenge theme. Still, Daniel V. is the one who wins and I am stunned. I don't necessarily think the team deserves elimination, but not the win. Sheesh. I figure it's because the pieces are the most wearable and minimalist. Then, there's the fact that they are a great team and Daniel V is truly a good leader. I live with it.
Daniel F.-- I actually liked these a lot. Then again, I'm a sucker for lace. The first one looks like sleeveless vest with a sash and a skirt. It's pretty. The second one is a lace bra connected to a short, frilly skirt. It's cut on the sides and I think it's lovely. The third one is basically a lace dress with a sash in the middle. Say what you will about the collection, but I think they are beautiful. I give it a four. Too bad the judges don't agree because they consider the collection "Old". Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't most lingerie purchased by women over thirty anyway? I myself am...uh...getting there and I NEVER buy lingerie because it would remind everyone of just how FAT I am, but I'd buy Daniel Franco's. Then again, I'm a sucker for lace. Whatever. One thing I am forced to agree with is that yes, they all do look pretty much the same and yes, they are "too safe". Oh poo. However, the judges acknowledge the fact that Daniel does take responsibility for the loss and how he isn't willing to sell out Chloe or Kara, despite the two of them being more than willing to punt him. Whatever. He's the one that ends up going. I'm surprised and yet I'm not. He's certainly talented and not afraid to go after what he wants, but he's trouble and has been that way from day one. I wish it didn't have to be this way though, but I accept that fact that it is inevitable.
People are upset that he's going. Despite the fact Daniel Franco can be like a faucet that drips endlessly, people like him. Chloe is especially upset as she cries and says that being a good person is more important then being a great designer. And no, I don't see it as a veiled insult. Unless Chloe is the queen of acting, I think she sincerely believes that Daniel is great at what he does and is also a good person, but for her, the latter is more important. I also think that her behavior is not because she's safe, but rather because Daniel never does point fingers at her or Kara and he easily could have. Tim says to Daniel, "Daniel, you leave here with tremendous dignity and integrity. I have a lot of respect for that." People agree as they cheer and I doubt they're doing it because they're safe. It seems clear to me that people sincerely liked and respected Daniel, despite his antics. People hug him, others cry, people are proud of him and so am I. He's not my favorite designer or person in the world, but I'm glad he got his second chance. He proved that he deserved it.
Next up, "Design for a Socialite". All I remember is people going nuts over forms and Andrae wondering where his chiffon is. Better be good after the Lingerie disaster.
