Pop Vultures

Project Runway, S04 E11: The Art of Fashion

Previously on Project Runway: the universe righted itself when Ricky and his ugly hats were aufed at long last. This week: the designers are asked to design outfits based on pieces from the Metropolitan Museum of Art and do a pretty good job of not screwing it up.

We start with Jillian and Sweet P pointing out that there are only five designers left, thereby assisting viewers with sub-par counting skills. Sweet P is surprised that Ricky was sent home after her disaster from last week, apparently forgetting that she has produced several great outfits while Ricky has sent nothing but unwearable crap down the runway for ten weeks now. I like that she expresses surprise rather than sadness; for the first time, we don’t have a single designer expressing regret that Ricky is gone. Apparently, the editors and the audience are in sync on this one.

Cue required sequence of each designer explaining how important it is that they make it to Fashion Week at Bryant Park. I’ll simplify it for you: they all really, really want it. Moving on.

Model swap is as uneventful as it usually is at this point in the season, with Chris choosing to stay with Marcia. I support this choice, if only because it gives the show more time to demonstrate that the name should be pronounced “Mar-cee-uh,” rather than Marsha, though that support may be limited to those with childhood memories of classmates chanting, “Marsha Marsha Marsha.” Again, moving on.

Heidi sends them off on their final field trip. They end up meeting Tim outside the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Once inside, Tim explains the challenge: they are to base their design on a piece of art from one of three rooms. They have European paintings, Egyptian ruins and Greek and Roman statuary to choose from. The last room is clearly a ploy to trap Rami into staying within the draping box that the judges have come to hate. He, of course, falls right into the trap. On the whole, the designers are thrilled with the challenge, especially since they get the museum to themselves for 45 minutes.

Rami naturally goes right to the statue of Aphrodite, basically calling it his soulmate. The designers take photos of everything in each room, though they clearly have their preferences from the beginning. In the end, Christian chooses a Spanish painting of a military man, Chris selects a portrait of a French aristocratic woman wearing a gigantic bow, Sweet P picks a painting of peacocks and Jillian goes with the Master of the Argonauts. Rami, of course, is blind to everything other than the draped Aphrodite.

The designers sketch, shop and get to work. Christian is using approximately a gazillion yards of fabric to create his high fashion, avant garde idea, while Rami seems to think that sort of attitude leads to unnecessary showing off. He’s just going to keep it simple and make beautiful work. We’ll see how that works out for him.

Christian is putting his mad sewing skillz to good use and has designed four separate pieces. He is also putting his obnoxious mouth to good use, happily mocking those who aren’t as quick as he is. Jillian actually snaps at him when he points out that she’s been pressing pleats for three hours, and he tells her not to be bitchy. He then takes out a miniature pot and kettle and plays the famous party game, “Who’s the blackest?” Somehow, Jillian does not take the hot iron in her hand and press it directly to his forehead. Her robotic ways must be the only thing keeping her from an assault charge.

Day 2. The models come in for a fitting, but Sweet P’s model had some sort of family emergency. There’s all sorts of drama about whether or not Sweet P will have a model, but Lea ends up appearing at the end of the day and it never really goes anywhere, so we’re just going to ignore it.

Christian accuses Chris of making a dress too similar to the one from their couture challenge and, as much as it pains me to admit it, he’s not wrong. Chris is done several hours earlier than everyone else and goes off to take a nap. Tim does not approve of this choice and goes to wake him up, insisting that there’s no way he can be done yet. Tim does not think Chris’s is refined enough, and foolish Chris disagrees. You never disagree with The Gunn! Well, at least we now know that Chris can’t possibly win this challenge. Tim is also worried that Christian’s individual pieces don’t work on their own, that Sweet P’s peacock dress needs to be peacockier, and that Rami has created yet another beautiful draped dress. Jillian’s, apparently, does not worry him.

Final runway day, and everyone takes extra care with their appearance. Christian insists that his hair needs to be extra fierce, and I continue to be amazed that his asymmetrical mullet is a deliberate choice. Chris points out that no one absolutely hated each other this time around. There has been a fair amount of whining about the lack of drama in this season, but I still think that’s my favorite part of season 4. If I want to see interpersonal sniping, I’ll watch Survivor. I watch Project Runway for the pretty pretty dresses, and this season has been great for that.

After the last minute frenzy, it’s runway time!

If I hadn’t seen something similar – and better – in the couture challenge, I’d probably like this dress. As it is, it seems derivative and, oddly enough for a dress with a collar that could provide a refuge for rare species of birds, too predictable. The most worrying part is that Chris seems completely clueless about how similar the two dresses are. I expect more self-awareness from my designers, damn it.

Christian’s is interesting, I’ve got to say. With its layers and texture, it’s a great example of how fabric can be used to create art, and that link to art is what keeps fashion interesting and exciting. On the other hand, I would not wear a single one of these pieces, ever. Okay, maybe the hat. Also, whereas the other designers’ outfits were all clearly influenced by their chosen artwork, this one seems more like a conscious modernization of the piece than a brand new outfit. But maybe it’s just my anti-Christian bias speaking there, because the outfit certainly shows talent.

Rami created a beautiful draped dress. How many times have I written that now? The color is gorgeous, the design is sexy, and I can absolutely see this in some posh store. It also looks far too understated in the company of the other dresses. I have no problem with Rami being passionate about draping (his words), but I would like to know if he’s even capable of doing anything else.

Sweet P’s peacock dress is cute and very commercial. The woman is clearly a strong designer with an excellent marketing sensibility, and she should have no problem finding work after this show. Her looks are wearable, flattering and interesting. They are not, however, that ever-elusive “high fashion.” Plus, putting feathers in the models hair does not suddenly turn her into a peacock.

Jillian tackles the unexplored Studio 54-goes-to-war side of fashion with this particular design and seems to pull it off rather well. The jacket is well-tailored and the dress is cute and fun. Sure, the times in a woman’s life when she can get away with wearing a gold lamé minidress are few and far between, but if that’s what the occasion called for, this would be an excellent choice.

The judges bring out all the models for the discussion. They like Christian’s, and guest judge Roberto Cavalli appreciates it for all the “love” that went into the outfit. Some say love; others say deluded arrogance. They also love Jillian’s work. Chris’s is nice, but they call him on how similar it is to his previous outfit. Sweet P is told she is more commercial than show, and Rami, of course, gets in trouble for being so predictable. In other words, no surprises.

In the end, Christian is the winner and will show at Bryant Park. Jillian is also in, and it looks like we have a battle between the obnoxious prodigy and the quiet perfectionist. I’m rooting for the robot over the brat, in case there was any question. Sweet P is out, which is sad but the right call. It’s down to Chris and Rami, and despite being assured that two people are going home this time, the judges apparently couldn’t make up their minds between these two. The solution? Rami and Chris get to prepare their collection and show the three strongest pieces to the judges. The winner of that mini-challenge will be in the top 3. Everyone is pleased with the compromise, and that’s it for the regular competition.

Next week: It’s the reunion show, which I can’t be bothered to recap, but you should definitely watch, if only because Victorya looks like she’s about to cut a bitch. After that, we’re off the Bryant Park for the fabulous final competition. See you then!