After last week’s living-doll contest, Heidi Klum unveiled another playtime-inspired challenge, ordering each of the remaining 12 designers to create a concept for a lingerie line. Unlike previous tests of individual execution, however, the contestants who developed the supermodel’s favorite four ideas would lead their chosen teams to craft three seductive styles. With only 30 minutes, the designers sketched and stressed, then presented their concepts to Klum, who chose Daniel’s V.’s (Revenge), Daniel F.’s (Lovemaking), Diana’s (Goddess), and Santino’s (Heidi’s Homeland). Designer Cynthia Rowley, known for her flirty dresses, sat in for Michael Kors, while Alexandra Ambrosio, a fellow Victoria’s Secret Angel, judged alongside Klum.

Once at work, the teams faced an array of difficulties, including Emmett’s inferior sewing skills and Daniel F.’s notoriously poor time management. Even more troubling, one of Diana’s models balked at baring her skin in the skimpy ensemble, to which the designer squeaked, “Get another job.” As the lingerie hit the runway, we wondered what the talented 12 were thinking. Daniel V.’s collection won the challenge, largely due to his steady leadership, but the Playboy-esque designs themselves were underwhelming (shown). Although Diana’s team advanced to the next round, the garments (and I use that term loosely) were unwearable, resembling strips of bondage tape draped with long strands of colorful toilet paper. Santino’s grossly overembellished collection, complete with doe-inspired hair and makeup, was a classic case of a joke gone too far (think “Springtime for Hitler” meets Bambi). And Daniel F.’s redundant lacey designs looked more like the intimate apparel of a brothel matron than a sexy modern woman. In Apprentice-style elimination, Santino pointed a cowardly finger toward Emmett for his team’s failure and vehemently defended his kitschy collection in an ugly exchange with Nina, while Daniel F. heroically took the blame, keeping his promise to not sacrifice teammates Kara and Chloe. We crossed our fingers for Santino’s departure, but in the end, it was Daniel F. who was honorably discharged. —Jennifer Ciotta