Project Runway Review: Designer's Best Friend
Friday
The Challenge: Create a look inspired by one of today's hottest fashion accessories: the dog. Make a garment for your model inspired by the pooch and a corresponding design for the canine.

The Judges:
Linda: 49-year-old designer with 20 years' professional experience; studied at both Parsons and the Fashion Institute of Technology.
Danielle: 36-year-old writer with 15 years' editorial experience; no formal fashion training.
Amy: 33-year-old stylist with 10 years' experience in television, film, theater, and print.

Linda's Take: The designers really started thinking out of the box this week, but there were, as expected, a few missteps. To begin with, I loved Uli's dress--clean, flattering, a great combination of prints. I also continue to be impressed by Michael, whose sexy halter was a knockout. Much like Michael himself, the garment was versatile, unexpected, and innovative. Kayne's ensemble was another standout. Some might think it was a little garish, but it was beautifully constructed and purposely over-the-top. Much to my surprise, Jeffrey redeemed himself with a flattering and wearable dress; my only grievance is that he seems to be working in the same colors every week. Along those lines, I'm getting bored with Laura. Her suit with Mongolian lamb trim was well made, but you don't want to make a fur collar and cuffs twice on the same show! Although I liked Alison's, I thought it was a mistake to choose fabrics that blended with the dog. I was less enthused about Robert's ensemble, and Bonnie's just wasn't memorable (I think I must've blinked and missed it). Vincent's was too basic (he was so enamored with the dog that he didn't concentrate enough on the model), and Katherine's was similarly underdesigned. Even so, I liked the look Katherine was going for, and I didn't think the garment was poorly constructed (a rolled-edge hemmer foot would've helped, but I don't know if they have that in the workroom). Keith's dress was lovely, but who the hell is he to say he doesn't want to dress the dog? Of course, Bradley's and Angela's were both worse--in the first case, horribly made and shlumpy; in the second, terribly conceived and, despite what the judges said, not especially well made either. Angela and Bradley both dodged the bullet.
Scorecard: Uli 5; Michael 4; Kayne 4; Jeffrey 4; Laura 3.5; Alison 3; Katherine 3; Vincent 2.5; Robert 2; Keith 2; Bonnie 2; Bradley 1; Angela 1.

Danielle's Take: Sometimes I don't understand the bloated, overwrought, or just plain stupid things the fashion community applauds. All three of these adjectives apply to Bradley's project: It was a poufy, slapped-together mess, and that story he came up with was lamer than lamé. She's an architect who appreciates simplicity and structure? Then why is she wearing that monstrous floatation device of a blouse? Is she a blind architect? I realize it was Bradley's birthday, but that's a helluva gift. And when the judges trained their vision-impaired sights on Katherine, I really lost it. Lacking creativity and uninspired? What about Vincent? Is he bulletproof because he's off his meds and stuck in the '80s? What about Bonnie and her bland black-and-white blur? The top of Katherine's dress was really cute, regardless the hem. I think the only time the judges were right on this episode was when they called out Keith for not making an outfit for the dog. And thank you, Ivanka Trump, for likening Angela's outfit to that of a streetwalker's. When will that wench get what's coming to her? (My bet is on the next episode.) I'm glad to see that Jeffrey's finally stepping up his game. Although I wasn't crazy about the tiers and I'm hoping that he breaks out of this neutral metallic palette, the top of his dress was eye-catching. The top of Michael's also seemed to have a great idea behind it, but somehow it just didn't work. I loved the collar on the outfits Laura designed, but it also made me wonder if her dial's stuck on fur trim. Robert's piece looked a tad trapped in Barbie schtick, but I adored the story behind it. The print Kayne used was fabulous, but the shiny coat was a bit too much. The choice for best design this week was rather tough. On the one hand, you had Uli's fantastic mix of prints and that beautiful back. On the other, you had the absolute perfection of Alison's and the cool coats she made for both her poodle and her model. Actually, I would have given it to Alison, but Uli is definitely looking like a candidate for the final three.
Scorecard: Alison 5; Uli 4.75; Keith 4.25; Kayne 4; Robert 3.5; Jeffrey 3.25; Laura 3; Katherine 2.75; Michael 2.5; Bonnie 2; Angela 1.5; Vincent 1; Bradley 0

Amy's Take: What I learned on this week's Project Runway? Just because something is trendy doesn't mean it's good (namely, Bradley's trainwreck of blouse and skirt). Nina would shoot it for Elle? Well, apparently she and her magazine are so enamored with buzzwords like "proportion" that quality and cohesiveness are an afterthought. The fact is, if you're going to create a voluminous top, you have to cinch it with a wide belt and pair it with a pencil skirt or skinny pants. Combining it with an A-line skirt and no belt, as Bradley did, is simply unflattering. Was it worse than Angela's hoochie-goes-to-craft-camp outfit? Probably not, but Angela's emerging as this season's Wendy Pepper (impossible to auf, for reasons that continue to elude me). While Katherine's dress bored me a bit, I didn't think she should've been ousted; the same applies to Vincent, Robert, and Bonnie. Keith's dress was pretty, but I don’t think his designs are innovative enough to warrant the diva attitude. Laura and Jeffrey both executed well, but their work is becoming repetitive. At the upper end of the spectrum, I loved Michael's halter and Kayne's Versace-esque outfit, along with Alison's suit and Uli's ensemble. I do think Alison would have won this challenge if the colors she chose weren't so understated (it was difficult to see all the different fabrics she'd incorporated--leather, linen, silk--at least on TV). But Uli's dress was fabulous too, so I don't mind that she took top honors. My early predictions for the final four? Uli, Alison, Kayne, and Michael. The first designer to be booted in scandal? Keith.
Scorecard: Uli 4.5; Alison 4.5; Kayne 4.5; Michael 4.5; Jeffrey 4; Laura 3.5; Bonnie 3.5; Robert 3; Keith 3; Vincent 3; Katherine 2.5; Bradley 1.5; Angela 1.

Judges' Total Tally:
Uli 14.25; Alison 12.5; Kayne 12.5; Jeffrey 11.25; Michael 11; Laura 10; Keith 9.25; Robert 8.5; Katherine 8.25; Bonnie 7.5; Vincent 6.5; Angela 3.5; Bradley 2.5.

Related Links:
Project Runway Review: Fit for a Queen
Project Runway Review: Wall-to-Wall Fashion
Project Runway Season 2 Archive
Project Runway Alumni Series: Kara Janx
Project Runway Alumni Series: Santino Rice
Project Runway Alumni Series: Andrae Gonzalo
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