The Challenge: Work in teams to create a three-piece look for INC (International Concepts) with a budget of $100. The winning design will be produced and sold at Macy's largest stores nationwide.

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: Okay, let's start with Keithgate: From pattern drafting to slashing and spreading, fashion design is highly technical work. Since patternmaking books provide formulas on how to make all kinds of garments, they would offer an enormous advantage in a contest like Project Runway, both in terms of time and experimentation saved, as well as the quality of the end product. Just knowing you could refer to those books for guidance would enable you to be more ambitious in your vision and sketches. A few weeks ago, when Keith said he'd never created a dress before, I found it hard to believe, but if he'd been brushing up on how to execute his designs at night, it's actually quite possible that he hadn't. So Keith got what was coming to him, but back to the fashion: There was no connection between the pieces Robert, Kayne, and Vincent made, and the overlapping slit was cut way too high. Bonnie, Uli, and Bradley's design had serious problems too--the silhouette was unflattering, and the pants had a major ripple near the bottom of the zipper (slashing into the seam allowance where the zipper meets the crotch would've solved that problem). I wasn't as enamored with Alison and Jeffrey's outfit as the judges were. Yes, it was a nice, clean color combination, but those hanging tank straps would make any woman look wide through the hips. Although the pants were nice, with all that detail, they really should've been cut a bit shorter; breaking them over the foot interrupted the line. Angela was wise to have chosen Laura and Michael, who raised her taste level considerably. While it could've used a belt, I liked the proportions and styling of their outfit. That said, if Angela intends to stay in this competition, she needs to retire the rosettes now (in this case, the term rosette is actually a kind word for yoyo--a craftsy-cutsie thing that's usually associated with teddy bears, quilts, and county fairs).
Scorecard: Angela/Laura/Michael 3; Jeffrey/Alison 2.5; Bonnie/Uli/Bradley 2.5; Robert/Kayne/Vincent 1.

Danielle's Take: The fix is in. How else can you explain Angela's outfit winning over Keith's? Keith's (or should I say Alison and Jeffrey's) ensemble was pure perfection. Those pants were too-die-for. I loved those buttons at the bottom, and that jacket looked ever so comfy. The shirt I could take or leave. I thought the adjustable tank top was an interesting idea, but I'm not sure I'd ever wear it. Well, I guess the judges couldn't reward the same guy who'd gotten shamefully booted off the show, so they gave it to Angela, who, I begrudgingly admit, had the second best outfit this week. The jacket was fabulous (thank God Laura was in charge of that and had the presence of mind to make optimal use of Angela's rosette addiction). Overall, though, I wasn't crazy about the look. Maybe it was the hair or the sunglasses or the shirt or the necklace, but to me, something about the big picture screamed, "Wrong." And I could hear that word scream even louder as Robert's sartorial sack of crap came down the runway. Robert, what happened to you? You showed so much promise, and now I'm starting to think you'll be Auf'd in the next couple of episodes. Nina, as always, had it wrong when she said the outfit was boring. The collar was actually interesting, but the look was heinously mismatched--so much so that I daresay Robert's head should have been on the chopping block rather than Bonnie's. Again, Bonnie put together a blah piece, and the pants were an absolute disaster, but the coat and top were kind of cute.
Scorecard: Jeffrey/Alison 4.75; Angela/Laura/Michael 3.75; Bonnie/Uli/Bradley 2; Robert/Kayne/Vincent 1.

Amy's Take: Here’s the scenario: You finally snag your first job, as a bank teller, and have to put together a work-appropriate ensemble overnight with only $10. You head for the discount racks at Joyce Leslie, where you spot a $5 top and $5 skirt that, although highly unattractive, are, at least, institutionally suitable. You wear the goods on your first day, but on the way home, you fall and rip the back of your skirt up to your unmentionables. When you arrive at your apartment, you have to take the poor dog out for a walk, so you throw on your college parka. Now, these are the only (and I emphasize only) circumstances under which I can imagine anyone wearing the hot mess Robert, Kayne, and Vincent designed this week. As the team leader, Robert was very lucky he wasn't eliminated because, although Bonnie, Uli, and Bradley's outfit wasn't much to look it, I do think it was a better showing. Bonnie's jacket was fairly nice, and contrary to what Nina said, there's nothing inherently unfashionable about a cowl neck or brown pants--either one could be chic and flattering under the right circumstances. The real culprits? Poor pant construction, questionable fabric choices, and a shapeless silhouette. Still, I don't think Bonnie’s original vision was way off given that the objective was to serve the mass market (and INC, despite what its executives might think, is hardly the barometer of edgy, fashion-forward dressing). While Jeffrey and Alison's creation was the most stylish of the bunch, I can't imagine that convertible tank flying off the shelves at Macy's. The ensemble Angela, Laura, and Michael whipped up was the most cohesive and marketable of the bunch, although the cropped jacket looked a little dated to me. Oh, and I almost forgot: Keith's gone. Good riddance!
Scorecard: Angela/Laura/Michael 3.5; Jeffrey/Alison 3.0; Bonnie/Uli/Bradley 2.5; Robert/Kayne/Vincent 1.

Judges’ Total Tally:
Angela/Laura/Michael 10.25; Jeffrey/Alison 10.25; Bonnie/Uli/Bradley 7; Robert/Kayne/Vincent 3.

Related Links:
Project Runway Review: Designer's Best Friend
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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