Project Runway - The Big Switcheroo

Designers: Talk to me!

Welcome to Episode 4 of Project Runway! We start tonight's episode at the designers' apartment, the morning of their 4th challenge, where once again the collective opinion is that "this" is getting really real. Nicolas believes that the talentless people are merely being weeded out. If we recall from last week, Epperson and Qrystal were voluntarily paired up for their team challenge, and they ended up fighting the whole time. Epperson lets us know that he feels it was too hard to work with Qrystal. Qrystal meanwhile is concerned that she will be thought of as a b-i-a-t-c-h because of her bickering with Epperson.

There are still too many designers for me to keep track of them all, I still don't know everyone's names and once in a while, someone pops up that I don't remember seeing before.

I have the Kitty Cat inside of me

On the runway, the designers wait for their next assignment as a svelte Heidi comes prancing out in her leopard outfit, ready to pounce on the world of fashion. She informs the designers that Tim is waiting for them in the workroom with 13 women who they need to make happy, and that's all the clues they get. Nicolas makes guestimations that they'll be working with either homeless women or Eskimos. Yeah, those were my first two thoughts too.

Everyone's going nuts under pressure

The suspense is over quickly as they return to the workroom to find their models waiting with Tim. Wah wah wah. What a let down! Their models are the clients - booooring! Tim explains to us that The Models of the Runway are invited to an 'industry event' where their outfit could be the ticket to their future. What could that possibly be? And their future hangs in the balance? What pressure! Until you realize that an "industry event" actually doesn't mean much. I've been to countless "industry events" and admitted with "VIP" tickets to totally lame parties that were jam packed with people just like me - industry bystanders who gave their dignity away to party with other bystanders. Anyway, they get a total of one day and $100 for the look.

The models start rambling off what it is that they want for their "tickets to the future" outfits. Fatma's ideas are not going over well, what a shocker. Shirin's model wants a royal blue satin jumpsuit with a gold rope as a belt! Shirin looks horrified. Matar wants something romantic and punk at the same time. Yikes, these models are insane.

After caucusing with the models, the designers are off to Mood to spend their $100 in 30 minutes. And I start to wonder how limiting their budget really is? I mean, what if they had no budget, would their designs be any different or better or would anyone gain advantage?

Back at the workroom, they have 13 hours to complete this look. The designers are starting to feel the pressure of people leaving. Yeah, yeah, we know! It's all getting really 'real!'

Back from commercial, Tim comes by to mentorize and generally entertain me. Then we see Epperson take a break to talk to his family on the phone (on speaker) when he becomes super emotional, and starts to cry - it's so hard being away from his family. You'd think he was sent to Iraq or something by the size of his emotional breakdown, not downtown LA to sew a few dresses. When he goes back to working on his creation, the camera gets a close-up of his face as a tear rolls down his cheek. Very dramatic.

The most dramatic phone call EVER

I notice Gordana's dress, its gold and has some sort of cool crisscross pattern on it, but they only show itty bitty little peaks, so I can't really see the whole thing, and won't see it until the runway, but it looks awesome. The models come in for a fitting and are generally happy with their dresses, they like what they see. In other words, their future is pretty much secure.

More macaroons this week?

Back from commercial, the designers are getting ready to head back to the workroom for some last minute alterations, as the runway show is just hours away. Logan gets dressed in a pair of silver pants and silver sneakers - he's channeling the robot guy from Fisherman's wharf.

"If you take a photo, you'll have to leave a dollar"

Its runway time, and I'm really hoping Micheal Kors is there!!

Heidi comes prancing out and tells us that the tables were turned this week - usually the models work for them, but this time, the designers worked for their models. Really making sh!& shine this week, Heidi. It wasn't that interesting of a challenge, for me at least.

Usually people pull pants all the way up, but this week, I pulled my pants down around my knees - the tables are turned.

WHERE'S MICHAEL KORS?? Wahhhh, I'm starting to freak out, where is he? This isn't exactly Project Runway with out The Man to call out the 'crazy crotch.' Ugh. In his and Nina Garcia's place are two unknown judges and then some other guest judge. Jennifer Rade, Marc Bouwer and Zoe Glassner - whoever they are.

COME BACK!!!

Let's start the show. Here was my first reaction to the dresses:

Qrystal - very basic black



Nicolas - unfitting on top



Irina - ok



Gordana - Awesome



Shirin - plain, classic



Logan - can't remember



Christopher - gross



Epperson - weird

Direct from Mugatu's Derelict Campaign

Johnny - really cute



Althea - what?



Louise - love it



Ramon - interesting



Carol Hanna - cute



The judges liked: Carol Hanna, Epperson, Althea


The judges disliked: Logan, Johnny, Qrystal



Logan's dress didn't go over very well with the judges, but they did like his silver pants and silver shoes. They even deposited a dollar in the mason jar that was at his feet, then took a picture with him.

At Epperson's turn, Heidi asks Matar what she asked for in a dress, and when she responds with 'romantic, punk, animal prints,' Heidi asks her if she has a kitty cat inside of her. Then I realized that Heidi is a lot more irreverent this season, her comments are very snarky. She then commented on Matar's boobs, and tells Epperson that her breasts should be perky and in the right spot! The dress is a boob reducer. Ouch!

Johny's turn. Heidi says the dress he made for her model looks like a bridesmaid dress, and everyone gasps in collective horror!

Qrystal is accused of aging her model in dog years with a classic black dress. I don't really see that but ok.

Althea's model Taisha strutted the best. Hopefully that will give her a boost in confidence...we'll find out just how big her head will get on Models of The Runway!

It's chat time with Heidi!

And the winner is: Althea
The loser is: Qrystal

Hasta la Vista

Looks like next week they're making outfits out of landfill, can't wait!

POST SCRIPT - I wanted to let you guys know that on the Project Runway website, there are two interesting features - one is the L'Oreal Paris Make-Up Room and the Garnier Hair Studio. This week, there's a short video on how to do purple eyes, and a classic up-do! Totally fun!