We start the show on New York City’s iconic Fifth Avenue, where we see the designers ogling the windows of one of the biggest designer’s offices. They go into the Elie Tahari store where they meet the one and only designer himself. This challenge’s prize? Elie Tahari is going to manufacture, produce and advertise the winning designer’s look! The proceeds go to Save the Garment Center, which is the cause that Mondo and I designed for last ‘All Stars’ season.

Emilio is seeing this challenge as an opportunity to showcase his ability to have a strong functioning business.

Ivy is working with a print because she never does — and then here comes Anthony Ryan saying the same thing. Looks like the designers are really using Elie Tahari as an inspiration.

Uli picks an all-white palette and all the designers, including Uli herself, are worried for her. Part of this competition is good design, the other part of this competition is innovation.

Emilio looks like he is going to create something amazing, lots of beautiful color and some good ideas.

Next up we see Elie Tahari in the work room giving the designers advice. It seems like he has a lot to say about everyone. He had a lot to say to Uli who was overthinking her design quite a bit. Elie tells Anthony a very personal story that really moves him. Elie seems to be very excited about what he is creating.

Emilio tells the other designers about Elie’s background and how badly he wanted to be a designer. When he first came to America, he was working as an electrician and sleeping in Central Park. That’s true dedication and every designer that has any sort of passion for this industry has sacrificed something to be in this industry.

As I see Ivy’s dress on the model I think, oh girl…Laura Kathleen should have stayed last week.

Runway Day

Elie is back to judge and as we see the looks come down the runway, it is easy to see who has nailed this challenge and who well…had some trouble.

Elie loves Uli’s dress and I agree I think it is very feminine and girly with a lot of style. Chloe-esque if you will.

Ivy’s dress is well..90’s and “heavy” as Elie says.

Emilio — well…it’s nice but not enough. It needs some more excitement or maybe it just needs to be in different colors.

Anthony Ryan obviously has a very Elie Tahari-style dress. It’s young without being Junior as Georgina Chapman points out.

Joshua has a very very pink dress. It’s sexy but not well done. He could have had a knockout dress if he had just done some editing.

In:

Uli and Anthony are the highest…

Winner: Anthony Ryan…as if anyone had a doubt. He is so talented and that dress was awesome.

Out:

IVY finally…that dress was bad, girl. I hope that nothing like that ever gets made again.

–Michael Costello

Until next week, thanks for reading Project recap! Check out Michael Costello Couture, follow me twitter @michealcostello and Facebook and Tweet with me every Thursday during Project Runway All-Stars Season 2!

The episode opens with the designers having to choose a shoe from the Nine West showroom in order to inspire a show-stopping 70’s outfit. I am very excited for this challenge, because who doesn’t love to dress a party girl? Plus getting some inspiration from a fabulous shoe should be relatively easy.

When we see the designers at Mood they all look pretty frantic. They are racing around, searching for some 70’s excitement fabric. Wendy is going to do a leather pant and she is running around looking for some fabric and chains and you can tell she is getting a little stressed. At one point I think she says she can’t even handle the pressure.

When we get back to the workroom, we see all the designers begin to compare their skill level and develop friendships. Althea begins to start questioning, “Who is real and on her level.” All the designers are nervous about competing against Ullie and Anthony Ryan. Everyone pretty much sees themselves up against those two.

As they’re working you hear Casanova’s inspiration, which cracks me up. It’s a ‘Nylon Slutty Girl’ challenge, he thinks of the dress as something that should be picked up at the dry cleaners shortly after being worn because the girl doesn’t remember what happened — and I can imagine his fuscia dress being just that as he starts draping it against the mannequin.

As we see the designs start to come together, Laura Kathleen says Wendy is “killing it” if she is trying to design a costume.

As Joanna comes into the workroom to start her critique, we see everyone get a lot of advice. It seems that Ivy is working more for the prize than for the challenge and Kayne has to line up those stripes in order to make those palazzo pants work.

As the designers finish their day with a 70’s style dance party we see them gather for a very special announcement back at home — and it is quite an exciting announcer! The one and only KARL LAGERFELD gives the designers a great piece of advice, which is so inspirational and true: be creative and don’t be afraid. That is what being a designer is about — believing in what you can create and make.

As we see the designers finish up their creations I love when Ullie says that her design is a “New Ullie,” which I believe makes it a Newllie. Hope that’s a good thing in front of the judges!

Runway Day:
The designers are frantic and Andre looks like he is about to have a panic attack!

On the top we have:
Ivy
Ullie with her futuristic Cherokee
Casanova

Bottom:
Wendy
Kayne
Andre

Wendy ends up going home because that outfit really did feel more like a costume. Best of luck in the future to the new and fun Wendy Pepper!

Michael Costello

Until next week, thanks for reading Project recap! Check out Michael Costello Couture, follow me twitter @michealcostello and facebook and tweet with me every Thursday during Project Runway All-Stars season 2!

Fabio is happy about being on the top when the episode opens. Chris was looking forward to having the apartment to himself, but not quite yet — even if you do flip your hair like Cher! We also discover that Sonjia is not only a silk chiffon hater but a man hater as well.

As Heidi asked the designers if they were tired yet, Christopher gets worried and yells, “Oh No.” (Hello Heidi, by the way. Looking lovely as always). For this challenge the designers meet Tim Gunn at the Lord and Taylor flagship store, along with the lovely Bonnie Brooks, President of Lord and Taylor. The challenge is presented as designing a cocktail dress for Lord and Taylor to be sold in their stores and online. The dress will also be featured in the windows of the flagship NYC Lord and Taylor store on 5th Avenue. For inspiration, there were 9 other Project Runway alums featured for their designs that will also be sold at Lord and Taylor stores.

My friend Seth Aaron’s dress really caught my eye. Great job Seth. Gunnar is ready to take on this challenge since he “always” works with the everyday consumer. Gunnar also thinks he is a very classy lady and wants to do something inspired by Jay McCarrol’s design — but just wait until he hears about the budget. Oh wait…there isn’t one!

For this challenge J&S manufacturing is providing all the fabrics, as well as creating all the dresses. No trip to Mood this week…sorry swatch, catch ya next episode!

Dmitry is going simple again, (way to really think outside the box), I am curious to see how this one seam dress will look. Oh wait…will there be 2 seams?! WOAH dream big. I do happen to like Dmitry, but I would like to see some more imagination — maybe a separates outfit or something long!

Elena is upset yet again. I thought maybe someone had put a glue gun on her workstation, but no, I think it just might be Elena. I mean I love the girl, but if you look in the dictionary under ‘Drama’ you would see Elena’s picture.

(Just throwing this out there cause I miss it: Heeeey Taylor Momsen/ Melissa who is rocking the up-do this episode — looking great!)

Chris is opting for something long, romantic and chic — way to go Chris, I couldn’t agree with you more. Alicia is loving silk for this challenge. She is inspired by the vintage Chanel drop waist. Uh oh! Does this mark the emergence of another ‘silk chiffonsy’? Watch out Alicia, Sonia might be chopping off those braids in the night for her next outfit if you keep it up! You know how she gets about you silk chiffonsy’s.

Alicia starts picking on my little Christopher, saying he always does the same techniques and pleats. It’s enough, and although I agree with you Alicia, it works in his favor because he is excellent at it. How many challenges have you won Alicia? Thank you…

Now we’re back in the workroom. This is not Elena’s challenge…but then again when is it Elena’s challenge? What would you describe as your perfect challenge, I am DYING to know. Not every challenge can be “please design a look for an avant-garde warrior princess”, (in which we are sure you would win).

As we look around the room we see that Gunnar has started a love affair with his fabric, and Elena has become his new best friend? I don’t understand this relationship at all. I would love for someone to clue me in on how they became friends.

Lets keep in mind that the dresses have to retail between $200-$300. Sonjia is having a meltdown and is kicking herself down in the gutter. Thank goodness coach Gunn is there to help boost her up!

As Alicia is finishing her dress, all I can think of is a dominatrix tennis player. Umm Alicia how is this dress inspired by Chanel?

Elena instantly feels like all of the challenges are made for him and they all work to his advantage. She doesn’t understand how they do not see the value in her avant-garde style.

Can we cut to one of my favorite one-liners of the episode said by Christopher? “Hi I am Melissa, and I am into leather…raawwrrr…”

Gunnar is inspired by a matador, what is this? Why does he always want Tim to come up to his design and say “Ole”? Were you a bullfighter in your past life Gunnar?

Tim was great at helping Elena through this challenge, thank goodness for Coach Gunn. He has always been a great help to all of the designers that have been on the show. Elena is terrified of being on the bottom, and she just can’t understand why she is always bottoming. On a side note bottoming is not that bad Elena….well occasionally, just ask your best friend Gunnar, I am sure he could give you some good tips on how to take it like a warrior! Just kidding…love you Elena.

Oh wait, and then there’s the florist Ven…but who cares about him anyway. Terrisredemption@gmail.com!!!!

Melissa seems to be creating something that resembles her win from a few weeks ago. Let’s hope there isn’t 2 one trick ponies on this season. I can tell she is having a hard time because she is not feeling good. I think it is a good idea to start a new dress, which is a great idea. It was a good thing Fabio was there to help her. Good job Fabio, this show is a great place to make friends.

Runway day is here. Fabio is loving Dmitry’s dress, and I can tell maybe he loves a little more than the dress. Melissa is going a bit crazy and working until the last minute…which ends up being well worth it.

Tim comes in to check on all the designers getting their models ready, and they are all at the sewing machine. This is a sign that the designers have started to hit a wall. Stop worrying about silk chiffonsys and other people’s designs and just make it work.

On the runway, Heidi seems to have taken inspiration from a very famous diva…Jessica Rabbit. It’s cute but also looks like a strawberry disco ball. Guest judge Bonnie Brooks from Lord and Taylor is there.

Fabio and Melissa really killed it this episode. Elena also put out an amazing dress, Dmitry has excellent fit, and Chris made something beautiful and Alicia’s dress made me sick to my stomach.

Dmitry, Sonjia, and the florist (can’t wait to see his next floral arrangement), are all safe. Christopher, Melissa, Elena and Fabio are on the top. Gunnar and Alicia are on the bottom.

All four designers on the top had a fantastic score, especially with that fantastic convo she had with Heidi.

It is no shock that Christopher wins this challenge, although the colors weren’t exactly my favorite, the design was beautiful and he deserved to be at Lord and Taylor.

As the two bottoms are there waiting to get sent home…pause pause pause pause…we are left anticipating who will go home. Alicia is sent back stage and Gunnar is OUT or is he???? For a first time in Project Runway history no designer is sent home because they all did well at the challenge. Lucky Tim Gunn doesn’t have to send anyone back to clean up their workspace!

I am very excited that I will be attending the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week finale show to see the collections of our final three designers. I wish all the designers luck!

Michael Costello

Until next week, thanks for reading Project recap! Check out Michael Costello Couture, follow me twitter @michealcostello and facebook and tweet with me every Thursday at 9PM (EST) during Project Runway season 10!

I find it very exciting that Melissa is by herself at Atlas. If I could go back in time I’d rather be alone in my own room with a private bathroom. You should be thankful girl! Some private time during Project Runway is a blessing.

Back at the boys apartment, Christopher is starting to think everyone is leaving the show because of him…which is just crazy! No Honey, I don’t think anyone is thinking that you are that much of a threat. I love you, and know you mean well, but let’s just stay focused on moving forward. Let’s move on because the crazy’s are almost gone.

Here comes Heidi, and the ever-so-terrifying “button bag of doom” — all the designers hate that bag. I know I did, and still do. And you know this challenge is going to be a good one, instantly, because the lovely Ms. Nina Garcia shows up to explain the TEAM challenge. So the button bag really did lead to doom — no one likes a team challenge. The theme for this challenge is great though; design a mini collection for the “working woman.” Ummm…not so fast — not a working girl, a working woman! It sounds fun and interesting, but we will just have to see about that. In this challenge the winning team will also be featured in a special issue of Marie Claire magazine, along with the looks from each designer, and they will also have to help create a concept and photo shoot.

The first designer picked was last week’s winner Sonjia who reluctantly picks Elena for her strong pattern skills. Are you kidding me? She’s great but she doesn’t work well with others. Remember Buffi? Exactly…Elena ate her to survive. Gunnar has the same opinion as I do even though he states it a little less eloquently. I believe I heard him say he would rather “shove dirt in his mouth.” Well, I’d love to see you try. Elena would chew the dirt, spit it back in her hand and then shove it back in your mouth!

Next is Nathan who I don’t see as a team leader, (or at this point some one I really want to see any more of). He picks most of the winning contestants and the show instantly becomes the winners-versus-losers in my eyes.

Ok so the groups are titled team 6 Sonjia, Alicia, Dimitry, Elena, Melissa and Raul. Team 5, Nathan, Fabio, Christopher, Ven and Gunnar. While the teams are back at the work room, thinking it seems that team 6 is going to struggle. Raul is not being cooperative and only wants to do what he wants to do. He wants lace, and trim, pink toilet paper and this and that, Melissa had it spot-on with her comment “too much lace in the work place” — very clever! Team 5 looks like they have a direction and want to go with it. Brilliant. They happen to agree about doing a fall collection perhaps with hints of plum and pink. NOT so brilliant, I think Gunnar says it right. “Crazy Ass Barney” — I can’t wait to see their looks.

At Mood! Wow I have never seen this much chaos at Mood. Designers are running, kicking and practically screaming for time, fabric and whatever they can find. None of the designers agree about colors or fabrics, or even appear to be in a good place. Mood looks like a hot mess disaster.

Back to the work room, quick — cut to drama! Elena is missing a bag with her little lamb from Mood! The wool fabric is…GONE. Now every one is scared in the work room, including me, and I was not even there! Who will she kill for fabric? Who’s skin will become a heavy shoulder-padded ensemble? Careful Raul, you are kind of hairy, Elena just might skin you! Team 6 just reads to be a disaster to me at this point. Every one is taking leadership roles except Raul, who is acting stubborn and does not want to be a team player. Melissa looks like she knows how to delegate this one and I have to give her props for being in this tough group. Elena actually wants to stick to the original plan and not change anything, but Elena doesn’t like any new ideals.

Tim Critique:

Okay, I guess it is safe for me to say that I am totally having a flashback to season eight team challenge. I have to say none of the designers like the ruffled pleated top designed by Raul. But Raul is so unapproachable about his top, the tension in the work room is unbearable, but also can we just talk about Sonjia’s denim bib top in her confessional moment. It’s the same top Raul is creating!!!Woah but he loves the top he is making, I wish that he hated it as much as he hates the red carpet.

Team 5 (insert pic of gunnar) Gunnar is not exactly happy — he is so upset and decides to scrap what he was working on and opt for something else. Gunnar, I am glad you are doing you! Write yourself more notes daily, just make sure one of them is to remind yourself to get eliminated next challenge.

Lets jump right into the silk Chiffondy’s, (insert Sonjia Pic) I love Elena’s song about team 5 calling them. “The Silk Chiffony’s” because all they work with is silk chiffon. Christopher over in the winners circle is having his own issues. To belt or not to belt? That is the question.

In Dimitry’s confessional we here his honest opinion on Ven’s style. He calls him a one-trick monkey and Dimitry, you called it first. I have to say I think you are right. It is the end of the day and I have to say I really don’t like Raul’s attitude.

Marie Claire photo shoot day is here. Tim and photographer Tom Hines, (total hottie), greet the designers on the set of their shoot. Team 6 is all over the place and Elena is so hard to work with she just decides to take control of everything. I mean everything she says she is yelling. She is looking to fight with just about any one (insert pic of Raul) Raul is not being cooperative and is acting very selfish about the shoot. What a surprise? But finally we get some entertainment. Elena snaps at Melissa. Screams at her and drops an F-bomb. No one at this point feels comfortable, I wouldn’t either. Ok shoots over. PHEW that was a close one.

Runway Day!
Hello to Heidi and the designers. A very special hello to the wonderful Joanna Coles (insert pic of Joanna) Editor-in-Chief of Marie Claire magazine and my mentor on Project Runway All-Stars.

As the team looks are coming down the runway it’s a bit hard to tell who is going to win this one. I mean both teams look like they’ve done really well. I love what I am seeing come down the runway. I think you can clearly tell what women would wear these clothes.

The judges reach a tie and that is a FIRST in the show’s history. They want to talk to both teams and here what they have to say. First up team 5 and Heidi talks to each designer about the looks. Michael Kors is eyeing the things he hates and although there are some great things to say about the team, Heidi hates a few.

Joanna loves Christophers look, she asks who is the weakest link and everyone agree’s about Gunnar being the weakest link. You are the weakest link…goodbye. Just joking, about the goodbye, his dress really was the worst. Heidi hated it calling is a flat soufflé. I love how Fabrio talks about Ven being the worst because he isn’t and Ven still takes it personally and becomes shocked and offended. Hilarious.

Team 6 scored as the winning team although they all agreed tha Raul was the weakest link and the judges all hated his look. But I did love the skirt that Sonjia created, however it was not enough to save that extreme ruffling.

Melissa got the win for her very beautiful blue dress — and honestly she deserved it. The dress was striking, well made and photographed in the editorial. Congratulations to you Melissa Flies. Alicia did very well with her pants and Nina appreciated a good pant. She’s in, Christopher is in, Fabio, Ven, Sonjia, Dimitry, Nathan in.

Bottom three are Elena, Raul and Gunnar. No shock there! Elena is safe, and now its between Gunnar and Raul. Gunnar is safe and Raul gets the double kiss of elemination. So sad. Not many designers get that second chance at a kiss.

We have a moment in the designer lounge as Raul says his good bye’s for the second time. He starts showing his real emotions toward Elena. He tells her that he really doesn’t like her and he thinks it’s childish and wrong. I am over him, Honestly hoping no more designers quit or leave in the middle of the night. So we don’t have to see the return of him. Until next week.

Michael Costello

Until next week, thanks for reading Project recap! Check out Michael Costello Couture, follow me twitter @michealcostello and facebook and tweet with me every Thursday at 9PM (EST) during Project Runway season 10!

Last night’s episode was a tasty one this week, as the designers were asked to create a look made out of candy for their first, (and everyone’s favorite), “the unconventional challenge.” I have to say, I love these challenges on Project Runway! You can really see what the designers can do — and what makes them go crazy. Guest judging this episode is the beautiful Dylan Lauren, daughter of the fashion legend Ralph Lauren and owner of Dylan’s candy bar!

Back in the work room, designers are slaving away like oompa loompa’s in the Willy Wonka work room!

While working I notice that there seems to be a bully in the workroom — and no it’s not Veruca Salt wanting candy from her daddy, it’s Gunnar Deathridge!

Come on Gunnar no one likes a bully…or cattiness! It’s obvious some one is a little jealous of Christopher. While Mr. Palu is working on creating his edible yet wearable creation, Gunnar seems to have a few things to say!

Christopher pays no attention to Gunnar and calls himself the good twin and Gunnar the evil one — and I agree! Keep it up Christopher, your slowly making it into my heart, (even though you made fun of hoochy shorts)! What’s wrong with them? I wear them and I’m your older brother, you’re supposed to look up to me.

Ok can we talk some VEN! Okay, mister: it’s great to be confident and that will get you far in the competition, but boy you can brag! It’s great that you won all those prizes in school but this is Project Runway season 10, you have to bring it. However, so far you have. The stained-glass-inspired, delicious creation is by far the most incredible. You have
the skills to back it up Ven — just try and be a bit humble, it’s more attractive! Tim Gunn and the judges obviously will love your work, because it’s beautiful. You
know it, they know it, and the fans know it. No need to brag.

One of my favorite quotes so far is when Tim Gunn says to one of the contestants, “You’re just going to have a ‘glue the f*** out of it moment.’” Hilarious! Elena overhears this advice and takes it very seriously and glues the sh*t out of her self.

Dramz in the workroom call an ambulance!!! Elena has been burned! Now before you b*tch her out, let me tell you from some one who has competed in two unconventional challenges, those glue guns get scorching hot! (Okay now feel free to bitch her out).

Andrea Katz, this garment leaves me wondering. Obviously it does the same to Tim — there is about a 45 second moment of silence before he tells her how underwhelmed he is. Andrea, who was so excited about her garment, instantly took Tim’s advice and had her own ‘make it work’ moment. She has to pull it out of her rear end, (and no I’m not talking about the garment). Even though that is what she did. What the hell is going on in the back of her finished dress? Is it a bustle? Is she hiding an oompa loompa back there? I kept waiting for one to pop out of the back!

Fast-forward to the next morning: it’s chaos in the workroom. I am imagining that the Lord and Taylor accessories wall is very sticky at this point…melting cotton candy, twizzlers all over the place, dresses melting and garments falling apart! When you look at Sonjia, she seems to have it all. By that I mean all 7,000 types of candy you can buy at Dylan’s. But it seems to work together! Jellybeans, gummy sharks, white chocolate and more. Who would have thought this would come together to make such a beautiful garment? I don’t know if I want to eat it or wear it…or both!

Elena is having serious issues after feeling like she’s been hit by a bus from the night before! Imagine if she had a splinter, would she fall into a coma? Kooan, used the same tactic as Andrea, just bought up the whole entire Dylan’s Candy shop to create his look. Even though it was melting and falling apart, he managed to pull that look together. I’m pretty sure he used some of his fro in order to do so.

Lantie was the sour apple of this challenge. Although she tried to have a ‘make-it work moment’ by using fabric from an umbrella to make something new, she should know that the judges don’t respond to fabric like materials in unconventional challenges.

While waiting for the runway I couldn’t help but giggle at Ven’s LIST of instructions for the model:
1. don’t eat
2. don’t stand
3. don’t move
4. don’t drink
5. don’t talk
6. don’t use your phone
7. don’t sit
8. don’t bake
9. don’t do your nails
10. don’t make out with other models
11. don’t jump rope
12. don’t bend and snap!
13. don’t breast feed
14. I’m sure the list of do’s and don’ts are still going on…

As the looks are coming down the runway I have to saym I am starting to get a little hungry…and can’t wait to eat Sonja’s dress, (it definitely looks the tastiest)!

Let’s talk about the designers who are safe: Andrea Katz really? Wow! Dimitri safe? I thought he would wind up in the top for sure!

However, down to our six designers with the highest and the lowest scores: Thank G*d Gunnar was in the (top), or else I could see him pulling a Veruca Salt and kicking and screaming his way off the runway! He gets a great critique, so maybe now he will act his age and not his shoe size?

Sonjia is also on top and had the judges loving her look, no surprise there! I did too. Ven won this challenge, and he deserved it. This dress was amazing and Heidi loved it! She wants to wear it! Give her a call Ven!

Now lets talk about the bottom: Sorry Elena, this dress was a mess and didn’t come together at all. The quote from Michael Kors is hilarious “rigatoni mad max and crotch mustache?” Whoa!

Buffi (doppelganger to fashion icon Lady gaga) was also in the bottom. Unfortunately Nina, Michael and Heidi, (as well as the rest of the world), HATED this look — I’m
sure I even heard the words atrocious!

Lantie what can I say, this look was sad and unpleasant to look at! Even though you disagreed with Mr. Kors and you created two looks for this challenge, if it’s not good then it’s not good!

Elena is safe for another day. I hope they cleared the workroom of any hazardous objects to keep poor burned Elena safe. Down to Buffi and Lantie: Well I’ll make it short, Lantie is out! And Buffi is in! And the other designers are just fine with that! As am I.

Until next week, thanks for reading Project recap! Check out Michael Costello Couture, follow me twitter @michealcostello and facebook and tweet with me every Thursday at 9PM (EST) during Project Runway season 10!

Michael Costello