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Thursday, October 29, 2009
Is Althea Harper the “Best of the Best?” - Project Runway
After tonight (October 29), there are just two episodes left until the finale for this season of Project Runway. Will Dayton native, Althea Harper, make it through to the finale… is she the “Best of the Best (by the way, this is the title of tonight’s show)?
Tonight’s challenge is to create a companion piece that enhances and complements each designer’s previous winning looks.
The designers talk about their plans for the challenge. Althea is looking forward to playing with volume as she sketches a bouncy, full-collar jacket. Christopher appears to be creating a “Gone with the Wind” style gown and purchases 30 yards of materials to create his look.
The Workroom
The pressure is one and the workroom is filled with a new tension. Logan’s getting a lot of screen time this week, but since there are just a few weeks left, it’s about time. Tim Gunn makes his way through the workroom. Tim tells Irina that her design is completely unexpected… is that a good thing?
Tim thinks Althea’s design “looks like it’s waiting for a diaper.” I think that means Tim is concerned. A few shots of Althea being catty with Irina and the models weren’t too flattering. Is this an omen?
Irina thinks a lot of the designers should be worried. I just wonder why she has to be such a meanie? She also says that Althea has copied her look. Hmm… those might be fighting words or perhaps a little bit of jealousy coming through. Is this true?
The Runway
The first creation that comes bouncing down the runway is Carol Hannah’s lingerie inspired shear pocket dress. The design is youthful and fresh but appears to be a little too loose fitting.
Next up is Althea’s sweater wrap with balloon pants. She is confident in her design, although from this reviewer’s perspective, it is very safe if not slightly off the mark.
Logan’s high-collar, short dress is a compliment to the original design’s high-tech look.
Irina’s sweater jacket looks a lot like Althea’s design… or is the other way around. The short patterned dress underneath is formed perfectly to her model.
The runway challenge of jackets continues with Gordana’s grey wool number. The darting and pleating around the waist gives the otherwise plain ensemble some much-needed movement, but will it be enough?
Christopher’s design is the last down the runway and reminds me of something Carmen Miranda might wear, sans the fruit on her head.
The Judging
“I don’t think this is fun, fashionable at all,” says Heidi Klum of Gordana’s grey jacket skirt combo.
Logan tells the judges that he knows his space age design is on the brink, and Nina Garcia agrees and suggests that work is more reminiscent of a fashion school project. It screams a little bit Judy Jetson.
Christopher - The judges think the dress looks like a carnival float and that it could have used some editing along the way.
Althea - Heidi loves the pants and says she wants a pair. The judges agree and quiz Althea about the common, sweater jacket look present on the runway. Irina attempts to take the conversation in an accusatory direction, but the judges quickly reign her in and heap on the praise on Althea and her design.
Uptown chic, elegant and cozy are just a few of the words the judges used to describe Irina’s design.
Carol Hannah - The judges think the look in its simplicity is delicious.
Who stays and who goes?
Will it be zipper neck pretty boy (Logan)? Or will it finally be Christopher’s night to go?
Remaining to compete for another week are Carl Hannah, Irina, Christopher and Gordana.
The winner of tonight’s challenge is Althea… all of the judges wanted to walk away with her outfit - I’m not sure about Nick (contestant and judge from Season 2).
The designer who is leaving is Logan. His tricked out design was too much for the judges.
So, is Althea on track to win this season of Project Runway? Thoughts on tonight’s show - share ‘em here!
TweetHow did our local ‘Project Runway’ designer fare this week?
Last week, Christopher was in the bottom again but was saved (again) when they sent Nicholas home.
Althea Harper, the Oakwood native and University of Dayton graduate, thinks that Irina, Carol Hannah and herself are the top 3 most talented designers remaining. I agree.
This week, the designers have to create a new look inspired by one of their best designs from a previous challenge.
Christopher is getting a lot of camera time this week. Gordana shared info. about her up bringing. We also got to see an old black and white photo of her as a little girl. Past seasons have shown us that more camera time means you’ll either win or go home, but the show’s editors seem hip to this, and it’s no longer a reliable signal. Besides, Christopher seems immune to elimination.
In the workroom, Irina seems to be the only designer with a clear direction and idea behind her garment.
Althea thinks that Logan stole the idea for the colar with zippers on his garment from her design for the Christina Aguilera challenge. Althea even goes so far as to tell Irina that she hates Logan and that she wants to confront him about his “inspiration.”
I don’t see it. Get over yourself, Althea. If Logan stole ideas from anyone it would be Jeffrey from season 3 who totally won a challenge with a zipper-ized dress (see photo to the right).
Althea has something to say about everyone this episode, including Carol Hannah (Why hasn’t she made pants!?!?!). Ironically, Irinia calls out Althea on the runway for borrowing her loose sweater look.
My thoughts on the runway
Carol Hannah: A boring black dress
Althea: Too similar to her inspiration
Logan: Very interesting though I see little connection to his inspiring design
Irina: Clearly tied in to her inspiration, very stylish
Gordana: Boring and not well made
Christopher: Too big and poofy
The judges and I don’t agree, as usual. They like Carol Hannah’s and Althea’s designs but didn’t like Logan’s.
From the judges reactions, I think that Althea will be winning this week’s challenge while Gordana will be going home. Even though they didn’t like Christopher’s design, Gordana’s was worse.
The results
Althea wins, but then the judges cause my jaw to drop when they send Logan home instead of Gordana.
I’ll miss looking at you, Logan.
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