'Project Runway' recap: Playing the Part

For someone whose own personal style is a tip of the hat to silent film goddess Louise Brooks, Ms. Black sure did struggle this week, churning out a shiny flapper dress that was supposed to evoke film noir but was instead a ''cheap... convoluted mess,'' according to Zoe, who then called it a ''snooze fest.'' That's usually the kiss of death on Project Runway. Or at least it is when Nina ''Don't Bore Me'' Garcia has her say. But Nina wasn't there. So Louise dodged a bullet and Ra'mon got flogged. Was his Lola the Lizard Lady number creepy and shoddily assembled? Was the way Vanessa pulled off a strip of fabric on the catwalk, like she was shedding reptile skin, icky? No question. But Ra'mon has shined in the past and I figured that the judges' appreciation for his risk-taking would spare him. No dice. With tears in his eyes, he bid Heidi and Co. adieu. And I have to say, I'm pretty bummed about this. He's the first one I'm sorry to see leave. Good luck, Ra'mon. Don't lose your vision — or your apostrophe.

Now for the top three. After Tim informed Christopher that sleeveless does not equal 18th century France/Victorian, I was pretty shocked to see Katie showing off her bare arms on the runway. What? Could Christopher possibly be so arrogant as to ignore the mighty Gunn? But Christopher made no reference to the Age of Victoria when he was defending his design. In fact, he mentioned no era at all, carrying on instead about a vampire attending her wedding, turning her husband into a bloodsucker... blah, blah, blah. Sorry, but I simply don't get the appeal of Christopher's design. Yes, the details on the collar and back were lovely, but that skirt? An over- bustled mess! What did he do, grab a few bolts of whatever fabric was closest to his sewing machine and scrunch it all up, eyes firmly shut? I'm not saying Christopher should have been eliminated, but the fawning? Do. Not. Get. It. If avant-garde was what he was going for, all I can say is: Christopher, this is how it's done.

His nerves might have been frayed earlier, but Epperson came out Annie-get-your-guns a-blazin' with that Wild West couture. Aesthetically, ruffled denim is not my thing, but I give the guy major props for creating the most cutting-edge design, mixing a modern fabric that's synonymous with the dusty ranches of pioneer country with a silhouette more historically evocative of Deadwood. And that was pretty ingenious. So I was happy to see the dude with the gentle voice and the groovy 'dreads get some love. And Varvatos was certainly diggin' Epp's model: ''Matar, you can manage my farm anytime.'' Is that what the kids are calling it these days?

When Arianne cooed that she could see Epp's design in a contemporary fashion show, I was hoping this would lead to them naming him the winner. Yeah, Schwartz, as if! They gave it to Nicolas! And here's where the challenge baffled me all over again. Nicolas' Ice Queen gown with the silvery snowflake collar was dramatic for sure, but by the judges' own admission, it looked cheap! Cheap, people! Ah, but it would look just terrific on screen, according to Phillips. Um, okay. But… shouldn't the winning design have at least some real-world fashion currency outside the confines of cinematic costume? Tell me, TV Watchers, can you imagine Nicky's white dress being anything other than a punch line at a real-life couture show? As I said: baffled. When Heidi announced Nicolas as the winner, all I could think was: Man, if Nina and Michael had been there, they never would have stood for this nonsense.

Speaking of Garcia and Kors, here's the deal: It appears that Nina has been absent because she was in France covering the Paris shows when the last few episodes were taped. And Michael Kors, I've just learned, was in Europe as well, doing fittings, visiting his factories, and looking for inspiration. Michael is back next week, and Nina returns later in October. Still… harrumph, right?

Okay, time to scoop up the cats and get some shut-eye. What did you think of tonight's journey into Hollywood fantasy? Were you as perplexed by the ever-bending rules as I was? Did Carol Hannah get short shrift? Are you tired of Zoe telling us what she wrote down on her note cards? And were you as impressed as I was with Louise's gracious attitude during her critique? Poor girl was crying right along with Ra'mon as she left the stage!

PREVIOUS Page 1 2 3