We’re back with another GRIPPING episode of Project Runway! Straight!Colin is notably absent this week, but I made up for his loss by being extra snarky. Let’s see how we do.
We start the night with Ven gloating, but thankfully we don’t have to watch too much of it. Our next challenge is a look that is red carpet ready. Kooan is scared that it needs to be elegant. I have no words.
Heidi prompts the designers for a red carpet challenge. Kooan is immediately… anxious? Scared? I’m not sure. Tim then introduces the Lexus challenge, as if this is something that happens every season. It’s a red carpet dress challenge for the Emmys. The winning look will be worn on the red carpet, and the color of their Lexus informs the color of their design. Said Lexuses (Lexai?) will be taking designers to their client, and they’ll be doing so as a team of two. We’re getting to a team challenge early and, no surprise, Ven is worried.
The teams are as follows:
- Christopher and Andrea, designing for Anya Ayoung-Chee (winner of Season 9)
- Sonjia and Nathan, designing for Valerie Mayen (Season 8 contestant)
- Elena and Buffi, designing for Laura Bennet (finalist for Season 3)
- Fabio and Ven, designing for Kenley Collins (finalist for Season 5 and on All-Stars
- Gunnar and Kooan, designing for Irina Shabayeva (winner of Season 6)
- Alicia and Raul, designing for Mila Hermanovski (finalist for Season 7, also on All-Stars)
- Dmitry and Melissa, designing for April Johnston (Season 8 and All-Stars)
The designers consult with their clients, and we’re treated to lots of tense conversation. Irina wants a white dress, Anya doesn’t want to show her tummy, Kenley loves tulle, Valerie doesn’t want to look fat, Laura wants sparkles and movement, Mila is concerned that they’ve never done a gown. I’m already anxious for all of them.
After an uneventful trip to Mood, the designers get to work and seem to be getting along fine. I get the feeling the back half of this episode is going to be chock full of drama. Tim comes in to tell them they have til midnight tonight and “precious little time” tomorrow. Also, no big, the winner of the challenge also gets to go to the Emmys. WHAT?
Apparently Andrea has dressed celebrities before, which has Christopher treating her like a venerable, Maria Callas-type mentor. Honestly, I’d never have guessed that by her den mother scout project from last week. Elena is getting over her neuroses by being nuts about construction. Channel that energy, girl. I’m loving the idea behind Raul and Alicia’s dress. That print is killer and I love the color. Buffi and Elena are having some wonderful passive-aggressive exchanges while Ven is “stuck with Fabio.” We’re three episodes in and I’m already exhausted by him.
