Project Runway: Episode 3 Recap

With multiple arguments between designers and clients acting a bit mean, this weeks episode of Project Runway was surely an interesting one.  In episode 3, entitled Welcome Back (or Not) to the Runway, the designers were paired up and were tasked with designing a red carpet outfit for a past designer from previous seasons.  The designers also had to incorporate the color of the 2013 Lexus GS 350 each pair was driven around in for the episode, and the winner of the challenge would join their client to the Emmy’s.

Before the runway, many of the designers were fighting with each other.  Christopher and Andrea, who were paired up and tasked with designing an outfit for Season 9 winner Anya Ayoung-Chee, fought over the chiffon they used.  Christopher couldn’t get over the fact that it took Andrea over 12 hours to cut out the pattern of the skirt.  Elena and Buffi, who were designing an outfit for Season’s 3, third place winner Laura Bennett, argued over their design too.  Elena thought she was a better designer than Buffi, which led to many arguments.

But the designers also were arguing with their clients.  Gunnar and Kooan fought with their client, Irina Shabayeva, winner of Season 6.  Irina argued with the two over every single detail, causing poor Kooan to feel sad, but Gunnar fought back.

This week’s runway proved to be very weak, and guest judge Krysten Ritter, an actress, seemed to think so too. Elena and Buffi with their brown sheer dress were safe.  Dmitry and Melissa’s silver futuristic dress for April Johnston, who finished 5th place during Season 8, was safe, despite being one of the best dresses of the night.  I surely thought it should have been in the top.  Nathan and Sonjia’s golden sparkly dress for Valerie Mayen, who placed 7th during Season 8, was also safe.  I thought this dress too was great and perfect for the runway.

In the bottom 4 were Raul and Alicia, who’s black gown for Mila Hermanovski, the third place winner of Season 7 was awful, and Christopher and Andrea, who’s uninspired dress for Anya didn’t look great at all.  Raul and Alicia were in the bottom for a poorly designed dress.  The judges complained that the two menswear designers should’ve made a suit, but I personally think that if they did, the judges would’ve hated that they didn’t challenge themselves.  Plus it seemed like Mila wanted a gown.  Christopher and Andrea were in the bottom for a terribly executed dress and for being too ambitious with the design.  Christopher tried to throw Andrea under the bus, which left Krysten Ritter trying to stifle her giggles.  In the end, Raul was eliminated.

For the top 4 were Gunnar and Kooan, who’s white dress for Irina was praised by the judges, and Ven and Fabio, who’s blue retro dress for Kenley, aka the 3rd place winner of Season 5, was loved by both judges and client.  Gunnar and Kooan’s white dress was absolutely loved by the judges, who thought it went so well with Irina’s skin tone and style.  But Irina seemed to hate it, and I kinda agree.  I thought it was one of the weaker looks of the night, who deserved a safe.  Ven and Fabio’s dress was a great favorite.  Nina loved it’s short look and Heidi thought it clearly showed off Ven’s designer touch.  The only judge who didn’t care for it was Krysten, who thought it was too boring, which I’m inclined to agree with.  The dress was totally Kenley, but I didn’t find it suitable for the red carpet.  Ven, however, won the challenge once again.

Overall, I found this episode a bit on the boring side.  Pairs never end well and I thought the judges were quiet off with their choices this week.  Hopefully next week’s episode, where Andrea and a couple other designers supposedly leave the competition, ends up being a bit more exciting.

So, what’s your opinion on the show?  Do you think the right designer was eliminated and the right designer won the challenge?  Tweet us your thoughts @TheFashionFoot.

Written By: Joanelle Navarro