As this week’s excercise in creativity and torture unfolded, I found myself wondering what in the world the designers were going to have to do next as they donned knee high boots and met their models in the middle of a field…with the models wearing nothing but burlap potato sacks.
The challenge was to make a party look out of the potato/burlap sack. As Heidi explained the old adage; “Even a beautiful woman could look good in a potato sack.” And for the most part it was true. The designers were given said sack, and choices of dozens of ribbons, lace and beading to pick through to add as accessories. As always, there was a twist to this challenge. The models were the clients as they were going to wear (though some of them I am sure were forced in the end) the party dress to an industry event. They were also able to pick whatever designer they wanted to work with. A change from the designers always picking the models.
Most of the models stayed with the same designer, though the model Alexis switched from Mila to Anthony. Initially I think Anthony thought for sure he had drawn the short stick. Alexis was very vocal and wanted certain items on her dress such as buttons and fringe. Anthony just looked at the camera and said “I don’t know about this.” He persevered though. I think Mila was hoping that Anthony would crumble under having Alexis as a hindrance to his work, but he just kept pushing through. In the end he and Mila both ended up with some really nice dresses for their models. Anthony a short raspberry pink number and Mila a grey creation.
Then there was Jesus. He decided to “skirt the challenge” as Tim Gunn put it, and hide all of the burlap in green and brown ribbon. The judges didn’t appreciate that, including guest judge Lauren Hutton. She said that “the dress should be like a painting..and that was a confused assault on the eye..” The other designer in the doghouse was Pamela, who although dyeing her sack a pretty; yet almost denim looking blue color, poorly made the back end. Her model’s rear looked huge. And when Heidi asked the model if she was excited to wear the dress the model could only answer..”Well….” Heid just said that answer alone said it all.
Oh, Ping. While I loved her design last week, this week I wasn’t so sure. She gave her model basically an bizarre shaped figure eight looking skirt to wear with her top, and it stuck out awkwardly from each side. When the model turned, you could see her rear end. Heidi let her know that while acknowledged Ping has an “edgy eye”, she isn’t sure it can translate to high fashion. Though Lauren Hutton gave Ping a vote of confidence saying Ping can overcome this if she kept working at it.
The big winner of the night was Jay. He designed a snappy little dress that was black with the burlap being ruffled out at the bottom with pops of turquoise green. Michael Kors complimented him, saying initially he thought he may have cheated with feathers but then appreciated his fine handiwork.
The loser? Pamela. I don’t believe it is a big loss to have her go this soon. There is a lot more talent now left for us to see.
Our girl from Iowa Megan was kept alive, as her and the designer Jesse made it thru to the next round with flying colors.
What will Heidi have up her sleeve next week? Stay tuned.
- MaryB
