Project Runway 8, Ep. 5 recap: “There Is an I in Team”
August 27, 2010 by karenvitt
Filed under Neat STUFF
By Erin Flesch, NEAT contributor
The world of Project Runway 8 was turned upside down last night, and in an epic battle of egos vs. underdogs, the meek did inherit the earth. This week’s episode, “There Is An ‘I’ in Team,” broke down this season’s challenge winners (sorry, Portlander Gretchen Jones) and rose up the two contestants most often disparaged and dismissed (congrats to Casanova and resident mommy Peach Carr).
The challenge involved splitting the remaining designers into two teams of six. Each team had to choose from a list of hot fall fashion trends and design a cohesive collection with $1,000. It’s the designers’ choice and all of the power players decide to stick together, while the misfits (or shall we say “wild cards”) banded together and joined creative forces.
The wild cards (that would be April Johnston, Casanova, Micheal Drummond, Mondo Guerra, Peach Carr and Valerie Mayen) go with military and lace, and Team Luxe as they called themselves (which consisted of A.J. Thouvenot, Andy South, Christopher Collins, Jones, Ivy Higa and Micheal Costello) went with menswear and camel. On the surface it seemed Team Luxe would easily be the winners, as long as they kept it chic and not dull. Tim warned the other guys that lace is extremely hard to pull off without looking old lady-y. Which was, as always, a valid point.
As with all team challenges on PR, there was a lot of bickering, under-minding, and back and forth. Each team thought the other was totally drama filled, and each was sure its collection was the best thing since Coco Chanel and her tweed suit. Jones quickly took on the role of master and commander. Unfortunately, she steered her ship right down to the bottom of the ocean, while everyone else sat back and let it happen.
On the runway, Team Military and Lace showed first, and the judges were impressed by the youthful vibe and fresh take on such well-worn trends. Casanova’s gold studded cigarette pants are a hit (he reworked his look, above right, after throwing a diva fit in the workroom that’s worth a second watch), as is Carr’s sailor red and blue outfit. The former “losers” are now winners, and the ultimate wild card Casanova actually takes home a win.
As luxe would have it (heh, we couldn’t help it), Team Luxe is anything but. Grandpa sweaters, oversized vests and knee-length pleated shorts do not a chic collection make. Nina Garcia literally hated every piece in the entire 20-piece collection, citing incorrect proportions as her main beef. The overall look (right) was stale, old and flat out boring. The judges ruled that all of the life has been sucked out of the clothes.
The losing designers were all asked to throw someone under the bridge, in typical PR ruthless fashion. Even after deciding to stick together, everyone singularly attacked Costello, last week’s immunity-blessed winner. Jones did a 180 and went from standing up for their looks to trashing them hardcore. The judges notice her back-peddling and they no-likey. Jones and Thouvenot are in the bottom two (she for being the leader, and him for only making one piece — a not-so-special shirt dress).
In the end, it was Thouvenot who took the bullet, but Jones was pretty much the loser. At the end, Tim bust into the workroom, not only to say goodbye to the departing designer, but to admonish Jones and her teammates for their behavior on the runway. If Tim calls you out, you know you’re in the doghouse. Better luck next time, Jones. We’re still standing by you! Maybe less talky and more designing awesome clothes like you do so well.
Tune in to The Neat Sheet every Friday for Portland-centric Project Runway 8 recaps. In the meantime, watch extended judging of local designer Gretchen Jones and Team Luxe in Episode 5:
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Every now and then we all get a case of verbal diarrhea. Luckily, most of us don’t do it when the camera is rolling. We still think you are fabulous Gretchen.
We are rooting for Gretchen all the way! Like she said herself, it’s just great exposure for her work – and it’s fun to watch Portland’s most talented peeps taking things to a national level. Go Gretchen!