The contestants take a 30-minute tour and then get to spend 30 minutes working on their ideas. Even cooler? Their models come along to serve as muses.
Everyone draws inspiration from different elements. Althea is taken by the architecture and wants to do something very structured and tailored. Carol Hannah falls for a regal French bed complete with feather, fringe and gold accents. Irina adores “Mischief and Repose”—a painting with two goddess-like women in sheer garments. Christopher loves the fountain’s organic elements—especially the algae-encrusted rocks. And, Gordana is taken with a European Monet painting that reminds her of home.
Our fashionistas sketch away and it’s off to Mood where there’s a frenzy of furs, colors and of course, questions from Tim.
Back in the workroom tensions are instantly at an all-time high. Carol Hannah and Christopher seem buddy-buddy, and Gordana and Irina have also paired up. That leaves Althea as the outsider and Irina compares A’s helter-skelter designing aesthetic to “King Kong.” Dirty looks and snide whispers fly.
Tim-time rolls around and he’s got a thing or two to say to each designer. When Christopher tells Tim that he wants to put “angular pieces” on his frock Tim tells him that they look like stalagmites and he “needs to keep an editing eye.” He also gasps at Irina’s fur cape and tells her it looks like roadkill. He’s also unhappy with Althea’s angular dress. Wary of the “panels of puckering, “ he muses that her dress needs work.
Time’s running out and some of the designers are fuhhh-reaking! Gordana and Christopher are both pleased with their creations….but will Althea and Carol Hannah even finish in time? “I feel like I’m in an adventure movie, where I’m just running around all over the place,” C.H. confesses.
On to the runway where regulars Nina Garcia and Heidi Klum are joined by Cindy Crawford and Cynthia Rowley.
How’d the final creations come out?
(Left to Right: Althea, Carol Hannah and Christopher)
Althea’s gold, flowing dress was definitely structured and symbolic of the Getty’s architecture. The judges loved the risky paneling on the skirt but all agreed that it was very risky and the top looked half-finished.
I loved Carol Hannah’s gold “town and country” gown. I thought the ropey straps, shiny fabric and shape of the dress perfectly represented the bed…but the judges begged to differ. They felt her dress was beautifully made, but weren’t sure if it spoke to her inspiration.
Christopher’s fountain-inspired frock also received mixed reviews. The judges hearted the beautiful, silvery frock but felt the bottom was too heavy and only added on as an afterthought.
(Left to Right: Irina and Gordana)
I wasn’t too sure about Irina’s drapey green piece. Her “goddess gown” had a really cool back, but I agree with Nina who called the bottom “dowdy.” There was something about the shape that was a little too bubbly.
Gordana really loved her garment—and everyone else did, too! You could clearly see the connection with the painting and the crinkled, flowy fabric made her look absolutely angelic. Cynthia just wasn’t sure about the “chunky zipper.”
So who’s going to New York?
Although Althea’s look was deemed a “mess” and a “disappointment” she’s staying based on her previous work. And Carol Hannah’s beautifully made dress scored her a pass to Bryant Park. Irina’s consistent performance also qualified her to move on.
We also said our “auf”s to two great designers. Gordana is deemed too safe and the judges feel they don’t really know her as a designer yet. And while Christopher “sees the beauty in things where others don’t,” the panel thinks he just doesn’t have enough experience…yet.
Are ya ready for next week’s epi? Are ya disappointed by who the judges picked? What do you think will go down when the designers hit “The Olympics of Fashion?”
Stay tuned!
Cait
Photo Credit: myLifetime.com