The designers are sent backstage so the judges’ panel can confer amongst themselves. Michael Kors and Rachel Zoe immediately assess the group as having met the challenge well. Heidi wants to start the comments with “who we liked - Jerell.” Kors says Jerell has a “very dramatic point of view.” Zoe says the design was “very sexy.” The judges all rave over Korto’s woven coat. Rachel Zoe wants it for herself. Laura Bennett, quiet overall during judging, pronounces Korto’s garment “beautifully thought out.” They all love Leanne’s cocktail dress also. “Flawless,” Zoe says. “She took a risk doing that shape in the hip,” Bennett points out. “But this was cut so perfectly that it actually did great things for the body,” Kors finishes. The panel concludes the risk paid off.
Now for the three least-liked design. The judges reiterate that Stella’s separates didn’t seem to go together and “didn’t work.” The design had too many components and no cohesive thought. Blayne’s garment had the same basic problem: no clear thought behind it. Zoe wishes it had stopped just shy of the bodice. Bennett was distracted by its poor fit. As for Keith’s design, the judges pronounce it poorly sewn, lacking in concept, and unflattering. Kors is annoyed that the designer blamed his model and “the critic.” I do wonder at times, myself, whether designers have actually watched prior seasons of this series. Again I have never seen ‘argue with the judges’ work other than with Santino, and he was a very unique case. I don’t know why, exactly. But I do know for sure that arguing with the judges, and grousing to their faces about past comments is a very risky move at best. And Kors had a point: if Keith thinks this is tough, wait until he’s invested a million dollars in a collection only to have it ridiculed. “The simple truth is, you are in charge of your own destiny,” Kors-as-Jack-Handey offers.
The six ‘best and worst’ of this week’s challenge are brought onto the runway for final judging. Jerell is in. He departs the runway. The winner is Leanne. She will be immune from elimination in the upcoming challenge. “An unbelievable feeling... I feel like I can do anything,” Leanne enthuses in her private vlog. Korto is excused with a “very good work” from Heidi. Blayne is also in and leaves the runway. Stella and Keith remain. Heidi scolds Keith for his “boring, poorly crafted design.” Heidi tells Stella “there was no surprise - your look was expected, disconnected, and ultimately, too simple.” (What, the writers couldn’t find a third phonetic rhyme?) Well, I guess they couldn’t say “ultimately rejected” because Stella wasn’t - at least, not this week. Stella is in, and Keith is out. Keith seems depressed. He’s spoken in his vlogs of having low self-confidence; this can’t help him any. Keith leaves the runway gracefully, air-kissing Heidi in the traditional Project Runway sendoff, then thanking everyone as he leaves. Gee, Keith, where were your manners a few minutes ago when it might have helped you? As Keith thanks them all, we’re treated to a hilariously grim smile from Kors. He was just this shy of rolling his eyes. I would bet a bobbin on it.
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