Project Runway Episode 13: Tim Makes House Calls!

I can't believe there is only one more episode left after this one! Dear fellow Project Runway watching faithfuls, Season 8 has flown by and in some ways it feels like only five minutes ago when we watched in agony as Cassssanova pulled out a very very expensive pair of pants from his innocent suitcase only to give it away to the person on his right...Anyways, it's always my favorite time of the Season when Tim makes house calls and catches up and dines with the very busy Final Four designers who are toiling away on their Spring 2011 final collections for Fashion Week. Wait up Tim, I'm coming with you!!!....

Knock Knock it's Tim! Our favorite mentor is off to Oahu, Hawaii where he finds an inspired Andy surrounded by earthy roots and a barely made collection of sourced metals and fabrics from Laos. With only 2 weeks left until Fashion Week, Tim is worried! Then it's off to Palm Springs as Tim sets his GPS towards Michael C's house on a blazing hot California day. Tim is delighted to find excellent progress in the form of two racks overflowing with feathers and eveningwear, and then fondly refers to this progress as "Design Diarrhea." Next up on the itinerary is Denver, Colorado where we visit Mondo Guerra and his 1980's inspired work space. In the midst of hugs and chuckles Mondo introduces a rack filled with checks and shapes, and I'm really looking forward to seeing this collection on the runway. And finally Tim treks to Portland, Oregon where we find Gretchen Jones vulnerable, broke, crumbled, and refreshingly honest. Her collection looks like a mash-up of Phoebe Philo meets the Aztec Empire, and Tim verbalizes my thoughts of turquoise and New Mexico...

Back in New York we're left with the three boys and Gretchen Jones, but there are only 3 spaces to be filled at Fashion Week and in order to choose which three will show at Lincoln Center each designer must present three looks from their collection to the judges, plus of course one extra look to be created over the next few days. Almost no surprise there! A few rattled nerves and a few days later it's Runway time and it's now or never for each designer to sell themselves. My thoughts on the runway show are best expressed as usual:
Andy- me likey all the exquisite pleats, except for that ridiculous flowy bikini look. Evening wear and bikinis? Michael C- reminds me of Jason Wu's feathered cocktail dresses from two seasons ago, and what on earth is that stringy thing of a brown dress? Gretchen- I like the casual romper dress and all the jewelry pieces, it's very Gretchen, but not very Fashion Week. Mondo- I want that printed chiffon blouse and taupe/black checkered skirt; the turquoise top is junior and cheesy...

The harsh and expectant judges had lots to say including such gems as "Crunchy Granola", "Circus act", and "Copper Tones." So who is NOT making it to Fashion Week? that would be Michael Costello. To be honest I never expected him make it this far even though he can actually design and sew, albeit mostly uninspired eveningwear. However at this moment I can barely look at Michael as he stands on the runway looking like a broken man, actually more like a crying child about to have a fit, with an ugly look of contempt on his distorted face, barely able to look the judges in the eye. His blubbering reaction worries me. I sound like Tim...

And make sure to catch next week's final RedPoppy recap of the season as a winner is crowned on Project Runway!!!