Project Runway – ‘Best Looks’: Althea Garners Another Win; Logan’s Out of Luck (Plus Drama Over Zippers & Sweaters!)

Last night’s episode of Project Runway began with the designers facing away from the runway. Why? So that each of their best designs could be dragged onstage for the big ‘reveal’: Their challenge would be to create a complementary companion look for their best work to date. Much better than what Carol Hannah and I both imagined–that they would be required to cut up their old garments to make new ones. (Hey, Lifetime–if you’re ever strapped for a concept for a challenge…)

Honestly, this was one of those challenges that reminds me of Project Runway seasons past–clever, inspiring & innovative. Thankfully, because sometimes I worry that the producers are running out of ideas. (Again, Lifetime–if you’re ever in a bind…see above.)

The good thing about having so few designers left is that we get to see more of the creative/construction process. The bad thing is they all start wanting to kill each other. Logan allegedly copied Althea’s zipper collar (but since she’s a class act, Althea didn’t call him out on it), and Althea allegedly stole Irena’s ‘big sweater’ idea (since she’s not so much of a class act, Irena threw Althea under the bus in front of the judges).

[Sidebar: How did we miss Irena’s comment last week about Christopher’s ensemble looking like ‘an Amish woman would wear it’? So much for diplomacy…]

But apparently the judges–including guest panelists Nick Verreos (Project Runway Season 2) and Kerry Washington–forgave Althea any transgression she may or may not have made, because they awarded her the prize for a pair of black paper-bag-waist trousers and an oversized comfy gray sweater.

Unfortunately for our resident hunk, despite the fact that Logan wore the same outfit that saved him from elimination after his first misstep, the judges were not blinded by the glare off his pants this time and sent him packing for creating a futuristic costume of a dress that Heidi Klum said looked like it came from ‘a bad music video from the 80’s’.

Good night, sweet prince. And may the fashion angels sing you to sleep…

Project Runway, ‘Pregnancy Chic’: ‘Sweet’ Shirin Askari Dazzles Rebecca Romijn; Malvin Vien…Not So ‘Egg-cellent’

When host Heidi Klum challenged the designers of Project Runway Season 6 to create a chic pregnancy ensemble for supermodel/actress/Mommy-to-be Rebecca Romijn, the aptly named Shirin Askari (‘shirin’ means ‘sweet’ in Isreali) came out on top with a flattering aubergine cowel neck dress and coordinating overcoat with a floral printed lining.

Malvin Vien’s conceptual “Mother Hen” design–in which the model’s baby bump is swaddled in white cloth to make it look like an egg–earned him the unpleasant honor of receving Klum’s signature “Auf Wiedersehen”.

Vien bid his tearful goodbyes, saying “I’m always going to have something to say, and I’m always going to say it differently.”