Project Runway Recap: Special Guest Kristin Bell

With the elimination of Peach, April moves in with Valerie, Ivy and Gretchen. Despite the worry of tension in the cramped quarters the girl crew seems to get alone.

This week’s challenge the designers are able to kick back, relax and have some fun on a yacht. They are given their challenge by Michael Kors, which is to illustrate their point of view and design a resort ware outfit. It can be anywhere from swimwear to evening wear. The designers are even given a pair of Michael Kors sunglasses for their boat ride around New York City while they brunch, and sketch. After a few hours they are kicked off the vessel and move on to Mood with $150.

Back at the workroom, Tim comes in with the dreaded velvet bag for the twist of the contest. The designers are put in teams of two so they can execute each other’s looks. They must be both designer and sample maker. The teams are Valerie and Andy, Michael C. and Mondo, April and Christopher, Casanova and Gretchen and Ivy and Michael D.
April and Christopher hit it off right from the beginning. Casanova feels Gretchen really understands his language barrier. Casanova also believes Gretchen thinks he is blind with huge drawing of what she wants. Mondo was butting heads with Michael C. for not having the proper tools but as Mondo realizes Michael is willing to learn, he apologizes and they work well together. Ivy fears Michael D.’s skills as a sewer and thumbs down her design. She never really gives him a chance to prove he can sew.

Tim walks in to announce Michael Kors will be doing most of the critiques. Kors warns Casanova to stay youthful and Gretchen to stay modern. Kors really like April’s idea and encourages her to stick with it. He like Christopher’s draping design. Kors doesn’t like Ivy’s print and is worried about Valerie’s color choice. Valerie breaks down and calls her mom. There is now one of these moments in every episode.

The designers are told they can get their look back in the last 10 minutes before the show. Everyone seems to be working well together except Ivy and Michael D. Ivy is hovering over Michael at the sewing machine giving him crazy eye. When Tim gives the announcement they switch spots and Ivy finishes the sewing.

On the runway we have Heidi Klum, Michael Kors, Nina Garcia, and guest judge and actress Kristin Bell. The designers are judged on their actual design and not the piece they constructed. Top designers are Andy, April, and Michael D. The designers with the lowest score are Mondo, Ivy, and Casanova.

Designers called on the runway come out with their construction partner. April was loved for her punk/ baby doll/ super sexy outfit. Nina found it stunning and Kors felt it looked like April. Andy’s was one if my favorites. He did a swimsuit with cover up. Heidi thought it was very commercial. Nina found it expensive looking and sophisticated. Michael D.’s black resort dress with cutouts on top was found to work “in every regard.” Kristin loved it the more she looked at it.

The lowest scored designers came out to face the music. Mondo’s two-piece bikini top and boy short with jacket disappointed Nina. All the judges found it to juniors and something they could find anywhere inexpensive. Ivy’s simple Statue of Liberty dress was seen as a yawn to Kors. Ivy threw Michael D. under the bus and Michael D. accepted that but not Heidi. Michael C. spoke up saying it is hard to work with Ivy because she is bossy. Kristin thought Ivy should have tried to work with Michael D. better. Casanova’s pale pant and crimped at the waist blouse didn’t read vacation. Kors said it looked like a “70 year old woman going to the mall.”

It comes between April and Andy, and April is the winner. Ivy and Casanova are the bottom two. They didn’t like Ivy with her excuses and blame. They think she should have never thumb down her design. The judges feel Casanova was granny inspired. Ivy is in but with a warning from Heidi to, “wow us the next time.” So Casanova is out. PR does a little montage of Casanova’s time on the show and it is long and drawn out. It is sad to see Casanova go home but who didn’t see that coming.

Next Week: Jackie Kennedy.