Project Runway, Episode 6: Splish, Splash

To recap Episode 5: The challenge was for the designers to create their model’s dream wedding dress. Kara Saun with her sleek, elegant gown, was the winner. Nora with her rose float design, was the loser. Seven designers and eight models remain.

The designers are competing for a layout in Elle magazine, a mentorship with the design team of the Banana Republic, and $100,000 to create their own fashion line. The three final designers will be a part of Olympus Fashion week. The last model standing will win an exclusive layout in Elle. Supermodel Heidi Klum hosts, with Tim Gunn, head designer for the Parson School of Design, as her sidekick.

The episode begins at the Atlas Apartments, as the designers bemoan the loss of Nora. Calling Nora a great designer, Kevin is saddened by her departure and sorry about the spat they had. Kara thinks that the very talented Nora’s “out” makes the remaining designers' winning more possible and obtainable.

Heidi welcomes the designers to the runway, reminding them they have lost five competitors; there are only seven of them left. Today’s challenge is to “Make a Splash.” The designers are to create a swimming suit that is sleek and glamorous enough to navigate the waters of an exclusive fashion industry party. The designers will have five hours to complete the project. Heidi instructs, “Be daring and use the time wisely.” She reminds the designers of the importance of choosing the right model, as the exclusive spread in Elle is on the line. The models, in their matching black slips, enter the runway. As Kara was winner of the last challenge, she gets first dibs, grabbing her last week’s model, Jennie. Erin goes with Alexandra, while Kevin, in a stroke of sheer stupidity, chooses “party monster Morgan.” “She scares me, but she’s worth the gamble.” Kevin thinks Morgan is cleaning up her act. Oh Kevin, did you leave your bib brain at the door? Meanwhile, Robert snares Olga, Wendy takes Martinique, and Austin's choice is Melissa. We are down to the final two models, with Jay the last designer to pick. Having never worked with Joy, he chooses Julia “and the spunk that goes with her." That said, Joy is “out” causing Wendy to wipe some tears from her saddened eyes. Joy prances off the runway sharing that she made a lot of friends and feels like she is leaving summer camp.

Tim doles out $75 in spending money and takes the designers to Mood Designer Fabrics for their half-hour shopping extravaganza. He reminds them that the swimsuit they design also has to double as eveningwear. While shopping, Austin tells of the Ester Williams movies he loves and snatches up four yards of a sheer blue fabric. His design will echo the glamorous bathing beauty ideal. I see a brief moment of Kara carrying a bolt of cream material, as the camera moves to find Wendy discussing thong fabric with a "Mood" employee. Wendy shares that she doesn't wear a thong (no kidding!) and hasn't a clue about swimsuit construction. She thinks she is flying blind, as she has never designed swimwear in her life. On to Alexandra, as she and Tim admire a pale green Mossoni fabric. Austin dangles gold tassels from his ears as the designer's end the shopping leg of their challenge.

At the Parsons School of Design, Kara notes that there is never enough time in a challenge and this project gives them no time at all. Jay is thinking strappy! He wants lot of straps in his design, with little rings holding them together. Both Jay and Austin seem to immediately have the beginning touches of their designs on the mannequins. Jay has black bikini pieces up, while Austin has sparkly dark blue fabric shaping a one piece design. Kara is doing a society girl swimsuit, which will be sexy, elegant and rich. (Note: It seems to me that all of Kara's descriptions of her designs use the words "society girl!") Alexandra says that she, Austin, and Kara are the strongest of the designers, and being from Florida, she feels right at home with this fun project. Kevin, with his avant-garde classic design, thinks the key to success is telling yourself that your design is incredible. Robert chats in Russian with Olga, so I haven't a clue what's going on there.

In the Sewing Room, Jay is turning the air blue with his cursing. His sewing machine never works right. Having gone through five machines, his thread still breaks. Jay says his design looks like a gay man’s S&M costume. He knows he cannot complete the project. He will be out of the show. He is freaking out! (Perk!) Hey Jay! Calm down! It's time for a smoke! He is ten hours behind on a five hour project. Jay’s smoke break gives him new-found vision, and he has pulled his design together, calling his ciggie butts “a pack of saviors.”

Tim informs the designers of the time. Fifteen minutes are left. The designers scamper about making last minute adjustments, hurriedly trying to finish their projects. All the designers are expecting a twist to the challenge, and as normal, they are right! At five o'clock on the nose, Tim asks the designers to stop what they are doing and gather around him. He informs them that they will be attending a party hosted by Elle at Hiro Cocktail Lounge in the Maritime Hotel. Their challenge is to not only get noticed by Richard Johnson, editor of the "Page Six" column in the New York Post, but to get their name mentioned in his column. The designer that is mentioned will be the winner of this challenge and receive immunity. Tim tells the designers that Richard will be evaluating them in a social setting and to make sure that they, and their models, are the celebrities tonight. The designers share their views on the importance of the press advertising and giving tension to their creations as the models are whisked off to the L’Oreal Hair and Makeup Room.