Project Runway: Episode 8 - You've Got Mail

To recap Episode 7: The challenge was for the designers to create a period 2055 collection with Kevin as their leader. Kara Saun's 2055 Business Suit was the winner. Kevin, with his 2055 Service Uniform, the loser. Five designers and six 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 models are also competing for their own 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 with the designers sharing their thoughts on Kevin’s departure. Kara dislikes how Wendy decided to bash Kevin’s leadership skills for the previous challenge, in front of the judges. Wendy really thinks Kevin was the weakest link of their team and has no regrets with what she did. Rob tells the camera that there are only two more challenges left. "This is it!"

At the runway, Heidi tells the designers that there are only five of them left and they should be very proud of themselves. The challenges have been rough. The key to the next challenge is in the five neatly brown-paper-wrapped packages she holds in her arms. "They've got your names on them, come get 'em!" The designers will have to wait until the following morning to open them. They need to be up and ready to go by 6:30 a.m. to begin the challenge. Since the designers "kind of" know their challenge, the black slipped models are brought out. There are six models left and one will be out. As winner of the previous challenge, Kara gets first pick choosing Jennie. Jay wants Julia. Rob, once again, takes Olga and Wendy’s choice is Melissa. That leaves Austin to choose between Erin and Martinique. He says that he has had the opportunity to work with each of them once, and selects Martinique. Erin is out. She is sad to go, but realizes this is a competition. Erin loves all the girls and is thankful she got to work with them. Heidi wishes the designers luck, telling them that Tim will fill them in on the details of the challenge. "See you on the runway!"

At the apartment, the designers curiously shake and pinch their mystery packages. It’s just like Christmas! While swigging a beer, Austin thinks the package could be grandmother’s fruitcake. Kara says her package is smaller than the others, so Jay speculates that it’s a Hooters tee shirt. Jay jokes that they have babies in their packages that they'll be stuck raising for 18 years.

At 5:35 a.m. the alarm goes off. It’s morning and time to open your presents! Rob says they were like little kids on Christmas morning waiting to empty their stockings. They unwrap their brown packages revealing individual letter carrier outfits. A note with each package reads, “Project Runway designers, please get dressed and report for duty in the lobby.” Wendy, in her postal blue Bermuda shorts and white safari hat, knocks on Kara’s door, telling her that there is someone waiting to deliver a package. She’s serious! Kara opens the door, sees Wendy in her postal get up, then seems to jump out of her skin. They both start laughing, (Kara laughs like Fran Drescher in The Nanny!) Jay is joking around in his postal outfit feeling like Augustus Gloop from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Austin sashays out in his shorts and knee socks. He looks just like a little kid!

At the Frank Sinatra Hoboken, NJ, U.S. Post office, Tim and the designers march out of a freight elevator like little soldiers. The designers are all decked out in various styles of the current postal uniform. I love the safari like hats Jay and Wendy are wearing! Tim tells them that by now they may have guessed their challenge, which is to redesign a U.S. Postal Service uniform. They have the choice to either do a summer or a winter design for a letter carrier. The challenge is to make sure the design focuses on comfort, is easy to move around in, and looks nice while representing the Postal Service. He introduces Becky Negich, who explains the needs of the postal workers. She hopes they've all worn comfortable shoes, as they will be spending the day delivering mail.

The designers are divided into two teams. Kara, Rob and Jay are one, with Austin and Wendy the other. Kara loves being teamed with Robio and Jaybird! However, Wendy is a bit skeptical. Austin and she haven't spoken much since she criticized his leadership in front of the judges. Austin says he used to be friends with Wendy but now he knows she was deceiving him from the very beginning! He wishes he was teamed with the other designers. While inspecting the mail sorting bins, and learning the tricks of the mail carrier trade, we get a great shot of Robio digging into a very deep butt crack itch. Lose something Rob?

The designers question the letter carriers about their on the job comfort and fashion issues. One rolls up her sleeves when it is hot, another shares that she wears layers in the winter. A warm up suit style might work if it is professional enough, and no Jay, you may not smoke while delivering mail. Austin starts for the door pushing his long handled mail cart in front of him.

While walking the mail route, Jay greets the passerby's with “good mornings” to all. They are trying to be extra friendly. "Service with a smile!" Rob asks his teammates if they are comfortable. Kara says her polyester pants don't breathe. Austin's cart decides to take a short trip down the sidewalk as he does his mail delivery. Deciding they have the worst old cart in mail history, Wendy and Austin struggle to push their buckling and collapsing cart over a curb. Wiping his brow, Austin shares he doesn't see himself applying for a postal job any time soon. The team's assigned Postal Worker arms the designers with a can of dog spray and a key before delivering mail to some apartments. Jay shares, "There's keys, cans, door, dogs, reading, and mathematics. There's much more than you think to this job." (Hey Jay, you got to be the head key carrier which earned you the much sought after gold key chain!)

Rob leafs through someone's Victoria's Secret catalogue, obviously saddened by its inclusion of sweaters. No Rob, you can not read other peoples mail! Jay quips to the camera; "He's just a dog. He's a monkey dog! He's a horny monkey dog!" (In fact, he's a charming horny monkey dog, who likes to look at pretty underwear!) Sweat has trickled into Jay's butt crack while doing mail delivery, saturating his shorts, and the back of his shirt. "Jay wet his pants," taunts Kara. He is so embarrassed. It is so gross! His postal guide reminds him to be mindful of these hot spots before designing their new uniform. (Yeah Jay, maybe you can incorporate armpit shields in the butt crack of your design!) As they walk back to the post office, Jay thinks designing a postal carrier robot would be a better idea.