Project Runway 6, Episode 7: Something Blue

Last week on Project Runway, the challenge again took inspiration from Hollywood. The designers each selected a film genre and designed a costume for a character in said genre. Nicolas won with a cool costume for an evil ruler of the universe, while Ra’Mon was sent home for creating a messy lizard woman outfit. Nina and Michael apparently watched the whole thing from home in their jammies, as they were nowhere to be seen.

As always, the designers kick things off by musing that it’s great to still be there, but strange to have to say goodbye to “insert contestant name here.” In this case, Ra’Mon. Gordana believes that they all truly deserve to be there (truer now that Mitchell is long gone). She compares it to the Olympics, in which one great athlete barely edges out another.

Logan moves into a room with Epperson, Christopher, and Nicolas, since his previous roomie, Ra’Mon, is gone. He says it’s interesting to adjust to a new group.

Louise says that she is going to try to do a design that is more over the top so that she doesn’t bore the judges this time around. This interferes with Nicolas’s plan to start getting rid of more of the women. He jokes, “Shirin, you’re out.” I don’t see that happening today, but it would be pretty amazing foreshadowing if it did.

On the runway, Heidi reminds Nicolas that he has immunity. “Feels good, no?” she asks. She tells the designers that their next challenge “will be quite colorful.” Shrin shrugs that they could be making outfits “out of big colorful parachutes for all I know.”

In the workroom, Tim greets the designers and introduces Martine Reardon, who is an EVP at Macy’s. Martine tells them that they must design around the color blue, then explains that there are many shades of blue… which somehow segues into a commercial for the Macy’s house brand, INC. The designers will put together something blue for the INC line. Tim adds that the winning designer will have a holiday dress sold at Macy’s. I mean, that they will design a dress to be sold at Macy’s, not that they will get to go to a store and pick one out. You know, just to be clear.

Christopher is psyched about the idea of having a garment sold in a mainstream store. Everyone is less happy when Tim says that they will be working in teams of two. Carol Hannah makes sad noises at that. Each of the ten designers will pitch ideas to Martine. She’ll choose her five favorites, and those designers will choose teams.

Irinia is thrilled about the challenge. Epperson says that it’s important to design something that is personal, but would still fit in with the line. Carol Hannah believes that she’s down to earth and can relate to a Macy’s shopper. L ouise notes that the clothing is simple, so she can’t go crazy like she’d planned.

Althea pitches first and says she’s confident about her work. Carol Hannah explains that her looks would fit in with a woman’s existing wardrobe. Logan and Irina both want to design sweater dresses. Christopher promises that a woman could take his look from work to happy hour, which intrigues Martine. Gordana says that she’s a Macy’s customer. Martine seems to love Irina’s look, but she’s not so sure.

Team leaders are Irina, Althea (who loves being a team leader), Carol Hannah, Christopher, and Louise. Althea chooses Logan, Christopher Epperson, and Louise picks Nicolas. Irina asks Shrin and Gordana to decide who wants to work with her, and Gordana steps forward. That leaves Shrin with Carol Hannah. Tim tells them that there will be no immunity after this challenge, then sends them to Mood.

Nicolas is worried that Louise’s style is too basic. He tries to steer her to luxurious fabrics. Carol Hannah and Shrin buy too much fabric and plan to figure it out later. Irina gripes that Gordana is stressing her out. As it is time to pay, Louise realizes that she left her drawings and her money elsewhere in the store. She admits that she gets scattered when she’s stressed.

Shrin says that they are making a high waisted pencil skirt with a ruffled blouse and a sweater dress with leggings. She says she wouldn’t have designed it, but she’ll help Carol Hannah make it. Carol Hannah is excited about being team captain, but she’s not used to delegating. She says it’s hard to have people notice your work habits.

Irina says team challenges are a pain in the neck. She would rather do all of the work herself. Nicolas hates ruffles and hates that he’s going to have to make some. Naturally, he chooses to talk trash about it with someone else.

Epperson reminds us of the disaster that was his partnership with Qrystal, and I am reminded of how hard it was to spell her name. Christopher tells Epperson that he’s happy to work with him. They high five over it. Christopher says that they consult with each other and are enhancing each other’s designs.

Nicolas says that Louise is nice and calm to work with and makes funny noises when she works. Louise shrugs that it relieves stress. She makes some bird noises for us in an interview.