Project Runway 6, Episode 9: Dirrty

Previously on Project Runway, our band of intrepid designers had to take old wedding dresses and transform them into something new. Gordana finally got some love from the judges, winning the challenge. Logan, Christopher, and Epperson designed some pretty lousy looks, but Epperson’s was deemed the lousiest and he was sent home. Who will it be this week? I don’t know about you guys, but I think Nicolas has dodged a few too many bullets and should pack his bags.

Christopher tells us that he’s there to make it to fashion week, but he’s awfully distressed by how many times he’s been in danger lately. He is determined to “go huge… but not too huge to scare the judges.” Careful, Christopher – second guessing yourself is bad! Shirin does a sun salutation as she tells us in an interview that she feels confident after the last challenge. Carol Hannah doesn’t think that just because she’s never won makes her middle of the pack; she hasn’t been in the bottom, either. “Slow and steady wins the race,” she declares. Carol Hannah’s not completely delusional; Jay McCarrol spent a whole lot of time watching Kara Saun win before he finally won Season 1.

Heidi reminds Gordana that she has immunity. Then, she tells the designers that with just eight of them left, it’s time to take the competition to the next level. Those of us complaining about how easy/boring/uninspired the challenges are would argue that such a time occurred a few weeks ago. Heidi then says that if they want to win, their look “must upstage the rest,” then gives them a meaningful look so that they’ll catch on to the fact that this means stage wear. She sends them to meet Tim… and a special guest. Heidi then adds that there will be no more immunity.

Christopher and Nicolas wonder what the challenge will be. They meet Tim with legendary fashion designer Bob Mackie. Carol Hannah is starstruck. Tim tells us that Mackie is called “the sultan of sequins,” which is pretty much the most awesome title ever. Diana Ross, Cher, Tina Turner, and Madonna are just a few of the shrinking violets who have worn Bob Mackie’s clothes.

The challenge this week, in case you haven’t already figured it out, is to design a stage look in the manner of Bob Mackie. Bob tells them that this is different from fashion. The designers need to take things to a different level and “just go for it.” Nicolas says he has dreamed of meeting Bob Mackie and nearly fainted.

Tim then adds that they need to keep “a particular performer in mind.” And that performer? Christina Aguilera. Nicolas continues to freak out. Bob tells the designers they need to make sure the audience can see the performer a mile away, but that the look still needs to look good on the video screens. There is, of course, the additional challenge that Christina doesn’t seem to like clothes. She doesn’t wear much of them, anyway. I’d probably just bedazzle a pair of shoelaces and wrap them around her wee body. Anyway, the designers will have $300 to spend on sparkly things at Mood and two days for the challenge, so they get to sketching.

Christopher says that Christina is an icon. It’s exciting to design for her. Shirin says that she is inspired by fabric. Nicolas loves feathers, lace, and crystals. Carol Hannah feels a lot of pressure because she tends to design more practical things. She is determined to show the judges that she can push it further.

At Mood, sequined fabric and feathers are selling like crazy. Carol Hannah decides to buy a lot of stuff and figure it out later. Nicolas seems confident, with a clear idea in mind. He plans to use multiple fabrics to create his own pattern, just like Bob Mackie. He then discovers that he’s under budget, so he buys a ton more feathers.

Nicolas says that he is going to create something amazing. Irina says that you can tell who knows what they’re doing and who is a “stressed out deer in the headlights.”

Speaking of which, Shirin is upset about her red satin and thinks it looks like a bad prom dress. Nicolas reminds Christopher that, including this challenge, there are only four left.

Christopher is inspired by an ‘80s punk prom look.

Irina thinks Carol Hannah’s fabric looks like cheap Halloween costume fabric. Carol Hannah admits she doesn’t know what she’s going to do yet. She’s not used to doing something so over the top.

Logan wonders if his design is too simple. She laughs that there’s nothing simple about it. Logan says he doesn’t really follow Christina, so he hopes she’ll like what she did and won’t be upset by the fur.

Nicolas continues to rhapsodize about working with Bob Mackie and Christina.

Gordana worries that her look is too ambitious. Christopher says that they have two days, plus she has immunity. Gordana doesn’t think she is going to be proud of her work. Lots of beads are falling off her garment as she cuts it. Althea reminds her again that she doesn’t have anything to worry about. Gordana sighs that she’s feeling frazzled. Sounds like the pressures of the competition are not agreeing with her. She mopes around the workroom, then goes to the lounge to take a break.

The next morning, Gordana slumps in the living room, then says she’s starting over. That’s going to be a lot of work.

Althea says that she wants to blow everyone away. “I’m out to win it for sure.”

Nicolas hasn’t decided what to do with “her upper part” yet, knowing, as we all do, how she likes to show off “the girls.” He jokes that she is going to skate across the stage. He says that all of the work is tiring.

Irina decides to do a 1940s glamorous look, which Christina has rocked effectively in the past. However, Carol Hannah says she can’t tell what Irinia’s doing, just that she has somehow managed to scatter her fabric all over the work room.