Project Runway 4, Episode 2: Spit Marked

Welcome to the latest episode of Project Runway. If you’re wondering what happened to our previous recapper, C. Brian Devinney, I swear I didn’t steal his dye or stab him with a pair of pinking shears; he just wasn’t able to commit the time needed to recap the show. But not to worry – I promise to carry on. Last week, Rami won the first challenge with a beautifully draped silk dress. We also learned that if your dress looks like it is “pooing fabric,” that’s not as bad as one that is boring and poorly made. Thus, we said goodbye to Simone.

We open with several of the guys hanging out in their apartment, talking about the last elimination. Rami says he was sad to see Simone go. He thinks she has a better understanding of how women should dress than Elisa. Elisa tells us that she was really happy to be able to stay. She is excited about learning from the judges’ criticism, which is a very cool attitude.

Everyone arrives at Parsons. Heidi tells the designers that they can choose the models. I swear, the selection of models must be important to the designers, but this part of the show always bores me – with the obvious exception of when, in Season 1, Zulema demanded “a motherf*&@in’ walkoff.” Rami is up first, since he won, and stays with his model Ashley. The rest of the designers then select their models in a random order. It all seems to go down with a minimum of drama until Ricky snags Elisa’s model, saying he doesn’t care what anyone thinks. Sweet P has the final pick and goes with Katie, so Wendy is out. The designers applaud Wendy, which is really nice.

For the next challenge, the designers will do an outfit for a pop culture and fashion icon. Carmen says she can’t figure out who it might be. Everyone is excited to know that they will get to meet the icon in question.

The designers get to the workroom. Madonna and Britney are names thrown out, with everyone noting that Britney needs their help. Rami wonders what they’d do for Snow White. Tim arrives, and through the door walks… Sarah Jessica Parker. The designers totally freak out. First of all, it’s super cool that she agreed to do this. Second of all, thanks to the crazy get-ups that Patricia Field put SJP in during Sex and the City, I think it’s safe to say that pretty much anything goes. Hell, Carrie Bradshaw wouldn’t have shied away from Elisa’s dress from last episode. Chris is so excited that he starts to cry - Sex and the City inspired him to move to New York.

Sarah Jessica tells the designers that they need to create a two-piece look for her line, Bitten Sarah Jessica Parker. It’s for the fall-winter collection, and she explains that the line is intended to provide high style at low prices. Tim stresses that affordability is key – the entire look must retail for $40. Tim reminds them that there is a big difference between the cost of the raw materials and the retail cost, so their budget is a whopping fifteen dollars. Chris thinks that toilet paper and scotch tape are going to have to come into play, which, again, I would not put past Carrie Bradshaw. The designers will sketch, then pitch their ideas to SJP. She will then choose seven designers to carry out their design. Ooh, that means they’re going to be working in teams of two, which is always good for some drama. Sweet P says she loves to work in a team, but that it has to be a good team. Oh, Sweet P – why must you tempt the foreshadowing gods?

Tim passes out dossiers to help the designers with their initial concepts. They have 30 minutes to sketch. Christian draws a dress with a jacket, explaining that he wanted to do different shapes than those shown. Ricky is near tears, he’s so determined to do something good. We get a quick montage of all of the sketches, and I am blown away at how talented these people are that they can come up with something that looks so polished in just 30 minutes.

Time is up, and Jack is first to pitch. Jack shows a basic top with contrast stitching and about passes out with joy talking to her. Chris is so nervous that he pretty much just stammers and just stares at her. Elisa tells SJP that her designs are polymorphic. Christian asks for a hug. Marion has a cape, and Sarah’s concerned that it would be unflattering to bigger women. He swears it’d be a fitted cape, but I think that it’d be awfully hard to make that a good silhouette on the average person. Rami has a shirt dress with tights that he thinks would fit anyone for a good long time. Carmen tries her best to make sure Sarah Jessica remembers her name.

The seven winning designers are Elisa, Kit, Victorya, Marion, Ricky (who looks relieved), Christian, and Rami. Carmen and Chris look especially sad not to be chosen. Sarah Jessica tells the designers that the winning design may be sold with her collection. Christian is overcome with excitement, as is Sarah Jessica when she gets to say “see you on the runway.”

Now it’s time to pick teams. Marion is first and goes with Steven. He likes that he’s low-key and thinks it’ll be easy to work with him. Ricky selects Jack. Victorya asks for Kevin, then Kit goes with Chris. Rami chooses Jillian, and Christian picks Carmen. Sweet P is picked last and is Elisa’s partner. Sweet P is freaked out, knowing that Elisa likes to sew by hand. She’s worried that they’ll have an unfinished garment. Elisa, on the other hand is, happy. She says that she wanted Sweet P anyway.

With fifteen bucks in hand, it’s time to hit Mood. Victorya says that fifteen dollars won’t go far. Kit and Chris agonize over every penny. Sweet P tries to get Elisa to pick colors that go with the rest of the line. Sweet P tells Elisa that she needs to make sure she isn’t pigeonholed as a designer who doesn’t finish her garments.

Back at the workroom, Christian says it was a big adrenalin rush to get done. Chris and Kit are working hard against their deadline. Victorya and Kevin start on their vest and dress. Rami says he wants his dress to work on different body types. Marion really wants to prove himself. Steven finds Marion’s design “rather intriguing,” but thinks it might be too intricate.

Elisa is excited to work with Sweet P because they will produce “a complete juxtaposition of our aesthetics.” Sweet P notices a wet mark on the fabric, and Elisa matter of factly explains that it’s “a spit mark.” Sweet P is, understandably, stunned by this. She silently crosses herself. Elisa tells her that’s how she gives the fabric energy and spirit and blah, blah, crazy talk. “Basically, I’m on planet Earth, and Elisa is on some happy planet, I’m not sure the name,” summarizes Sweet P.

Kit says that Sarah Jessica’s involvement in the challenge made it very serious. Ricky certainly thinks so – he’s still wiping away tears. He wants to show that he’s more than just a lingerie designer.

Tim arrives, starting with Marion and Steven. Tim gives a “wow,” and notes that they have a lot of work to do. “Just do it,” he advises. Steven thinks Tim is right to be worried about time. Christian and Carmen show off their dress. Tim tells them not to make it “too retro.” Christian thinks it’s great as it is. Gah, no! Listen to Tim! Always listen to Tim! Victorya and Kevin’s outfit is called “adorable.” He loves the color palette and the racer back.

Elisa and Sweet P show off their dress. Tim gives us both a “geez Louise” and “that’s cuckoo” when he sees the hand sewing. “Now I don’t feel so mean,” laughs Sweet P. Sweet P explains that they were going to ruche the hem to even it up, which Tim thinks is nuts. Elisa is upset at all of the criticism. He tells them to listen to each other. Elisa sighs that she is just going to listen to everyone else because “I know who I am.” Still, if you are the nutty designer and you have team-mates, take their advice. It worked for Angela last season!