Project Runway 4, Episode 12: Hair Shirt

All right, we’ve waited long enough, so let’s make the “previously” part quick. Christian and Jillian made it to FashionWeek, Sweet P was eliminated, and Chris and Rami have to fight it out to see who will show. Let’s get to it!

Heidi hits the runway and quickly lays out the final challenge. The designers will create collections of 12 looks to show at Fashion Week. They will have a budget of $8,000 and five months to create their collections. Chris and Rami will create collections, then show the judges their three strongest looks. The judges will choose the designer who will show with Chris and Jillian.

Tim joins Heidi on the runway. He says he’ll check in with them in the coming months. He reminds them that “the world will be watching.” But before they go, it’s time for a rooftop party.

Tim pours the champagne. Heidi says she can’t wait to see what they do. Christian literally dances with joy. He says being able to show when he’s only 21 is, you guessed it, fierce.

The next morning, Jillian packs her suitcase. She says she has her eye on the prize and is focused on winning. Chris suggests Rami stuff Christian in his suitcase. Rami says that he has another loop in his rollercoaster, but he’s ready for it. He plans to show more drama. Chris says he welcomes the opportunity and believes he deserves it.

3-1/2 months later, Tim visits Christian in New York. They kiss hello and Christian says he’s excited to show off his stuff. Tim is amazed by Christian’s tiny studio. He has an itty bitty bed that fits in the closet. Good thing Christian himself is pocket-sized. Christian says he has to be very organized, given his small workspace, or he’ll go crazy. Christian shows Tim family pictures. He is from Annapolis, where he worked at a trendy hair salon, where he fit in better. He says that jump-started his fashion career. He then spent three years in London in fashion school.

And now to the collection! Christian tells Tim that he has a “romantic, Gothic” theme. The clothes are dark, and every piece is a strong look. Christian shows Tim a mad ruffled neck piece that would cover the model to her nose. Tim’s not so sure about that. Christian then shows off some feathered pants as the finale look. When Tim fails to jump for joy, Christian is concerned. Tim says that they are fabulous, but on the costume-y side. Christian sees his point. Tim wants to keep them, but “it’s a lot of look.” Christian says he’s going to take in all of Tim’s advice, but he’s not sure how much he’s going to change. Tim tells him to use an editing eye. Christian says in an interview that he desperately wants to win. “Work hard, think harder,” are Tim’s parting words.

Next, Tim visits Jillian, also in New York. Jillian has a beautiful view – and a cool wall of clothes on dress forms. Jillian explains that after the show, she did not go back to her job at Ralph Lauren. She has spent a lot of time finding inspiration. Jillian says that she researched 15th century armor, in part inspired by the previous challenge. Tim admires the work that Jillian put into a coat, which is stunning. Tim says that her color palette is “a cloudy day.” She is happy to have his advice and feels confident.

Jillian invites Tim to Long Island to meet her family. She says in an interview that all of the great American designers are from there – Michael Kors, Donna Karan… and Jillian Lewis. Jillian’s hot boyfriend is there, too. Jillian’s mom says that before she was married, she met a psychic who told her that one of her children would be famous. Jillian says she has, as a result, always been ambitious. We see pictures of a young Jillian, and she was a beautiful little girl. Jillian wants the world to know who she is and seek out her design.

Tim takes his product placed Saturn to Los Angeles to visit Rami. Rami introduces Tim to two of his friends. Rami says it was weird to see Tim in a completely different environment. Rami tells Tim that his parents have watched the show with pride. We see pictures of Rami’s childhood in Jerusalem. He says his mother taught him about fashion, though she died when he was just five. His father re-married, and his stepmother is very special to him. Rami says that his parents have always known that this was what he wanted to do. He used to hide it, because it wasn’t masculine. But one day, his brother grabbed some of his secret sketches and showed it to his parents. To his surprise, his parents were impressed.

Rami and Tim drive to Rami’s studio, which is in an actual storefront. Tim is amazed at the huge space. Rami says that he was inspired by Joan of Arc, but modernized. He shows Tim a beautiful cape with an intricately pleated blouse. Tim says the other pieces aren’t as soft. He picks up a coat that’s very heavy. He tells Rami to pull back a bit. Rami says he’ll take Tim’s comments under advisement, adding that he needs to believe in what he’s doing. Rami says he wishes he didn’t have to compete against Chris, but whatever’s meant to be will happen.

Finally, it’s back to New York to see Chris. Chris says it was great to see Tim – after watching him on TV, he missed him. Tim admires Chris’s space. Chris says his challenge was to translate his costume creativity onto the runway. He doesn’t want a costume parade, but he still wants it to be him. He calls his clothing “beauty with a quirk.” He shows Tim a very pretty dark dress. There’s a coat dripping in what I thought was feathers, but is actually human hair. Tim says his gag reflex is kicking in. Tim especially hates the hair trim on the back. Chris says he’ll consider removing it. In an interview, he says he’s not surprised that Tim doesn’t like it. The more upset Tim gets about the hair, the more Chris seems to be considering removing it. Tim says that when you first enter the monkey house at the zoo, it stinks at first, then you get used to it, but then after a while, it doesn’t smell at all. He thinks that Chris has been living in the monkey house. Uh-oh. In an interview, Chris seems to see Tim’s point, but concludes, “There’s still gonna be some hair.” Tim says that he needs to leave the judges begging for more.

Chris takes Tim to meet some of his friends. (Does Christian not have any friends or family?) Chris’s friend’s apartment is totally over the top and crazy. Tim says it’s Versailles and the Sistine Chapel rolled into one. Chris’s friends are his New York family. We see pictures of Chris and his four older brothers. He says his brothers are used to the crazy things he does. Chris says he went to a costume contest and won, which inspired him to do this as a living. Chris’s friend tells Tim that he watches the show because of “you and Heidi.” Chris says that a few nights ago, a man came up to him with a police badge and said he was under arrest – for being the best designer on Project Runway! Chris hopes he gets chosen for Fashion Week. He wants to make people happy and add laughter and fun into the world.

With five days to Fashion Week, Rami arrives in New York. He says he’s excited, but nervous. He really hopes he gets to show his collection.

Chris says that it was crazy to go from being eliminated to making the final four. He admires the huge shower in the hotel, saying it’s as big as his first apartment.