Project Runway 2, Episode 3: Barbie Hits the Runway

At the Atlas apartments, the designers are getting ready to begin a new day. Diana wakes Chloe, sharing they only have 30 minutes to get ready. Chloe tells us that winning the “Clothes Off Your Back” challenge felt great and gave her validation. We see a note from Kirsten, written on a blackboard, thanking the girls for their kindness, with little cartoons drawn of the few of the gals. How cute! Chloe isn’t surprised Kirsten is gone. She didn’t find her to be as talented as many of the other designers.

Meanwhile, Guadalupe and Kara are getting into it. Lupe doesn’t like the nervous energy that Kara exudes. Well, Kara doesn’t like Lupe’s either… so there! Lupe tells us that that Kara has a tendency to have elaborate blowouts, which is a disruption. She doesn’t respect people that disrupt others!

At the men’s apartment, they’ve written their number one rule on their chalkboard: “Do not cry on national TV for all to see!” Santino is willing to bet a beer that Andrae cries again. Andrae shares that he has gotten a lot of teasing, which he admits is fair. Crying on television is not something he plans to do again. He certainly doesn’t like to think of himself as weak. As Nick puts the finishing spikes on his hair he tells his reflection, “And they thought us fags would take so long to get ready!”

Heidi Klum greets the designers at the runway. She assures them they are going to like this challenge, as they will be designing an outfit for one of the most important and stylish icons. Tim will take them on a field trip to meet her! But now, she is going to bring out the challenge winner’s model as well as the challenge loser’s model. Chloe can pick between the two! If she doesn’t want either of them, she can choose from the rest of the models. Grace and Melissa come out and Heidi reminds them of the models’ competition. Chloe chooses to decide between Grace and Melissa, and takes Grace, who has been her model since the first challenge. With cheek kisses from Heidi, Melissa is out! Heidi tells the designers to have fun on their field trip; she’ll see them at the runway!

The designers try to guess who this fashion icon could be. Zulema is hoping it’s Grace Jones. Santino thinks Gwyneth Paltrow is a possibility. Tim tells them that this is a big icon and they will be meeting her at her home. How exciting is that! Tim instructs the group to gather their things, as they are all taking a walk. The walk ends at Times Square, and Nick is sorry he didn’t wear a better outfit. (I enjoy the heck out of Nick!) Tim points to Toys “R” Us! Yep, this is where they are going.

The group moves up the escalator and enters Barbie’s house. Tim introduces the designers to Lily Martinez, a Mattel designer. Lily explains that the “My Scene” Barbie doll line is for an older girl that aspires to be a teenager. “My Scene” Barbie is all about fashion, fun, and friendship. The designers are to come up with special new look, life-size, for their model. They have 13 Barbie dolls, one for each designer, which will serve as their muse. The designers all but tackle each other to get to the doll they want.

Back at the Parson’s workroom, Tim explains that the designers have to design from scratch, based on their ideas. What the dolls they hold are wearing doesn’t matter. But where’s Kara? Chloe explains that Kara lost the hat from her doll. Back at Toys “R” Us, Kara explains that since this doll was her muse, and she liked hats - she wanted the damn hat!

The designers have 30 minutes to sketch before Tim takes them shopping. Emmett wants his expression to be colorful, feminine, and frivolous. Raymundo wants his doll to look like a mom wearing the latest trend. Nick says, as a child, he put Barbie outfits together better than his sister! Kara retrieves her Barbie hat, which really cuts into her sketching time. With that, the group heads to Mood Fabrics. They have been given $150, and two days to complete the challenge.

Nick likes the psychedelic-striped fabric, which he is going to put with apple green, while Marla plans on mixing her fabrics. When Chloe thinks of Barbie, she thinks of pink! Diana is making a design with a large hood on it. Santino plans on being the best, or else he will feel like a complete and total failure.

Back at the Parsons workroom, Marla explains how she is self-taught, and not good at draping her fabric. Chloe doesn’t think you should be here if you don’t know how to put a garment together. Tim checks on the designers, and thinks there is a lot happening with Raymundo’s design. Raymundo clarifies his design, saying little girls should have a chance to be little girls. Chloe is trying to get her design to look more youthful. Marla thinks she has talent, but is worried that she may be going home. Tim informs them that day one is about to come to a close. He’ll see them in the morning.

Day two starts and the designers head back to Parsons. Tim has the group gather around he and guest Lily. Lily says that in addition to the life-size design they are creating, they are to replicate it, in miniature, for Barbie. Mattel will reproduce a special edition “My Scene” Barbie, with the winning designer’s name and picture on the box. Raymundo thinks this would be spectacular! Marla thinks the idea will take time away from her main outfit.