Project Runway: Episode #513 Review and Commentary
Published on: October 9, 2008 – 2:18 pm by Jillian Madison 
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[Just want to know who got kicked off tonight's show? Check out Kicked Off TV for reality TV eliminations and results without all the BS!]
Last week, the final 4 designers (Kenley, Korto, Jerell, and Leanne) were sent home with $8,000 and 2 months to create 10 looks for New York fashion week. This week, mentor Tim Gunn visited them at home, and one more designer was cut from the competition.
The episode opened with Tim checking in on Korto at her home in Little Rock, Arkansas. They went over her designs, talked a little bit, and then Korto randomly started playing drums with some guy in a cheetah shawl. The expression on Tim’s face, as on so many of yours I’m sure, went back and forth between “horrified” and “ready to move to Africa to take up the djembe.”
Next up, Portland to see Leanne! Her designs were inspired by the ocean. She called the shapes on her outfits “wave patterns.” I called them “fish gills.” I’m inspired by the ocean, too, but that doesn’t mean I want to walk around looking like Darryl Hannah in “Splash.”
Leanne then took Tim on a bike ride on one of those retarded “bicycle built for two” bicycles. They wound up in some desolate park, where they sat on a REALLY steep slope and talked about the competition. Tim uncomfortably (but politely) shifted around on the thin blanket, brushing dirt off his $5,000 suit and silently wishing Leanne could have just played the guitar instead. Hiking? Biking? What is this, Project Runway or The Biggest Loser?!
Next came Jerell in Los Angeles. His designs were disappointing and geriatric. Two of the outfits were PURE Stevie Nicks (I’m talking black see-through beaded shawls here, people).
Jerell then introduced Tim to his family and to Dan, his “love interest.” Poor Dan. “Love Interest?” That’s one step below “some guy I bang every other Thursday.”
Finally, Tim flew back to NYC to see Kenley. Her designs were very average, and were mostly made up of hand-painted dresses with 50s floral patterns (shocking!) After visiting her for what seemed like 5 minutes, Tim left. What? No bike ride? No drums? No family visit? No friends? Not even a quick stop to see the infamous tugboat captain father? HOW EMBARRASSING!
4 weeks later and the final 4 found themselves back together in NYC again! Everyone still hated Kenley, and the tension in the room was so thick that Scooby Doo could have cut a circle out of the air with his dew claw.
THE CHALLENGE: The designers had to create a bridesmaid dress to go along with the wedding dress they had already created at home. The product sponsorship was, as usual, on full blast as Tim told everybody to “get sewing on your BROTHER sewing machines!” That’s right… and if you’re thirsty, have a refreshing COKE. And if you have to go to the bathroom, don’t squeeze the Charmin.
THE RESULTS: Jerell’s gowns were the worst. His wedding dress was dark beige, and had asymmetrical wings hanging over the jeweled bust. And he chose to style his model with silk flowers growing out of her head.
Kenley’s wedding dress looked like a chicken gown (Michael Kors said it looked like an Alexander McQueen dress), and her bridesmaid dress was boring and unremarkable. Heidi said, “I can see you wearing that as your wedding dress.” Oh, Heidi, so silly. Like anyone would marry Kenley?
Korto designed a disappointing, overworked tan wedding dress with a boring, bland bridesmaid dress that was exactly the same color. Hi, wedding 101… the bride is supposed to stand out… not fade into the background like Chris Kirkpatrick at the height of NSYNC’s fame.
Finally, I thought Leanne’s designs were the best – and the judges agreed. Her flowing, wave-inspired wedding gown moved well on the runway and it was very unique.
Since only 3 designers could go to NY Fashion Week, they had to send someone home… and that someone was JERELL. He said, “you’re going to get opulent pieces from me; if you want a white t-shirt go to Michael Kors.” Ouch. Jerell seemed fine with leaving, probably since he has a “love interest” to go back to.
Stay tuned next week, when the top 3 designers show off their lines at Bryant Park!
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[photos: bravo]
Other posts on Pophangover:
October 9th, 2008
Haha. Tim did look extremely uncomfortable on the back of the 2 seater bicycle.
October 9th, 2008
Did you notice Korto and Jerell’s mom were wearing the exact same black doo rag on their heads?!
I too was very disappointed by Korto’s wedding dress. What a mess. What was she thinking?
October 9th, 2008
i just wanted to say this is a really hysterical review, wish i found this site earlier. i stumbled upon it when someone linked to your “presidential debate audience” post which by the way made my entire office die with laughter for the past 2 days
so yeah – love the site, fantastic writing, keep it up!
October 9th, 2008
Silver Spring is my favorite Fleetwood Mac song! Lol … that beadded shawl does really look like something Stevie would wear.
I’m surprised you didn’t hammer on the similarities between Kenley’s dress and Alexander McQueen’s dress. They are EXACTLY the same! With only the slightest similarities!
October 12th, 2008
kenleys dress was EXACTTTLYYYYY the same as Alexander McQueen’s. Hers had a little more tulle, but that’s only because she’s more of a tulle so she had to…
October 12th, 2008
IF KENLEY WINS I WILL NEVER WATCH THIS SHOW AGAIN.