Project Runway All-Stars is getting down to the wire, so this runway was going to be a tough one! It was definitely an interesting challenge. Alyssa came on a TV screen like a news anchor, with a special report on climate change. With that in mind, it was the perfect segway for the challenge — to create resortwear that transforms from one climate to another.

Each designer had to do their own special weather forecast, where they would learn of their resort location and 2 different weather conditions. The challenge budget was $200 at Mood, with 1 day to create their transformative look.

While shopping at Mood, Christina was having fabric woes. However, it was Biddell once back to the workroom who was having insecurities. Quick jump to Anne’s critiques. She noted my exact sentiment in that this is the best of the best, so no room for error!

I don’t know if I would don any of these looks as a whole, but there were definitely some amazing separates in the bunch. The notion for the challenge was to create transformation, so in that dual role, I wasn’t surprised to not totally love an entire look. But I nonetheless was excited to still see the runway, see what resorts worked, and which climates were best served. I was also excited to see one of the guest judges, a fashion line I wholeheartedly love, Reem Acra. And also joining her was actress Cynthia Erivo.

I usually do my recaps in a breakdown of the top and bottom. Each look kind of got mixed reviews, but a clear top 2 were Michelle and Irina. I absolutely agreed with this assessment, but I would have given the win to Irina over Michelle.

Irina had the Moroccan desert and this look fit this to a tee. She had to face a violent thunderstorm and high winds. Her look had such drama for the winds, it was, no pun intended, mind-blowing! And her water resistant transitioned outerwear piece was genius. I also loved her color palette. Georgina was spot on to say that this look seemed super luxe.

Michelle’s look hit less marks for me, but overall, I still felt it was a great look. The mixing of prints was kind of tough, and it certainly received mixed reviews. But I did love each piece separately and the green color palette was a bold, striking choice. Her resort was Costa Rica, which I didn’t really see in this piece. She also had to deal with warm tropical winds and then a downpour. Her transition to the downpour, having a rain jacket, did hit the mark. But I didn’t see the original silhouette working with the winds.

Instead of a top 3, I felt we had a top 2, middle 2, and bottom 2. So the middle 2 were Dmitry & Anthony. I loved Dmitry’s look, and didn’t agree with all the mixed reviews. My only issues with him were that his transformation really wasn’t there — holding a coat is not what I feel the challenge called for. And then secondly, this coat wasn’t a standout piece for me. But his under maxi dress was super gorgeous. I loved the print and the lace detailing. His resort was Palm Springs, but I didn’t see that in this look. I did see a look fit for being in the sun and then transitioning to a cold front, even though again, the coat was not a fave for me.

I didn’t agree at all with Christina being eliminated this week. I didn’t care if she was in the bottom 2, but Biddell should have been out on his look. Before all of that, I will say Anthony Ryan didn’t do great work here either. I think he should have been in the bottom. I have never been to Whistler Mountain, but his look read more costume than resort. For his warmth need, his basic underdress was far too basic, nothing overly exciting. And then his outerwear piece for the snowy cold, I didn’t like it. The color choices were not a great pair, especially for this resort need. I agreed with the judges that he needed more here.

As I mentioned above, Biddell should have been out this week. I don’t get this at all and don’t see this being modern in any way, shape or form. I do think his color palette felt very Miami. But this was throwback and not in a good way. It worked with thunderstorms because I felt he made it out of plastic. And I didn’t see anything specific for hot or humid weather. He also said he was tired!! Send him home because at least Christina still had fight in her!

As disappointing as Christina’s exit was, I do wish she had done a bit more with her look. She created a bathing suit and a cover-up. I don’t feel this fit the challenge criteria very well of transformation. I did feel this would fit well in Mykonos. Her bathing suit was great for sunny weather, and the flowing cover up worked well with the wind. But it all read basic and generic as the judges pointed out. Nothing super original was seen here. And it did look like pieces you could go buy now. Not a standout look, but not worthy of sending her home. I would still wear everything she created, especially her cover-up.

Given this was tough seeing Christina exit, I know next week will be even tougher! I don’t see Biddell lasting much longer, so I wish he had left this week and Christina stayed. I think she was the strongest international designer left.