This past episode of Project Runway, what a fantastic one it was! Tim & Heidi were there right from the get go to intro the challenge, which was a first for PR. Each designer had to create a look that sparkled not only in daylight, but under black lights. Tim then went to meet the designers in the workroom for more on the inspiration behind the challenge.
Joining Tim in the workroom was Sherrianne James, VP of Marketing for Transitions Optical, eyewear that transitions based on lighting. The winning design would appear in an exclusive spread in Marie Claire. The designers were obviously stoked! The workroom was filled with new UV materials — paints, highlighters, and lights. And a room had been outfitted with black lights so the designers could test their looks.
It was then time to head to Mood, with a $200 budget, to start this 1 day challenge. Throughout this episode, we saw some touching workroom support, such as ‘Happy Fathers Day’ wishes to Mah-Jing. We also learned these designers were getting a little frisky, talking about wanting conjugal visits and all!
Tim Gunn time made me all the more excited to get this runway show going! I also later heard Heidi announce the Tim Gunn save was in play for this season. I hadn’t heard her say this before, maybe I missed it, but good to hear it’s there if need be! And the guest judge for this inaugural runway was actress Jaime King. Of course, then all of the judges got to hear Jenni’s crazy laugh! But enough of the pre-runway details, so just how crazy good was this runway!?!
I was excited about the black light portions. Some of the designs didn’t really work without the black light, but we all know the point here was to look crazy cool under that type of light than regular lights! Picking a top 3 would have been so hard here, I have to give some personal fave shoutouts!
Sarah, super cute, very Gossip Girl-esque. The skirt effect under the black light was very cool as well. SHOUT-OUTS FOR SALLY BEAUTY, LOVE THIS CHIC PONYTAIL & MARY KAY, CLEAN, FRESH LOOK!!
Please tell me how Roberi missed the top 3 here!! This flirty dress was great, both for the regular runway and the black light portion. It really looked like under the sea magic! Also, another SHOUTOUT DUO FOR SALLY BEAUTY, FREE FLOWING HAIR, & MARY KAY, SIMPLE, CLEAN LOOK!
And lastly, Nathalia, not the greatest without the black light, a little to crazy coloring, workout gear-esque, but under the black light, this look was DOPE!
JustFab shoutout for Nathalia’s choice of black & white striped heels, super cute and looked very cool under the black light
On now to the judges top 3, and I’m just skipping to the winner, because here it was clear, ERIN!! This dress looked a little cooky on the runway, but would stand out anywhere! But under the black light, I was in awe! So pretty, so fun, the details on this dress were mesmerizing. The judges I think made a mistake or 2 in their top 3, but this was the winner regardless!
Cornelius too did a great job this week. I wasn’t sure if the judges would get the now-ness of this emoji dress, but I’m happy they did! The transformation this dress made from white sheath dress to fun spirited emoji dress under the black light was AMAZING!
SHOUTOUTS — Mary Kay, love the pop of colors!
Rounding out the top 3 for the judges was Jenni. I was a little surprised they were so gaga over this look. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the hand paint detailing on the trim of the clear raincoat aspect of the look. But I didn’t envision top 3 here. Plus, they of course didn’t point this out, but during the judges close up look, you could see the paint was coming off again, a problem which Jenni had in the workroom.
SHOUTOUT — Sally Beauty, love the curly updo
Moving onto the bottom 3 for the judges, it mostly made sense. The judges, mainly guest judge Jaime King, seemed super offended by Rik’s look. It definitely looked way worse up close than on the runway since you could see the cheek exposure! But all in all, it was too much for the eye to take in.
Mah-Jing also landed in the bottom, actually super close to going home. For the 2nd week in a row, the judges were in such a heated debate on who should go home. Annoyingly, last week, Heidi won out, with I think Zac caving in, saving Brik, sending Linda out. By the way, not really loving Brik — his look this week, not anything to write home about, just a white dress that barely did much under a black light!
But back to this week, Heidi was on the outs again this week, as she seemed to be the only one who wanted Mah-Jing out. Not sure what Heidi is thinking so far this season, but Kimber going home was the better choice! Yes, Mah-Jing’s look was not great, but he owned up to it, and admitted his mistakes. Plus, this was his 1st slip-up, whereas Kimber was in the bottom last week as well.
So yes, as mentioned already, Kimber went home this week. Her look wasn’t all that bad on the runway, but it didn’t really do much under the black light. In both regards, it was just kind of a yawn.
Until next week……
