The tenth episode of the ninth season of “Project Runway” aired last week. Complete with the usual drama of miniscule budgets, high-maintenance designers and a never-ending time crunch, this week did not disappoint.
Unfortunately, it was Anthony Ryan Auld (my personal favorite) who was sent to clean up his space in the workroom this week. After failing to capture the essence of the ’70s two weeks in a row, the judges eliminated the colorblind cancer survivor but not without a tough decision.
The challenge this week was to create an outfit of separates that was inspired by the easy vibe of the ’70s, but that still had a modern sophistication. The designers had a budget of only $100.
While shopping at Mood, Anya, the spunky and eclectic designer from Trinidad, lost her envelope containing the money the show allots each contestant for fabric. After spending most of her shopping time frantically searching around Mood for the missing envelope, Tim Gunn had to lay it on the line. Anya could either use any leftover change from the other designers, or she could use the muslin back in the workroom reserved for emergencies to create her look. In the end Anya was able to scrounge up $11 and a few cents from Anthony Ryan, and she was able to purchase a few yards of printed fabric and a zipper. In the words of Tim, it was the ultimate “make-it-work” moment.
Once the team returned to the workroom it became clear that some designers had more vision than others. Joshua McKinley complained about the lack of resources available for someone who had not lived through the ’70s. Although I thought this was a legitimate argument, Joshua’s “research” around the workroom (ahem, taking little details from other designers) was unfair and rude.
It wasn’t long before Tim was back in the workroom to add another twist – a second outfit. This outfit would be one piece for a $50 budget. On a second trip to Mood everyone managed to keep track of their money, but several designers made fabric choices that would make or break their designs.
After working for two days and literally up to the final seconds, the seven contestants and their two looks hit the runway. As always, the runway show was incredibly entertaining. There was an abundance of high-waist pants, loud prints, and maxi dresses channeling the vibe of the ’70s.
When the designers took the runway, the judges dismissed Kimberly as safe and predictable. Viktor, Anya and Bert received the top scores, which left Laura Kathleen, Anthony Ryan and Joshua on the bottom. The judges praised Viktor’s tailoring skills and ability to a cheap budget look expensive. Bert’s transparent skirt and hot pants were questionable, but his knockout two-toned sundress was his saving grace. Anya’s ability to transform extra cash into a great pair of trousers and her second creation of a jumper that truly captured the ’70s effortless vibe won her the challenge.
Laura Kathleen was highly criticized for mixing two very loud (and very ugly) prints together, and her second outfit was just plain boring. Joshua managed to create the ugliest shirt I have ever seen, as well as the most unflattering plaid pants to ever grace the “Project Runway” stage. But it was Anthony Ryan’s strange combination of weird prints and an unflattering miniskirt that caused the judges to send him packing. Personally I thought Joshua should have been out due to his inability to edit himself.
After Anthony Ryan bid Heidi, “Auf Wiedersehen,” he greeted the contestants, who were all visibly upset to see him go. Even Tim, who I have rarely seen get emotional in nine seasons of “Project Runway,” was tearing up when he hugged Anthony Ryan goodbye. Clearly Anthony Ryan was a special person on the cast of this show.
Regardless, the show will continue next week with a whole new slew of “make-it-work” moments as we get one step closer to Bryant Park.