Project Runway Recap

The second episode of Project Runway season 10 featured the “unconventional materials challenge.” Dylan Lauren, daughter of fashion designer Ralph Lauren, welcomed the contestants to her store, Dylan’s Candy Bar, a “state of the art sweets emporium.” With a budget of $250 and a 50% off discount, the designers were allowed to use anything that could be found inside the store to construct a garment. Tim Gunn advised everyone to push the boundaries and wow the judges.

Looks I Loved: Ven’s stained glass window effect dress created with licorice and crushed candy rocks, Dmitry’s elegant black dress adorned with candy fashioned to look like beading, Melissa’s rocker chic black licorice top and skirt that actually looked like it was made using leather and silver, and Sonjia’s adorable dress embellished with blue and white jellybeans, gumballs, and gummy sharks to create a cohesive, textured look.

Panic Moment:  Elena was the victim of a hot glue gun accident and burned her thigh when glue dropped off the gun. Sad for her, but like Michael commented, “Why are you wearing hoochie shorts to work?!” Let that be a lesson for all of us ladies (and gents)! As the other designers were calling it a day and exiting the workroom, Elena was crying in the bathroom, and it looked like she wasn’t going to have time to pull herself—and her garment—together.

Awkward Moment: Gunnar decided to saunter around the workroom and give the other designers Tim Gunn-esque critiques as Christopher looked on and sighed heavily out of annoyance. Can’t these two just get along?

This Week’s Clueless Contestant: Lantie. She barely escaped getting the “Auf Wiedersehen” from Heidi in the first episode, when the judges criticized her for being more of a stylist than a designer. This week, Lantie was more concerned with decorating a pair of rain boots than she was with constructing her garment.  She ended up gluing candy in flower shapes to a dress made out of the umbrella from Dylan’s Candy Bar. Yawn.

Safe This Week: Christopher had immunity from winning the first challenge and could not be eliminated. Melissa, Dmitry, Andrea, Nathan, Raul, Alicia, Kooan, and Fabio also moved on to the next week of competition.

Top Three Designers: Ven, Sonjia, and Gunnar

And the winner is: Ven!

Bottom three designers:

Elena - Her monochromatic boxy dress made from mouse pads and piña colada licorice reminded Heidi of noodle art! Elena defended her silhouette as Nina warned that she might not belong in the competition if she can’t step out of her comfort zone.

Lantie – She argued with Michael Kors when he called her a decorator and defended herself by claiming time constraints were a problem. The judges were tired of her excuses and Nina told her she was “running out of time.”

Buffi – She was thinking Carrie Bradshaw, but her hot pink paper skirt and over-accessorized look led Michael Kors to draw the comparison to Toddlers & Tiaras Dylan Lauren thought it was “fun,” but Nina Garcia called the styling “atrocious.”

Who’s Out: Lantie

Surprises: Andrea caved to Tim’s criticism and cut up her dress with little time left to rework it into a new design. Designers Kooan and Buffi made the unfortunate choice of using cotton candy as material. Gunnar impressed me this week by creating a pattern for his dress using black and piña colada licorice and making earrings and a bracelet out of candy; it looks like he can back up all that talk.

Best Quote: Michael Kors (of course) talking about Buffi’s look: “If you saw her wandering down the street, someone would probably put some money in a cup.”

Judging by the scenes for next week’s episode, we’re going to see a team challenge. Bring on the designer drama! What if Gunnar and Christopher end up on the same team? I would be hiding underneath my sewing machine table for that one, because the claws are going to come out!

Don’t forget to vote for your season 10 fan favorite! At the time this article was written, Melissa was leading the votes. Go Melissa; Goth couture is so in right now!