Project Runway Season 10 Episode 11 Recap: It's Fashion Baby
Sep 28 2012 06:03 pm ET
We return to Atlas apartments as the designers realized how serious the competition was with Ven out of the way. Sonjia realized that she couldn't be safe anymore. Elena realized that she had to focus and make something that both she and the judges will like. The boys chatted in a similar tone, Christopher more confident because of his three previous wins. As a character, Christopher seems like a lock. His disputes with Gunnar have ironed over, he's created great pieces that the judges appreciate and he's not seen as a villain of any sort.
Instead of meeting at Parsons, the designers walked into Babies R' Us and met Heidi and Tim. Heidi explained that after having four children (that's it? I could have sworn she had baby bump for multiple seasons) she decided to design clothes for infants. Her line Truly Scrumptious was on the "affordable" scale and Heidi wanted the designers to create a look for a toddler. There were client/models and they ranged from 12-18 months. The contestants/toddlers were pulled from the button bag the cutest of baby bottle buttons inside. There would be two winning designers: one boy and one girl look. Both looks would be produced for Heidi's line. Instead of going to Mood Heidi would provide fabrics and notions so it would match the already existing clothes. I guess Ven's elimination would be perfect because he would have probably called the baby fat.
The contestants had time to consult their clients and sketch, though I'm not sure why outside of "what do you find good about baby apparel?" Since the clothes are going to be judged by the true client: Heidi. Elena's client loved to dress the toddler in adult clothes. Melissa realized that she had to use baby pink. Dmitry had an opinionated mom from the offset, but I don't think it bothered him much afterwards. Fabio used to be a babysitter so he felt like this challenge was for him. Taking care of children and designing for children are two totally different things. Christopher had his dream client, but in one word she turned into that nightmare client asking for richness and Dior. This is Babies R' Us, lady. With time up, Heidi had a dossier and a "special surprise" for the designers when they got back to Parsons.
The contestants returned to the workroom to the sight of baby butterflies and toddler mannequins. The big surprise? Babies. You know those babies you got in high school; Tim called them "Like Real Babies." Tim explained that the designers would have to deal with the crying baby. When the Like real baby would cry, they would have to feed, cradle, or change the baby.
Immediately the babies were crying and the designers couldn't work. There was a lull for the designers to pick out fabric and notions. Fabio started talking to his doll like it was a real baby. Melissa realized how much a baby would move and considered making clothes for movement. Dmitry wanted to make a masculine jumpsuit. Elena wanted a blazer and tights. Sonjia wanted a suit/sweatsuit combination. For babies that sounds cute, but I'm not sure if the velour track suit would be suitable for a grown up man. Christopher's client wanted a baby Dior outfit. Suddenly a crying sound came from one of the babies. Soon it seemed like it triggered all the other babies. This episode wasn't the best for anyone that cranks up the volume.
Tim arrived for his consultations with Heidi. The critiques started with Elena so she explained a girly blazer with no shoulder pads. Heidi pointed out that she didn't want basics and appreciated the jacket. For Fabio, Heidi wanted more happiness and whimsy. Dmitry's jumpsuit looked like he was wearing a backpack; he also didn't make it cute enough. For Sonjia's sweatshirt/blazer Heidi was positive, but Heidi warned about the pants being plain.
Christopher's client was specific and while Heidi didn't mind the white, Tim was confused by the whole thing. Heidi also liked the pants Christopher was originally making. When Heidi looked at Melissa's clothes, she pointed out that the pants that Melissa made were exactly the same as something in the line, except in blue. Again, a problem with not realizing that you're just copying a dossier. Melissa also lacked any fun factor.
Heidi announced a twist: The moms will have a companion look to match their kids. The baby's look will be the judging point, so the mom's clothes would be a throwaway. The contestants had 15 minutes to sketch and $150. Melissa was stuck and had to rethink. Sonjia finally decided to sketch and realized she could actually sketch. At Mood, there was 30 minutes. Tim emphasized that the mother was the accessory.
Christopher wanted to make a simple dress so he emphasized the baby. Melissa decided to try a new design. Elena wanted to make bloomer pants for her kid. The designers ended the day and returned to Atlas. Unfortunately for them, they still had all the babies with them. More annoying fake baby cries could be heard as in one shot Dmitry had no shirt and then in the next he was magically changed. Is that some sort of ballroom dancer quick change? The best shot was of Christopher brushing Fabio's teeth. The next day, Tim took the babies anyway to "daycare." Christopher's design started to look Easter. Melissa started to put her baby in a cocktail dress. With three hours to go, the mothers' designs had to also be made. Elena tried to make a drape dress but had no clue.
The moms and babies had their fittings and Melissa panicked because she had nothing ready. Christopher's client hated her baby's outfit. She then pointed out how she hated the print on her dress. I could have told you the same exact thing about the print; it's nice, but a little loud. With two hours to go, Christopher pointed out that the client hated everything but kept going. Sonjia reminded him that Heidi was the real client.
Day two ended and it was time for the runway challenge. Melissa still had time to make everything, which made Elena hysterically laugh at her poor time management. We always seem to have that one contestant with awful time management. Tim reminded the contestants that they had the normal hour of makeup and hair. Christopher's client popped up and asked for forgiveness. She probably didn't want to look like a bitch on national television. Melissa started to freak out and asked her mother/client to sew on a button. With time running out, most of the designers were happy with their looks. Dmitry's baby immediately went for a nap. With time out, while she was sewing Melissa had to be stopped by Tim.
Heidi welcomed the contestants to the challenge and reminded us that one boy and one girl look would be produced. Along with Michael Koors and Nina Garcia was guest judge Hillary Duff.
Fabio - It's cute, and I like the detail of the collar with the print. The back had a nice graphic to it.
Melissa - The vest was okay, but the white dress was silly and made no contributions to the decent vest.
Dmitry - The baby looked like Super Mario with the strong reds and blues. The mom's dress was easy. I think if he fixed the shape of the hood that would have solved a lot of my problems.
Sonjia - I liked the combination of the suit with the print underneath. It was playful and could become classy if needed.
Christopher - The design was a little Easter for both the mom and baby, but it fits if you were going to brunch.
Elena - I'm in the rare camp that thought that the green, navy, and pink worked together. Maybe because it was all in the same swatches from Heidi's line, but the green and pinks pulled from the flower patches Elena added.
Heidi commended the contestants and told them that all will have critiques. Sonjia was first and her baby was playing up his five seconds of fame. Heidi called him sharp and fun. Hillary appreciated the movement of the baby. For Heidi Melissa's jacket/vest fits with the design, but the dress continues to ride up. Zippers also can itch or scratch the gentle skin of babies. The mom's design was really poor. Michael pointed out that it was a fabric mistake. Nina thought the dress was too narrow.
Fabio's design was practical. Michael called it modern day nautical. Heidi loved how it was a one-piece outfit. She didn't like the mom dress. Nina liked both mom and baby. For Elena Michael thought that the baby was too much of a "sample sale" where there was no connection between the three looks. Heidi loved the jacket, but she threw away at the pants. Nina thought that the jacket was the problem because of it's lack of practicality.
Dmitry wanted to make a modern but soft design for his baby. The hood unzipped better than I expected. Michael thought it looked too superhero/costume. Heidi pointed out that "superhero" capes were a trend. I'm pretty sure I saw adult underwear with capes at Target recently. I guess it is on trend. Hillary thought there was a little much red.
Finally for Christopher Nina thought that it looked adorable but wasn't practical. Heidi thought it was a Sunday brunch outfit. Michael didn't think the jacket worked well, but the special occasion dress worked. Hillary appreciated the headpiece. The question is if the headpiece is also going to be sold with the outfit.
Heidi announced the winners of the challenge were Sonjia and Christopher. The bottom two were Melissa and Elena. Elena's haphazard look got to her and she was eliminated. I really thought they should just have non-eliminated any of the contestants and went for a double next week.
Next Week: The final challenge is upon the contestants: make Avant Garde looks.
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