Skorts, tanning and the Olympics: A ‘Project Runway’ recap

Apolo Anton Ohno (left) stands with Tim
Gunn. Bravo Photo: Barbara Nitke.

Thank God we were spared the third-person torture of the blue-hawked Suede. Instead we were subject to the incessant tanning talk from Blayne, Kenley’s irritating school girl giggling and a pair of skorts courtesy of Joe.

This week, the designers were introduced to speed skating Olympiad turned “Dancing with the Stars” hunk, Apolo Anton Ohno and to their most interesting challenge this season: design an outfit for the opening ceremonies of the Olympics.

It seems fitting considering the Olympics start this week. PR stunt or coincidence? You be the judge.

So let’s get some stuff out of the way before I get into my take on the actual challenge. Here are some really important highlights from last night’s show:

Korto's winning design. Bravo Photo: Barbara Nitke.

1.)    The quote of the evening comes from Joe: “There’s too much drama because they’re too many queens around.”
2.)    Korto’s back story which makes our problems seem so trivial.
3.)    Stella’s spiky Conan the Barbarian/Lord of the Rings outfit she wore in her interview.
4.)    Terri gets crunk when Keith steals her fabric.
5.)    Blayne doesn’t get Tim Gunn’s “Sgt. Pepper” reference.
6.)     The Neverland “lost boys” outfit Jerrell wears during runway judging.
7.)    Joe gets crunk when Daniel hijacks his sewing machine.
8.)    Suede uses the term, “wackadoodle.”
9.)    Blayne doesn’t add “-licious” to any of his words in this episode.
10.)    I said it once and I’ll say it again: JOE BRINGS BACK THE SKORT.
 

Jennifer's losing design. Bravo Photo: Barbara Nitke.

Back on the runway, there’s a saturated amount of retro-inspired garb on the models. It’s actually a bit unoriginal and predictable.

Some of the bad ones include: Jerrell’s Beverly Hillbillies/Holly Hobby/Little House on the Prarie high school play costume; Jennifer’s girly outfit that had nothing to do with the Olympics; Daniel’s Betty Boop cocktail dress (I think it would’ve worked better with a bolero).

Ranking at the top of the bunch: Korto’s sleek wide-leg and modern pant suit; Joe’s skort!!! (It was quite literal, but I actually liked it and I could see that in the opening ceremonies); Terri’s funky, yet appropriate pantsuit.

I love when the runway inquisition starts and people have to defend their outfit. You can either look like an idiot or redeem yourself. Most of all, I think I like hearing Michael Kors’s comments – he gives the best critiques. I remember in one of the past seasons, he called a designer’s outfit “farty.” That is the best comment I have ever heard on this show.

This episode, I thought Apolo did a good job in judging. I was surprised. The one he and the judges liked the most was Korto! And her athletically delicious lightweight leather and linen outfit won her the challenge and immunity for next week!

But it wasn’t a surprise who went home. Jennifer’s Susie Homemaker cardigan frock emitted no U.S.A. vibe. What was she thinking? And why does she refer to her design philosophy as “surreal?” I don’t get surreal from her aesthetic at all.

She’s a nice gal and all, but since she got auf’d, I can stop confusing her for Leanne and vice versa.