RUNWAY 6.5

*THIS POST IS BEING MADE BY (212) CONTRIBUTOR, FRANK ANTHONY POLITO

A somewhat truncated post today as I've got a bit of a hangover headache this morning. One too many "Tequila Mockingbirds" at the Project Runway party last night, perhaps?

In attendance: Frank, Craig, Nick, Adam, Jason, Saskia, and Tim (all the way from Manhattan -- yay!) Dan is off doing a show down in DC, Jay was having dinner with his Dad, and Scott was seeing a friend's film (I think).


Here's the recap, WITH PICTURES (either Lifetime fixed their site or I figured something out!) As per usual, spoliers abound, so be warned:

We begin with Heidi on the runway, designers in their chairs before/below. Heidi looks fabulous in black-and-white print (her top? her dress? I can't remember exactly. I could barely take notes at this point after "Tequila Mockingbird" #2!) a hint at what's in store for tonight's challenge. Nick makes a comment, "Her eye makeup really, really bothers me." I think he meant Carol Hannah. But it could have been "Without Nipples" (Althea), I'm not sure. I was trying to take notes and didn't see who was onscreen when he said it.

Heidi reveals the challenge has something to do with black-and-white, and off the designers go to meet with Tim, who asks, "Are you ready for your field trip?" He takes them to the Los Angeles Times, where they have 3 minutes to gather as much newsprint as they can, out of which they will create their design.

At this point, the comments from the Peanut Gallery are flying and I can't write them down. We're all a little bit tipsy, and now that they've all started reading my (212) Runway recaps and have tasted the "fame" that comes from being quoted, as Adam put it: "Everyone's competing to be quoted in the blog." (Speaking of Fame, I'm surpirsed there was no "Brought to you by" announcement made during tonight's Runway episode. Just about every other commercial was for the Fame rehash remake coming out next week. Still not sure how I feel about that one!)

Back to the work room where the designers are told they're allowed to use dyes, paint, and muslin to create and structure their looks. A few do (Carol Hannah, hottie Logan) but the more interesting designs come from those who use the newsprint au naturel. And not just black-and-white. Today's news comes in color! Gordana, for example, finds a brownish-tinted photo and uses the same pattern over and over to create a really cool look to her sleeveless mini-dress. Hers becomes a fave of ours, but warning: an upset is in store!

Gordana

In the work room, we're treated to another side of "Nellie Furtado" (Shirin) who keeps on talking and talking and talking, as she creates her newsprint bubble skirt. (Reminded me of Leanne's "wave" phase from last season.) Apparently, Nicolas is totally annoyed by Shirin's constant chatter. He makes a comment, "I know we're the same age, but..." To which Craig declares, "Too bad you look 40!" (Not that there's anything wrong with being 40... But Nicolas is like 25.) Saskia adds, "He is sooo annoying... I want him to go home!"

Shirin

There's a lot of talk of "oragami" from Johnny, aka "Meth Boy" who paints his dress a shade of crimson red. Under his breath, Nicolas mutters something (can't read my drunken handwriting!) about "paper with pig's blood all over it." Looks like there's going to be a serious catfight come runway time! Louise uses the word "decopage" to describe her look.


Tim arrives to consult.

Tim to Gordana: "Stunning."

Tim to Althea: "You have immunity. Do what you want."

Althea

Tim to Johnny: "Craft project gone awry." Johnny defends with "birds." Tim: "Birds attacked the dress." Johnny decides to scrap the dress, crunching it up into a little ball, and tossing it out. (Remember this move, as it will come back to haunt Johnny-- and piss off Tim Gunn -- later.)

Johnny

Christopher shows Tim his sketch for a long flowing evening gown with newsprint "feathers." We find it very impressive -- though the finished look comes off looking (to me) like something out of Dr. Suess.

Christopher

Irina (Shirin #2) who we haven't seen much from up until now, announces she's going to create a paper trenchcoat. (At some point in the evening, Tim gave a mini-lesson on the history of paper clothing, dating back 40 years to 1968.) Craig says, "Bye, Bye, Irina!" (Spoiler alert: We'll see about that.)

Irina

Meanwhile, where is Epperson and Ra'mon this whole episode?

Note: At some point, Johnny starts telling people that he scrapped his first dress (the pig's blood number) because he had an "accident with the steamer" and it started spurting water all of his dress. We all know this is a total lie because we just saw what happened only moments ago. To which Craig deduces, "He's a former meth user... They're all liars!"

The Day of the Show, Y'all...

The models arrive. 2 hours for hair, makeup... Garnier, Macy's (not Macy's.com as I was informed I've been saying -- hello, Bluefly.com! Why not Macy's?) As the runway show is about to begin, we Park Slope party-goers take a tally of our favorites: Gordana, Irina, and Christopher.

Tonight's judges: Tommy Hilfiger (not Hilfinger as my friend Brian used to call him), Zoe Glassner from Marie Claire, and from Desparate Housewives, Eva Longoria-Parker. Again, no Nina Garcia or Michael Kors. What the f--?!

The models come down the runway. Craig is impressed with how much Ra'mon's dress looks like fabric.

Ra'mon

Jason comments that Johnny's dress looks "like Betty Rubble" on the bottom.

Adam says Shirin's bubble-skirt resembles a "vacuum filter."

After Heidi sends 6 designers to safety, we have left:

Top 3: Althea (surprise), Irina, Christopher

Bottom 3: Nicolas, Johnny (no surprise), Gordana (surprise)

Tommy Hilfiger calls the paper collar on Irina's coat the "new alternative to fur." She is praised by Eva Longoria for being "dramatic w/out being gimmicky." I thought it was tres cool, esp. the way she wadded up the paper and glued it along the collar. All the judges love Althea's dress, which is fine, but the fit seems a little off. And Christopher is praised for his feathers, but also the hard shell-like bodice which resembles steel.

Critiques for the bottom 3: Gordana is told that her dress is well-made, but it's too "real." Nicolas' punk-rock look didn't impress, and Johnny is told by Zoe that his look made his model look like she was "working," ie, she looks like a whore! Of course he has to bring up the excuse about dress #1 and the steamer. To which Nicolas just rolls his eyes. Heidi sees this, asks him what's up, and proceeds to "throw Johnny under the bus." (When did this become a replacement for "stab someone in the back"? Just curious.)

As much as Johnny deserves it, Jason is disgusted. "That guy is gross, and creepy, and greasy." Clearly, he wants Nicolas to go.

And the winner is... Irina! Though most everyone in our group was routing for Christopher.

Gordana is safe... As is Nicolas. Which means, "Meth Boy," aka Johnny is aut.

Of course he cries, says something about Runway being harder than it was getting off meth. Tim arrives to send him back to the workroom to clean up his space. The second he's gone, Tim declares he is outraged at Johnny for telling that stupide lie about the steamer.

Good for you, Tim Gunn... This is why we love you so!

Project Runway airs at 10pm ET on Lifetime TV.

*FRANK ANTHONY POLITO is a Brooklyn-based writer, and author of the novels Band Fags! and Drama Queers!