Project Runway 5 recap: Grass is Always Greener

Project Runway 5 Episode 5.2 “Grass is Always Greener”
Original Air Date: 07/23/2008

Bravo Photo: Barbara Nitke

It’s episode 2 of America’s favorite slice of Style-Television pie, and things are off to a good start. Last week we said goodbye to Jerry so it’s finally setting in that yes, this is a competition. Kelli has immunity, and gets first pick at choosing her model. Last week the models were assigned, but now Heidi lets the group pick the girl that will walk for them. I always feel a little guilty when the models get booted off. Heidi tells the gang that they will be designing a cocktail dress before she sends them off.

The Challenge
The group heads to the workroom to meet with Tim. Tim tells the group that they will be working with green fabrics, all which are natural, sustainable materials. The twist? For the first time in Project Runway history, the models will choose the fabric. At this point, the designers look like they’re about to vomit and their faces drop.

With a budget of $75, each model heads to the fabric store with Tim, and the bulk have…no clue what they’re doing. Running around with jersey (who would use this to construct a cocktail dress?!) and everything else, the models make their way back to the workroom.

In the Workroom
The designers begin to take a look at their fabrics. Some are OK with what their model/client brought back (Jerell) and others are not (Keith and poor Wesley). What some designers are forgetting is that the model is also the client, so while they may be determined to put their own spin on it, ultimately, the model has to be happy with what she’s wearing.

Many of the models brought back the same fabric, but the designers aren’t required to use all of the fabric they have. At this point Stella disagrees with her model, so she decides she is going in her own direction to show the judges what she’s really about.

When Emily says her style is underground, blah blah blah, I can’t help but burst with laughter. Could you get anymore Miss American Pie than this girl? Who else uses a phrase like, “Oh mother of god!”

Tim comes in with three hours left for the work day, and takes look at Kenley’s dress first. She isn’t concerned with time, and at this stage, her dress reminds me of something the grown-up (and by grown-up, I mean, post-SATC series) Carrie Bradshaw would wear. Korto is concerned that her dress looks too much like Leslie’s, but per Tim’s advice to “make it work,” she decides she can. Like Wesley addressed earlier, Tim tells him to be careful when constructing the satin fabric because under the harsh runway lights, every detail will be apparent.

Tim is somewhat concerned with Leslie’s dress, but she feels confident enough in her vision that she’s sticking with.

There’s no immunity this week, but the winner will have their design sold on bluefly.com. Tim also tells them that one of Hollywood’s A-list starlets will be the guest judge, and that will be revealed the day of the runway show.

The next morning, Stella’s dress is looking great and her model is pleased with it and glad she went with her own vision (versus that of the model). A lot of the dresses look good, some…not so much. As Jerell puts it, “Team Ugly Brown Fabric,” has some cause for concern, since all three dresses are clearly made of the same fabric. Hopefully, once all is said and done, this translates well onto the runway.

The Runway
Waiting for their models to come out, the group is told that the guest judge for the challenge is Natalie Portman. In all her petite glory, the teeny Portman walks onto the runway.

Keith- I love the color…the dress is nice, but doesn’t blow me away.

Terri- I love this dress. Very chic, young, and perfect for the challenge. You would never guess this is an eco-friendly dress because it’s so sexy.

Wesley- Yikes. Where do I begin? The look is tarty enough from the front, but she turns around to reveal her open back and it’s a little too Forever 21.

Jerell- No…no, no.

Jennifer- I like this dress a lot. Not quite cocktail, but very cute.

Daniel- Again, the best on the runway, imho. Portman would definitely wear this.

Joe- The straps and the medallion up front are losing me…and that brown fabric isn’t doing it any favors.

Suede- Too frou-frou for my taste.

Kenley- Channeling last season’s winner, Christian, I love the ruffled collar to pieces!

Kelli- Nice, but not great.

Leanne- She did the best with the brown fabric.

Stella- Very, very cool.

Blaine- A little superhero, but not as bad as last week (what could be?).

Emily- Waaay too skimpy!

Korto- I like the dress…the way it was styled, not so much.

The Elimination
Six designers are left on the runway: Leanne, Stella (again), Suede, Kenley,

Kenley’s dress is loved by all, while poor Wesley takes a bullet for his model’s poor taste. Stella’s dress wins the praises of the judge, but Portman says she doesn’t like an asymmetrical dress. Korto’s dress is liked, not loved. Portman loves Suede’s dress (and here I thought she had good taste), and Leanne’s dress is criticized for being “all over the place.” From the front, I did like Leanne’s dress, but when the model takes a spin around, it is too much.

In deliberation, Suede’s dress wins over everyone. I don’t like this dress at all!

When the cameras pan to the contestants, both Leanne and Korto are in tears. Oh no! WHYYY cry?! Only one of you is going home, and we don’t even know who it is, so don’t bother crying on national television until you KNOW you’re the one going home!

Suede is named the winner of the challenge, so Paris Hilton can wear it. Sorry but frothy skirts with tight bodices eternally remind me of her prancing around with poor Tinkerbell.

Wesley and Leanne are in the bottom two (making Korto, Stella and Kenley safe) and Leanne is just bawling. I feel so bad for her, especially because she does have great ideas, just maybe needs a little help in the editing department.

Wesley is out, and Leanne is in. Wesley takes it like a trooper, and at 23, he has his whole life ahead of him, so this is just another chapter in his life.

Next week the designers are most likely headed to a recycling center or dumpster as everyone is donning ponchos in the preview. Can’t wait to see what the designers churn out with trash!