The Fashion Show episode 7 recap

The drama is building and the show was recently ripped to shred by the New York Times (a post to follow on that later). Are you loving or hating season 1 of The Fashion Show. Despite what the critics may say, I find this show far more entertaining. Last week we said goodbye to Angel who was really too soft/sweet for this game anyway, so she’s probably glad to be gone. Johnny was on the chopping block for the second time, and frankly, I’m a little ready to see him go. His skills don’t match up to his loud mouth, so get him out of there!

Bravo Photo: Barbara Nitke

The Mini Challenge

Kelly calls the designers for the mini challenge. They’re told they will be working in pairs. Most are NOT a fan of this! The designers are called to pull a spool of thread out of a bag and they’ll be paired with whomever chooses the matching spool. Oddly enough, Daniella ends up with Reco, so we can only guess how this is going to go.

There are four Harper’s Bazaar interns who need their party looks revamped into work looks. The designers can use anything in designated lost and found boxes. Daniella says Reco’s vision is totally different than her own and everyone seems to be draping these poor interns in everything.  The interns actually end up looking decent and Johnny and Merlin are crowned the winners. They’ll get a leg up in the elimination challenge, but we aren’t told what that is quite yet.

The Elimination Challenge

Kelly introduces Isaac as the designers’ “new boss.” The elimination challenge will involve the designers creating a look for his upcoming collection. To help them, Isaac shows the designers a mood board, which tells them the feel/vibe that he’s shooting for. To add to the intensity, the designers will continue to work in pairs and only have a day to complete the task. Merlin and Johnny get to have a five minute consultation with Isaac to get a clearer understanding of what he wants for his collection.

Reco wants to do a ball gown skirt and Daniella disagrees. She goes on and on about how he doesn’t know what high fashion is. The two are either going to clash like crazy or turn out something genius. Johnny and Merlin have decided on a blouse and jacket. Merlin is having issues with Johnny’s fabric selections. Have and Anna are getting along well and they’re definitely on the same page. No squabbling here!

Daniella wants to do pants and is still pushing Reco to change his mind. He decides to compromise and let her do pants, but the bring the hem up a bit. Haven is doing shorts and Anna is working on a fab coat. Lidia and James-Paul seem to be having issues, so we’ll see how their look turns out. I’m definitely the most nervous for them.

With three hours left until the show, the designers are scrambling. Reco says that Daniella doesn’t understand what it’s like to work in a team. I’m wondering if the judges will find out about all of this. Hm. Daniella says ultimately she rather be safe than tacky. I’d have to agree, but I also have to say that majority of her designs have been quite boring and really don’t measure up to Reco’s pieces. Isaac and Kelly stop by and Reco stays mum on the issues his team is having and just tells them they’ve collaborated on the design. Isaac doesn’t understand why Johnny went with felt for the jacket. Merlin told him so! Johnny says there’s nothing he can do about it now, so pointing this out “is irrelevant.” Jeez!

James-Paul and Lidia have two great pieces, but they don’t really say Issac, which is ultimately the goal of the designs.

Bravo Photo: Barbara Nitke

On the Runway

Reco/Daniella – I like this a lot, but the blouse under has got to go. The little jacket and high waist pants are SO Isaac!

James-Paul/Lidia – This is NOT Isaac. Yikes! Too dramatic and dark.

Anna/Haven – I wouldn’t wear this in a zillion years, but I do love the overall look.

Johnny/Merlin – Love! I’m so happy they put the belt on her because it really completed the look.

Judging/Elimination

The top two designs are brought out and they belong to Anna/Haven and Johnny/Merlin. Both teams look thrilled! Fern says that both looks embody Isaac’s designs but also reflect the designers themselves. Isaac says that this is the first time he’s really loved Haven’s shorts. When it comes to Johnny and Merlin’s work, Johnny is given the position of head designer while Merlin is given props for his fantastic patterns. Haven and Anna are named the winners of the challenge. Yay! It’s about time Anna gets her due.

The two losing designs are Reco/Daniella and Lidia/James-Paul. I knew the last one was coming. It’s all over the place! James-Paul says he was trying to mimic the fish influence on Isaac’s mood board. Veronica Webb questions Lidia’s dress as the fit is horrific. Veronica is far more vocal than I thought she would be. Not a bad thing! When it comes to Reco/Daniella’s look, the judges love the blouse (Go figure; I hated it!). Daniella tells the judges that Reco “gave up” when he didn’t get his way. Reco stands up for himself and tells her that that isn’t true. She tries to discuss things with Reco after the fact (a lot of good that’s going to do) while the judges deliberate, but it’s a lost cause. Daniella is rude, brash and for her to say that about Reco’s work ethic is silly when he gave in and also turned out the only thing that saved the look in the eyes of the judges.

James-Paul and Reco are safe, leaving Daniella and Lidia in the bottom two. In the end, the judges decide to send Lidia home. So sad! I know Lidia isn’t the most talented of the bunch, but she’s a sweetheart and it’s sad to see her go. Oh well, such is the course of reality television. Meanwhile that leaves us with Daniella and Reco which I’m sure will leaad to more madness as the season goes on.

Next week – the designers have to emulate the feel of some of fashion’s most iconic design houses and Merlin takes his woman hating on a whole new level.