Week 13: One Elle Of A Day

How can it possibly already be time for the designers to make collections for fashion week? The designers have five months (!) to create collections for fashion week, and mentor Christian Siriano will be stopping by around the halfway mark to check on their progress. Christian's visits with the designers are much briefer than former mentor Tim Gunn's visits with the designers, in which Tim would meet the designer's family and spend a whole day learning more about the designer on a personal level. This might still have occurred with Christian, but it was not included in the footage like it used to be.

Hester: Christian starts by visiting Hester in Santa Fe. Hester is working on Y2K/Rococo/cyber evolution collection. She is incorporating a lot of prints that she designed and drew herself. Christian reminds Hester that she has been critiqued by Elaine that she needs to step it up in terms of quality the of her pieces.

Sebastian: Next, Christian visits Sebastian in Fort Lauderdale. Sebastian is working on a collection that is inspired by recreating his home of Colombia. Christian thinks the collection looks very overworked right now, and that it's not quite simple enough. Christian reminds Sebastian that Nina is not quite sure who his woman is, which is important for Sebastian to remember because he always struggles with deciding on the story behind his looks.

Bishme: Christian visits Bishme in Baltimore, where he was inspired to create a collection that draws on his experience being homeless and living out of his studio when he applied to be on Project Runway. Because of this, Bishme's collection is going to be inspired by abandoned and new buildings in Baltimore. Bishme does not have a lot of work done to show Christian, which is very concerning. Christian reminds Bishme of Brandon's critiques that Bishme has shown them a huge variety of techniques, so he needs to decide who is is and show the judges that.

Garo: Finally, Christian visits Garo in Phoenicia, New York. Christian, like many viewers, is surprised that Garo isn't working on his collection from studio space within New York City, so this trip to upstate New York is a bit country for Christian. Garo's collection is inspired by outer space, galaxy, black holes, glimmer, textures, and lines. Christian thinks the collection is very Garo, which means there's a lot of pieces from different times, but it's also kind of try-hard and not effortless. Christian reminds Garo of a critique from Karlie that he needs to be more tasteful and make commercially-buyable clothes in order to be successful.

When the designers return to New York, Karlie and Christian drop in to the workroom to tell the designers that there is one final challenge before the runway show that will be revealed to them by Nina Garcia, who is waiting for them at the offices of Elle. Nina takes the designers on a Devil Wears Prada style tour of the Elle workspace. She then reveals that only three designers will move forward to show at fashion week.

The Final Challenge: In order to advance to fashion week, the designers must show three looks that will earn their way into the finale. Two looks must be already in existence from the work they did at home, and one look must be a brand new, eleventh look. Nina is going to help each designer hone in on what their collection is missing and needs to take it to the next level. Sebastian's collection looks good to Nina so far, but everything is very strict, so she wants him to make a soft evening look. Hester's collection is so editorial that it needs a breather -- something devoid of print and embellishment. Bishme's collection is full of stand-out pieces, so he needs to add something that is more accessible, like a street outerwear look. Garo's line-up has a lot of looks full of shine and embellishment, so Nina thinks that he needs a tailored suit to round out his collection.

A lot of the designers are struggling with compromising their original ideas with that which Nina thinks they should add. Bishme has a personal struggle, as his sister was recently diagnosed with colon cancer and a friend passed away. Right before the runway begins, Bishme's emotions get the best of him and he needs to excuse himself briefly.

THE RUNWAY

Safe/Hits:

Sebastian Grey

The judges loved Sebastian's collection preview because it felt so fresh. The guest judge for this week, Steven Kolb of the CFDA, could easily envision this collection at New York fashion week. The judges also discover that Sebastian is former ballet dancer, and that's where he gets a lot of his work ethic and influence from. Elaine said, "There's so many positive things to say about each of these three looks."

Hester Sunshine

Nina was so glad to see how well Hester did considering she was so reluctant to the challenge that Nina gave her. Ultimately, Nina was thrilled that she pushed Hester this hard because the result was so great. The judges loved the way she used her materials and thought it seemed like a real collection of show pieces. Brandon said that she figured out, "how to take the most unconventional materials and to use it so that you're still flattering the body."

Misses:

Garo Sparo

Garo's collection was on the chopping block because wasn't quite modern or fresh enough. Nina tried to combat this early on by having him make a tailored suit, but the suit was so ill-fitting that it did not accomplish what it needed to. The judges are still struggling with his questionable taste. Brandon said, "All three of them lack a freshness."

Out: Bishme Cromartie

Bishme struggled immensely with the challenge this week with his designs and personal life. Unfortunately, his struggles this week showed in his designs. The judges couldn't get past tackiness of the two sequin outfits even though they absolutely adored the all-black leather ensemble. The judges and Bishme himself were very disappointed in these looks. Nina said, "I'm crushed."

So, was Project Runway Season 17 Episode 13 in or out? This week, I have to say in! Although I was so disappointed to see one of my favorite contestants get eliminated this week, the judges made the right decision, as Bishme did not bring his best to the runway presentation. It is still heartbreaking to watch this season's most likable personality not get to show at fashion week, but I can't wait to see what the designers bring the fashion week this year!