Week 7: Elegance Is the New Black

This week's episode begins with all the designers relaxing at their apartment

when a gentleman in a suit arrives with an invitation for the contestants to join Karlie and Brandon at a photo shoot for some champagne and caviar. At the photo shoot, Karlie and Brandon reveal to the designers that the challenge this week is to make a look that embraces elegance. According to Karlie, no one does elegance better than Brandon Maxwell. Brandon tells the designers that elegance does not always mean fancy, it's about restraint.

The challenge this week has a couple different additional elements, maybe too many. Each designer is given a "bag" or glass box with an item in it that should compliment their garment because no look is complete without the perfect handbag. This week there will be a flash sale yet again, suggesting that maybe the show is moving towards flash sales with every challenge. The designers are given 2 days and a budget of $400, which is the biggest budget yet by far.

Tessa makes a huge mistake when she tells Brandon and Karlie that she is not looking forward to working with either of the 2 models left because they are curvy. Understandably, Brandon and Karlie are put off by this; however, she continues to be pretty negative about being forced to work with a curvier model for the rest of the episode and fears she will be in the bottom for not celebrating her figure enough in her design. Garo, on the other hand, completely embraces his curvy model, Kate, who has not yet been put in a good outfit all season. Garo is positive that he can finally give her a look that makes her feel like a million bucks, which he accomplishes. Despite all this drama, both Tessa and Garo end up being safe this week.

THE RUNWAY

Hits

Lela Orr

Lela's inspiration object was the statue from which she was inspired by a woman going to Venetian ball. She wanted to fuse old and new together. The designers loved the graphic quality to this look. Elaine said, "It felt like something that's elevated and regal."

Venny Etienne

Venny inspiration object was rosé which he interpreted as celebration. After last week, Venny really struggled with restraint, so the judges were so glad that he showed restraint this week. Karlie said, "Rosé all day. I will take this look. I love the color. I thought it was simple, elegant."

Winner: Jamall Osterholm!

Jamall's inspiration object was a perfume bottle, which led him to take an organic approach to a classic silhouette. The judges loved that they finally got to see the young, creative Jamall. Brandon was so proud of him that he told him, "so in love with you."

Misses

Hester Sunshine

Hester's inspiration object was peacock feathers. Because she had immunity from last week, she wanted to take a big risk with her inspiration being that there's nothing more elegant than going topless. While the judges respected her for taking a huge risk, they thought it failed in the execution. Elaine said, "You my friend took some big risks. You decided to do pasties. I actually think that was a brilliant idea. To me, it was the execution that fell short." Hester actually had the lowest score overall, so it was very lucky that she had immunity.

Bishme Cromartie

Bishme's inspiration object was a hand, which he interpreted as growth and reaching. The judges thought that this look had some good parts, but was just messy overall and needed to be pared down, which means that he missed exactly what the challenge called for. Nina said, "I see this and I'm like I don't see how that's Bishme."

Out: Sonia Kasparian

Sonia's inspiration object was headphones, which led her to create a look for a young DJ. Sonia makes the mistake of mentioning right away that she wanted to make a kimono but ran out of time, which left all the judges wondering what it would have looked like if she had had time to finish. The judges thought overall that it was cliché and underwhelming, especially from her. Elaine said, "I know young DJ's and they wouldn't wear that. It's boring."

So, was Project Runway Season 17 Episode 7 in or out? This week, I'll say in! The challenge, although it included a few too many elements, led the contestants to design some fabulous and creative outfits.