Tonight On The Fashion Show

Reality worlds collide tonight on The Fashion Show:Ultimate Collection as The Real Houswives of Orange County and New Jersey become the model-clients in Episode 5: "Reel to Genteel". We are hosting another live chat room party on our sister site Blogging Bravo beginning at 9:30 p.m. We always have fun snarking along with this show, so come join us!

Top 5 Looks: 4th Place

Team challenges have always been a recipe for major drama on Project Runway and perhaps no episode in the show's history exemplified that more than Episode 5, "There is an I in Team". In a unique twist on the tried and true concept, the remaining 12 designers were split into two teams of six and tasked with creating a 6-piece collection for Fall 2010.

Casanova found himself on Team "Military and Lace". It had been a rough road for the lovable designer up to this point. On the bottom twice in the first four challenges, he had reached a point where he felt he couldn't do anything right. And when Tim Gunn visited him in the workroom and told him that his lace top looked "like the mother of all these other women", he reached his breaking point. "I'm on the verge to loose my mind", he wailed. There was no consoling him and it looked as if he might simply walk away from the competition.

But in a classic "Make It Work" moment, Casanova rebounded and busted out a banging pair of white pants to go with his black lace top for a complete look that the judges swooned over. It was a moment of redemption for Casanova and a vindication of his talent after being repeatedly bruised and battered by Tim and the judges.

Most people will remember this episode for Gretchen's epic runway meltdown or maybe even Tim's post-game designer takedown. But the true shining moment was Casanova rising from the ashes to turn adversity into something beautiful. These are the moments that make Project Runway something a little more special in the world of reality television and reminds us why we loved this show in the first place.

So congratulations to Casanova for making the BPR Top 5 Looks of Season 8. Fantastico, Casanova!

Tim's Video Blog - Season 8, Episodes 4 & 5

Don't miss Tim Gunn's latest video blog on Facebook. Click here to watch.

Results In - You Were the Judge Episode 5

Our polls for Episode 5 are closed. You agreed with the judges and felt that Casanova deserved the win. Click here to see the results. You disagreed with the judges and thought that Gretchen should have been the 'auf.' Click here to see the results.

Check back with us tomorrow for our Episode 6 poll.

Images courtesy of ProjectRunway.com.

There is Still Time...

Photo: ProjectRunway.com.

There is still time to bid in the episode 5 auctions. Right now, Christopher's design has the highest bid. Click here to place your bid.

There is also time to vote in the episode 5 poll. Did you agree with the judges last week? Click here for the poll....

Amanda's Take - Season 8 - Episode 5

Project Runway Season Three model, Amanda Fields returns with her "model's Take" on episode 5.

Isn't it a beautiful thing when a model can come to her designer's aid in the midst of a crisis of inspiration? Casanova's model, Sarae gave him a pep talk from her heart. She knew that for him to be able to finish his work he needed to be confident. She is my favorite model this week because she showed compassion and talent! I am sure the other models are nice too - and will get their chance to shine in this way.

Click here to continue.

Episode 5 Trivia Contest

BPRs it has been a while since I have been inspired to create a trivia contest. This one was so rich with delicious details that I couldn't resist.

I have a season five DVD signed by Tim Gunn for the prize. (Thanks Mark Y!)

Please do not leave your answers in the comments, e-mail to Team BPR. The first person to get all of the answers is the winner.

1. After comparing Gretchen to Hitler, April predicts that she will "put her _____ on everything the team does."

2. On day one of the challenge, what color are Mondo's glasses?

3. What color are Peach's glasses?

4. Which designer is the designated "notion boy?"

5. What phrase is tattooed on AJ's back?

6. Which designer invented a new technique: The "blousonted" sleeve? :)

7. What is the name of Casanova's aunt?

8. What color is the top that Heidi wears for the runway judging?

9. Which designer wears a stuffed red heart for the runway judging?

10. Which designer predicts, "I'm going home."

Bonus Question: On the runway, Mondo is wearing a figural pin of what animal on his lapel? You don't have to answer this to win - it's just for fun.

Update: We have a winner! Congratulations to Jennifer L! I will post the answers in the comments.

Whopper Of The Week

Photo: Barbara Nitke/Lifetime Networks

We just couldn't let this one pass by without comment. When Andy South asked the judges to base their decision on what they knew of the designers, CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award winner (how pretentious is that introduction each week?) Michael Kors had this to say:

"You know that's not how it works. This isn't about past history. It's about what we are looking at today. That's the truth."

Really, Michael? Anyone who has watched Project Runway for more than 10 minutes knows what utter crap that line was. Chloe Dao won Season 2 based on past history. How many times has Heidi asked "Who do we want to see more from?" in the judges deliberation? Did Gretchen's two wins really not factor in your decision at all?

Michael, please don't think that award gives you license to bully these young designers with nonsense. We love you for your snarky, accurate evaluations of the designs. But don't insult the intelligence of Project Runway fans by trying to make us think you start with a blank slate every week. Of course past history plays a part in your decisions, this is fashion. And this certainly isn't our first time at the rodeo.

Don't Cry For Me, Casanova

Nearly lost in all of the Gretchen and Tim Gunn drama from Episode 5 was Casanova's "major, major, MAY-JOR diva moment", as Valerie put it. Sleep deprived and stung by a mild Tim Gunn criticism, Casanova laid down on the lounge sofa and had himself a good cry.

"I'm on the verge to loose my mind!" he wailed, as a parade of team mates tries to console him. "I'm even getting FAT!" Valerie, Michael D and Peach all tried to hold his hand yet it looked as if he was getting close to walking off the show. Credit must be given to his model Sarae Cart, who looks half his age yet became the wise elder and gave Casanova the inspiration to carry on. (And did you notice that it was Michael C. from the other team that encouraged Sarae to talk to him?)

It was a classic Project Runway "Make It Work" moment for Casanova. He busted out a fabulous pair of white pants to go with his lace top to take home the win and immunity for the next challenge. So good was Episode 5 that this scene took a backseat to the drama to come. But let's offer some late congratulations to Casanova. He turned adversity into something beautiful and it is those moments that make us love this show so much.

Recapalooza!

When you get great material, you get great recaps:

TLo's Thirty-ThreeFaces of Gretchen deserves special mention this week...
You just know Uncle Nicky loved the dram-dram...
Eric3000 reaches a milestone...
Laura Bennett goes to bat for Gretchen...
JordanBaker kinda likes Tim Gunn...
Maxthegirl thinks Gretchen will rebound...
Carol Hannah knows past history counts...
Second City Style has all the best quotes...
The Democracy Diva is all about the design...
Katnap has the Queen Bees and The Wannaees...
Elisa must have been watching a different show...
And Toyouke was all over it...

Thank you recappers! If you have a recap to share e-mail the link to Team BPR. See you next week!


Update: Click here for Miz Shoes.

Click here for Brigitte.

Thank you recappers!

Episode 5 Online - "There IS an "I" in Team

Click here to watch.

BPR Interview with AJ Thouvenot

Project Runway Season 8 designer AJ Thouvenot talks about his experience on the show. A highlight: AJ was "shocked" at Tim Gunn's take-down of Gretchen after his elimination.

Click here for the podcast.

Click here for Trashbiscuit.

Thank you AJ!

Gretchen To The Rescue

At 9:47 p.m. ET last night, a simple question was asked in the Epiosde 5 play by play/party post. "How are they going to fill the next 45 minutes?" The designs were completed and they were heading off to the runway at the half way point. Could there really be enough material left that would make us want to hang around until the end?

For two-plus seasons now we've heard the fan complaints about the Lifetime/Bunim-Murray production of Project Runway. The show has been stale, there is a lack of story telling, there is too much drama and too little design, there is too much design and not enough drama! In an attempt to allow more time in the workroom and on the runway, they made the huge leap to 90 minutes for S8. Going into last night's episode, the extended format has been met with yawns. Enter Gretchen Jones.

Gretchen's backpedalling meltdown on the runway will go down as one of the classic moments of the entire series. What started out as a "collaborative" and "united" effort (buffeted by Oscar-worthy fake tears) quickly devolved into a "crappy collection" where "grandma arrived" and "everybody sucked". As soon as the judges started pressing her, she folded like a cheap luxe suit, led the charge to throw Michael C. under the bus and prompted Tim to deliver a stirring post-game smackdown.

The reaction to all of this has been cray-cray. Gretchen has angered plenty of fans but also has her fair share of defenders. Love her or hate her, she has everyone talking today and provided dramatic gold that even Bunim-Murray couldn't screw up. Who can't wait to see what happens next? She just may have single-handedly saved Season 8.

Poll - Episode 5 - Your Turn to be the Judge

Top (l-r) Team Luxe: A.J., Andy, Christopher, Michael C., Ivy and Gretchen
Bottom (l-r) Team M&L: April, Casanova, Michael D., Mondo, Peach and Valerie

Click for a larger view. All photos courtesy of ProjectRunway.com

You've seen the designs on the runway and now it's your turn to be the judges. This week you are Heidi Klum, Michael Kors, Nina Garcia and Georgina Chapman.

Click here to tell us who should have won.

Click here to tell us who should have been auf'd.

Tim Gunn Isn't Having Any Of It

Tim puts an exclamation point on what was arguably the best epiosde of Project Runway in the Lifetime era:

"Sit down for a minute, AJ. I have a few words for Team Luxe. I fundamentally do not understand your behavior and demeanor and affect on the runway. I don't get it. I don't know why you allowed Gretchen to manipulate, control and bully you. I DON'T understand it. And AJ, you've taken the bullet and now I have to send you up to the workroom to clean up your space."

We love you Tim.

Reactions To Episode 5

It was Team Luxe vs. Team Underdog on Project Runway tonight and we witnessed a runway meltdown for the ages! And then Tim tops it off with his own takedown? It was all so very delicious. Post your reactions to Episode 5 here.

BPR Live Play By Play/Party Room

Tonight On BPR

Photo: Barbara Nitke/Lifetime Television

It's team challenge time on Project Runway this evening - everyone's favorite manipulated stew of design and drama. This time with a bit of a twist, two teams of six! So let's say we draw a line right between April and AJ and I think we have our sides picked. Hmmm - who do you like? Team BPR is on hand to cheer and jeer right along with you. Here's the skinny:

• By popular consensus, we will continue to run our simultaneous play by play and party threads in the Cover It Live chatroom. Join Tbone and suzq as they describe all 90 minutes of the show along with the merry cast of party room regulars. We go live at 8:30 p.m. and all are welcome!
• After the show, tell us what you really thought of the episode in our weekly reactions thread.

We hope to see you tonight on BPR!

Episode 5 Preview Video

Amanda's Take - Season 7 - Episodes 5 & 6

Amanda Fields and Tim Gunn at the Project Runway Season Seven Finale Show

Hello BPR LAND!

You, who are sitting in front of your computers and reading this every time I write in, THANK YOU.

I am deeply thankful for all of your support and encouragement. Even if you've never left a comment, just by reading my thoughts you have enriched my life! I only hope that my little insights on the models and the fashion world can enhance yours, even for just a passing moment.

I have had a whirlwind February in New York City! I've been incredibly fortunate to not only work with extremely talented fashion designers, photographers, stylists and hair and makeup artists, but also to have walked in my fifth Project Runway Finale! As everyone who has taken a look at the photos from the collections knows, I was one of Jesse's girls!

Click here to continue.

Amanda and Leanne Marshall at Leanne's Fall 2010 Show.