Welcome back, Project Runway fans! Last week, the designers took on androgynous looks for women and men, and this week, it’s all about the environment – and the red carpet.

When host Carolyn Murphy met the designers atop New York’s High Line park – in and of itself a masterful example of recycling brilliance – she shared three major pieces of information: the designs would be created from AirDye fabrics and trims recycled from previous challenges, Carolyn Murphy herself would wear the winning look on the red carpet, and finally, the guest judge was the legendary Diane von Furstenberg (cue the celebration – and nerves).

One of my favorite moments in the workroom was Casanova and Emilio gossiping in Spanish, and the other designers snarking that they couldn’t wait to read the subtitles – hope no one (especially Uli) was too offended last night!

One downside to knowing the guest judge’s identity before the runway show is the All Stars seemed to be designing specifically to impress her – many of the silhouettes were reminiscent of DVF’s style.

Nevertheless, several designers pulled out impressive looks this week. I loved Casanova’s dress – the neckline, print, and silhouette were all gorgeous. Laura Kathleen’s palazzo-pant jumper was a fresh take on a red-carpet look, and it really helped her outfit stand out. Uli made great use of her recycled material with a feather trim, and Anthony Ryan’s flowy fabric and deep-V neckline made for a refreshing addition to the bunch (despite showing a peek of the model’s panties).

Other designers, though, were green with envy (or seeing red – whichever you prefer). Emilio’s unfinished hem was just plain sad, especially since the gown’s color looked stunning on his model. Althea’s fabric – something she had no control over this episode, and described by DVF as “Marie Antoinette meets Frederick’s of Hollywood” – was the worst part, though she also tried to do far too much with the design. And Ivy’s gold number? Definitely not red carpet–ready.

What say you? Did the right person go home?

Auf Wiedersehen – until next week, anyway.

By Jess Huckins, Staff Writer 

Did the best design win? Let us know in the comments below or tweet us at @ruelala. 

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Hello again, Project Runway fans! We skipped a week due to Thanksgiving, but last time we saw the designers finding inspiration from viewer-provided photographs. This episode had them taking on avante-garde designs – with an androgynous twist.

While the designers were working on their innovative, epicene looks, judge Georgina Chapman visited the workroom with a surprise in tow – a group of male models. In response to the designers’ horror at thinking they had to modify their current looks, Georgina explained: They were to create a corresponding design for their male model to accompany the first look down the runway.

Mentor Joanna Coles delivered one of her classic pep talks: “When you think you can’t go any further, push yourselves a little further.” Thank you, Joanna, really.  We needed that. (Anyone else with me in that we respect her, but dearly miss Tim Gunn?)

The addition of the male models – a Project Runway first – made for a very interesting runway. Kayne’s look (complete with paper eyebrows) was reminiscent of Willy Wonka (in a houndstooth factory). The horror on Laura Kathleen’s face was palpable when Isaac Mizrahi said her textiles looked inexpensive, and Althea’s styling seemed Tim Burton–esque.

Though Anthony Ryan’s design felt similar to last week’s banded dress, his use of textiles was lovely. Emilio’s mirrored hats and open-backed vests were perfectly androgynous, and Uli’s (female) look was something I would love to wear myself. Casanova’s golden armor design, though beautiful, fell a bit short of the androgyny mark.

What did you think, Runway fans? Did you agree with the judges’ choices?

See you next week. Until then – auf Wiedersehen.

By Jess Huckins, Staff Writer 

Did the right person go home? Let us know in the comments below or tweet us at @ruelala. 

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Welcome back, Project Runway fans! Last week was all about creating wearable art, but this week the art did the inspiring – in the form of fan-provided (a PR first!) photography.

Sandra Micek, marketing VP for USA TODAY, joined Joanna Coles in the workroom to give the designers their assignment: select an inspiring fan photograph and parlay it into a runway look.  These kinds of challenges are great for divining which designtestants really do have industry potential, because rather than making a dress out of fruit or matching outfits to pets, they get to create something that’s entirely true to their own style aesthetic.

The photograph selections ranged from a spray-painted gas meter (Joshua’s pick) and a train station (Althea’s) to a butterfly (Ivy’s) and a forlorn-looking young woman wearing a headband (Andrae’s). Andrae began chatting with his photograph like the subject was his friend and kindred spirit, and Joanna wondered if his work was “bonkers or brilliant” (I’m betting on the former).

Parts of the runway were close to picture-perfect, between Ivy’s flowy sheer skirt, Laura Kathleen’s hand-dyed gown, and the banded back of Anthony Ryan’s dress. There was also Casanova’s look, which I’d snatch up in a flash (sans hat).

But some designers just weren’t ready for their close-up. Joshua’s dress was reminiscent of Rainbow Brite, and Casanova’s assessment of Kayne’s as fitting for “a Parisian prostitute with a chicken on her head” seemed pretty spot-on. Not to mention Emilio’s yellow-and-grey number  (which host-judge Carolyn Murphy noted would make her “look like a Chinese lantern”) and Andrae’s mix-and-match zippered panels.

Next week is Thanksgiving, which means no new Runway. So, until the end of November – auf Wiedersehen.

By Jess Huckins, Staff Writer 

Did the designers’ looks inspire or disappoint? Tell us in the comments below or tweet us @ruelala. 

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Welcome back, Project Runway fans! Last week, the designers turned the beat around and brought disco back in a Nine West challenge. This week, they’re tasked to create their own patterns with spray paint – that is, design “aerosol art” on fabric that they then must incorporate into their garments.

The designers are given a crate of spray paint and seven yards of either white cotton or chiffon to create their patterns. Althea is “excited to be artistic and create a print,” but Laura Kathleen is disappointed that she’s “not wearing the appropriate attire to be spray-painting,” because her “s***’s expensive.” Kayne remarks that Laura Kathleen is getting on everyone’s “last gay nerve.” We all knew the familial feeling in the workroom wouldn’t last.

Joanna has a few notes about the taste level of various garments – not surprising, since several wearable art challenges throughout Project Runway’s run have devolved into catastrophic messes – but she leaves the workroom commenting on how “moved” she is by the designers’ work. High compliments, for sure.

Runway time. Carolyn Murphy hopes the garments will look equally appealing in an art gallery as on the runway, and our guest judges this week are Jeffrey Costello and Robert Tagliapietra.

Georgina Chapman says the proportions of Anthony Ryan’s dress are “dead-on,” but the judges question whether the print belongs in an art gallery. Laura Kathleen’s architectural hemline seems very artistic, but Jeffrey and Robert wish it went straight across. No one likes the waistline of Suede’s poofy polka-dot number. Emilio’s skirt suit looks like a glamorous sunset, and Isaac Mizrahi wished Ivy’s pop-art dress said “city” rather than “tenacity.” He also had to point out, while discussing Kayne’s dress, that this “isn’t Project Sample Room.”

What do you think, Runway fans? Was the show Met-worthy, or should the garments be sent to the MOBA?

By Jess Huckins, Staff Writer

Did the right person go home? Sound off in the comments below, or tweet us @ruelala.

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Welcome back, Project Runway fans. Last week, we met our all-star designers and Teams Bold and Confident created mini collections. This time around, we’re cueing the mirror ball: the contestants must create a disco-party look based on Nine West’s line of 1970s-inspired shoes.

Workroom tensions run high, and Joanna doesn’t help. Between pegging the 70s as “the decade that fashion forgot,” calling Andrae’s material “pan-scrubbing fabric,” and telling Suede his look gave her “a case of white man’s overbite,” she had the designers less than inspired, though she is showing more personality and humor in her mentorship this season.

At least Kayne had the perfect recipe for lightening the mood: an end-of-day impromptu (and totally awkward) disco dance break.

On the runway, the looks were much better than I anticipated – like Casanova’s fuchsia stunner (particularly the back), which I hadn’t expected to enjoy. Emilio’s gown – though less disco and more black-tie – had lovely movement and drama, and I adored Kayne’s perfectly aligned chevron palazzo pants.

There were some misses, too. Wendy’s ensemble hit the disco nail on the head – but then just kept on hammering. And I’d never wear Andrae’s sheer jacket out of the house (or even out of the store).

What about you? Did you love the winner’s look? (Nine West does – it’ll be featured in a fall ad campaign.)

See you next week. And although Heidi is absent: auf Wiedersehen.

By Jess Huckins, Staff Writer 

Do you agree with the judges’ decisions? Tell us in the comments below or tweet us @ruelala. 

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Well hello there, Project Runway fans! We’re but a week out from Dmitry’s win, and it’s already time to re-meet our second All Stars cast. Though this season doesn’t have the same purposeful, righting-a-wrong vibe as the first, it’s exciting to have some P-Way to kick back with on Thursday nights.

The designers were well-behaved in the workroom this week, but with a mix including Ivy Higa, Joshua McKinley, and the original Runway villainess, Wendy Pepper (who can officially be added to this video after last night), I wouldn’t expect the lovefest to last. Tim Gunn–replacement Joanna Coles held a schoolyard pick to decide teams (cue the groan chorus) for this week’s challenge: create a mini collection inspired by an attitude.

Emilio, Peach, Andrae, Suede, Laura Kathleen, and Joshua made up Team Bold, and Ivy, Althea, Casanova, Anthony Ryan, Wendy, Kayne, and Uli decided to call themselves Team Confident. (Did no one notice that “bold” and “confident” are basically same thing?)

Though Joanna wasn’t necessarily a fan (her one-liners included “When I think of lace and black leather, the word that comes to mind is hooker!” and “I’m thinking stegosaurus”), Confident’s collection clearly outshone Bold’s less-than-fresh, black-and-blue color story.

Ivy’s jacket was slimming, original, and gorgeous, though I agree that it would have paired better with lace shorts or Anthony Ryan’s stunning white pants. Overall, the runway show seemed underwhelming for an all-stars season, especially considering Emilio’s tube-top-and-jumper ensemble, Peach’s ill-fitting, two-tone sleeves, Wendy’s batwing bodice, and Suede’s breast-cup shoulders (though I liked his handkerchief skirt – its movement was lovely).

What did you think? Did the judges (returners Georgina Chapman and Isaac Mizrahi, new host Carolyn Murphy, and guest judges Rachel Roy and Mondo) choose the best designer to win, and send the right person home?

See you next week. For now – auf Wiedersehen. 

By Jess Huckins, Staff Writer 

Who are you most excited to see again? Tell us in the comments below or tweet us @ruelala. 

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Welcome back, Project Runway fans. Last week, we checked in with the designers at home. This week? It’s the Fashion Week finale, baby, and we’re heading straight to the runway.

All in all, I’m pretty darn proud of them. (There comes a point – about a few episodes before the end of the season – where you’re allowed to say things like “proud” about someone you’ve never met before. Or at least that’s what I keep telling myself.)

All four had standout looks. Christopher’s ethereal oxblood top paired with the distressed, high-slit leather and wool skirt. Fabio’s sweet little shorts, layered with such ease for a shot of insta, I-rolled-out-of-bed cool. Melissa’s statuesque red leather dress (can you believe she made that the day before?).

But, I have to admit, Dmitry truly won me over. I loved it all – from this flouncy little geometric frock to this fitted lime green number (those sleeve details, goodness) to this fringed jacket. His aesthetic is polished and modern – yet still incredibly wearable.  Is he the next Mondo? Who knows. But I seriously can’t wait to see more.

Until All Stars, auf wiedersehen.

By Joanna Berliner, Editor 

What did you think of the finale? Did they choose the right winner? Share your thoughts in the comments below, or tweet us @ruelala. 

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Welcome back, Project Runway fans. Last week, we talked avant-garde looks. This week? It’s part one of the finale, baby, which means – hometown visits and a pre-Fashion Week peek at the collections.

I love a good hometown visit. They’re sentimental little snippets into the designers’ lives, full of awkward family stories and on-par critiques of their collections. But this year, they felt rushed and distant. Nonetheless, the collections themselves had their charm (and wow-factor).  Here are some highs – and lows:

Melissa
Oh, Melissa. How I love your Taylor Momsen-esque vibe. And the fact that you came from a town of 3,000? You go, girl. But your collection felt done before. From that high-collared black dress (didn’t we see the same thing here?) to that big-cuffed white leather jacket (love the treatment, but it’s pretty much this, with a luxe twist), I would have loved to see something just a teeny bit unexpected.

Fabio
This guy is out there, in a Marc Jacobs sort of way.  And it works like a charm. His collection straddles the line between ugly and innovative. Dyed pastel fabrics are cut asymmetrically and draped in ways so odd, they feel fresh. It’s streetwear meets loungewear meets avant-garde, and the judges? They love it – or, at least, the idea of it.

Christopher
Although creating a print from your mother’s X-ray is a touch creepy (or “haunting,” as Chris likes to call it), the unique print itself pretty much made this collection. (The eroded leather was perfection, too.) But I’ve got to say: Turn the volume up! Despite the unusual textiles, these skimpy little pieces were simply boring.

Dmitry
Pure love. This guy has such fabulous attention to detail – and such an eye for what works on a woman’s body. I’d snap up (almost) every last item in a heartbeat. (Except I’d wear a tank under that sheer, embellished top, obvi.) His clothes just look expensive. I think I’ve found my top contestant.

Until the finale, auf wiedersehen.

By Joanna Berliner, Editor

Have your own take on the collections? Share it in the comments below or tweet us @ruelala. 

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Welcome back, Project Runway fans. Last week, the designers went miniature. This week? We’re turning things up a notch – or five.

That’s right, it’s the last challenge before the designers create their Fashion Week collections. Which means: finally, the show decided to air an episode that involved real, honest-to-goodness fashion – no babies, high-kicking Rockettes, or T-shirt selling in sight.

Enter the avant-garde challenge – design an avant-garde look inspired by a fairytale-like estate and a new line of L’Oreal Paris limited edition makeup (with silly, fantastical names like Seductive Temptress and Wise Mystic…).

The results? I wouldn’t necessarily call them avant-garde, but they had the kind of fashiony drama the season has lacked as a whole. Dmitry’s tailored-to-perfection, high-collared suit fit like a dream (and that back! Stunning!). Fabio’s blood-red and black look, inspired by the fact that he used to wear his shirts as pants in college (yes), was high drama in a nutshell – although in an exceptionally morbid kind of way. (I should have known: If anyone can do avant-garde, it’s the guy who shows up at the runway show wearing a dress and a black bejeweled headpiece.)

But Sonjia? The judges described her look best. Brutally honest guest judge Zoe Saldana described the ‘floating’ green fabric at the bust as looking “like a table napkin fell on her.” While MK (Kors, not Olsen), candid as ever, called it “an ice skating costume Nancy Kerrigan skated through a banquet hall.” Sigh. 

Until next week, auf wiedersehen.

By Joanna Berliner, Editor

So – who’s going to win? Share your top pick in the comments below or tweet us @ruelala. 

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Welcome back, Project Runway fans. Last week we talked disco turkeys and other Radio City Music Hall-ready, high-kicking designs. This week? Things got pint-sized. We’re talking babies in the workroom.

Needless to say, it was officially the most adorable episode of the season. So, in celebration of the tiny challenge, I polled the team at Rue on their favorite (and least favorite) mini looks. Here’s who had us cooing – and booing – this week:

Our top pick: Sonjia

“I loooved Sonjia’s look,” Ali C., Rue Premium Brand Programming guru raved. “Dressing baby boys like little old men is one of my favorite things!  I loved that the tailored suit stayed comfy in the sweatshirt material.  I also loved how she managed to keep it playful with the monster undershirt.  Sonjia is back!”

Rue Junior Copywriter, Brianna L., couldn’t help but agree. “Sonjia’s look was an all-around win for me,” she gushed. “How adorable (and cozy) did this little guy look? I love the easy vibe of the sweatsuit contrasted with the tailoring on the jacket and the fun little monsters on the T-shirt. This is perfect for babies who need cuddly fabrics.”

And the ones we liked… not so much: Elena & Christopher  

“Even though I was starting to not loathe Elena anymore,” said Ali, “her look was sloppy and poorly executed.  The jacket had potential to be cute with the ruffles, but it did not look like it fit right and was styled horrendously!”

“I know Christopher had a tough time in the design room with this mom,” Brianna started, “but I have to agree with her here – I kind of hated it. I think this little girl’s jacket and dress are adorable, but the color choice is totally off for spill-prone babies.”

By Joanna Berliner, Editor 

What looks did you love (and loathe)? Tell us in the comments below or tweet us @ruelala.

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