Welcome back, Project Runway fans. Last week we talked heritage-inspired prints and Tim Gunn’s abhorrence of maxi pads. (For serious.) This week? Cue the high kicks, because we’re hitting up Radio City Music Hall.

Now, this episode is worth watching for three very solid reasons:

1) The pure fact that a glittering Heidi high-kicks it to the wazoo next to 36 professional Rockettes on stage. And loves it, mind you. (To the point where I got nervous and thought she’d gone all me, me, me Tyra Banks on us – but I digress.)

2) It’s an hour and half of instant Halloween inspiration. (True life. The end of October is closer than you think.) The challenge – to design a dance costume for the Rockettes – lends itself quite well to numerous costume ideas, from Elena’s “Las Vegas cheerleader” to Sonjia’s “disco turkey” to Fabio’s fish-meets-Xena Warrior Princess.

3) Chris’s silver-on-nude New York skyline dress, which was a clear frontrunner from the moment he mentioned the idea and almost (almost!) makes me want to dance on stage in front of a bjillion people. Dmitry’s cutout dress was another top pick, but apparently guest judge Debra Messing is worried about scaring away all the “little, little” children who frequent the venue.

Until next week, auf wiedersehen.

By Joanna Berliner, Editor

What part of the episode did you find most memorable? Share it in the comments below or tweet us @ruelala. And don’t forget to catch Project Runway Thursdays at 9PM ET on Lifetime.

Not a Member and like The (Style) Guide? You’ll love Rue La La. Join now.

Welcome back, Project Runway fans. Last week, we talked crafty t-shirts, bizarrely fringed outerwear, and a smattering of absolutely quotable one liners. This week? It’s all about prints.

Welcome back, Project Runway fans. Last week we talked (er, shed?) tears. This week? The designers get crafty – creating (hideously ugly) t-shirts, selling them in teams on the streets for cash, and using the money to pull off a team challenge: two fall looks, one with outerwear.

Ah, there’s that beloved fall word – outerwear. I was psyched to see a bevy of luxe coats strut down the runway. (Perhaps even in my favorite fall color, oxblood?) But, alas, the results left much to be desired. Think: bizarre fringe and oddly popped collars draped over totally blah outfits.

Still, the episode had its moments – mainly Elena related, of course – including these gem-like one-liners:

Christopher, on Dmitry and Elena: “They’re like Boris and Natasha from Rocky and Bullwinkle.” (So. Spot. On.)

Elena, on Christopher’s jacket: “[It] looks like a Snuggie. An ugly-[expletive] Snuggie.” (If only they made Snuggies in a nice fall camel.)

And my very favorite. Dmitry, on Elena: ”To kill the witch we need a silver bullet and a wooden stick.” (For future reference, D-man, a stick will do you no good. You’ll need a stake.)

Let’s hope next week brings some designs we can actually rave about. Until then, auf wiedersehen.

By Joanna Berliner, Editor

What was your favorite line from this week’s episode? Share it in the comments below or tweet us @ruelala. And don’t forget to catch Project Runway Thursdays at 9PM ET on Lifetime.

Not a Member and like The (Style) Guide? You’ll love Rue La La. Join now.

Welcome back, Project Runway fans. Last week the entire female gender lost all respect for Ven. This week? I have a confession to make:

I teared up in the last five minutes of the show.

Now, please don’t tell anyone. I mean, it’s a reality TV show, for goodness’ sake. And it’s not like the episode was particularly unusual – the challenge was to design a cocktail or evening dress that would be manufactured by Lord & Taylor. Some really nice final pieces (and one pretty brutal one MK likens to a “field hockey uniform“), but nothing tear worthy.

But those last five minutes? They were just downright touching.

I’d tell you why, but that just doesn’t seem fair. What I will tell you is this: hard-as-a-tack Elena cries, too. I mean, sobs. In front of the judges. (She does have a soft side under that suit-of-armor exterior.) And Boston-native Sonjia sobs. And Taylor Momsen lookalike Melissa almost cries. And, on a random note, freegan Fabio spends the episode wearing a completely effeminate crown of flowers around his head. (This, coming from a guy who wears dresses, shouldn’t have surprised me.)

Yes, things get a little teary eyed – to say the least. And I’ll leave it at that.

Until next week, auf wiedersehen.

By Joanna Berliner, Editor

Have your own take on the drama? Share it in the comments below or tweet us @ruelala. And don’t forget to catch Project Runway Thursdays at 9PM ET on Lifetime.

Not a Member and like The (Style) Guide? You’ll love Rue La La. Join now.

Welcome back, Project Runway fans. Last week, we talked one-way monkeys and chic workroom looks. This week? Things are taking a cue from makeover standby, What Not to Wear.

The challenge? To make over a real woman – from hair to toe – and design something that makes her feel chic, confident, and still totally herself. There’s no Stacy or Clinton in sight, though, just a boatload of designers who seem quite unsure how to dress someone of more than 110 pounds.

Case in point: Ven, who ends up with one of the larger-than-size-2 (read: beautiful and totally normal-sized) clients in the group and spends the entire episode spewing woe-is-me phrases like, “God, she’s a 14,” and, “her proportions are definitely off.” He forgoes the bright colors his client loves in favor of black (it’s “slimming”), spends a good five minutes discussing a belt he wanted to use that’s too small for her, and calls out – to her face, nonetheless – that her “before picture is definitely a nightmare.” Gasp.

Needless to say, his client wasn’t happy with the end result – a black zipped skirt and frumpy blue swing top – and I’ve now completely lost all respect for One-Way Monkey Ven and secretly (not so secretly?) wish upon him Honey Boo Boo’s Mama June for the next episode’s challenge. Thankfully, I’m not the only one who’s lost respect – check out these tweets.

On a positive note, evil Elena spends the whole episode smiling – yes! Smiling! – and wows her client with a sweet and flattering ballet pink top and black pencil skirt. And freegan Fabio ups the confidence level on his artsy tomboy client with a totally wearable colorblocked dress in three shades of grey (insert bad 50 Shades joke here).

Until next week, auf wiedersehen.

By Joanna Berliner, Editor

Did you think Ven was beyond rude, too? Share your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us @ruelala. And don’t forget to catch Project Runway Thursdays at 9PM ET on Lifetime.

Not a Member and like The (Style) Guide? You’ll love Rue La La. Join now.

Welcome back, Project Runway fans. Last week we talked middle-of-the-night departures and more. This week? It’s all about making it work – or rather, making it for work.

That’s right, the challenge is to create a cohesive line of professional women’s wear to be featured in Marie Claire offshoot, Marie Claire @ Work (side note: how have I never heard of this? My 9-to-5-heavy closet needs it, stat).

It’s another team challenge – cue a clip of Ven’s reaction: “Honestly, I want to kill myself” – and the two teams seem pretty evenly distributed, talent-wise. Team 6 has one more person (once-eliminated Raul) and the all-male Team 5 (dubbed the Silk Chiffonies) has judge favorite, Ven.

Apparently, though, Dmitry doesn’t play favorites. “I think Ven is one-way monkey,” he taunts. “Oh no, he’s one-trick pony, that’s what I meant.” You tell ‘em, Dmitry.

Typical of team challenges, there’s plenty of drama. Elena proves to be an utter b-word (and that’s saying it in the nicest of ways), and faux-widow’s-peak Raul disregards the team aesthetic entirely.

But despite the drama, the end results are pretty strong across the board. I’m talking three I’d-wear-that amazing pieces – Fabio’s easy black-and-white shift, Melissa’s super edgy number, and Dmitry’s black-and-navy sheath. (Yes, you can combine black and navy, despite what your mother told you. I’m kind of loving it this season.)

As for the lows, Gunnar’s sad little frock topped my miss list – and the judges’, too. Heidi likened its oddly bubbled top to “floating soufflé boobs,” and guest judge Joanna Coles said it looked like “two puppies wrestling in a sack.” Ouch. That poor, poor model.

Until next week, auf wiedersehen.

By Joanna Berliner, Editor

Catch Project Runway Thursdays at 9PM ET on Lifetime. And don’t forget to enter Lifetime’s “Make it Work in NYC Sweepstakes” for a chance to win $10,000 in cash, a $1,000 Rue La La shopping spree, a deluxe trip for two to NYC with accommodations at The Surrey, and two tickets to the Project Runway finale. 

Not a Member and like The (Style) Guide? You’ll love Rue La La. Join now.

Welcome back, Project Runway fans. Last week, we talked All Stars, faux widow’s peaks, and drugstore Halloween costumes. This week? Things get serious.

Here’s what you need to know:

Two designers leave.
Crazy stuff. Tim announces that Andrea (the only designer who remembers life before Internet) slipped out in the middle of the night. Apparently, she left no note – but Tim and the team assume she’s probably alive.

When the designers get back to the workroom, cartoons-are-real-life Kooan interrupts the Andrea-fueled, tear-heavy gossip to deliver his own exit speech, “I know I’m like a funky and little nerd person, and I thought about it for three days, and I think I should go.”

Frankly, I think it’s the end of an era.

One designer comes back.  
Faux widow’s peak – Raul. And Ven is not happy about it. I can’t say I am either.

For Buffi, tacky doesn’t cut it. 
Goodness, I love her accent. But bright pink chiffon over zebra print? I had flashbacks to past-life shopping experiences at Wet Seal. I know you pride yourself in tacky, but did you really think that would satisfy the challenge – to create a day-to-night look for a woman on the go? I think guest judge, Hayden Panettiere, put it best: “I look at her outfit and I go… woah.”

Here’s to hoping more designers don’t crack under the pressure next week. Until then, auf wiedersehen.

By Joanna Berliner, Editor

Catch Project Runway Thursdays at 9PM ET on Lifetime. And don’t forget to enter Lifetime’s “Make it Work in NYC Sweepstakes” for a chance to win $10,000 in cash, a $1,000 Rue La La shopping spree, a deluxe trip for two to NYC with accommodations at The Surrey, and two tickets to the Project Runway finale. 

Not a Member and like The (Style) Guide? You’ll love Rue La La. Join now.

Welcome back, Project Runway fans. Last week we talked Reese’s, rock candy, and a whole lot of licorice. It’s no wonder things got a bit sticky this week.

That’s right – we reached our first team challenge: create an Emmys-ready dress for… drumroll… past Project Runway contestants, from the good (Kenley, April, Anya) to the very bad (Irina). And goodness, it could not be clearer that this group does not know how to work together. Think: eye rolling, bickering, and Elena declaring, with vigor, “The weak ones don’t survive.”

The final results? A little lackluster. Despite their background in tailoring, Team Raul & Alicia opted for a floor-length black “gown” to outfit former designer, Mila – which was, in its final form, a frumpy, ill-fitting maxi.

Even the judges’ top looks were completely lacking that wow factor. The short, midnight blue number team Ven & Fabio made for Kenley was well made and flattering, but just. So. Boring.

And the all-white number Kooan and Gunner made for Irina? Not bad – elegant, at least – but not good. I think Kooan got the gist across best when it was walking down the runway and he whispered, “I want to eliminate myself.”  (Or maybe come in second place, Kooan?)

On a positive note, Raul’s gigantic, faux widow’s peak made my night. It was almost as unflattering as the bjillion-inch-long hair extension he made poor Mila wear. And guest judge Krysten Ritter was a real firecracker, daring to call the unflattering, chocolate-hued dress Christopher and Andrea made for Anya, “a Halloween costume you can get at a drugstore.”

Looks like next week will be filled with drama. Are you ready for it? Until then, auf wiedersehen.

By Joanna Berliner, Editor

Catch Project Runway Thursdays at 9PM ET on Lifetime. And don’t forget to enter Lifetime’s “Make it Work in NYC Sweepstakes” for a chance to win $10,000 in cash, a $1,000 Rue La La shopping spree, a deluxe trip for two to NYC with accommodations at The Surrey, and two tickets to the Project Runway finale. 

Not a Member and like The (Style) Guide? You’ll love Rue La La. Join now.

Welcome back, Project Runway fans. Last week we talked Snuggies, light-as-air gowns, and Kooan’s apartment. This week? It’s all about thinking outside the box. The candy box, that is.

Yup, we’ve reached the unconventional challenge, and I have dreams of fierce Reese’s wrapper–covered dresses (Season 4, anyone?) as the contestants approach their material-sourcing destination: Willy Wonka’s dream world, Dylan’s Candy Bar.

How’d things work out? Here are some highlights:

Taylor Momsen lookalike Melissa strings Twizzlers together for an all-black, rock ‘n’ roll look that makes me think, maybe it is okay to have another April. This girl’s got edge.

Sonjia’s shark candy–bedecked, sea-inspired number and Ven’s sleek black liquorice and pastel rock candy dress are judges’ favorites. I vote Sonjia here. This look is what candy’s supposed to be: simply fun. And did I mention she’s a Bostonian?

As for the lows? Heidi describes Elena’s bold-shouldered, nude Twizzler dress as “art with noodles,” and MK (Kors, not Olsen) calls it “rigatoni Mad Max.” Buffi’s dress was a little too SATC meets Miss Piggy for my taste (although, bless her heart, her accent wins me over).

And as for Lantie’s umbrella-fabric dress splashed with an eensie bit of candy (a rookie mistake), has this girl never watched a previous season? They always get you for using fabric-like materials.

Now, it’s time to do as Nina Garcia tweeted – Eat. Some. Candy.

Until next week, auf wiedersehen.

By Joanna Berliner, Editor

Catch Project Runway Thursdays at 9PM on Lifetime. And don’t forget to enter Lifetime’s “Make it Work in NYC Sweepstakes” for a chance to win $10,000 in cash, a $1,000 Rue La La shopping spree, a deluxe trip for two to NYC with accommodations at The Surrey, and two tickets to the Project Runway finale. 

Not a Member and like The (Style) Guide? You’ll love Rue La La. Join now.

Calling all Project Runway fans! Can you believe it’s been a decade since Tim Gunn first snapped, “Make it work”?  Makes me feel nostalgic (and a little old).

Last night’s Season 10 premiere started with a bang. Flashing lights. A cast of 16 designers. All the familiar judges, plus guest judges Patricia Field and Lauren Graham (Gilmore Girls, sigh!). And the biggest runway spot in the history of show: Times Square. 

But the fashion? The designers could have kicked it up a notch. It’s Times Square, people! Lantie’s mosquito-net-meets-snakeskin mess was far from the vintage-inspired masterpiece she envisioned. And knit queen Beatrice’s slightly sad yet comfy-looking ensembles? Heidi’s best defense was a impassioned, “I love my Snuggie!”

Of course, there were the stunners – Ven’s perfectly pleated white pants and feminine bustier (this guy is a stud at manipulating fabrics, a definite Fashion Week contender), Christopher’s light and airy, red-carpet-ready chocolate gown. Love them both. Want the gown (for all of my upcoming stints on the red carpet, obvi).

And then there’s Kooan – a straight-from-an-anime-flick, cartoons-are-real-life kind of dude I couldn’t sign off without mentioning. Although he’ll probably (hopefully?) never get to Fashion Week, his completely out-there comments make me ever so happy. Case in point: this tour of his apartment. Watch it. Now.

Until next week, auf wiedersehen.

­-By Joanna Berliner, Editor

Love Project Runway? Be sure to enter Lifetime’s “Make it Work in NYC Sweepstakes” for a chance to win $10,000 in cash, a $1,000 Rue La La shopping spree, a deluxe trip for two to NYC with accommodations at The Surrey, and two tickets to the Project Runway finale.

Not a Member and like The (Style) Guide? You’ll love Rue La La. Join now.