Tim broke up last week’s teams into smaller groups – two pairs and a triad – but since everyone was able to design their own garment (with input from their team members), the pairings seemed to be more for drama than anything else. The designers were so competitive and sick of working together that the team dynamic was pretty much shot.

The teams met with Suzanne Timmins, fashion director for Lord & Taylor’s parent company, who gave them their challenge: Use the Lord & Taylor rose as inspiration for a ready-to-wear spring look that will be displayed in the store’s Fifth Avenue window as well as sold online.

There was, of course, some trouble in the workroom. Stanley’s attempts to control Patricia were thwarted by her feigning agreement and then moving on to do what she was going to do anyway. Michelle hated the color Daniel chose for his look, and Richard wouldn’t even talk to Layana.

On the runway, Patricia’s rosy draped blouse with matching capris and Stanley’s drab pink dress kept them both safe.

I agreed with the judges that Richard’s sporty maxi dress, though quite pretty, looked over-styled and too similar to what he’s done before. Samantha’s short, flirty dress was cute and interesting, but too junior for Lord & Taylor. Layana’s floral-patterned chiffon dress was beautiful – except for that print. Yuck.

Michelle turned out to be right about Daniel’s bright pink. It wouldn’t have worked as a jacket, and though I did love the shoulders, the dress wasn’t tailored well enough – and it was (frankly) sort of boring. Michelle’s on-trend chartreuse shift dress, however, was a clear front-runner with its impeccable details and great styling.

Already know who won, or don’t mind being spoiled? The winning design is on sale now. (Or was, until it sold out).

See you next week. Auf Wiedersehen.

By Jess Huckins, Staff Writer

I wanted someone else to go home – how about you? Let us know in the comments below, or tweet us @ruelala.

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Our favorite aspect of classic style is that you’re never roped into wearing it just one way. Truly timely pieces are versatile and polished enough to go from occasion to occasion and season to season. Lord & Taylor’s menswear masterpiece, Black Brown 1826, is the perfect example of this. It’s a combination of country wisdom and street smarts that we can mix and match to feel right for almost any occasion. Here, we check in with the style experts of Black Brown 1826 for their tricks on transitioning three sophisticated staples from day to night.

1. The Classic Cashmere Sweater
For day: Go for a V-neck sweater over a great T-shirt and pair it with your best jeans. Wear with either sneakers for a real relaxed feel, or a pair of ankle boots for a casual but polished look.
For evening: Make the look pop with a crisp white shirt and narrow tie. Then bring it all together with a nice pair of dressy dark grey narrow trousers.

2. The Plaid Flannel Shirt
For day: Find a great pair of comfy lived-in jeans and a henley T-shirt (or a thermal for the colder weather that’s on its way) to wear under the plaid flannel shirt. Roll up the sleeves for the full effect.
For evening: A great solid wool tie will bring out the underlying color in the plaid. Pull the look together with a tweed jacket or navy blazer.

3. The Argyle Merino Wool Sweater
For day: Pair the printed sweater with a clean pair of jeans or nicely pressed khakis. And for underneath, try a washed oxford button-down to tie the look together.
For evening: Make it a tailored look with a blazer and grey flannel trousers. A solid knit tie or a wool tie will finish off the ensemble.

Our Black Brown 1826 Boutique opens Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 11AM ET.

There’s something kind of nostalgic about slipping on a cashmere sweater from Lord & Taylor’s in-house label. The timeless pieces are perfect for stocking up on season after season, and keeping as lifetime favorites. Just pair with sleek riding boots and dark denim, and the result falls perfectly between effortless and ultra polished. As an ode to the super-soft sweaters, we’re counting up the reasons we love to put them on. In this Boutique:

2-ply cashmere makes for sweaters that are luxurious, lightweight, and durable.

3 timeless staples including the cardigan, shell, and V-necks.

6 polished patterns come to life in crisp stripes and classic argyles.

10 on-trend shapes like draped asymmetrical pullovers, open-front cardigans, and cropped shrugs.

21 colors from subtle neutrals and autumnal shades to bold brights and pastel prints.

Endless outfit options.

Our Cashmere Sweaters By Lord & Taylor Boutique opens Friday, September 9, 2011 at 11AM ET.