Project Runway: Down to the Wire!

Guest post from Kristen Swenson, BonBon Rose Girls

So, we're down to the wire my fellow Project Runway lovers. This past week's episode was the last episode before the finalists show at fashion week. I have to say, I was really expecting them to make an elimination...I just didn't see four designers going forward this season. Was I the only one who felt that way?

Instead of participating in a challenge, the designers were sent home to work on their collections in anticipation of a progress check home visit from Tim and the presentation of three of their looks before the judges. 

First up, Tim visited Kimberly in Maryland where she shared her "urban girl" vision. I didn't hate her fabric choices, but I could already tell that there was going to be an issue with her styling based on the large and in charge baubles that she showed Tim.

Next, Tim headed to Trinidad to check in on Anya who had, well not much, to show him. She had some lovely fabric and some beautiful inspiration photos, but had zilch when it came to constructed garments. 

Viktor, on the other hand, actually had some work to share with Tim. The inspiration for his collection was the love he had for his departed brother and their homeland of Mexico. He created his own prints from photos he had taken in Guadalajara. Tim definitely didn't seem as worried about Viktor as he did about Anya. Shocker.

And finally, it was Joshua's turn. In true Joshua fashion, his fabric choices were loud and WAY out there. Tim was not impressed. At the end of the critique, poor Joshua was left with very little. It was back to the drawing board time for him!

Fast forward a couple weeks and all the designers were back together again in order to show their three representative looks to the judges. Viktor's printed pants and cocktail dress totally appealed to me...and the pearl encrusted jacket he showed was swoonworthy. The judges didn't have much criticism for him other than that he over styled a couple of the looks, but at the end of the day, they clearly appreciated his work.

Predictably, Anya went back to her comfort zone of flowy and printed pieces. She had some major construction issues that the judges zeroed in on right away. She certainly wasn't the judges' darling this episode.

Speaking of over styling, Kimberly's poor models were loaded down with ridiculously heavy jewelry and bags. Her unappealing bubble(ish) skirt was my least favorite look of the evening. That being said, I did appreciate her heavy use of my favorite color cobalt!

Joshua went a smidge too far once again, but not as far as you would expect him to go however. His pieces were visually interesting and barring the back view of his "jumpsuit," I quite dug his designs.

For whatever reason, in the end, the judges decided not to send anyone home. If I was Kimberly or Anya, I would have been shaking in my boots! Just sayin'.

As always, you can head over to my blog, BonBon Rose Girls, to read my interviews with the eliminated designers!