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Mondo Geurra's winning couture look which was inspired by L'Oréal eye shadow. Photo Courtesy of Lifetime
Proving that the beauty expression "The eyes have it" also applies to fashion, the "Project Runway" designers take their inspiration from drugstore cosmetics and cold, hard cash.
And sew it goes:
The Challenge: Contestants were asked to create a haute couture look inspired by L'Oréal's pigment-rich eye shadow duos and "studio-secrets finishes" for a fashion advertorial for the brand.
"Eye" Can't Believe It: The advertorial will appear in Marie Claire and the winning designer gets $20,000 from L'Oréal. That's a lot of inexpensive mascara or "drinking money" for poor Mondo Guerra, who reveals he's never made more than $12,000 a year in his life (and thus secures his place as StyleList's sentimental favorite).
The Twist: The stitched-thin designers must create a second, ready-to-wear look to prove they can translate couture in a flawless mass market way.
The Workroom Drama: The whiff of money "colors" the designers' visions and most are promising their best work ever.
Valerie Mayen is exhausted and threatening to quit. She spends so much time sobbing in the bathroom that she forgets to sew her dresses for, like, 1 1/2 days. Then, desperate to sew anything, she turns to "Rainbow Brite on crack" for inspiration.
Guerra launches the yellow eye shadow trend in the "PR" workroom -- not on the Spring 2011 runway -- during his model consultations with L'Oréal's Collier Strong.
Once again, Gretchen Jones accuses Michael Costello of being a copycat, but he sticks up for himself and accuses her of the same. "We're both addicted to Bordeaux," he explains of their mutual obsession with maroon fabric.
The Guest Judge: Fashion designer and first lady favorite Naeem Khan joins the panel. And since he just launched an HSN collection, he's a perfect fit for the high/low runway show.
Who's In: Guerra, who left Colorado with $14 in his bank account, now has $20,014! The judges are batting their lashes at his "dreamy Kentucky Derby horse ribbon" couture gown (above) and slimming black-and-white day sheath. This makes two consecutive wins for the formerly destitute designer. Beers on him at the Atlas apartments!
Andy South and Jones complete the top two.
Who's Out: Ivy Higa loses a tight race for hideous with fragile Mayen, who seals her place as the season's self-proclaimed Susan Lucci: She's dramatic and never wins. But the judges decide Higa's Smurf-blue Little Mermaid dresses read too bridesmaid for the runway and she gets the "auf."
What StyleList Thought: Having seen the bottom two designers show their collections at the "PR" finale during New York Fashion Week, the judges got it right. Higa's beach-inspired collection was relaxed and pretty, but Mayen's was a bolder display.
Meanwhile, read about Guerra's victory last week during the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis-themed challenge.
'Project Runway' Recap: Season 8, Episode 9 - The Color of Money originally appeared on StyleList on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 16:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Comments
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