Project Runway Recap | Season 14, Episode 2

I can't believe they threw an unconventional challenge at the contestants in WEEK TWO.  Kind of crazy, but great for TV.

In this challenge the designers took over a Hallmark Signature card store, and had to use the greeting cards as their materials for their design.

My Top Three:

1.  Swapnil Shinde

I can't even grasp how amazing this is.  I was terrified when he was putting all the flowers on the skirt in the workroom (and when he described it as Alice in Wonderland on acid,) but the result was remarkable.  The sheer notion that he did polka dots in the front, a chevron stripe in the back, and a mix of black-and-white with floral is insane, but the fact that he made it out of paper and it looks like something you could take right off the rack is ridiculous.  Did I mention this was completed in one day?  I can't even.

2.  Edmond Newton

Even if it wasn't my #1 favorite, I completely understand why this look won.  I mean, he made a WEDDING DRESS out of Hallmark cards.  The fact that the entire bodice was the "Hallmark Signature" branding was genius, and he really pushed the boundaries in making the flower and jewelry from the cards too.  I want to see this in a Hallmark print ad somewhere.

3.  Hanmiao Yang

A vast improvement from last week.  Using the simple color palette with the envelopes kept it minimalist but still graphic, and it's boxy but not unflattering.  The length is perfect, and her styling with the loose ponytail and the gold sneakers was flawless.  I can't get over the surprise theatrics in taking the card out of the envelope on the runway!  So cute.

Honorable Mention:  Amanda Perna

I really didn't think this deserved to be in the bottom.  The skirt was a little overkill, but the top was GORGEOUS, and the whole thing was well executed.


My Bottom Three:

1.  Blake Patterson

Especially after last week's too-much-pattern fiasco, I expected this glitter bomb to be in the bottom.  The fact that it was in the top makes me furious.  Yeah, he used the text of the card in the lining and in the center pieces, but beyond that it's literally a muslin pattern coated in glitter.  If your criteria in judging is that it needs to made mostly of the card material, he did not meet that standard, and it proves the point from last week that he's over the top and doesn't know when to stop.  I mean, how much glitter does a dress need?!?

2.  Merline Labissiere

The top half had promise, but she clearly ran out of time for the bottom.  *I* could have made a skirt better than that.  It's a mess.

3.  Joseph Charles Poli

Another "ran out of time for the bottom" dress.  Tim said in the workroom that it looked very Kate Spade, and I agree.  But last week his look was, in my opinion, very Lily Pulitzer, so I worry about his actual ability to innovate or to have a unique voice.


I YET AGAIN disagree with who the judges sent home.  I knew David Giampiccolo was in trouble because he didn't use much of the cards in his design, but it was still a unique, creative look and it showed a clear voice.

If you're going to send someone home who used too much muslin and not enough unconventional material, send home Blake!!

Yeah, I have a bit of a vendetta against Blake.  I make no apologies.

But congratulations, Edmond!  Your bride was amazing.

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All photos from mylifetime.com
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