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Project Runway Recap: Episode 13 Finale, Part 1

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In this week’s episode, we learn who will move forward to NY Fashion Week. Seem like a repeat of last week?…sort of.

The designers went home for 5 weeks to work on 10-piece collections, and Tim Gunn did the obligatory home visits. Once they all got back to NY, each designer had to choose two looks to put down the runway so the judges could decipher the final four.

I always enjoy the home visit show, when Tim visits the designer’s family and sees where they grew up or where they live now. It was particularly interesting to see him in Puerto Rico with Margarita, 4 weeks before the hurricane hit. The town was so vibrant and beautiful–I shutter to think what it looks like now.

That being said, this home visit show was underwhelming. Tim had to visit five locations, rather than the usual three, so we didn’t get so see or learn very much of anything. It appeared as though Kenya’s collection was all in pinks, blush and black colors, with her usual peplums and a few unexpected embellishments, such as pearls, thrown in. Brandon had his totally expected silhouettes in the strangest print I’ve ever imagined–pink flamingos. Margarita went bold with lots of color in a print she designed using inspiration she took from her parent’s old 1980s couch. Kentaro had a really strange story about a dead cat inspiring his look, a special song he composed about it, and then a collection that was anything but cohesive. It seemed like he took a crazy pill before Tim arrived.

Off to the runway!

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The two looks Kenya presented were kinda boring, I have to admit. Once Heidi suggested that she remove the duster and robe from each look, they looked much more polished and cohesive. But, the fit issues with the black dress just made it look sloppy (I did love the pockets though!).

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Here we have Brandon, doing what he does best–oversized, “hip hop”-esque clothing with hanging ties and impractical, unnecessary embellishment.

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Seriously…that print just is so strange! He used the right and wrong sides throughout the collection to mute the print in areas and emphasize it in others. It’s a home-dec weight he used for garments! WHA? How is this figure flattering at all? Who would wear this?

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Here are Kentaro’s dead-cat inspired looks.

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When he was on the runway, he told the judges that his inspiration was river rocks, flowing streams, nature, etc. This is NOT what he told Tim, who looked dumbfounded when the cat story was explained.

The blush look on the left was the judges favorite of his, while they all absolutely hated the white/black look. I have to agree. It’s like Sporty Spice going to a themed Homecoming dance.

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Margarita presented two totally cool, fresh looks. I love her print, I loved the story, I loved how her fabric flowed on the runway. And those pants–FABULOUS.

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I”m glad Tim gave her the save because we would have never been able to see these looks. I think her collection will turn a lot of heads and be totally different from everyone else’s.

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My favorite look of the night was Ayana’s jacket, pants and top:

Screen Shot 2017-11-10 at 11.30.31 AMShe mixed these edgy details with luxe fabrics and made this casual look seem expensive and posh. This was unlike anything she had presented in previous challenges and made me want to see her entire collection. I am totally team Ayana now and I hope she takes the win (with Margarita in a close second).

Screen Shot 2017-11-10 at 11.29.42 AMHer other look was not my favorite. Heidi liked the the trim on the neckline, hem and sleeves, while I hated it. I just couldn’t help but think how itchy it must be.

At the end of the day, Kenya goes home for her lack of styling ability (according to Nina), but everyone has a teary farewell because they like her as a person so much. She truly is such a sweetheart.

Screen Shot 2017-11-10 at 11.30.20 AMI can’t imagine the heartbreak of creating an entire collection for 5 weeks only to be told you aren’t going to show it. (But you and I know she WILL get to show it, she just won’t be eligible for the win.) I think she has great potential to create cool clothing that is wearable and fits a lot of figures. We will see more of her, for sure.

Photos courtesy of mylifetime.com

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