Project Runway All Stars recap: The 5 remaining designers are challenged to turn garbage into black light costumes
After nearly an entire season, the five remaining All Stars return to their roots (i.e. episode 1) and are asked to participate in another garbage challenge—although now they get to use expensive garbage that lights up! What does it mean when a challenge is so transparently about the novelty of doing a black light show? I worry next week’s pre-Fashion Week final challenge will be all about making fabulous pantsuits out of lasers.
Let’s chart how we feel about Tron »
The Challenge
An especially leggy Angela sashays onto the runway with news that the All Star squad has to make avant-garde outfits for a black light show. Angela follows that brief explanation with the world’s longest introduction for Pharrell Williams—mildly still-a-celebrity judge. The All Stars are a bit like, “Oooh, that guy, hey, that guy…”
Angela reveals that Williams was also voted the best-dressed man in the world. By whom exactly? Seriously, Who Voted? -5
This is apparently the episode where Austin officially burst out of his glittering pupa and became Liberace.
In the Workroom
After doing a marathon shopping trip at Barbizon and Mood, the vibe in the workroom gets intense and a bit snarkier than usual—which is totally normal behavior when there are only five designers left. Seems Consistent With the Series +2
At one point, Michael exclaims that he “got this really gorgeous felt,” which is absolute crazy talk. Can Michael make anything that isn’t a cinched-at-the-waist parachute? And out of felt?
Running with the motif of people not caring about Pharrell Williams, when asked how she’s doing, Joanna tells Kenley that she’s excited about Williams being the guest judge in the deadest voice I’ve ever heard. Somebody’s unhappy about the election! (You know, the one where P. Williams was voted best dressed in the universe.)
Jerrell, with all his usual overconfidence and strange vocal affectations, tells Jojo that he wants to bring a little ethnic flair to his avant-garde look. Errrrrr. Peplums are very in! Run with it, Jerrell.
Sort of half expected and half hoped Joanna’s skeleton would glow through her skin when she stepped into the black-lit workroom with Michael. But I guess that’s not how science works. What a Disappointment -1
Jerrell is making a pencil skirt to the ground. To the Ground -10
We Need To Talk About Austin
It’s sort of odd how sometimes Austin is like moustache, no moustache, moustache, moustache, suddenly no moustache. It doesn’t make me love him any less, I just wonder if there’s ever going to be a moment where they film him expressively shaving off his moustache to a Cranberries song, or whatever.
Oh good grief, Austin Skyping his mama and then hugging the pillow might be one of the most human moments on Project Runway, certainly on All Stars, ever. Right in the cry spot, it hits me. Actually Crying, Totally Moved +/-10
Runway Day
Kenley suddenly looks different. Don’t they care about continuity at all in this show? It’s messing with my head! Stop Changing Your Heads -3
The show was pretty cool. I’m going to come right out and say that my vote’s for Austin.
Georgina tells Mondo that his outfit looks Tron-esqe. Mila must be so T.O.’d right now because she actually worked on the costumes for that crazy movie! Mila would’ve nailed this challenge… maybe. Probably not. An idea worth considering: Project Tronway All Stars?
Isaac says that he lives for Teletubbies, which is doubtful but charming. Omg, don’t you think he and Austin should date? Sidebar: me saying that is the stupidity equivalent of Jerrell saying “Indian chic” last week, so now we’re all square and that’s the way it needs to be. Sense of Balance +4
I haven’t brought up Georgina Chapman’s beauty issue for a while, but I’m finding it hard to pay attention to anything but her this week. Seriously, how can one woman be so hot and also know how to do sentences! So Fine +20
She was enchanted by Austin’s dress! Swoon! +5
Michael’s dress is the funniest thing I’ve ever seen on the show. His model’s panicked eyes, darting around inside her balaclava is worth every annoying thing he’s ever said or done. It’s finally clear to me that he was a good investment. No Points.
And Austin’s the winner! Michael’s just in! And Jerrell is outta there.
Which means that Austin’s dress will be ambiguously “used” by one of Pharrell’s artists. Still, it was worth it to see Austin cry his beautiful tears again, especially since these ones were joyful water diamonds. Did you like this episode? I am firmly pro-this episode, despite my earlier misgivings. I was thrilled to see Austin win, and to see his Mom, and to see him in a sequined blouse. It was time for Jerrell to go.
Next week: I don’t know, but I think it’s gonna be… acceptably tense!
Total: 12
 and are asked to participate in another garbage challenge—although now they get to use expensive garbage that lights up! What does it mean when a challenge is so transparently about the novelty of doing a black light show? I worry next week’s pre-Fashion Week final challenge will be all about making fabulous pantsuits out of lasers.
Let's chart how we feel about Tron »
The Challenge
An especially leggy Angela sashays onto the runway with news that the All Star squad has to make avant-garde outfits for a black light show. Angela follows that brief explanation with the world’s longest introduction for Pharrell Williams—mildly still-a-celebrity judge. The All Stars are a bit like, “Oooh, that guy, hey, that guy…”
Angela reveals that Williams was also voted the best-dressed man in the world. By whom exactly? Seriously, Who Voted? -5
This is apparently the episode where Austin officially burst out of his glittering pupa and became Liberace.
In the Workroom
After doing a marathon shopping trip at Barbizon and Mood, the vibe in the workroom gets intense and a bit snarkier than usual—which is totally normal behavior when there are only five designers left. Seems Consistent With the Series +2
At one point, Michael exclaims that he “got this really gorgeous felt,” which is absolute crazy talk. Can Michael make anything that isn’t a cinched-at-the-waist parachute? And out of felt?
Running with the motif of people not caring about Pharrell Williams, when asked how she’s doing, Joanna tells Kenley that she’s excited about Williams being the guest judge in the deadest voice I’ve ever heard. Somebody’s unhappy about the election! (You know, the one where P. Williams was voted best dressed in the universe.)
Jerrell, with all his usual overconfidence and strange vocal affectations, tells Jojo that he wants to bring a little ethnic flair to his avant-garde look. Errrrrr. Peplums are very in! Run with it, Jerrell.
Sort of half expected and half hoped Joanna’s skeleton would glow through her skin when she stepped into the black-lit workroom with Michael. But I guess that’s not how science works. What a Disappointment -1
Jerrell is making a pencil skirt to the ground. To the Ground -10
We Need To Talk About Austin
It’s sort of odd how sometimes Austin is like moustache, no moustache, moustache, moustache, suddenly no moustache. It doesn’t make me love him any less, I just wonder if there’s ever going to be a moment where they film him expressively shaving off his moustache to a Cranberries song, or whatever.
Oh good grief, Austin Skyping his mama and then hugging the pillow might be one of the most human moments on Project Runway, certainly on All Stars, ever. Right in the cry spot, it hits me. Actually Crying, Totally Moved +/-10
Runway Day
Kenley suddenly looks different. Don’t they care about continuity at all in this show? It’s messing with my head! Stop Changing Your Heads -3
The show was pretty cool. I’m going to come right out and say that my vote’s for Austin.
Georgina tells Mondo that his outfit looks Tron-esqe. Mila must be so T.O.’d right now because she actually worked on the costumes for that crazy movie! Mila would’ve nailed this challenge… maybe. Probably not. An idea worth considering: Project Tronway All Stars?
Isaac says that he lives for Teletubbies, which is doubtful but charming. Omg, don’t you think he and Austin should date? Sidebar: me saying that is the stupidity equivalent of Jerrell saying “Indian chic” last week, so now we’re all square and that’s the way it needs to be. Sense of Balance +4
I haven’t brought up Georgina Chapman’s beauty issue for a while, but I’m finding it hard to pay attention to anything but her this week. Seriously, how can one woman be so hot and also know how to do sentences! So Fine +20
She was enchanted by Austin’s dress! Swoon! +5
Michael’s dress is the funniest thing I’ve ever seen on the show. His model’s panicked eyes, darting around inside her balaclava is worth every annoying thing he’s ever said or done. It’s finally clear to me that he was a good investment. No Points.
And Austin’s the winner! Michael’s just in! And Jerrell is outta there.
Which means that Austin’s dress will be ambiguously “used” by one of Pharrell’s artists. Still, it was worth it to see Austin cry his beautiful tears again, especially since these ones were joyful water diamonds. Did you like this episode? I am firmly pro-this episode, despite my earlier misgivings. I was thrilled to see Austin win, and to see his Mom, and to see him in a sequined blouse. It was time for Jerrell to go.
Next week: I don’t know, but I think it’s gonna be… acceptably tense!
Total: 12){kind=link}
