This week's Project Runway made us think one thing and one thing only: Britney Spears totally has a career in professional wrestling if she makes it out of the hospital (which, apparently, she just did). The runway challenge this week was to design an outfit for a female professional wrestler in the WWE. Some designers took the challenge to heart and ran with the campy sexuality of it all, while others were blinded by the sequins and rhinestones and came up with poor imitations of real wrestling outfits.
"Oh, s---," was the first thought that ran through Jillian's head when told she'd have to design an outfit for a female wrestler. That's understandable, to an extent: sequined spandex bras are probably not the #1 thing made in fashion school. And, as one might expect, spandex is apparently impossible to sew. But that's not the only difficulty the PR folks encountered this week: Tim Gunn had some trouble with the wrestling ring, saying "Grandpa has difficulty with these ropes."
In talks with the designers, the wrestler girls admitted that the WEE is "partially stripper training," at least in the fashion department--we don't think working the ropes quite prepares you for working the pole, but maybe it's a good pole predecessor. Much like 6-inch stripper heels, "The things she had on today scared the s--- out of me," said Sweet P of her model Candace.
So, in the face of frightening women and yards of spandex, who prevailed and who was auf'd? Read on after the jump to find out!
Initial talks brought out some fabulous fashion preferences: Christian's client liked leather and lace; Chris's was into leopard print. Sweet P's wrestler uses a "robe reveal" in her routine, wherein she appears in a regal robe and strips it off to show the costume underneath. Both Rami and Jillian designed for "the girl next door," but Jillian's neighbor was more of a tomboy while Rami's ran toward the Barbie end of the spectrum.
Continuing his tradition of perpetually pleasing comments, Tim Gunn said, "It looks like she's going to the WWE hospital," upon seeing Sweet P's decidedly patient-appropriate gown. Sweet P attempted to defend herself by saying, "When you have a customer asking you for the tackiest garment you could ever design in your life... it's just frightening," but we don't think that excuses her lack of effort--other designers, also capable of handling high fashion, jumped off the deep end of leopard, leather, and lace this week.
Jillian deemed her own quasi-Wonder Woman shiny blue outfit with high white boots "Girl next door, tomboy, but completely sexy," and we're in agreement. Spunky wrestler Layla rocked her tiny orange suit, even though was borderline trashy and didn't look appropriate for wrestling either. Chris wished he could wear his look of sequined black bottoms, gloves, and leopard print top. Candace's outfit was sparkly, but not much more--Sweet P didn't even bring more than one color (silver) into the design. Rami's client skipped down the runway in her bright pink lacy outfit, and Rami began to have some doubt, saying "it looks like I've been smoking crack or something." He was pretty much right on the money there. Christian's outfit for his wresler was a masterpiece of black leather and lace, complete with chaps and a funky one-armed look.
When it came time for judging, Michael Kors aired his fish out of water feelings immediately, comparing himself to "the pope at a sex show." He deemed Jillian's outfit "in keeping with the entertainment value we're looking for," while Nina offered a succinct dismissal of Rami's pink outfit as "not my favorite." The judging team found Sweet P's out fit "a little bit bare" and not dramatic enough, particularly for her over-the-top client. With genuine shock, Michael Kors exclaimed, "It's pricey-looking," in response to Chris' outfit, which was truly one of the higher quality looks on the runway. "I like it as a bathing suit, but I don't like it as a costume," said Nina of Ricky's design. Ricky's cape also doesn't show off his wrestler's body, and Michael even compared the cape to "a disco haircutting smock" (side note: disco hair salon? best idea ever). The guest judge dismissed Rami's outfit as "Paris Hilton wannabe."
In the end, Chris, Christian, and Jillian were the faves, while Ricky and Sweet P ended up in the bottom two. Ricky was criticized because he did not design "an outfit for the ring," and just made a bathing suit. Sweet P's outfit did not match Candace's "sex kitten" image and "had no dramatic impact."
In the end, Sweet P prevailed. We call bull on this judgment--Ricky's offing is not fair in light of his overall performance. And Ricky's swimsuit was awesomer as a swimsuit than Sweet P's garment was as anything. Plus, we were dismayed by Sweet P's essentially giving up on her client and outfit--something we feel a responsible designer should never do.
Still, Ricky took it in stride, saying "I've learned not to fear what others might think." Kudos to you, Rickster--go on and design us some sweet lingerie.
So Chris, Christian, Rami, Sweet P, and Jillian are left on the road to Bryant Park as next week promises to be "every designer's dream." Sweet P appears to have elimination concerns next week as well, which is worrying given her lackluster performance this week. Will she be auf'd? Turn in to Bostonist's Project Runway recap next week to find out!
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