the same color does not a collection make

$9,000. 6 weeks. 10 looks. 4 remaining designers. 2 episodes. I quite enjoy this, but I won't go on in fear that I'll lose your attention. But yes, here we are in part one of the season finale of Project Runway. We left last week seeing April auf'ed (she had to go, she could do nothing but black and emotional) and Michael, Gretchen, Mondo, and Andy remain in the game. Final 4. But as Heidi reminds us, only 3 will be competing at Fashion Week. So, going back to my vague reference at the beginning of this post, the designers are given $9,000 and 6 weeks to go home and create a collection made up of 10 looks.

Cut to Tim driving all around America. I would love my role on Project Runway if I was Tim Gunn. Think about it. You get to pop in and out of each episode as mentor to the designers. You get to tote around a black velvet bag full of buttons. You get to visit Mood everyday an in doing so, visit their adorable mascot, Swatch. And finally, you get to travel to different parts of the country and visit the designers in their natural habitats. Not bad, Tim. Not bad at all. His first stop is Hawaii, where he's visiting Andy on the island of Oahu! We learn that Andy's collection is inspired by his home and his family (yes, that's quite original, isn't it?) And while his collection of masks and head gear is quite spectacular, he's lacking garments. Oh, no! Andy only has 2 weeks to come up with a complete collection! Whatever will he do? What if he doesn't finish? THEY ALWAYS FINISH. You know, for once, it'd be nice to see a designer come back to the show with only half of a collection--just to see what happens.

Tim leaves Andy in Hawaii, and meets Michael in Palm Springs, California and it is a SCORCHER! He also meets Michael's partner, Richard--and with Richard, we learn of some DRAMA. So, to be brief, Michael's family does not support him. We've seen the same story in many a Project Runway. It seems that an aspiring designers family is either 100% behind them, or not. And Michael's family only started supporting him after he got on the show. To heighten the family drama even more, we learn that Michael's partner outed him to his family. Michael even remembered the exact date it happened. Ouch. I have so many questions about that situation alone, but for the sake of the length of this post, I'll refrain from asking them. Let's get to Michael's collection. His inspiration apparently comes from the feathers and the sky. He loves feathers. I love feathers too. In elementary school and beyond, if I was bored in class, I'd often draw a feather. I was not a very talented sketch artist, but feathers I could do, and they were fun. I think I'll draw one once I'm finished writing this. Um....where was I? YES! MICHAEL'S COLLECTION! OK. So, in Michael C. fashion, the man has created well over 10 designs. Now he just needs to narrow down the "design diarrhea" as Tim put it.

While Michael works on his collection issues (seems there are some beyond his collection), our buddy Tim heads east to Mondo's house in Denver, Colorado. I love Mondo. I love him. I'm not shy about expressing my love for him. If I haven't been clear enough already, I want him to win. I think his inspiration is the best out of the four designers. He designed his collection with the vintage circus of Mexico City in mind. Awesome. And totally Mondo. Circus means color. Mondo means color. We have a match! I'm already dying to see his collection.

From Denver, Colorado, to Portland, Oregon. Now, do any of you remember Leanne? I remember when we first met Gretchen, I thought that she and Leanne were quite similar. Both designers from Portland. Both indie-hippie kind of dressers. Both dark blondes with the blunt bangs. Leanne won her season of Project Runway. Does this mean Gretchen has a chance? Well, technically she does, but perhaps because she--ah, what am I saying? I just wanted an excuse to bring up Leanne. I loved her designs and was so happy to see her win. Just thought I'd throw that out there. Sorry for that little tangent. Back to Gretchen! To add more drama to this episode, we learn that Gretchen came home to a not-so-great situation. The details are a bit fuzzy, but she apparently had a nasty break up which caused her to have to move out of her house. And her bank account is apparently empty. So yes, I guess you could say she could really use a high-five right about now. Her inspiration stems from rural western roots. Personally, I've been a fan of Gretchen's designs. I know she's insane and a bit grumpy and doesn't take criticism well, but I find that the clothes she both wears and makes are kind of awesome. I've said my peace, let's move on.

Back to New York! All of the designers are back and once they settled down in their hotel room, it's back to the work room. And Tim has a SURPRISE (of course he does)! As we learned in the previous week's episode, the final four would be competing for only 3 spots in Fashion Week. Now, we learn that they'd compete by showing a total of 3 looks--one which has yet to be created. Back to Mood! Now, back to the work room! After individual critiques from Tim, and a bit of sprucing up for the models, everyone was ready for their final runway before Fashion Week.

The Runway
-LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE MONDO! Colors! Patterns! All the best! And they're all wonderful as separates! The judges' only worry is how people will react to Mondo's collection: take him seriously, or dismiss him as a joke? I honestly can't agree with them. Mondo's collection is bold and colorful, and it'll make the show fun, which is what it's supposed to be.
-Andy's is fine. I know, I know. I shouldn't be so detailed with one designer and do the whole "fine" thing with another designer, but that's how I'd describe Andy's pieces. They're fine. They'll get him into Fashion Week. The judges would have liked to've seen more than just a bathing suit and a couple of layered mini dresses. But apparently Andy wanted to keep the "wow" until Fashion Week--understandably--but I risk nonetheless.
-Michael's designs are literally the same colors: pink and brown. I was personally not a fan of any of them. And while they were well-made, the judges knocked him for using the same colors as a way of forming a collection. Oh Michael, you are so naive. That is a rookie mistake! Then again, who am I to judge? I can't even sew a button.
-Poor Gretchen. She keeps getting the "crunchy granola" label. I know this girl has a "wow factor" in her, but for some reason, it just didn't show up. And wow, it was super awkward when Gretchen told the judges she wanted to "pique" their interest and Nina immediately retorted, "My interest was NOT piqued." HARSH NINA. HARSH. T
-The judges all agreed that there were issues with the designers' editing.

The Results
-Mondo's in (obvi)! I can't wait wait wait to see his collection.
-Gretchen's in. I know she's a crazy, but I'm REALLY looking forward to what she brings...especially her version of a red-carpet look.
-Andy's in. I'm curious. That's all I'll say.
-Michael's out. He's out. And it gets AWKWARD. He basically loses it. I don't think I've ever seen anyone react like that. And I know, it sucks. But thanks to spoilers, we all know that he shows at Fashion Week. If you're wondering what his collection looked like, you can see it here. BUT DON'T LOOK ANY FURTHER. I've struggled, but I've managed to stop myself from looking at the final 3 collections. OVERT YOUR EYES.

OK. So my money's on Mondo. Though I expect greatness from Gretchen and Andy, Mondo's got "winner" written all over himself.

Michael Kors Quote of the Night: "IT DOESN'T LOOK EXPENSIVE! THAT'S YOUR PROBLEM." -On Gretchen's looks. It was all in the delivery, people.