When someone said “two heads are better than one,” there was also another phrase lurking in the background: “Too many chefs spoil the soup.” These come in handy this week since of course, we’re dealing with that dreaded Team Challenge. No “Project Runway” contestant ever looks forward to working with a fellow contestant, yet unfortunately you know that it’s going to happen. And this season, it came early, with successes and failures.
The episode begins with the 14 designers showing up to Cape Liberty Cruise Port in New Jersey. The designers board the Celebrity Summit Cruise ship. They are greeted by Tim Gunn and Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and CEO of Celebrity Cruises. She explains that Celebrity Cruises is the “epitome of modern luxury vacation experiences, traveling to every destination around the globe.” At this point I suspend reality and think, “Oh Goodie! They’re going to take a cruise to the islands of Turks & Caicos; so nice of the show to give these kids a little R&R”. Then I woke up. There are seven suitcases each labeled with a different international destination. And since there are 14 designers and only sevent suitcases…it’s a Team Challenge: Each team of two must create one day-to-night look inspired by the exotic destination labeled on the suitcase.
Tim gets out the dreaded button bag to pick the designer pairs. I could have bet my beloved vintage Gucci loafers that Tim would “randomly” name Swapnil and I-don’t-speak-Indian Blake as a team. However, I was proven wrong: Swapnil was paired with Laurie and they chose the “India”-labeled suitcase (naturally). The other teams were Amanda & Gabrielle (South of France); Ashley & Candice (Venice); Lindsey & Jake (Hong Kong); Kelly & Blake (Greek Isles); Edmond and Hanmiao (Caribbean); and Merline and Joseph (St. Petersburg). Tim adds that this will be a one day challenge (cue the “Oh No!” cries from the designers). After some sketching time on the ship (and mini-bites lunch), it’s time to get back in their vans and head off to Manhattan and their workroom.
In the workroom, Tim informs the designers that they are to use the bins of solid fabric bolts in the workroom’s “Mini Mood” section—as well as the “inspiration” fabrics they found in their suitcases. As the teams begin collaborating, there are obvious tensions brewing, particularly with Jake/Lindsey, Joseph/Merline and Edmond/Hanmiao. Jake is being demeaning to Lindsey with his “deary this” and “honey that” (Check!). Lindsey also thinks she’s doing 95 percent of the work (Double check!). Joseph puts Merline on verbal and motion decaf so not to distract their work, demanding that she not sing or dance. By not allowing Merline to be herself and actually enjoy her work time, they’re not maximizing the opportunities for team success. It’s always not good to begin a team challenge by telling your partner, “Here’s what’s WRONG with YOU! And stop doing it!” And interestingly enough, Merline seems to be quite amiable and falls into line just as Joe demands.
Finally, Edmond and Hanmiao are the definition of oil and water. They argue about color, design, silhouettes, and never come to a harmonizing meeting point. She also tells him to “shut up” a couple of times. Personally, I’m on Team Edmond as opposed to Hanmiao–she seems to be the more combative and unyielding of the two.
Day of the runway and neither sleep, a late night dinner, nor a smoke break, helped either Edmond or Hanmiao–they’re both still arguing and fighting. He even makes a swimsuit without her knowledge to (hopefully) replace the cartoon-like top and panties she created. All the while, she takes their model to the bathroom to sew that said top and panties ON THE MODEL so that Edmond will have no choice but to let her creation go down the runway. It’s all a big mess.
On the runway, guest judge is actress and daughter of style diva Diana Ross, Tracee Ellis Ross. The designs come out. Here are my favorites: Swapnil and Laurie’s India-inspired look was Mumbai millenial-chic. I was afraid of the possibly too obvious traditional sari references, but what they created was an updated, modern and non-costumey version. I also loved Kelly and Blake’s Greek Isles look. The white jumpsuit with blue printed back panels was original and luxe. I could totally see this woman in Santorini sipping Ouzo while waiting for the fabulous sunset.
Because of their obvious team tension, I assumed that Lindsey and Jake’s design would end up on the bottom but after seeing it, I was wrong. It was Asiana Fab. On a side note, it was unusual to see a team on the top so argumentative while basically being praised by the judges. I guess they had a lot of pent-up frustrations that they needed to release. It’s important to note that their negativity seemed to make the judges like their design less. Lesson: keep your mouth shut and smile.
Candice and Ashley’s Venice-themed look was the best. Their multi-printed, colorful design was editorial and bold. The ensemble was very Italian heiress Beatrice Borromeo in Capri. It’s always risky to mix prints and make it work harmoniously, and their risk paid off with the week’s win.
And now, the bottom. I was a bit surprised that “Team South of France,” Gabrielle/Amanda were up there. I didn’t think their design was as bad as the judges thought; the pants fit well and I liked the asymmetrical top with hints of the French flag colors underneath. However, I totally understood why Joseph/Merline (St. Petersburg) and Edmond/Hanmiao’s Caribbean queen were in the bottom. Joseph and Merline’s look was mumsy and Nina was right about the bib-cape. What was the point? No, seriously, what was THAT point on the cape? If there was anything positive I could say it would be that their model did look like the wife of a Russian arms dealer shopping for the most expensive penthouse in St. Petersburg.
But, oh Edmond and Hanmaio. The directive was to make a day-to-night look that could work while touring the streets of a Caribbean island and then transitioning to the Captain’s Dinner back on the ship. This outfit was none of that. Nina said it was, “HIDEOUS!” and asked, “Why the swimsuit?” I seem to recall that Tim may have had something to do with this when during his check-in. He suggested–or at least reinforced–to Edmond and Hanmaio that they make one. Maybe he assumed it would be a well-designed one as opposed to the non-stretch badly-sewn top and panty bottoms we were forced to stare at on the runway. Nevertheless, Tim’s semi-silence on the swimsuit subject was deafening. At least to me.
In the end, this was a classic case of the designers on a team not leaving their egos behind and therefore conflict and resentment bubbling over. Rarely is the outcome positive (Lindsey/Jake are an exception). Both Edmond and Hanmaio became unwilling to open their minds to the other persons perspective and were intent on forcing their point of view and not cooperating. The more conflict, the less innovation. And their final look showed it. Edmond was very lucky to be safe after winning last week, so without hesitation, it was Hanmiao who got the boot. No lifeboat for her on this “Project Runway” cruise ship.
