I don’t know about you, but I can’t think of a better distraction from the awkwardness of a team challenge gone wrong than the awkwardness of being publicly intimate with ladies’ undergarments!
The Challenge:
In one day, design a lingerie set inspired by the Heidi Klum Intimates Collection. The winning look will be reproduced as part of the collection and sold on HeidiKlumIntimates.com. The designers are provided with material and the basic infrastructure of a bra. As Tim says, “Why reinvent the wheel when you don’t have to?” The twist: Halfway through the challenge the designers are tasked with designing a sexy cover-up to accompany their bra and undies.
We should anticipate a wild ride, as Heidi is a notoriously tough critic, particularly when her own brand is being represented. Additionally, this will be the first opportunity in Season 14 for the winning designer’s piece to be reproduced. If the designers have been holding back, this is the moment to really bring it.
In general, the men are nervous. They claim that because they are not women, they couldn’t possibly design underwear for women. Erhm, no. Have they not been designing for women this entire competition? Did I miss something? If you can’t put together what is essentially the foundation of a great outfit, you have no business doing the rest.
Take a shot in the dark and guess which designer has the hardest time with the concept of ladies’ underwear. If you guessed the master of analog clocks himself, “Princess Blakey” (as Heidi calls him), you got it! Congratulations, you won nothing.
The stand-out piece is almost immediately Swapnil’s. He uses Madonna as an inspiration, adding straps throughout the bra and undies, but in nude tones that help to kick the whole look up from “oversexed pop star” to “high-fashion badass.” Also of interest is Candice’s look. Not surprisingly, she’s going for a sexy black look with a garter belt sans thigh highs. She’s one of the only designers to think outside of the bra-and-panty box.
Merline makes the brave choice to set aside the given bra for infrastructure, preferring instead to build her own. It’s this kind of risk-taking that we’ve been waiting for and it will either pay off big time or be her undoing. Either way, at least she’s going all-in, which is more than can be said for pretty much everyone who has gone home so far.
Ashley struggles slightly with the proportions of a woman who is not plus-sized, but she’s got a keen eye and shows confidence in her work. Meanwhile, Blake struggles with the female body in general, and while his fellow contestants give him a quick (and actually very clean) tutorial, there may be no hope for this one.
Speaking of no hope, Lindsey stabs a hole through her hand! Thankfully we don’t see the wound in all its stigmata glory, but she’s bandaged up by possibly the gentlest paramedic in the world and sent off to the emergency room. In New York City? She’ll be lucky if she’s back by the finale. Oh wait, just kidding – it only takes three hours. A stitch and a tetanus shot later and Lindsey’s back, using her good hand to pull herself up by her bootstraps. Er, bra straps?
Heidi joins Tim for the critique and is disappointed by the designers’ molasses-like pace. Then she proceeds to assassinate the designers one-by-one. She calls Edmond “Captain Tacky” for his cheap-looking design (bang!), she hits Joseph with the “m word” – matronly (boom!), and she asks Candice if she’s making a whip to go with her look (ouch!).
Heidi then calls the designers out on the runway to hit them with the final blow: Design a sexy cover-up. (KO’d!) But there’s good news to go with it, as they’re getting a sleepover right there on the runway, thus adding to their time in the workroom. Not gonna lie, their pajama party is pretty darn cute.
Runway:
Heidi introduces Zac and Nina, who look poised but ready to attack at any moment. Bella Thorne, author and star of the upcoming “Amityville: The Awakening,” is this week’s guest judge. Tim Gunn sits quietly, but his presence is enough to remind everyone that he’s got a save in his pocket that he’s yet to use.
The Top:
Swapnil: Nude and white bra and underwear with multiple crisscrossed straps across the chest and several straps making up the underwear’s waistband. The cover-up is an effortless floor-length white sleeveless Grecian number. He used a bride’s wedding night as inspiration, which scares Nina but excites Heidi. He is right to worry that this is not the kind of look that can be mass produced, but he did an amazing job putting together something very original.
Merline, the winner: It’s a black, strappy, lacey bra and boyshort underwear set, inspired by a v-neck top. It’s paired with a black satin robe that ties with a lace belt. It’s sexy and fresh. Also, I’d like to add that Merline’s own runway look is the best thing I’ve seen her in so far. She’s in a tight black and gold dress that’s sophisticated but still very Merline.
Ashley: A grey and lavender bra and underwear that matches her hair almost perfectly. It’s got really fun but tasteful strap and lace detailing, and it doesn’t hurt that her model has a crazy-athletic body. Ashley also made a great grey robe cover-up that looks comfortable and sporty. Ashley is back!
The Bottom:
Laurie: WHOA. She’s been my secret “one to watch” for a minute, but I had to shield my eyes from this look. The bra is magenta and plum with a knot in the middle which, if we’re being honest, is much more sophisticated than a bow. It looks like a bra. The problem is with the underwear. We’re talking 1980s high-waisted lace with a seam up the middle. Cringe-worthy. The black wrap is so forgettable that you can look straight at it and not see it.
Jake: A black and white polka dot bra with lace scalloping detail and cutaway straps. The cover-up is a piece of fabric that Jake has tied around the model’s waist like a sarong. The underwear also have cutaway straps but are way too small and cut into the poor model’s body, achieving the near-impossible feat of making this thin girl look like she’s got a muffin top. We learned earlier in the episode that Jake’s model was recently dumped – hasn’t she been through enough?!
Blake: He calls it “sporty meets French,” but all I can hear is the dad from “A Christmas Story” when Ralphie comes down the stairs in the bunny outfit: “A pink nightmare.” Taking his cue from Laurie with the high-waisted panties and completely ignoring any kind of boob support, this young, great-looking model looks…saggy. Blake defends his look by saying, “My girls usually don’t wear a bra.” Mmmmkay. Setting aside all of that, yet again Blake’s look is unfinished. He threw a sarong on the girl and called it a day. This isn’t a gown, and he was given a day and a half to complete the look.
Blake can’t stand behind an exciting new idea this time and is sent home.
