"Joan Rivers carved her initials in it"

WARNING: SPOILERS

My apologies for the tardiness of this entry. I honestly had not had a chance to see either the last challenge episode and this week's reunion until this afternoon.

Where we last left off, crybaby Ricky was kicked out--thank God--and only Chris, Christian, Sweet P, Rami and Jillian remained in hopes of becoming (no, not America's Next Top Model, sorry I got carried away) Project Runway Season Four's top designer. Two designers would be eliminated at judging.

This challenge was one of the best in terms of logistics, but not necessarily results. The designers visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC and were required to create a design inspired by one piece of art within three different themed rooms in the museum.

Well, naturally, Rami went with the Greek/Roman inspired drape piece--hello, yawn. He put together, again, a nice looking dress completely devoid of a 'wow' factor. Thank goodness the judges gave him an earful.

Chris was also criticized for his familiar design, not because it was safe (below, left), but because it was very reminiscent of the couture challenge's garment (below, right). Ehh? Yeah. What was he thinking?!

Sweet P's look--based on a peacock painting--made me the most uncomfortable. The judges said it looked wearable, but to me, it really just looked like colorful rags. And the feathers in the model's hair? My God, she looked ridiculous (below, left).

The judges liked Jillian's look and sung her praises once again, but I just don't like her. Maybe if she had a personality. I think Heidi was right: She's quiet (aka a robot) but her clothes are loud. Of course, this isn't a personality contest and Jillian got her ticket to Fashion Week (below, center).

And then there was Christian, whose design from the get-go was a shoe-in to win this week, even though it started off looking like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man in a vest. His dramatic, but wearable pieces really thrilled the judges and he was this week's winner (below, right). During judges' deliberation, it became clear that Christian is regarded as the most talented and creative of the lot, so we'll be on the lookout for him during next week's finale.

The judging then went as follows:

"Sweet P, you're"
"...Chris, you're in." [GASP!!!]
"Rami...you're also in." [DAMNIT!!]

Yes. The judges were deadlocked between Chris and Rami that the two will go into extra innings to show at Fashion Week. From the end of the show, the designers were sent home to create their look to show, but when they return to NYC, Chris and Rami will show three looks from their line and the judges will select who goes on. Hopefully the "do something else" bashing that Rami got at the last judging won't sink in and Chris will move on. Rami bores the hell out of me. Go back to designing for Jessica Alba.

11 down--four to go. Make it work!

RELATED LINKS
Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3
Episode 4
Episode 5
Episode 6
Episode 7
Episode 8
Episode 9
Episode 10