Last Fashionista Standing

WARNING: if you do not wish to know who was given the "out" last night on Project Runway you should stop reading now (Kristie, this means you, babycakes).

Last night's challenge was a head-to-toe makeover of a fellow designer. Each designer was to design for a randomly chosen castmate. Seems like a fabulous concept, right? You get to see a bit of what the other designers see in each other - what someone wants to change, what someone wants to play up, what someone wants to get rid of entirely (Santino, thank goodness Kara made that Big Ben beard go bye-bye). I looked forward to it since last week's previews.

That said, I was so disappointed by last night's results I can hardly stand it. Well, half the results. The winner was chosen well. The loser was a huge mistake. Chloe won - and she deserved it fully. Her challenge was to make Nick over. It was beautiful. She really "got" him and his style and took it to a new level - the goal of every designer... or at least it should be - Santino, you reading this? Her ensemble looked like something Nick might choose for himself. Besides the props she deserves for solid design and perfect fabric & color choice, this was the first time she'd ever done menswear - which is entirely different in scope and strategy than womenswear. She mastered it on her very first try. Quite impressive. Nick looked great (as he always does) and Chloe won because she nailed it.

Kara did a wonderful job making over Santino (conversely, Santino made Kara look like an idiot on the runway and it was terrible, I felt bad for her up there in his design). We all know that man needed a little something in the personal apparel department. She prepped him up, put him in a polo and madras pants and he looked fantastic. She was a clear contender for the win with Chloe and I liked her design for Santino almost as much as Chloe's for Nick.

Daniel made Chloe over and he left a little something to be desired. From the judges' comments he left loads to be desired, but I wasn't offended by his design like they were. He had immunity last night, so he's in the final 4 no matter what. I'm sure that's why his hemline wasn't straight and the fit wasn't perfect for Chloe's figure.

Now - the sad part. Nick's design for Daniel was too feminine and he had some construction issues. Normally, Nick's sewing and construction is better than most. He has amazing skill when it comes to pattern making and execution. So, when his design for Daniel was lacking last night it was a let down. His seams puckered, the sheen of the fabric was unforgiving at best, and all the flaws shown through. His concept was great - 80s rocker, tight suit, slick - but his execution was not so great... and Nick was sent home. I almost cried. Really. I had picked him to win it from the first episode. His personality and his style coupled with his skill and immense talent should not go unrewarded, and I'm afraid this was a bad choice by the judges. I felt that Santino earned his ticket out of there. He's talented and can make beautiful, masterful clothes, but (and this is a huge but) he never considers the woman who will actually wear his designs. Not once has he taken into account what a woman feels like in a garment, if the design "fits" her style and her personality. He made Kara look like a streetwalker last night. His execution was so lacking it was hardly even there. No seams were finished, he glued her into the abomination of a jumpsuit and even went to so far as to blame her exuberance backstage for a popped shoulder seam - when he knew damn well that stupid seam was coming loose the moment she stepped out onto the runway! She looked a mess and it was his fault. He desereved to be out last night. Instead, my boy Nick is gone.

I can't wait for next week - Daniel tells Santino that he should have been out, not Nick, and I look forward to someone standing up to Santino's arrogance right to his face. His abrasive personality overshadows his goal-driven nature and he comes off as aggressive instead of assertive. It's a fine line, but it's an important boundary to mind.

Keep an eye out for the name - Nick Varreos - you'll see him soon, I'm sure.