Project Runway 3/5/20--"Finale pt. 1" summary

Previously on “Project Runway”: we had an avant garde challenge that was actually pretty good. Compared to the level of “avant garde” this show usually produces. But with a double elimination everyone mostly freaked out. In the end Marquise and Brittany were eliminated, which means that everyone the judges eliminated is actually gone. Interesting. (click for more)

It's home visit time! Nancy is up first. She's working out of the apartment next door. There's a big calendar on the wall and it is very organized. Plus she's almost done. As Christian is looking around the room at all the stuff she has done, he sees a life-sized cardboard cutout of himself with a speech bubble that says “Amazing!!” Ha! He thinks it's funny (and creepy). Nancy's theme is zero waste/wearable art. In addition to a lot of metallics she's got an outfit for a wheelchair user. I think she was really moved by the Olympic challenge so she wants to include everyone. Christian loves the silhouettes but he reminds her to be careful of fit. Also don't overwork everything. There's a lot of detailing and loops of fabric and pleats and stuff like that. Then Nancy shows Christian she can see the Rocky steps from her window. Also Christian please come with me to run up the steps. Christian kind of shrugs that they don't look too bad plus he had a cheesesteak so sure. Of course he wins easily. Can you imagine Tim doing that? Because I can't. Then also Christian has an interview where he says this is Nancy's moment, and she has a couple of months still to finalize everything.

Next it's over to Sergio. As I was sighing, Christian's talking head says he's sure he'll hear some sort of...”political statement.” Heh. Plus Sergio's boyfriend. Anyway the theme is global warming. To be fair, he describes glaciers and polar ice caps, starting the collection with solid pieces and whites, and ending on more fluid pieces and dark blues. Honestly? I don't hate it? Maybe because I can see how this theme would work for a collection, and being inspired by nature is hardly unusual. But I'm sure he'll be insufferable about it. Oh, because he's using upcycled fabrics so it takes longer to get the colors and fabrics he wants. Plus he mentions he's growing his own leather from kombucha. In the bathroom. This man is growing some scary looking fungus blobs in the bathtub of his apartment. The pieces he has done work in the color palette, being light denim, but the looks themselves are weird. It's like, an off the shoulder denim bodice with fringe at the knee. Christian has concrete suggestions for colors, and then reminds Sergio that the judges think he's a copier. So don't do that. Then Sergio says he's going to soccer practice and would Christian be interested in boys running around in short shorts? Dammit, Sergio, I don't want to like you. Anyway, soccer practice involves putting Christian in a tabard and pretending someone would ever pass him the ball.

Time for Victoria. She has a lot done, and it looks very Victoria. Her story is that she wanted to use traditional Moldovian patterns. Also she's got her brand name embroidered on pieces, some of them very big. We're reminded that Karlie told her she needed to start designing for all women, not just the one woman she has in mind most of the time. But I thought it was bad if your collection was disjointed? I thought the point of the collection was that one person would buy the whole thing? Christian also thinks her looks are better when they're streamlined, because she has so many details. It almost sounds like Victoria is going to redo a lot of stuff, but it's not clear. We meet her husband and son, who are adorable. Her husband is a truck driver and she wants to win so he can be home more.

Finally is Geoffrey. Turns out Geoffrey hurt himself skateboarding. Severely enough that he says he couldn't shop for fabric or work that fast. In the confessional he's already starting to cry, because he just has some sketches and fabric swatches and ideas for manipulation like I am pretty sure he said “quilted chainmail”. There are no full looks finished, but a sleeve here and some gloves there. In addition to his injury, he took another job (with Disney no less) to pay the bills from not having income when he was on the show, so that's less time. Plus a breakup. Aww. Christian says he has so many ideas, which is great, but he's very behind.

Time for Fashion Week and slo-mo perp walks for everyone. Everyone talks about how much this would mean to them, except Geoffrey says this is his last chance. I remember him saying something like that before? But I don't remember why. Everyone is at Christian's show, which is great because his shows are amazing.

It says “New Workroom” but it looks familiar. Is this the same one they used for the last finale? I remember that alleyway with the lights strung up. Everyone unpacks. Nancy completely crawls into a box to find something. She brags that there's not even any horsehair in her collection! Heh. Geoffrey has outfits, so that's good. Sergio got the critique “It kind of looks like a Victorian saloon” from Christian and he decided that was amazing. Because of course. So now it's really Old West saloon.

Karlie comes in and everyone is excited and comes for hugs. She says they're so thrilled about how much talent they have so they're throwing out the rulebook. Maybe all four of them will be in the finale. Or maybe three. Or maybe two. They have 48 hours before the judges will decide. Interesting. They'll have to show three looks from the collection, whatever looks they want. Will you show your best looks? Or save your showstopper until the finale?

They go to the lounge to fight over models. It's actually very civil. They did find a wheelchair user for Nancy. Sergio tries to claim all three of his models all at once and Geoffrey has to shut him down. One at a time. Sergio agrees, and then has an interview where he says he didn't understand how he was coming off to the other designers, but now he's grown so much and he's moving forward! As always, probably a few weeks of this season aired before this happened and he got the internet backlash that was coming to him. There's a male model in there too, and Sergio tells Geoffrey he has to show a menswear look, because he's the only person who made one. It's very bossy but that's a good point. Geoffrey and Victoria fight over models, although Victoria can't take DD from Nancy successfully. Geoffrey is already flailing about which looks to pick out.

Back in the hotel, or the apartments, or wherever they are, everyone just lounges around and jokes. There's a flashback where Victoria says she wants her designs to be “cocky” and Christian thinks she said “khaki”. She still doesn't know what it means, and when Geoffrey says it means confident, Sergio corrects him and says it means you think you're better than everyone else. Victoria says maybe because they say Sergio is cocky? I mean he is. Nancy defends him in confessional, saying he says some crazy things, but he isn't rude or cruel to another designer. I guess? He was rude to Christian, but most of that was behind his back. But “cocky” is 1000% a descriptor of Sergio.

The next day, Geoffrey asks for a vacuum. I don't know. Christian comes in to see what's up. Geoffrey first, because Christian hasn't seen any of it. He's trying to honor his father. Christian gives him shit because none of his outfits have been put on a human yet. There are some really puffy coats. There is one that is so big it's too heavy to put on a dress form. Christian insists on wearing it, and it's like, as wide as he is tall and comes down to his knees. It is hilarious.

Victoria has a chair for him so he can be relaxed and give the best critique. Her collection is mostly beige with pops of color, which is nice. The layered sportswear is more interesting, and Victoria gets a caution against overdoing the detailing and accessories. Cut to a shot of Geoffrey working on one of his puffer coats, which means feathers all over the floor, drifting into other people's workspaces. I'm not sure if he could be avoiding that, but I hope no one gets in trouble for stray feathers on the runway.

Sergio has an amazing gown that looks like tassels, in an ombre pattern. Tassels sounds dumb, but it's fringe in clumps so that's what it looks like. He might need to modernize, because the outfits are kind of period. As we all knew, the construction is amazing. I never doubted that.

Nancy tells Christian her wheelchair user dress is zero waste. She's picking out three strong looks, as opposed to things she could use feedback on. Also an upcycled bag with a pocket for a wine bag and glasses. Christian leaves without giving her criticism that we can see. But then he walks away, and her face falls and she starts to cry. It's a good thing, because she's so moved that someone of Christian's caliber liked her outfits.

Model fitting. Geoffrey has a weird dress that has like, a dozen sleeves hanging off it? He says he's changing something because he gave his model a dick. Hee. He just has weird conceptual looks. Sergio wants to try something else. Christian tells Victoria that maybe she could show other looks? But she immediately says that's all she has in those sizes and it's impossible. Geoffrey should show different looks because he needs feedback on some things. It's a weird balancing act for everyone because they want feedback, but they also want to advance. Before Christian leaves he says he won't be there tomorrow because he'll be at the Oscars, dressing several people.

Geoffrey needs a new skirt to go with his puffer coat? I think he's making something new? Nancy is freaking out because her metallic fabric is very delicate, and she can't easily adjust it. And if there's a mistake it's ruined. Geoffrey has a plain long black skirt instead of the weird one with the sleeves and he likes it better.

Runway Day. As I suspected, there are feathers everywhere. Nancy is shaking clothes and feathers are falling out. The models arrive. Sergio starts freaking out because he says he made a white bodysuit for a model, and it's extremely sheer, and she wore black panties today. Did he just make that yesterday? If not, didn't she try it on? Also you could have told her to wear white underwear. Anyway, he doesn't have time to fix it. Nancy hands out fruit snacks to the models in hair and makeup. Geoffrey has some facial jewelry? But of course he babbles about how to put them on and then leaves and the hair people put them on wrong so he really freaks out about it. Victoria is going to use the hats and accessories because she likes them. (her mom crocheted the hats).

There is a guest judge today: president of CFDA Steven Kolb. Sergio: the first look is a long white dress, which is mostly sheer. There's a big ruffle on the bottom, and loose sheer sleeves gathered at the wrist. The beads at the wrist and hem match the collar neckline and it looks a little 70s. This is the sheer bodysuit but I can't really see her underwear. Second look is also white, with gathered sleeves. Think of the Sydney Opera House, and put that on her arm so it arcs downwards. It's hard to describe. The skirt is a tulip skirt, fitted to the knee, and then from the knee down is a calf-length circle skirt with a lot more volume and pleats. The bodice is sleek, with a deep V and a silver belt. Where the skirt opens up there is a bunch of beaded fringe. The last look is a strapless gown that is tea length, covered in fringe. It's rows of fringe, cut into little bunches so it's not just a flapper look. The skirt is full and has some hoops or something in it, and the whole thing is in a blue ombre shading. I find Sergio annoying but this dress is beautiful. And it sparkles.

Nancy: first up is the wheelchair user. The dress is hard to see, but it looks like a black metallic fabric. I'm not sure what technique or fabric Nancy used but her metallics look like liquid. They're very shiny and glossy. The bodice looks like it has some details but I can only make out that it looks kind of like fans. There's a sheer overskirt that the model takes off and puts behind her like a cape. Second look is a tailored, fitted suit with cigarette pants and a bandeau top. It's in a weird, almost harlequin print (those clown suits with the diamond pattern). Last look is a long slim metallic in dark burgundy or purple, that's just a column except for a big cowl neck, almost a hood.

Victoria: beige pants that end just below the knee, and I think are pleated? Then a lighter beige cropped jacket and a top with some vertical strips of lace. Either the top has long sleeves, or the jacket has long sleeves sewn into it and then short sleeves on top. All the models have crocheted baseball caps. Second look is a beige suit, which looks like one of Victoria's typical suits without the cutouts. Draped over her shoulders is a long hot pink coat. The pants are very tight and the jacket looks like a wrap jacket, with a couple of tabs and a double hemline. Her final look is a sequined jumpsuit. It's got loose legs, and a deep V and a hood. Over this is a slouchy blazer. All in beige and brown of course.

Geoffrey: long black skirt, in a shiny fabric that I think is pleated. Over this is a giant cropped purple puffer coat. Sleeves like the Michelin Man and everything. Second look is a black dress made out of metal mesh that hits below the knee. The top is open almost to her belly button. It has a light green hem, and curves in around her breasts. You know when a busty woman has on an unbuttoned cardigan, and it comes in over her breasts and then flares back out? Like that. The last look is menswear. Some mustard yellow pants, with a bunch of strips hanging down. Like he put a car wash skirt over some pants. Then a very long oversized white T, and a big yellow puffer coat. This coat is pretty long and not as full as the purple one.

Judging time. Victoria says her design is about going with her gut. Mixing elegance with quirky styles. They ask if this is the color palette, and she says yeah pretty much. Nina is concerned about the colors, and also the fit. The cropped jacket on the first look appears to be lopsided. Elaine feels the jumpsuit looks cheap, the fabric looks cheap, so she really needs to work on the fit for that one. But Nina loves separates, and everyone else does too and they sell well. Steven loves the hats, not necessarily because they're amazing, but because they refer back to her heritage and they make a through-line. They should be a staple of all her collections. Karlie hates the handbags (they have branding on them which Brandon also hates).

Sergio is passionate about “not letting the Arctic melt anymore”. Steven says it's very American to have a message, and maybe Sergio doesn't connect his garments with his message. Ha! Elaine points out that he's been jumping from issue to issue all season, while brands that actually have an impact just pick one issue and come back to it. Well, yeah, because we know he designs stuff and then invents an issue to tie to it. Why is the first look so sheer? It's lingerie. Some bullshit about nature is naked and pure and the femininity of Mother Nature. Elaine doesn't need to see a thong. It doesn't go with the other looks. The styling is dated, although Nina of course loves the clothes and they're well made. She says it's a very small minority of women who are looking for these clothes. He takes classic looks and “tries” to make them modern. Guess that's not working. Brandon demands a modern evening look. Also EDIT in big letters. Karlie says don't put all your techniques you're showing off in every look.

Top Chef in two weeks!

Geoffrey is trying to push materials forward, like armor and metal mesh. Brandon says metal mesh is very hard to work with, but it's easy to make it look cheap or overworked. Geoffrey asks if his looks are overdone or cheap, and Brandon says today, a little of both. He needs to edit too. The tops all have great silhouettes but the bottoms fall out. Nina wants more luxury. Elaine loves the mustard look, but the metal mesh black dress is too shapeless. Steven wants more sexy, but I don't immediately agree. It's too much like Heidi's complaints that everything has to be tight and sexy and I don't think it does.

Nancy wanted to represent inclusivity and zero waste. Her styling isn't modern, and that paired with very busy patterns and textures makes it too dated. Once the first look takes off the overskirt, the skirt underneath looks like an afterthought. Nina loves the suit, and she suggests that if she keeps going, she should really think about the order she's going to walk the models in. Then Nancy says that Brandon inspired her wine bag with the booze in it. Hee. They hate the cowl neck on the metallic gown, and when DD takes it off they're like oh here is a breather. But now it's a gown with a halter neck and the only thing interesting about it is the fabric. I guess the fabric is impressive enough? Who knows. She needs to edit too. Everyone needs to edit.

Karlie calls everyone up to the runway immediately, and then she asks the judges if they think everyone should go to the finale, and then it says “To Be Continued.” Horseshit. You know they are. It would have taken a very skilled edit to cut out the designers being dismissed, and then coming back. Karlie dismissed the models, and then asked Victoria and Sergio to join Nancy and Geoffrey on the runway. Which implies the judges had no discussion about the looks, unless they did it before questioning which I guess they could have done. So the only option is that they're all in, because otherwise how did they all agree on who to eliminate? Telepathy?

Next week: final runway show, guest judge Serena Williams, someone wins and Chelsey seems very excited about it.

The after show is Christian sitting on the new runway by himself and having a behind the scenes of his Fashion Week show, saying he's the J Lo of the Super Bowl of Fashion Week. It's crazy. Rakan from last season works for him now. Apparently he emailed Christian like every day until he gave in. That is hilarious. He drives Christian mental but he hasn't been fired yet.