Project Runway 1/6/22--"The Housewives" summary

 

Previously on “Project Runway”: the unconventional materials challenge! This time it was things in a bar. Shantall made a dress out of straws, sewn together to look like armor. It really was a cool look. Prajje was eliminated because his look didn't fit, but really he had one of the plus-sized models and they specifically said she didn't show enough skin. Yes his skirt was a weird length, but because it wasn't super fitted, they decided it needed to be very exposed on top and I'm tired of the judges constantly harping on how beautiful the plus-sized models are (as if the other models are not) and insisting the plus-sized models have to wear tight clothing that exposes a lot of skin. (click for more)

The designers are back at the townhouse feeling the pressure. There's only seven left. Chasity says she cannot fail her daughters. It looks like they're consolidating rooms. Aaron says “I can't live next to y'all” and I can't tell if he's actually unhappy or if he's just kidding.

Christian greets everyone on the runway. By the steps where the designers usually sit, there are tall vases filled with apples, or oranges, or flowers. He yells at them not touch anything. So this week is the “real client” challenge, which is Real Housewives of various places. I mean I guess. Some from New York, some from Orange County, some from Potomac. They will be designing reunion show looks. Shantall and Anna have no idea what is going on. I do not watch any of these shows because I will just get mad and yell at the TV. Supposedly all the fashion blogs or “society pages” or whatever will have pics of the reunion looks, and of course you need to look your best when you return to have fights with everyone, so this look is important. All I can think of is when I was watching “Shear Genius”, and they had the housewives on, and every one of them said they had to keep their hair long and bleached blonde and it was just drama. So of course the vases have names in there. I don't know who these people are so whatever. The best part is Chasity gets “the Grand Dame” and she is very excited and yells a lot about it.

I take it back, the actual best part is as they all walk into the workroom to get ready for consultations Chasity is explaining reality TV reunion shows to Anna. It's very sweet and there is zero condescension. Kristina wants to make a suit, and I think she's trying to sell her client on it. Coral's client wants “sexy Disney princess” with butterflies on a train. Yeah sure. Bones has gotten the most difficult one, because she needs a bra, and she doesn't like to stand out, and no long gowns, and cover her arms. You know Bones has trouble with putting his models in bras. Aaron brags about how he's been in the top so many times, and his client loves the idea of a jumpsuit. Anna has never worked for a client before. Uh oh. No one seems overly demanding at the moment. Just Bones's client, and she's not necessarily asking for impossible stuff.

Christian isn't at Mood so Chasity just starts hollering about shopping. Bones is hung up on how his client said no feathers but she had feathers on her shoes. She wanted sleeves so somehow Bones is going to rock the sleeves. Coral can't find emerald green, so she has discovered some champagne and cutouts. Goddess instead of Disney princess. We'll see if her client is glad. Chasity is now yelling for help, although she immediately feels bad about it.

Eight hours to work today. Aaron has worked with clients a lot before, so he thinks he has an advantage. Kristina is making a corset to show off her client's new boob job and new ass. Shantall has a great corset but she's not sold on her skirt she's got. Chasity has beaded chiffon and I think she's hammering the fabric to break the beads? So it doesn't break the sewing needles? But this makes the fabric fray so now she's in trouble. I don't know enough about this type of fabric to know what is going on right now. All I know is Chasity is hammering fabric and Bones is shirtless and giving her advice. I think she has to hand sew it all now. Coral has some lacy fabric, which looks like open circles and rings. It's not very princess. Aaron is going Barbie. I guess that's what she wanted. Bones is mostly done but he's bored with the dress. He can't even put sequins on it.

Day 2. Another eight hours. Shantall is changing her skirt into a suit. Half suit half lingerie. Christian appears for consult time. Chasity needs to figure out what is interesting about her dress. Right now it's a beaded black gown. Chasity gets it but she's more concerned her client likes it. Anna has some pointy shoulders and a pencil skirt. Christian is very bored with a pencil skirt. He's really harping on being creative today. Bones has started draping a new dress, and he needs to put more of himself into the dress. As Christian leaves, Bones calls him “C-Dog” (or possibly “C-Dawg”) and Christian protests. C-Pup. He's younger than a dog. Heh. Basically everyone is getting the advice that they are boring and need to show more of what they can do. I mean he wants Shantall to do a fully half and half thing like when you watch Drag Race and they do half male and half female drag. Coral hasn't given her client any of the colors she asked for, and he's not thrilled with it, but she just needs to sell it. Right now it's a nude lace gown.

Model fitting. Chasity's client says she's never done all black at the reunion but she's always wanted to, so Chasity immediately celebrates. Everyone suddenly looks over to Coral, because her client is I guess loudly going “Wow, this is not what I was expecting”. I don't think she's that loud, I think they just cut a bunch of shots of people looking in the same direction. Of course after the commercial she shrieks that it's EPIC and amazing. Kristina has a dress over pants? Her client is mad that she isn't showing her legs. So apparently reunion looks are required to be cocktail length or pants. I'm not sure why. But no one really made that clear, I don't think, which is why Anna has a long skirt. Coral's client is shittalking it from across the room. Anna's girl is being nice about it but she's not that happy.

Kristina's client is now telling her they don't wear pants at the reunion. Immediately flashback to Kristina asking if it can be a suit and her client saying “whatever your aesthetic that makes me look good”. Now in the present she's saying she didn't want pants. OK then you have to say that. Kristina has no idea, you could have told her anything. She wants to be sexier. Kristina walks a little way away to cry, and her client (OK it's Dr. Wendy, she's going to show up too much and I gotta use her name) is like “what did I say?” Apparently telling Kristina she has new boobs and a new ass was her way of saying “I want a tight short dress”. Kristina is standing her ground about her vision of a suit. You can show tits and ass in a suit. Aaron says being technically good is not the same as working with clients. Kristina is now outside with Anna, chain smoking and crying about how her client is a diva. I think Anna's client is out there too maybe. Someone's client is, and it's not Kristina's. This woman is trying to encourage Kristina and she goes off on a tangent about how bad it is that they all smoke. Back inside Dr. Wendy is telling all the other housewives that Kristina just started crying and she has no idea why. Really? No idea? The other women say they just assumed Wendy went off on Kristina, and she insists she didn't, she just made this face when she saw the outfit. Someone has to point out to her that she looks pissed off so of course Kristina knows she's upset. I mean maybe you think Kristina's overreacting but to act like you have no idea why she might be crying is ridiculous. Kristina stays outside until the housewives leave and then gets back to work.

Runway Day. Kristina is having flashbacks to school when she had a nervous breakdown. She interviews that she's emotional but strong. She and Bones scream off the balcony at 8am so I'm sure that was well received. Kristina says instead of a dress she'll have a scarf. Uh, sure. It's a jumpsuit and a sheer scarf over it. The other girls are bitching about how it sucks and how fake Wendy's smile is. She wants to take the scarf off at the end of the runway, which is probably a good idea, but Kristina is busy picking out bags. Christian says he's going to murder her, and they need to fix this scarf issue. Shantall has made a long skirt but no one said anything about it. Bones's client is putting on spray tan and Christian is just endlessly amused about it. I think finally Wendy is satisfied. Chasity is trying to fix a zipper backstage. I'm not sure she gets it done?

Stupid Andy Cohen is here. Aaron: hot pink jumpsuit with wide-legged pants and a strapless bustier top. There is a swag of matching fabric around her torso like a beauty queen sash, fastened with a belt buckle. Where the swag hits her shoulder, that arm has a tight sleeve down to her elbow. Past the elbow is just a long piece of fabric that basically hits the floor, and she's waving it around like a flag. It fits well. There is a lot of hooting and cheering going on for everyone. Chasity: beaded black gown, floor length, with a straight slim skirt and a strapless neckline. There are some straps that go from either side of the bodice over one shoulder, and on one hip is a big piece of fabric like an overskirt. I'm not sure she told her client to wave it back and forth as she walked but it's very distracting. It's a lovely gown and it's tailored very well but the overskirt isn't in the same fabric and it just seems tacked on.

Kristina: hot pink jumpsuit. It's basically the same thing Aaron made, with slightly narrower pants, but with the same strapless bustier. There are some decorative straps starting at one armpit and splitting to go around her neck, and her boobs are really out there. The scarf is a slightly different shade and is hanging on one shoulder, and she immediately throws it off when she starts walking. It's very tight, like the corset goes down to her hips instead of stopping at her waist. Anna: the top of the dress has very pointy shoulders, like a pagoda. One side is in black and one in silver and black brocade. These two pieces make a V like a jacket, and there is a high necked top or a shell in black under this. The skirt is an ankle length straight skirt, half brocade and half black but reversed from the top. It doesn't look like it fits her waist and the skirt doesn't look right. Not like it's sewn poorly maybe but I think it's just not flattering.

Bones: a short sparkly black dress with long sleeves. The skirt is a little bit A-line, and it's cut on the diagonal? It's higher on one side but only by a couple of inches, and then the back is also asymmetrical in the opposite direction. There is a boatneck at the top. The skirt fabric comes up and makes one sleeve, and then there is a sheer fabric with tufts of feathers that makes the boatneck and then the other sleeve. Honestly it's not like, groundbreaking fashion, but it's certainly interesting and I kind of want it. Coral: long gown in a nude color. I will give her all the props because it's nearly a perfect match for her client's skin tone. There is a sheer layer that flows as she walks, and then over that is the lace. It's basically circles sewn together, so it looks like a big knit. The bodice is just a sleeveless V neck with some straps, and then the skirt is mostly the sheer fabric, with strips of the circles hanging down. The strips are different lengths. It's certainly unique and I don't hate it. Shantall: long navy skirt that hits just above the ankle, slim with a high slit. I think there might be some black lace lining the slit. The top is a black lace strapless corset. On one side of her body, over the corset, is the skirt fabric fashioned into a suit jacket. So there's just a sleeve and a lapel on one side of her body. The fit is amazing.

Brandon says that the clients' opinions are important today. Unlike literally every other client challenge. Shantall's client loves her look. Nina tells her the lace lining the slit in the skirt is essential to tie the look together. They really love it. Brandon says she really understands women. Coral's client, who you will remember asked for a Disney princess, is telling the judges that she wants to surprise people and today she's doing that by wearing something they don't expect her to wear. Except for the part where she had nothing to do with this dress design at all. Andy tells her she's very feminine but the lace circles is a little hippie maybe. Brandon's worried that the color is too close to her skin, and on TV it might not come through.

Bones says he would love to design for his client again. Andy says she's not the easiest client. Shade. It's a lovely dress. They don't have a ton to say? Anna is up next, and her client is talking about not showing skin but being sexy. It's not really her, says Andy. Anna loves the look, but Nina thinks it's poorly made. Also she had trouble walking, but Anna interrupts to say she told her client to walk slowly. Andy doesn't recognize the client, and the other judges don't recognize Anna in this outfit. Both Anna and her client thought they were making the other one happy. Oof.

Dr. Wendy just comes out and says she wanted her tits on display. She's happy with the top of the outfit. It's not the most modern fabric, because it's a little metallic. Wendy sold it though. She tells Andy she knew it was a competition and she didn't want Kristina to lose because she asked her to do something she wasn't good at. They try to get Wendy to say she she didn't want pants, but she's not admitting that exactly, just saying she wouldn't wear pants. Kristina relays the conversation (accurately I might add) and Wendy looks at her in shock because apparently that's not what she thought they talked about.

Aaron killed it. She loves it and got everything she wanted. The color is amazing and it really stands out. She also talks about how she wanted two sleeves, and Aaron talked her out of it and she's pleased he did. Chasity wanted to listen to her client, but it's also Chasity's design. Nina says she's seen the dress before, and there is a weird discussion about how it's not a color so it won't stand out, even though they admit the client doesn't wear black ever so this is unusual. She says that she doesn't wear black but she was just fine with Chasity making a black dress. It's a little too safe. Brandon does admit that she looks great.

The housewives are all in the Scrap Bin waiting for the designers. Dr. Wendy is immediately telling Kristina how she bit her tongue on the runway to be nice. They really love Aaron's design. It looks comfortable and the color was perfect. Shantall was the other one in the top. Andy says that she usually wears a lot of sequins, but this dress is very her.

Chasity was boring and they've seen it. Andy knows the client was happy, which is important. Brandon says that Chasity gave them the “typical” unconventional materials dress last week, which is not true? If anything, that was Prajje, making a dress out of paper doilies. But sure. Suddenly two weeks in a row of “safe” designs is enough for Brandon to think Chasity is unoriginal. Anna's look is bad. She'd be savaged on the internet and it was a weird goth vibe. Kristina is also in the bottom, and Elaine worried that she was going to pop out of the top. They also hate the scarf because it sucks. They know Wendy hates the outfit, and so Kristina must have failed. Since when do they care about what the clients think? I mean, the scarf does suck, but they're always telling the designers to do what they want and not to listen to the clients. Right? Maybe it's just because the design isn't great either.

Shantall wins! Is Aaron ever going to win. Come on. Wait are we setting up his winning the whole thing? Like that's the only time he wins? Bones and Coral are also in. Chasity is in. Phew. Nina tells her she needs to push herself next time. Kristina's collaboration did not go well and the scarf sucked. Anna's garment was not executed well and it wasn't “appropriate” for a reunion. Anna is out. Nina is emotional about having to eliminate her. Kristina is in. I think Anna hasn't really been 100% since Octavio left. I am sure there are people who saw her on the show who will give her work.

Next week: a collaboration with “starlets” and hairstyles, I think Aaron is upset about something. My recording stopped. I am sure he is complaining about being in the top like seven times and never winning.

On the after show, Christian is shocked that Anna was eliminated. He thought she could make the finale. He says that's his opinion, if it matters, and it should. Heh. They talk about Shantall's winning look, which they really both like. Anna loves her look that she made. Christian just drinks his drink. The Housewives have a different outlook on fashion. Even though we saw Chasity explaining reunions to her, it seems like Anna still thought it was a party? But her client said she liked it. They talk about Wendy having too many opinions, and Anna might have done better with a more opinionated client. She says she'll make Wendy's next reunion look.

Before we start the next segment (named “Thank You Exit” haha), we discover that the drinks are non-alcoholic. Christian says that all the designers are really too obsessed with the accessory wall. Christian just pulls random accessories and Anna is supposed to say “thank you” or “exit”. Anything that gets an exit is thrown on the ground. Anna puts all the other accessories on. I can't believe they aren't drunk. This is so random. Anna drinks her whole drink and asks for more but Christian says it's only a ten minute show. He thought she was so strong, and his theory is that after the van hit that scaffolding, it was really challenging and then Octavio left and she just never really got back into it. Anna says she does think she got distracted and emotional, and it's not like it was her fault. Christian loved her white fringe dress she made for the Olympic challenge. Anna thinks Shantall will win. Also Anna's started a new collection, and she's going back to her husband. She starts giggling about it and then there's a chyron that Anna saw her husband that very week and now she's pregnant. Aww!