By Lindsay Strouse

 

If there’s one thing Tim Gunn of Project Runway taught us over all these years, it is to make it work. After last season’s extreme talent and high-end drama, not 16 or 17, but 20 new and unique designers enter Season 9 in the hopes of showing America just what they can do with a needle and thread.

 

For the first time ever, the 20 designers must bring the best of their work before the judges to prove if they’re worthy of actually entering the competition. That’s right, 4 designers are going home within the first 25 minutes. And deciding their fates are expert judges Tim Gunn, Heidi Klum, Michael Kors and Nina Garcia.

 

The first designer we meet is 35-year-old Kimberly who brings a little urban glam to the screen. Next up is Bryce, bringing along a whole lot of feathers. Perhaps the most shocking designer we meet initially is ­­­­Anya who just learned to sew a mere 4 months ago—but don’t be too impressed, she had more than enough help preparing her designs. The judges are a bit skeptical about whether she will be able to stay afloat all by herself.

 

Other notable designers are edgy Joshua, foreign wonder Olivier, 57-year-old reformer alcoholic Bert and testicular cancer survivor Anthony Ryan. There’s quite a bit of diversity between these designers, so the judges get right to deliberating. After a tension-filled wait, the first 4 designers leaving Project Runway are David, Gunnar, Amanda and Serena.

 

Now that we have our official 16 designers, it’s time to get down to business…and there is no time to waste. Tim Gunn welcomes everyone at 5am on the dot for their very first challenge. The pajama-clad contestants are asked to bring one clean sheet from their beds to the Parsons School where they will spend the next several weeks. The challenge is to create an entirely new look out of—you guessed it—their pajamas and a plain bed sheet.

 

Anya struggles to teach herself how to use a sewing machine as the other designers cut, dye and sew with (slightly more) ease. Bert decides to create a masterpiece out of his boxers and Fallene puts a clown-puking logo on her striped halter dress. There are some interesting textures and concepts happening in the room and I’m excited to see how everything will look once styled on the models.

 

After the initial fitting with their models, some designers are able to rest easy while others are up all night wondering if they will be able to finish their looks. Once the models are sent to the L’Oreal and Garnier studios and Piperlime wall, our newest group of stressed designers head over to the runway.

 

After hearing the lavish array of prizes awarded to this season’s winner, the designers mentally prepare for their first show and meet guest judge, actress Christina Ricci.

 

Laura impresses with 3 finished pieces, including a fully lined jacket. Viktor’s model struts down in a classic white dress with smart black accents. Two of my favorites are Olivier’s simple gray blazer and A-line skirt and Fallene’s striped halter bursting with personality. But what did the judges think?

 

Anthony Ryan, Rafael, Josh, Anya, Bert and Julie carry the highest and lowest scores of the bunch. Heidi is impressed by how much Anthony Ryan transformed his ill-fitting pajamas into a cool, casual look. All of the judges agree Rafael failed miserably, although Christina commends his detailing on the white top. Even Julie knows her look is a mess, from the poor construction to the confusing fabric patterning.

 

The judges are able to give themselves a pat on the back for keeping Anya in the competition, for her silk top and beautifully tailored pants are quite impressive considering her brief knowledge of sewing. The design of Bert’s dress is absolutely fabulous, although Michael Kors is not happy with the styling. Josh finds himself in hot water right next to Rafael and immediately regrets his design and styling.

 

After some harsh critique from the judges and even harsher words during deliberation, they name Bert as the challenge winner, giving him immunity from next week’s elimination. The first designer officially leaving the competition tonight is 27-year-old Rafael.   

 

Check back tomorrow to see RealityWanted’s interview with eliminated contestant Rafael.

 

Project Runway airs every Thursday at 9/8c on Lifetime.

 

(Photo courtesy of Lifetime)

 

Follow Lindsay on Twitter @LindsayStrouse