Posted on 10/13/2011 by Lindsay in Project Runway

By Lindsay Strouse
Tonight marks the last challenge on this season's Project Runway, and these divas ain't holding anything back. It's down to Anya, Kimberly, Josh, Laura and Viktor for the final five. Who has what it takes to make it to the top?
Heidi sends the contestants on a ferry to Governor's Island to meet Tim and learn about their final challenge. They will be creating three looks inspired by the island's wonders, all of which must demonstrate a range (pants, dresses, jumpers, various silhouettes, etc). They are given golf carts and cameras to explore the entirety of the island and find the perfect inspiration.
This will be a two-day challenge with a $500 Mood budget. Hold onto that money, Anya!
Kimberly immediately becomes attached to a sculpture entitled "New Beginning." Josh is inspired by the South Battery Church because of the beautiful structure and stained glass windows.
Laura focuses in on the repetition of circular objects found throughout the island and decides to create a dress made entirely out of circles. Viktor looks to the inspiring silhouettes of sculptures with the city skyline in the background. Anya decides to once again go outside her comfort zone and design from the inspiration she felt from several different sculptures.
As soon as they return to Parson's, Tim surprises them with the infamous Button Bag. With such a lofty challenge, these designers are going to need a little help. And who better than the last five eliminated contestants? Out of the shadows and into the fabric walks Bert, Anthony Ryan, Olivier, Bryce and Becky.
Kimberly chooses to work with Becky, Viktor decides to pair with Olivier, Laura teams up with Anthony Ryan, Anya chooses Bert and Josh is left to work with Bryce.
I was expecting to see some old controversies stirred back into the pot, but the pairs worked surprisingly well for the most part. Olivier came with a bit of a sour attitude, but Viktor was confident in his design and wasn't about to let Olivier shake it.
The real trouble came from the contestants still in the competition. More specifically, Anya and Josh. Still bitter about losing the $20,000 challenge last week, Josh begins running his mouth to Bryce about Anya's lack of sewing skills. Before long, she starts catching on and isn't happy about what he has to say.
On the second day of designing, the contestants put their bickering aside and work instead on the immense amount of designing and constructing left to do. At least for a little while.
After Tim checks in with the designers, Josh makes it his personal mission to prove why Anya doesn't have any range in her three looks. He decides that in order to "have range" there must be at least one jacket included. Well, Tim didn't seem to think so during his consultation with her.
On the morning of the runway show, Kimberly decides to scrap the pants and go in an entirely new direction. The remaining designers scramble to get everything done in time, and some find they have a lot more work and redesigning to do than they thought.
The atmosphere is frantic and tense as Tim drags the designers and their models out of the workroom and down to the runway. It all comes down to this final show: who will make it to the final three and compete in showing their collections during New York Fashion Week?
Tonight's guest judge is actress Zoe Saldana, who also founded fashion website MyFDB.com.
Viktor is the clear challenge winner in my opinion, especially after following several poorly constructed and strange pieces from his fellow contestants. Josh's first cocktail dress is flattering and elegant, but his remaining two pieces were not flattering at all.
Laura's circular inspiration didn't exactly pull through in her final designs, although the construction was superb and bold. Kimberly's looks were fashionable, although I have a feeling Nina will have a problem with some of the cuts. Anya sent down three stylish, though poorly constructed garments. Even at a glance, it was easy to see the unevenness and poor stitching of the last ivory gown.
Michael Kors thought Josh had a little too much diversity and that he should have edited himself down a little more. The judges agree Kimberly's cocktail dress is her strongest look and the top is impeccable.
Heidi is very impressed with Laura's circle gown and thinks it has a lot of potential. However, her remaining two looks don't get nearly as much love from the judges. Nina likes the cohesiveness of Anya's three looks and all agree it has a great modern and sophisticated feel.
Heidi compliments Viktor on his impeccable construction, but notes that he doesn't have a big enough repertoire of ideas. Michael Kors calls his collection the most commercial of the bunch, which is great in terms of selling, but wants to make sure he can produce enough "runway punch."
The judges go down the line and ask each contestant why they deserve to go to Fashion Week and which two designers they would bring with them. Each designer chooses Anya as one of their fellow competitors, but will the judges agree?
Yes, they do! The first designer moving onto New York Fashion Week is Anya, followed quickly by Viktor. The third designer heading to Fashion Week is Josh.
Unfortunately, Laura will not be following suit and is eliminated from the competition. However, they decide to send Kimberly as the fourth and final contestant to compete in Fashion Week.
Project Runway airs every Thursday at 9/8c on Lifetime.
(Image courtesy of Lifetime)
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