Reality Roll Call

Last week, the designers had to come up with musical genre inspirations. Suede was sent home, and Korto won.

This week was the designers’ final challenge before Bryant Park, so everyone was crackling with tension. I guess this season is sort of an homage to New York or something, because Tim leads Korto, Jerell, Leanne, and Kenley to the New York Botanical Garden. In another egregious display of product placement, we find out this challenge is sponsored by L’Oreal Paris. Collier Strong, consulting makeup artist for L’Oreal Paris, explains the challenge: use the Garden as the source of their inspiration for an evening gown design.

Back in the workroom, they have 30 minutes to choose the inspiration for their evening gown. Purple flowers and leaves were favored by Kenley, Leanne, and Jerell, with Korto as the wild card with pale pink flowers. With a budget of $250 the designers go to Mood. Kenley forgets her fabric, and has to get permission to go back.

With two days to finish this challenge, you would think the pressure would be lessened, but it isn’t. Everyone’s falling apart like high school junior’s during the SATs. Leanne looks like a mess—she’s crying and her hair’s a wreck. Jerell and Korto are tear stained. Only Kenley remains impassive.

The guest judge is Georgina Chapman from Marchesa, a smallish but impeccable evening dress label, so I’m guessing the comments are going to be wicked. Let’s see how the runway goes.

1. Designer: Korto
Inspiration: Orange/yellow flower
Dress: Pink Orange dress with antique lace trim and deep v neck

2. Designer: Leanne
Inspiration: Lavandar
Dress: Purple dress with ruffle doublet-like pleating wrapping around the bodice

3. Designer: Jerell
Inspiration: purple and pink marigold-like flowers
Dress: Purple strapless dress with jeweled bodice detail and multicolored fabric layers

4. Designer: Kenley
Inspiration: Purple leaves
Dress: purple reptile-textured fabric with high neck and petal-like mermaid skirt

The judges were very gentle. Poor Korto took things the hardest—she was seen as being pagenty, and was sobbing. It was devastating to watch. Kenley argues with the judges again—she really hates Heidi, and the eye rolling was called out.

Jerell wins, and no one is out. They will all create collections, and then they will all compete for three spots at fashion week.