Heidi brought out Tim Gunn to introduce the challenge to the designers this week. As I firmly believe one can never have too much Tim Gunn, this was a fantastic way to start. Tim told the group that their challenge would involve designing for a fashion legend. Leanne, last week’s winner who had immunity was relieved to not have to design for Tim (why not? Note to PR powers that be: Have the designers design for Tim!).

After Tim led the designers through the Meatpacking District, they arrived at the offices of Diane von Furstenberg (DvF), where Kenley became visibly emotional and Jerrell was rendered speechless (first time for everything)!

The challenge was a fabulous one – to create a look for DvF’s fall collection inspired by the movie Foreign Affair. Designers were granted access to DvF’s sample room to select fabrics, and thanks to American Express (I love me some product placement!), the winning look will be produced and sold exclusively to AmEx cardholders with a portion of the proceeds to benefit CFDA Association (CFDA is the Council of Fashion Designers of America, an organization of which DvF is President).

With fifteen minutes to select fabrics, an emotional Kenley was drawn to DvF’s gorgeous trademark prints. Stella struggled with reaching fabrics, and Terri declared she wants to be different – gravitating towards a black mohair and a silk fireworks pattern material.

Back at Parsons, Tim gave each of the designers a look book containing DvF’s designs. Joe noticed that most of the looks were layered looks – so he opted to do two to three pieces, a strategy most of the designers employed as well. Kenley, however designed a dress inspired by 1940s Shanghai with no accompanying pieces. Suede’s look focused on Berlin – and he once again spewed the third person gobbledygook: “Suede is just focused on what Suede is here to do.” (Okay, the third person stuff – love it? Hate it? Is it growing on you?).

As the designing and sewing got underway, the claws came out. Blayne mocked Terri’s fabric – and Joe referred  to Terri as a one-trick-pony. Stella appeared to be annoyed at how people were becoming closed off and competitive (though it’s hard to tell when Stella’s annoyed – she seems to have one gear).
Jerrell  aimed for “dark and mysterious” with his jacket, turtleneck, A-line skirt and gloves. Knowing Diane von Furstenberg would be a guest judge definitely hit a nerve with the designers who were all eager to impress a designer of her caliber. Korto hoped her long flowing evening dress would be chic, Stella wanted to display how her design aesthetic mixes with DvF’s. Joe produced a backless Asian-inspired top that had a bit of a wrap to it. Leanne’s cropped trench coat over a long silk gown was “not so much femme fatale” she said. Terri thought Kenley would get called out for having only a dress (rather than multiple pieces) but Kenley continued to stand by her decision to make one piece that stood out rather than several that weren’t so fabulous.

Tim toured the workroom meeting with the designers. Suede’s design confused Tim. Tim wondered if  Leanne’s jacket was too long – but he adored her fabric. He wondered if Joe was being too ambitious with his design. Tim perused Korto’s design and said it’s “growing on me the more I look at it”. Tim’s constructive criticism to Stella went unheard, though, as she opted to use the time to bash last week’s guest judge, Rachel Zoe (ouch).  Tim loved Kenley’s silhouette but is his concern was that it’s “just a dress”.
On the runway, the judges for this challenge were Heidi Klum, Michael Kors, Fern Mallis (filling in for Nina Garcia) and guest judge Diane von Furstenberg. The looks paraded down the runway. Seeing the designs on the models, I was struck once again by Korto’s design aesthetic – beautiful dress. And even though it was “just a dress”, I loved Kenley’s garment.

The judgest declared Terri, Blayne and Jerrell  qualified to move on to the next round, leaving Suede, Korto, Stella, Leanne, Joe, and Kenley on stage. DvF felt Suede’s skirt wasn’t flattering, and Fern Mallis didn’t like the herringbone material. Korto’s geometric print dress was loved across the board by the judges,  Fern telling her, “It’s international and it’s New York.” DvF liked the tweed mixed with the other fabric that Stella used, but found the design itself somewhat “Dracula”.  Michael Kors called Stella out on her tailoring – and thought the outfit was not indicative of Stella’s edge. The judges all agreed that Leanne’s dress was a hit – DvF in particular found the man’s jacket with a woman’s dress to be sexy. Heidi liked all the pieces and Michael Kors agreed with DvF’s assessment  that the dress was of great design. Joe’s design was considered “not cohesive” and there appeared to be several flaws in the construction. Kenley’s dress was loved by the judges – simple, pretty, chic and salable.

Designers left the runway for the judge’s chat. They loved Kenley’s simple design and how she fought for it – and agreed that she handled the Asian influence beautifully. Leanne’s design worked for them. Heidi loved Korto’s fabric – all of her design’s components were interesting, particularly the neckline, as Michael Kors pointed out.

However, the judges didn’t love Suede’s dress and didn’t understand the vest with the dress. Joe’s design was a “little too Shanghai” for Heidi, and DvF thought it looked “homemade”. DvF loved Stella’s idea, but declared that the execution just wasn’t good. Michael Kors quipped that it was “more Translyvania than Shanghai.”

With the designers back on the Runway, Korto was sent offstage – SAFE (again, I feel Korto got robbed – I really love her style!). Leanne, even with immunity, won the challenge – her second challenge in a row. Heidi then granted safety to Kenley and Suede, leaving Joe and a very-annoyed looking Stella in the Bottom Two. Heidi told Joe his look had the judges confused and the back was a mess. To Stella, she said that the entire look was a major misstep. The double air kiss of death, and auf’ing was to Stella this week, to which Stella responded, “I think my ego was way too big to be here anyway.” In perhaps the best Project Runway exit interview that I can recall, Stella said, “If you like my stuff, come buy it. If you don’t, keep walking – I don’t care.”

What did you think about this challenge? Did the Judges get it right? Until next week…

Sarah can be found killing time until next week’s episode at The Mom Chronicles.