After a hella-long pause, our favorite Bravo show is back. This week is a fun one for the designers—they’re charged with using items from the Hershey’s store to create their designs in just 13 hours. Yup, yet another crazy-blatant product placement challenge. But I have to admit that it worked—I caught a crazy craving for Twizzlers watching them dash around the store. While working on a dress that she described as “Macabre Gretel,” Elisa revealed a possible source of her nuttiness: She was hit by a Porsche a few years ago and sustained severe head injuries. That sincere revelation didn’t stop Christian (or me, apparently) from being catty: “Her dress was just a hot mess,” he said. Jillian picked licorice as her material and had a hell of a time keeping it from falling apart, while Sweet P had a difficult time finishing on time, per her usual. She actually changed her design partway through. Why? Think about it this way—her first garment was so crazy that Chris (he of the costumes and parade floats) even questioned her taste. Meanwhile, we got the random Christian quote of the week: “I tried to count, but I got dizzy. My table’s so dirty. Ah, I’m gonna cry.” Back on the runway, Zac Posen was the guest judge. Ricky, Christian, Kit and Kevin were the safe ones. Left on the runway:Rami created a gorgeous dress out of

York peppermint patty wrapping paper and a vinyl Twizzlers pillow. It was very pop and very well constructed. MK said, “His girl came out and I smiled. He used the materials in an interesting way, and it fit beautifully.” Posen loved it, “He did excellent!” he said. Elisa used a Hershey’s pillow to create an ugly, sad dress. It was so bad it made MK ask, “Where’s the joy?” and call the sleeves “silver shower caps.” Nina said, “This was very disappointing, this dress.” MK agreed, “If she wants to be avant garde, then don’t send a sad, brown dress out that’s boring. I don’t think that dress was avant garde.” Jillian’s red licorice dress, complete with a bustier and short flapper-inspired skirt, went over well. After a lot of difficultly keeping it together in the workroom, it held up and the judges thought the design was sexy and playful. Nina said, “The hard work shows. It was really well done.” MK summed it up best, “It’s deliciously chic.” He appreciated that she was the only one who actually created an edible garment. Victorya’s ruffled dress was made of a York pillowcase. It was more catwalk than mall, and the judges picked up on it immediately—and the odd “Ice Queen” pose she made her model strike didn’t help. MK came right out with it: “I didn’t think it was wearable or fanciful.” He then said the model looks like she works at Dairy Queen. Ouch. Zac put the nail in the coffin, “I don’t’ think she really worked with the material or the assignment.” Oh, but did they love Chris’s chocolate wrapper tube dress. MK was ecstatic, “We got nervous that you were going to go totally berserk! I think that this is a really smart editing choice it’s also made well, and she looks great in it.” Zac wanted to see him do more, but MK made him slow his roll, “Sometimes we question his taste level,” he said, “but Chris’s was very sophisticated.” Nina said the model was set to stroll right into the studio for an Elle photo shoot. Sweet P’s silver bodice was attached to a simple circle skirt (one that Tim had previously cautioned her looked like a maxi pad, eesh). Heidi immediately called it boring. Nina concurred, “It looks like it was very easy. It just looks sad.” MK took it a step further, “It has no sense of smile or joy to it to me. Talk about yet another look that had no effort, no imagination.” Nina wondered aloud if Sweet P’s original garment was better. No, Nina, not really. My boy Rami won, though I wonder how long it will be before the judges tire of his beautiful little dresses. I’d love to see him challenge himself and apply his considerable skills to some different pieces. It came down to Sweet P and Elisa standing in the twin spotlights. Elisa was aufed. But, seriously, I think she was the most gracious loser this show—or any other reality show—has ever seen. She simply gave a beatific smile, blessed Sweet P with an “Ahshe” and thanked everyone before she left the stage. She actually had me beaming like an idiot over here. Elisa, you will be missed. So, no tears this episode, but the preview of next week’s show showed Ricky spouting—I can’t wait! But I guess I have to. Until then, I am… —Kenrya M. Rankin

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