Ryan on the Runway: PR21 ep 5

The episode, of course, started at the end of the previous episode. What is it Maria said in *The Sound of Music*? Let's start at the very end, a very good place to start? Something like that. The group of safe designers had to vote to decide who would be auf'd from the challenge they just did, the unconventional materials challenge. Veejay put it perfectly: "It feels like you're crushing someone's dreams and there's blood on your hands."

Christian and Law went through the votes one by one. Excruciating. Joseph was sent home. He gave a sassy goodbye.

Christian announced the next challenge. They would be creating a runway-worthy look that complements their unconventional materials challenge, but made out of fabric. Both looks would walk down the runway together so the judges would need to see the connection. I was excited by this idea, it would really showcase their creativity and artistic vision. Er no.

The designers have a discussion about the twins and whether or not they're able to work independently. Veejay gives them the challenge to do this next challenge without helping each other. It didn't pan out that way, they were still all over each other in the workroom.

Christian's check in was non-committal yet skeptical. Can I just say that I love Joan? Even before I heard her story - - she was cast on PR in 2020 but she had to withdraw because she found out she had breast cancer and had to start treatment immediately. She is a survivor, literally. Even if she's sent home on this challenge, that will not stop her. But I hope she lasts for a while!

Belania was thrown a curve ball, her plus-size model had called in sick and they gave her a smaller model so she had to retool her dress, which had been fitted to her original model. In three hours. Yikes. But many of the other designers had no such surprise and yet seemed to be in even deeper doo doo. I was very curious to see how the runway show would go. Sometimes they pull a rabbit out of the hat. And sometimes, to stay in my fecal theme, the magician pulls out a turd.

The judges: Law Roach, Nina (Ninissima!), and designer Jenna Lyons.

Yuchen: cute but a little cheesy.

Veejay: love the black and white, the choice of fabric shows the inspiration but it's not too on the nose.

Madeline: sloppy and dull.

Belania: Law said, "The construction isn't bad, the dress is just ugly." Um, yeah.

Jesus: very nice but I like the unconventional look better!

Joan: gorgeous pantsuit but I don't see the connection.

Ethan: really good.

Antonio: is it OK?

Joan and Yuchen were safe. The top three:

Jesus. Law loved the exaggerated hip and the red strip on the back. He said it had a 360, it looked good from every angle. Nina called him out because the red strip was a steal from Ethan's look for the athleisure challenge. Ethan had brought this up earlier in his interview. Ouch!

Veejah. Law was all a-giggle using the word "shuttlecock." Grow up. Nina described it as "fragile but strong." Jenna was impressed with the trailoring.

Ethan. Did Jenna invent a word, "phatasmigal"? Heidi asked Ethan to remove the filmy butterfly fabric extra from the look - - and it was transformed and made so much stronger. The dress stands on its own. Nina encouraged him to learn how to edit.

I knew that Veejay would be the winner. I was thrilled for her.

On to the bottom... Heidi said, "Oy vey."

Belania. Heidi was confused, she said Belania herself is so hip and fashion-forward but her dress was so flat and lifeless. Nina said it would have had more impact in a different fabric. Law said the two looks were sisters: Tacky and Jackie. He is a scream! Of course she brought up the fact that she had so little time to remake her outfit but the judges brought up other solutions that would have worked better. And she did the worst thing you can do: she talked back. And the judges jumped on that like a duck on the june bug.

Madeline. Nina said the skirt was a dud. She said a runway look has to be a "complete polished look." Madeline was sensibly mostly silent.

Antonio. Heidi liked it. Law thought it made a good stripper costume. But Nina was all over the construction. Christian had brought up the asymmetrical top in the workroom - - it wasn't enough to look intentional, as it was it just looked like a mistake. Nina: "There is no reason you want this girl out of here with these incredible glaring errors. I don't know. I don't know how you made it this far."

I thought they needed to use the ultimate litmus test: if you had to wear one of those, which would you wear? The very last choice would be Madeline's look which was just sad and lifeless. If you ask me.