Ryan on the Runway: PR21 ep 8

Funny how a week goes by and I had totally forgotten about the previous challenge. But then I saw the sequined horns sticking out of Yuchen's dress's bodice and it all came back to me in a Proustian rush.

What a relief that it was Yuchen who was sent home. His dress was a much bigger fail. Plus we have to acknowledge that Veejay is a stronger personality and therefore better TV.

Wow, only five designers left. Veejay said, "I need to be careful with my decision making." Um yeah, now is definitely the time for that! Maybe you could have started that idea a few weeks ago.

The new challenge: the real people challenge. The five "muses" all had eczema and they needed to make an evening outfit with a special reveal. The five muses were all rather bashful and cute with the exception of Jesus's guy, who was drop dead gorgeous. They definitely had a connection but would it lead to a winning outfit or just a hookup?

Ethan's client wanted to show some leg. Ethan was concerned that he wouldn't be able to do an over-the-top creation for a "real person." Belania's client liked to wear "nudes" and didn't like prints or anything sparkly or bold. Hm!

Antonio had experience with "real" clients so he seemed to have an advantage over the others. His client said she totally trusted him. Veejay's client had a sweet, winning energy. He liked to go out dancing and his favorite colors were black, blue, and green. Just add water and stir.

Michael Kors once said that a challenge is often decided at Mood, it's all about the fabric selection. Jesus's client had said he didn't like anything effeminate and yet he was buying a sequined tweed. Let's see how that goes. Veejay was choosing a wool - - the best idea for someone with a skin condition? Belania also chose wool (though she was choosing a double-faced wool that she said wouldn't irritate the skin) but it had a big-ass plaid and her client had said she didn't do prints. Also silver lamé and remember she liked to wear "nude"? I don't know what these people were thinking.

The model fittings were a visit to Disaster City. Belania's client was not sold on the silver fabric and it was definitely prominent. And Jesus's client who didn't like anything too effeminate? He made him a jacket that was totally Liz Claiborne for the working woman! And oh dear, Veejay's Christmas sweater was an epic fail, so lifeless, not helped by the wide black elastic waistband. Ethan was potentially doing a third complete pivot? Have we seen that before? Antonio's client was totally sold on him, that was a relief.

Off topic, am I the only person who, every time they hear the name Belania, they think of Signora Trump...?

The judges: the inevitable Law Roach, designer Harris Reed, and comedian Nikki Glaser.

Antonio: I was surprised that the client started her walk with the reveal but then she had another reveal at the end of the runway. All three pieces were well made and clearly the client was happy.

Veejay: yes Law, unzipping the jacket was not a reveal. Sharp outfit, though.

Belania: no, no, and no. The plaid was not harmonious with the silver, the silver dress looked wonky and wobbly, and you know that her client was going to say she was not on board for any of it. Belania said she couldn't go home on this challenge because her look didn't represent who she is as as designer. Um, that's EXACTLY why you should go home.

Ethan: love it! The Rorschach print was divine and the client was working it.

Jesus: it was OK but not at all what the client wanted. Jesus said, "Maybe I should have listened to Jarrad more...?" That might have been a good idea.

JUDGING

Ethan: his client felt good, that's essential. Law liked the duality of the outfit: "She came out and I thought, 'Oh she's so demure,' and then we had the reveal and, 'Oh, she's a whore!' Which I love."

Antonio: Law and Harris both thought the coat was very couture. Doesn't get better than that, honey.

Veejay: Heidi felt like the client had a positive energy. He agreed. However the judges called out the lack of a reveal.

Belania: this is what Law said - - "If an outfit could be a mullet, this would be it." He said she looked like a girl who put on her plaid coat, said to her mom, "I'm going to bible study," but she was going to her job as a pole dancer. Hilarious. None of the judges had anything good to say.

Jesus: thank you, Law, for saying that the primary problem was that Jesus didn't listen to the client. Nikki used that dreaded word "magician" and Heidi topped it by saying it was *Dancing With the Stars.* Hm, I guess Jesus and the client are NOT getting married.

Antonio and Veejay were on the top. Antonio was the winner, his first. Veejay could not have been surprised, with her lack of reveal.

That put Ethan, Jesus, and Belania on the bottom. Clearly Ethan was on the top of those three. Jesus was shocked to be in the bottom three. Deh-LYOO-zhun. Ethan told Veejay in the green room that he should have been in the top rather than her. What's the point? The decision was made.

As expected, Ethan was safe. And shocker - - Jesus and Belania are BOTH out? I feel like the cliffhanger aspect implies that it might be altered at the start of the next episode. As in, "You are both out...unless one of you wins this mini-challenge to prove that you're worth keeping in the competition." Remember when they did a head-to-head one hour challenge? They might have done it a couple times. I hope they do it again.