Four designers remain; Mondo, Michael Costello, Gretchen and Andy. Only three can make it through to Mercedes Benz Fashion Week but first they have six weeks to put together a ten piece collection over six weeks. One person is going to get their heart broken, while three have the chance to make it big.
Tim gets to visit all four designers and we get close insight into what inspires and drives them.
We go to Hawaii to meet Andy and see his farm life. Its very beautiful in its simplicity. Andy has done some good stuff during the season but has also done some WTF designs as well.
Michael Costello introduces us and Tim to his lover and his son. I was shocked since I thought he was straight...okay i ignored the hand movements and whats not but he was always on and on about his son so I gave him the benefit of a doubt. Well he also let us know his family seem to only support him if he succeeds and if he fails. He designed about eighteen looks and has a hard time deciding what to leave behind.
Mondo takes us to dinner with his family and his lover. It was a simple visit. Nice seeing learning that Mondo had to play baseball in order to learn the piano.
Gretchen is poor, lost her boyfriend and hanging by a thread. Her outfits look odd.
The foursome return to New York and get to stay in a suite in the Hilton. Tim brings the dreaded black bag but this time he has something good to pull out. They get the prize to visit the Hilton in three different locations and one happens to be my island Barbados. I wonder which one will come to stay at the Hilton here...I am going to have to look into that.
So there final challenge is to create a companion look to present to the judges with two of their other pieces. This is their time to wow the judges and sadly they hold back.
Mondo's looks are typically Mondo. The new piece fits in but its the full length strange polka-dot number that is really out there. He did say he was influenced by the circus. I agree with Michael Kors lets hope the circus does not come to town.
Michael C's looks are nice yet a bit of a departure from his usual effortless dresses. The color palette is the problem. He seems to think the same color pallet makes a collection...it does not Michael.
Andy disappoints with only his new dress being anything of interest. He sends out this wretched bathing suit with a cape that was not at all appealing to me.
Gretchen does more of her usual. Better than she has done in awhile though. There glimpses of genius but nothing to write home about.
The judges thrash all four and criticize them for holding back.
In the end it is Michael Costello who gets the boot. It is very emotional as he cries and looks so defeated. I feel so badly for him.
Next week we get the final showdown. My money is on Mondo to win.
Rating
9/10