What a challenge! I didn't love any of the results, but I guess Gordana's and Carol Hanna's were the most successful. Irina's was just so off proportionally, and by lining the fabric, she lost the diaphanous quality. For some reason, I found her literal translation of the painting a little annoying--Gordana did a better job reimagining Monet's painting in fabric.

Overall, I was rooting for Althea this time, because she was the only one who tackled the challenge of trying to interpret the architecture of the Getty Center. I worked at the Getty for a few years when it first opened up there on the hilltop, and I never got tired of the architecture. There were wonderful surprises around every corner and curve. (Christopher actually won me over by choosing one of my favorite fountains as his inspiration--but the gorgeous algae was new to me!) She didn't quite "make it work," but I loved that she bit off such an ambitious project.

Personally, I'd have tried to find a way to work with the marvelous fossils you can find throughout the center, embedded in the travertine walls. Subtle, lovely details!

I love this point in the competition where we really seem to know the designers as people and artists, and we have enough history to evaluate their latest efforts. (Also, I just discovered that my "On Demand" cable offers slightly extended edits of the judging, and that's fun!)

This week, every design had some flaw in my book. Althea's was, to me, a cool silhouette that I'd love to wear, but probably couldn't pull off. Irina's sweater neckline was attractive but the sleeves were overwhelming with the fur, and the dress seemed a little upholstered to me.

Carol Hannah's dress was adorable, for sure, but I ask myself how original it was. More interesting in this case was the role of Tim Gunn's input: first, encouraging her to stay within her comfort zone with a dress, and then in being the one to suggest layering the charmeuse and chiffon. Hmmm...he should really get some credit for the finished design!

Logan and Christopher...what can I say? They're personalities more than designers to me at this point. Dispensable.

Gordana: I've liked her all along. She's done some wonderful, often subtle things in her designs, and she doesn't get crazy or over the top. This week's suit had loads of potential, and probably would have looked terrific if it had been modeled and photographed as in an Eileen Fisher print ad. Not great on the runway, unfortunately, but the harsh criticism seemed unwarranted--I mean, you could wear that, unlike Logan or Christopher's designs. I'd really love to see what she can come up with for an entire collection. She's mature and has a good grasp of the classics, but often adds a twist that takes things to a new level. I feel I could wear what she designs. Also, I enjoy seeing what she wears each week to the runway shows. Of all the designers, Gordana is the one I'd like to know as a person and the one I'd trust to dress me (I'm slightly older than she is).

So, Gordana, good luck in your future as a designer--hope to see your line in stores soon!

I liked Epperson's best, too. Christopher's wasn't terrible, but the proportions were weird: that wide cummerbund needed to be higher--it made even the model look a little stumpy. Nicholas's dress--yeah, it's what the popular girl wants to wear on Halloween so she can be pretty and scary at the same time. No real edge or imagination, I thought. Though I did like the icy hair and make-up.

If I had to choose a movie to go see, based on these costumes, I'd want to see Epperson's--and I"m not even a fan of westerns! He evoked a fascinating, somewhat unexpected woman. His costume such a cool combination of traditional elements all turned sideways, ragged and beautiful at the same time.

As for Nina and Michael...we need them back. If they try to take away our Tim Gunn, there will be a riot!

Even my husband complains that the runway portion is too short, and that they focus too much on the interpersonal drama. I'd much rather see the individual design dilemmas, and how the designers solve their issues, than whatever goes on between them. But mostly I want to see the clothes! Of course, we Threads-ites are pretty self-selecting in our tastes, so I wouldn't be able to say what a "normal" (non sewing-obsessed) person might find interesting in the program.

Thank you for the report! I missed the show last night (though I plan to pick it up some time this weekend) and was having a bit of withdrawal. I can't wait to hear what prevarication Johnny came up with to elicit that bit of perfect Gunn-ery. I agree--the trench coat is nice, but I'm intrigued by how Althea used the print to create the pattern on her dress. It's quite stunning without being a costume.

The "smoking skirt suit" didn't seem like a bad concept to me, but the finished look was unimpressive. Every bit of it looked poorly fitted, to the point that it was impossible to see if it started out with good lines at all. I wonder what Nina or Michael would have thought. They tend to see the designs in a broader perspective than the "celebrity-stylist" judges do.

Thanks for letting us know how this was made. I love this ad...it's one of the few I really watch, and my whole family enjoys it (even the guys). I can hardly believe they made all the costumes in 9 days, although maybe if there were several of each type they got into a production-line groove...

There's more and more to like about Chicago, I'm finding, but this stays at the top of my list! Coincidentally, I was going through a vintage issue of Threads today, and I saw the Charles James gown pictured as part of an exhibition held some time in the 1980s, I'm guessing. It's certainly a classic. Now, if I had the closet space for a gown like that, I'd be almost as happy as if I had the gown itself!

April, I loved this interview! I learned so much from it--it must have been great to talk with Randall. Now wouldn't it be fun to go visit the studio and see it all happen?