Can we say D-R-A-M-A? This episode was full of it, and sadly I think there was more focus on the drama than actually designing clothes. I know it is reality TV and things tend to get spiced up for entertainment  purposes but I think the producers over did it this time.Let us start from the beginning. The designers awoke to little boxes of New Balance shoes and T-shirts laying on their kitchen counter with a note asking them to wear this to the next challenge. As the designers showed up at The Armory, they were informed by none other than Heidi of the challenge they were about to take on. Last week it was all about Nina, this week. This week it is all about Heidi. Surprise! The designers were to design three garments in teams of three for Heidi's New Balance shoe designs that are sold exclusively on Amazon.com.
She had specific instructions. Heidi wanted the looks to be basic but with a slight twist and for the designers to either use denim, suede or both materials. It seemed like the designers were more concerned about having to dreadfully work together once again this season than the actual challenge.
The neat part of this challenge was that the winning collection will be sold on Amazon.com with Heidi's exclusively designed New Balance Shoes.  (You can actually find both he looks and shoes on Amazon now.)


To start off the challenge and pick team leaders, the designers were instructed to run a lap (remember they met at The Armory so there's a nice long track calling their names). The first 4 to finish would be named team captains. But wait, let me back up. Right before the running was about to take place, Designer Cecilia, who was in the bottom two designers on the last episode, just wasn't feeling as if she wanted  to be a part of this these fabulous challenges anymore. So she left the show. No one seemed to upset and neither was I. She had a bad attitude.
So the four captains end up being Bryce, Viktor, Anthony Ryan and Joshua M. Because the teams were going to be off balance due to  Cecilia leaving, they ended up bringing back Josh C, who went home several episodes ago. That was kind of a nice twist and something all new for Project Runway.
A quick rundown of the teams:
First team is Joshua M. which also included Anya and Becky. Let's just say this was probably the worst team for drama. Joshua M. just became this huge jerk and made Becky cry. Both Josh M. and Anya didn't want to include Becky on anything, only after Josh called her designs dowdy. Oh wait..and he told her she only designs for ages 40 to death. I LOL'ed on this comment. In all seriousness though, Josh M. was just being a pretty rude and it wasn't necessary. I told you this episode was drama filled.
Team Viktor which included Olivier and Josh C., who all got along really well despite having a scare that their looks may come across as Amish-like. Olivier was insistent upon designing a skirt that appears as it came from the Amish country.
Team Anthony, who included Laura and Bert, had major problems because he unfortunately got stuck with "Mr. Priss" Bert on the team. Bert has become such a jerk on the show. He even mentioned that he can't remember people's names because they aren't that significant. Anyway.... Because Anthony Ryan and Laura were so worked up over Berts horrible attitude, they failed miserably when it came to their designs.  On to the runway, the normal judges Michael Kors, Nina Garcia and Heidi Klum were all accompanied by actress Erin Wasson (who?) that looked emotionless the entire time. Some of the designs looked great, others look horrible which is about the norm on this show. Anthony Ryans look was probably the worst. The material and fit of this PJ-looking romper was horrible. See the picture below.
I'd have to say Team Viktor did the best job. Nina seemed to enjoy the road warrior  look and vibe to the outfits and was in love with Viktors jacket. Which Hey! It won! You can buy a mass produced version of it on Amazon right now!

It was utimately a tough decision on who to send trekking home this episode. The judges went back and forth for what seemed like forever. They couldn't decide who to have auf'd by Heidi. Would it be Danielle who made yet another chiffon top that read boring or Anthony Ryan, whom I mentioned created a horribly fitted outfit? Usually the judges have a chat and agree but this time they couldn't reach an agreement but settled on Danielle going home. What did you think about this challenge? Good? Bad?  I wasn't impressed and don't necessarily care for the designers working together because then the show is more revolved around the drama than the designers creating fabulous designs.