Louise Black just couldn't cut it. Photo: MyLifetime.com
In the challenge, the contestants had to work in pairs and create two looks in blue that reflect Macy's I.N.C International Concepts brand. Even better, the winner will get to design a dress for Macy's I.N.C holiday collection.
While everyone was psyched about the opportunity to create for a name brand ("This is the best challenge that any designer could ever hope for," said Irina Shabayeva ), they weren't thrilled about working in teams. This was evident when the pairs ran around willy-nilly at Mood trying to choose fabric.
The twosomes didn't exactly gel for the most part. Edwardian-leaning team leader Louise Black and no-nonsense Nicolas Putvinski were especially mismatched, mostly due to Louise's penchant for ruffles. "I hate ruffles. I believe that ruffles were made to hide flaws," Putvinski declared disdainfully.
Likewise, team leader Irina Shabayeva and Gordana Gelhausen are like oil and water. "She doesn't give me any direction. She just says: 'I don't like it,'" Gelhausen complained.
Only team leader Christopher Straub and Epperson, both of whom did well in last week's movie-themed challenge, seem to have any sort of synergy, "I think that Epperson and I are the dream team," Straub declared, "I think we'll take this one."
When Tim Gunn makes his workroom appearance, he only says that the designers have an opportunity for "serious reinvention" -- not exactly a ringing endorsement.
And as far as judging, team chemistry was definitely not an indicator of winning or losing. Shabayeva walked away with her second win in the competition with her floaty striped chevron sundress and shirred light blue top with navy skirt, but not before slightly throwing Gelhausen under the bus.
Surprisingly, Carol Hannah Whitfield and Shirin Askari took second place with bland and poorly sewn pieces. Shabayeva had earlier dismissed them as "discount store."
And Straub and Epperson were severely taken to task -- for their striped shirtdress and shiny tunic -- by returning judge Michael Kors, who gave his critique with particular zeal: "The shirtdress looks like a tablecloth and the teal charmeuse looks like a disco pumpkin. Did you think they went together? They don't." Straub, heartbreakingly burst into tears, from shock, no doubt.
Black also was berated for her overuse of ruffles. Kors dismissed one particularly ruffled look with, "This looks like a bridesmaid dress with shower sponge ruched up the front."
It looked like both Straub and Black would be going. "I honestly don't know what was worse -- the disco pumpkin or the shower curtain nightie," Heidi Klum opined. But in the end, only Black took the final bow for her overly frilly dresses.
Heidi Klum pronounced Black's team member Putvinski to be "very lucky." He had seemed content with his immunity to sit back and let Black sink. Straub's past accomplishments no doubt played into his stay.
Check out Shabayeva's holiday dress at Macys.com/projectrunway.
Tune into "Project Runway" Thursdays at 10 PM ET/PT on LIfetime, then catch our post-show recap here.