'The Fashion Show' Isaac's Interns

If there is one thing 'The Fashion Show' should know, it's that predictability is not hot.

Alas, it seems that may be a lesson that the fledging show hasn't grasped just yet, because tonight was predictable up one side and down the other. It started with the Mini Challenge, where the designers were randomly paired up and told to transform a night time look back into a day look using only the items on the models and whatever they could grab from the lost & found. It's more a rearranging of clothing than deconstructing, and Merlin and Johnny are the clear winners.

The elimination challenge keeps them in their pairs, much to the dismay of Daniella and Reco. Kelly tells them that they will be working for one of the biggest designers in the industry. To which I said, out loud in my living room, "It's Isaac". He steps out with his mood board, challenging the designers to make something that will fit his upcoming collection. Merlin and Johnny get a five minute consult for their mini challenge win, which actually does seem like a valuable advantage. Especially compared to previous weeks.

The only get 8 hours to complete their look, but at $350, they get a much better budget than Project Runway usually provides. Which is why I am so confused by Johnny's choice to use felt. Merlin is equally, but proves himself to be a competitor by not doing much to dissuade Johnny. Meanwhile, Reco and Daniella are arguing over ball gowns versus pants, James Paul is talking about fish shapes, Lidia is complaining and making pigeon noises and Haven and Ana are...well, boring.

On the Runway, my first thought when seeing Reco & Daniella's look is "UGH! Grandma pants!" The shape is atrocious, the colors are muted and dull and the details are staid. James Paul and Lidia's look is an unflattering dress with a strange Braveheart-esque body sash made of a fish scale like material and a confusing coat. Haven and Ana's outfit is another pair of shorts paired with a great jacket. Only why in the world would someone be wearing shorts and a jacket at the same time? Merlin and Johnny's outfit impresses me the most. Even with that awful felt, the coat has a structured feel that is mirrored in the intricately gathered plaid skirt. And all of it sparks with the neon green obi is revealed.

It's clear that the top two are Merlin and Johnny versus Haven and Ana. It's less clear why Haven and Ana win, but I'm also less clear on why Haven is dressed like a second grade teacher from 1982, why she styles her hair that way, or why she is even on the show. And I liked Merlin and Johnny's look more. Also, I hate the word "culottes", so I'm not able to be objective.

The biggest criticisms James Paul and Lidia's receive are heaped on the dress for sloppy fit and unflattering style, while it's all Daniella's safe elements that catch the judge's attention, while they actually found Reco's top to be lovely. To his credit, Reco contains himself appropriately and even holds his tongue when they are asked who took the lead role in the design, despite his earlier confession that he would throw her under the bus. Daniella, on the other hand, immediately whines that Reco was hard to work with and just gave up rather than attempting to collaborate. But in the end, it's Daniella's previous successes that must have saved her and Lidia is the one sent home.

I think Reco is a clear front runner for finalist and suspect he will be joined by Daniella and Merlin - would you agree? And what did you think of Daniella's attempt to make peace with Reco? Was she being sincere or manipulative?

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