Premiere: 'Project Runway' Lindsay Lohan and nudity

Did changing networks and coasts damage the 'Project Runway' we've some to know and love over the last 5 seasons?

Just in case, they spend two hours reminding us why we fell in love with an All-Stars special that brought back some of the biggest personalities from seasons past before bringing out the new designers. (And by the way, did mine eyes deceive or was that Mountaha on the runway?)16 personalities don't have too much time to shine and it typically takes a few episodes before we really learn who is who. Fashion, however, speaks volumes as you all know! So this recap will spend most of the time focusing on that.

However, there has to be some drama as well. Tonight, most of it came from Johnny, a recovering meth addict who had attempted to get on the show a few times before. After overcoming his addiction and reaching the goal of getting on the show, he seems to crumble at the first challenge. Which was pretty light weight. Remember season 1, when they had to get their materials from a grocery store? A red carpet gown on a $200 budget is cake by comparison! All the same, Johnny considers dropping out entirely until Tim Gunn arrives to give him a pep talk.

It's pretty clear who we need to worry about. When Tim pauses for too long or asks if perhaps your garment may end up looking like a diaper, it's time to rethink your aesthetic. The drama pot gets another stir when Mitchell's model has measurements that are not those he was given. He has to scrap his entire design, with the only salvageable material being entirely transparent. Thus the Runway gets its first nude model. He ends up with a high smocked collar on a see-through caftan. Yet, it's clear he has ability.

Ra'mon considered becoming a neurosurgeon but decided to go for the career he was passionate about and not one he could be great at. But from the looks of his gown, he's great at this. The color is an understated smokey plum, with a very elegant appearance. It would fit in at the Oscars. The greater question is, would it also blend in to the background for being just a little too safe?

Logan describes himself as "a guy's guy" who could fix the limo if it broke down on the way to his fashion week premiere. I don't know if it's his gown or the model's walk, but it strikes me as stiff. I'm also not sure of the fabric choice, which seems likely to rumple. Gordana told us that if you gave her a sheep she could give you a sweater. She also gives us a short dress with a very geometric and structured element about the middle. I am not sure what red carpet it would work on, but it is interesting.

Carol worked for Gordana in Charleston, but it doesn't look like any of Gordana's ability with structure rubbed off on her as her dress looks sloppy. Malvin prefers androgyny and says that he doesn't differentiate between carpet colors (which wins for best quote of the night). His dress is very clean and modern, with a fantastic gather at the back that provides a wonderful swish of movement, a surprising element from the textured material.

Christopher never went to design school, but taught himself a clear point of view. I think of it as bubblegum goth, as it manages to be cute and young while also being romantic and chic. Speaking of chic, Johnny worried over nothing. His gown has a dynamic silhouette and super sexy plunging black. I think Ra'mon nailed it when he Johnny doesn't have anything to prove to anyone else, but he does have something to prove to himself.

Ari might want to prove that fashion can stand on its own. She seems to think your clothes need to double as a tent and a water filtration system. I don't think I have ever seen the judges so bewildered before. Poor Michael Kors actually wondered if he wasn't smart enough to get what she was going for. Which is just silly talk. That is not just my undying love for a certain pair of heels with his name on them talking, either. OK, maybe a little.

Qristyl likes to design for real world and real sized woman. But the gathers and seams pull oddly across the body of her stick-thin model, which is not a good sign. Nicholas calls himself the feather prince and has already had a garment on the cover of Vogue. His dress mixes textures in a geometrical feeling pattern, which creates just enough interest to get past the fact that at its foundation, it's the classic little black dress. Shirin's name means 'sweet' in Farsi and her dress reflects a sweetness, but it borders on twee.

Epperson is the oldest designer and one of the quietest in this episode. His gown seems bulky and I am not sure about the length, which hovers about 4 inches above the ground. Irina's gown has amazing movement, but is so dangerously long she worries about her model tripping. Louise loves the fashions of the 20's through the 40's but her two tone metallic affair with gathers on the side seams strikes me as the early 80's. Althea has worked with McQueen and Westwood and it shows in her gown which captures the spirit of old glamour.

The guest judge this week is a bit...strange. Lindsay Lohan? Really? The top three are Ra'Mon, Johnny and Christopher, with a tearful Christopher taking the win. The bottom three are Qristyl, Ari and Mitchell, but Ari's wackiness doesn't transcend fashion so she's sent home. Did you agree with the elimination? Did anyone stick out to you? How do you feel about the show being in LA?

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