'Project Runway' Michael Kors feels blue

After last week, 'Project Runway' seemed to have lost the plot. Did Michael Kor's return get things back on the fashion fast track?

The challenge this week is all about the color blue. And how apparently Macy's Inc. line is heavily focused on it. The designers are each given 15 minutes to sketch and then pitch 2 looks to Macy's director of marketing. Then 5 are chosen as team leaders, since they will be working in groups of 2. As such, we end up with Louise and Nicolas, Christopher and Epperson, Carol Hannah and Shirin, Althea and Logan and Irina and Gordana.

I don't know if this is just the blandest group of designers ever, but precious little happens that is interesting. Louise loses her Mood money...and the finds it again. Nicolas hates Louise's ruffle heavy designs. And shampoo, apparently. Christopher and Epperson enjoy working with each other while Irina whines that she doesn't like what Gordana is doing and how she has to watch over her to get anything done right and then whines about how Gordana isn't taking initiative and making the designs her own. The only moment that catches my attention is when Tim does his walk through and seems impressed by Christopher and Epperson's shirt dress. Which...why? It's a shirt dress. Oldest trick in the book, beyond boring and they've done nothing new with it. I'm confused. Maybe last week upset me so much that I lost my fashion radar?

Oh, but then there's Michael Kors and everything is better again! Show us the way, Michael!

Irinia & Gordana - The long dress has good movement and a nice pattern. The front is a bit low cut for me because I have actual cleavage and not just a sternum, so that turns me off right away personally. But I love the uneven hem, which gives the stripe a sense of whimsy. I like the second outfit a bit more, which manages to look professional without looking harsh. Instead the light blue top has a romantic softness that still carries enough class and self awareness to be appropriate for the office.

Althea & Logan - Well, the suit is a mess. There's potential, but the shirt is way to short and the jacket and shirt are doing the unflattering pulling and gathering that Althea's winning outfit did a couple weeks back. I didn't like it then, I don't like it now. If it makes a girl who is likely 6'1" look dumpy, it would be hopeless on us more normal gals. The high waisted, wide legged jeans, however, I love and would buy right not if they were in a store. I didn't even notice the top because I was too enamored of the pants.

Louise & Nicolas - Guess who is going home? No one could mistake that the trail of tattered ruffles the bisects Louise's cocktail dress was a massive mistake. As Michael said ' it looked like the model was wearing a bathing loofah. And a butt bow? Really? That's quintessential bad bridal. The second look, is only minimally better, with ruffles that are more understated. But the even then, the statement is grating, jarring, and completely unpleasant.

Carol Hannah & Shirin - my favorite looks of the night, hands down. I would wear the empire waisted, draped collar dress in a heart beat - it's just retro enough to wink as the pencil skirt comeback, but also just modern enough to not look like it's playing dress-up. And the tunic? While I couldn't wear it with leggings, I think it would look amazing with a pair of dark wash skinny jeans and killer heels. And I adore that Heidi completely contradicts Irina's earlier snark about how Carol Hannah's designs looked "like discount, $5.99 shirts" by saying how forward and expensive they looked.

Christopher & Epperson - I am bewildered. When they first teamed up, I expected greatness, especially as they seemed to work together so well. When I saw the mismatch of looks they had created I was confused. When Tim praised the shirt dress I wondered if I had lost my eye. By Michael is right there with me, asking what in the world they were thinking? It's a plain, 1970's shirt dress in terrible shiny fabric and an outdated bubble dress with a ruffled collar and leggings. There's no rhyme, reason, or beauty to any of it - which is really shocking.

And they seem just as shocked to find themselves in the bottom. I can only imagine Christopher's tears come from the amazing high of praise from Tim being dashed to the shocking low of criticism from Michael. But confusing and outdated can't possible lose to downright unwearable, so Louise is sent home - a move I completely agree with. The winner on the other hand...while Irina's dress was nice, it seemed limited both in who could wear it and how and when it could be worn.I thought Carol Hannah's were far more marketable and as such, she should have won in my opinion.  Plus, I don't really like Irina.

What are your thoughts? Did you agree with the judges? Are you glad to have Michael back? Any sign of Nina on the horizon?