Amy Sarabi– winner                          Jesus Estrada – out

Episode 4 brought a tough challenge for the remaining 13 Project Runway contestants.  After being introduced to Lisa Walker, the VP of Innovation for Campbell’s Soup, Tim Gunn delivered their marching orders.  The challenge – create a signature dress for the Campbell’s “adDress Your Heart” program.  The winning design would be worn by the model to the annual red dress awards gala at NY fashion week, accompanied by her designer.  But of course there is more.

The usual models were substituted for real women who have been impacted by heart disease.  Designers had one day to complete their winning looks which had to be red and incorporate the Campbell’s logo in some way.  An additional bonus provided that the winning look would be produced in limited quantities and sold on projectrunway.com, with the proceeds benefiting the American Heart Association.  Got all that?!

I don’t think I have ever seen such a drama-free episode of Project Runway.  It was kind of refreshing.  Designing for models who are real women always throws the designers through a loop, and having to collaborate with a client is never easy.  But these designers had a tremendous amount of respect for what these women have gone through dealing with heart disease, and everyone “made it work” without griping too much about their client’s figures or tastes.

Everyone was extremely rushed and worried about finishing.  Jonathan called this challenge a “fashion emergency of Chernobyl proportions”.  Seth Aaron ditched his original Grecian design and started over with 2 ½ hours to go.  Janeane accidentally dunked her dress in a bucket of water.  And Amy was wrestling with her fabric which she joked was “alive”.

Amy’s design – winner!

While most of the designers had their noses to the grindstone the entire time and were too busy to cut each other down, Emilio always makes time to criticize the designs of his fellow contestants.  He called Jay’s dress a train wreck, dismissed Anna’s construction abilities, and claimed that Mila’s dress looked like “a cheap flag at the Thanksgiving Day Parade.”  Ouch!

The runway show made it clear that the contestants could have used an extra day or two to work on their designs, but it is pretty amazing to see what some of them can come up with in just one day.  Georgina Chapman of the Marchesa brand was a guest judge.  She spoke eloquently and constructively to the designers.  Mila (again!), Amy, and Maya were on top again.  

While Mila’s dress was really fun and creative with the wrap-around star graphic, and Maya’s design was interesting with the draping in the shape of half of a heart, Amy went home with the win.  The judges were wowed by her floaty, elegant, and sophisticated strapless gown featuring layers of sheer chiffon over satin and applauded both her choice of fabrics and her workmanship.

Not so lucky?  Jesus (again!), Anna, and Jesse.

Jesus’s design – OUT!

Looks like some designers’ days are numbered on the show -- Anna, Jesse, and Janeane, not necessarily in that order, are next to go.  These three are not on the same level as the rest of the group What’s in store for next week? Next week  will be one of the biggest challenges in the history of Project Runway, and the rewards are unprecedented.  OK, I’ll admit I can’t wait to find out what it is.  Until next week!