Author: Mondo Guerra

[Warning: Spoilers ahead if you haven’t seen Thursday’s episode.]

•Project Runway

In the last challenge before the season finale, the final four all-stars get whisked away to Paris to learn the art of couture. But the journey ends for one designer in possibly the most dramatic elimination on the runway ever.

Grab your passports, because Project Runway: All Stars is going to Paris!

PHOTOS: ‘Project Runway: All Stars’ Season 2 Cast: Meet the Designers (Again)

In the Workroom

For the couture challenge, not only do the all-stars get to travel to Paris to purchase their luxurious materials, but Valentino’s head designers also give them exclusive access to their workrooms. And as an extra-special bonus, they get tickets to Valentino’s couture show! Inspired and overwhelmed, Joshua says he’s like a straight guy at a baseball game.

From the Valentino runway to the airport runway, the designers jet-set back to the NYC workroom to create their couture looks.

Emilio hopes to create drama and elegance with a rich red fabric. He plays with the idea of adding a black applique, but Joanna Coles cautions him not to let it overwhelm the gown.

Uli sticks to what she does best and designs a flowy, feminine gown with special trim details. But the front of her dress has Joanna seeing gladiator-alligator-meets-Sicilian-widow. She will need to refine her vision.

On the other side of the workroom, Joshua’s mix of black lace floral and a technicolor floral print is a big risk. Joanna says the print isn’t one that screams couture, and Emilio agrees, saying it isn’t doing him any favors.

Anthony Ryan scraps his dress and starts over. There isn’t much time left, but his gut tells him to go in a different direction. Anthony Ryan needs a miracle to finish the challenge. The pressure is on.

STORY: ‘Project Runway: All Stars’: New Host Carolyn Murphy Spills Secrets on Season 2

On the Runway

Designer Cynthia Rowley joins the judges this week. Then it’s show time!

Here’s what I thought about the runway:

Joshua: I’m a big fan of mixing textiles, colors and prints, but this gown confused me. Georgina Chapman suggested that the scale of the floral print needed to be bigger, and I agree. The proportion of these two ideas was off, and it threw the design out of balance. Also, the styling felt heavy-handed.

Anthony Ryan: For such a conservative silhouette, this dress was very alluring. The glimpses of skin and the way that the different textures combined was really special. It was also smart to keep his girl’s styling modern and dramatic. For a last-minute dress, this one was a stunner.

Uli: Uli has her signature down. This gown has all of her elements — the flowing drape as well as the special details on the neckline and bodice. For me, it just didn’t feel as luxurious. Isaac Mizrahi put it best when he said it looked more like really good ready-to-wear, not couture.

Emilio: As soon as it hit the runway, Emilio’s red gown demanded attention. His execution was impeccable, and the result was very regal and refined. (On a side note, I liked when the judges took turns feeling his fabric. The judges are getting bold, aren’t they?)

VIDEO: ‘Project Runway: All Stars’: Joanna Coles Reveals What’s Different in Season 2

The Judges’ Decisions

Anthony Ryan wins again! The guy can do no wrong. Emilio is also safe, meaning they will both be showing at the finale.

The biggest twist came when the judges surprised bottom-scoring Joshua and Uli with yet another challenge. They must deconstruct their gowns and recreate something entirely different on the runway in only one hour. Wow! That’s almost evil.

After a whirlwind redesign, Uli emerged the winner, and Joshua was out. It was truly a fashion face-off on the runway — like Mortal Kombat or something.

What did you think about the dramatic last-minute elimination challenge? Did the right three move on in the competition? Tell me what you really think in the comments below.

Denver fashion designer Mondo Guerra earned a runner-up finish on Project Runway season eight, then went on to claim victory on the debut season of Project Runway All Stars. In addition to an upcoming guest editor position at Marie Claire, Mondo has launched I Design, a new HIV/AIDS education campaign with Merck. To learn more about Mondo, visit mondoguerra.com.

[Warning: Spoilers ahead if you haven’t seen Thursday’s episode.]

•Project Runway

The final four all-stars get a special assignment this week when they are asked to design for female veteran heroes. It’s an inspiring challenge that helps one designer earn redemption while knocking another off the top spot.

Uli is paired with Jessica from the Marines; Emilio with Lisa from the Navy; Anthony Ryan with Donna from the Air Force; Joshua with Leslie Nicole from the Army.

PHOTOS: ‘Project Runway: All Stars’ Season 2 Cast: Meet the Designers (Again)

In the Workroom

From the beginning, Joshua feels a strong bond to the challenge — his brother is in the Army. Leslie Nicole’s story about her leg amputation gives Joshua extra motivation to create something that reflects her spirit. But he has to get his hands dirty first to accomplish it.

Uli served as both designer and muse for her client, Jessica. She loves what Uli is wearing, so “new Uli” returns to her roots designing a flowy, feminine dress. Anthony Ryan has also chosen a flowy design for his client, Donna. But he struggles to find the right silhouette to flatter her curves and keep her comfortable.

Emilio races against the clock this week. He chooses a bold yellow, which looks great against his client Lisa’s complexion. The only problem is fitting the dress perfectly in such a short amount of time.

STORY: ‘Project Runway: All Stars’: New Host Carolyn Murphy Spills Secrets on Season 2

On the Runway

Katie Holmes and designer Carmen Marc Valvo join the judges panel this week. Then it’s show time!

Here’s what I thought of the runway this week:

Uli: Jessica looked confident and fun in Uli’s design. The dress had great movement on the runway and was both sexy and wearable. Was it an expected design from Uli? Yes, but it was still a strong look and one that effortlessly transformed her client.

Emilio: Lisa looks great in yellow. The impact of this dress on the runway was initially really good. Then the fit issues became obvious and they were hard to ignore. Fantastic idea, flimsy execution.

Anthony Ryan: I liked Anthony Ryan’s choice of the ombre fabric at first but then his addition of the awkward halter and belt chopped up the ease and fluidity he was trying to achieve. This dress did not do Donna’s body justice.

Joshua: The moment Leslie Nicole hit the runway, you could tell she felt like a million bucks. The fact that she wore heels was amazing! Joshua practiced some restraint and delivered a fun, flattering design.

VIDEO: ‘Project Runway: All Stars’: Joanna Coles Reveals What’s Different in Season 2

The Judges’ Decisions

Joshua dug deep this week and it paid off, earning him the win after being in the bottom just the week before.

Then after an unexpected spat between Isaac Mizrahi and Georgina Chapman over Anthony Ryan’s design, the judges announced that no one goes home this week. Instead, the final four designers are headed to Paris for their next challenge!

Did Joshua deserve the win this week? Should Anthony Ryan or Emilio have been sent home? And why didn’t we get to go to Paris during Project Runway All Stars season 1?! Sound off in the comments below.

Denver fashion designer Mondo Guerra earned a runner-up finish on Project Runway season eight then went on to claim victory on the debut season of Project Runway All Stars. In addition to an upcoming guest editor position at Marie Claire, Mondo has also launched I Design, a new HIV/AIDS education campaign with Merck. To learn more about Mondo, visit mondoguerra.com.

[Warning: Spoilers ahead if you haven’t seen Thursday’s episode.]

•Project Runway

The all-stars get down to business this week competing to have their ready-to-wear looks sold at Elie Tahari online and in stores across the country. Proceeds from the winning design’s sale will benefit Save the Garment Center.

Yours truly was proud to have my dress for Nanette Lepore help raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for the charity during PRAS1. Let’s see if this season’s winner can top that!

PHOTOS: ‘Project Runway: All Stars’ Season 2 Cast: Meet the Designers (Again)

In the Workroom

For this challenge, the designers have to be mindful about cost. It’s important to create something within budget so retail prices are in range. But the all-stars also need to make sure their designs don’t look cheap.

Elie Tahari joins Joanna Coles in the workroom for critiques this week. During their time with Anthony Ryan, Elie shared some life wisdom which moved the usually stoic Joanna. Elie is clearly passionate about his work—“all love and no fear,” he tells the designers.

Ivy takes a risk with a maxi dress in a vibrant print but Elie has concerns about the length. When Ivy suggests that the customer can hem it to the desired length, Joanna warns her not to be a lazy designer. 

While everyone else chooses bold colors and prints, Uli realizes that she’s picked white fabrics AGAIN. She’ll need to push her design to make sure it has impact on the runway, but can she do it without her signature trims and feathers?

STORY: ‘Project Runway: All Stars’: New Host Carolyn Murphy Spills Secrets on Season 2

On the Runway

Model and actress Stacy Keibler joins Elie Tahari on the judges’ panel this week. Then it’s show time!

Here’s what I thought about the runway looks:

Anthony Ryan: A very wearable dress with a strong print. Anthony Ryan’s placement of the print gave it a lot of interest. Love the pockets too.

Joshua: Great color, but the saggy breasts and bulging zipper were so unflattering. Some good ideas that fell short with the execution.

Emilio: The silhouette of this dress looked very similar to his ’20s-challenge design from the previous episode. Is he running out of ideas?

Ivy: Love this print and appreciate that she tried to keep the silhouette simple to let the print shine. But it seemed a little safe, especially at this point in the competition.

Uli: A very lady-like dress with some special neckline details. I’m just wondering if Uli has enough range to keep her in the game.

VIDEO: ‘Project Runway: All Stars’: Joanna Coles Reveals What’s Different in Season 2

The Judges’ Decisions

Anthony Ryan scored yet another win—the guy is unstoppable! However, my beloved Ivy was sent home.

Only four all-stars remain to battle out for the biggest prize in Project Runway history. Who’s your pick for the top spot? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Denver fashion designer Mondo Guerra earned a runner-up finish on Project Runway season eight then went on to claim victory on the debut season of Project Runway All Stars. In addition to an upcoming guest editor position at Marie Claire, Mondo has also launched I Design, a new HIV/AIDS education campaign with Merck. To learn more about Mondo, visit mondoguerra.com.