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Project Runway All Stars – Episode 11, Finale Part 1

This recap of Project Runway All Stars contains spoilers! Stop reading if you don’t want to know details from last night’s episode.  It’s the final challenge. In the past 10 episodes the three designers left have proved their talents through some of the most original tests of creativity. Michael, Mondo and Austin have transformed dollar store trinkets into runway-worthy ensembles, lit up looks with electricity and impressed design aficionados from Diane von Furstenberg to Miss Piggy. The episode opens with Georgina Chapman, Isaac Mizrahi, and Angela Lindvall on the runway to announce that, while designers usually spend months or at least weeks on “Project Runway” designing a collection, the final challenge will be much shorter than that and will involve designing a mini-collection to showcase specific talents. Translation: 5 looks, 4 days.

The game is on! But before mood, the remaining trio of personalities heads to Hearst and anxiously waits, Devil-Wears-Prada-style, in the boardroom at Marie Claire. The glossy’s editor-in-chief and PRAS mentor Joanna Coles, looking ever so on-trend in a chic yellow dress, walks in and breaks down the coveted PRAS prize (the prize that’s almost as fabulous as the boutique in Neiman Marcus stores) of a guest editorship at Marie Claire. Although Mondo is looking a bit dreary and the new mustache-less Austin doesn’t seem quite like his usual self, the details of the MC masthead emblazoned with their names warrants wide eyes and instills instant renewed energy.

Yes, Austin has shaved his mustache and everyone wonders how this will affect his performance. ”He used to look like Errol Flynn,” Mondo says. “Now he looks like Kermit The Frog.”

Now to Mood! Michael is inspired by African safaris. “My collection is on an adventure!” he declares. “The lady who wears this is going on a crusade with Indiana Jones.” Austin decides to go in what he calls a “modern rock star meets Hasidic gentleman” direction. Always one to be different, Mondo says he feels uninspired. “I feel dead inside,” Mondo says depressingly. “I don’t feel one ounce of motivation.” Womp, womp.

Back at the workroom, Georgina enters the room to meet for the first time with the designers away from her judge chair.

“Neiman Marcus really gave me my start in the industry,” says Georgina, looking poised and pretty as always.” They’re a very nurturing company and to become part of the Neimans family is a huge thing.”

She continues with more wise advice. “As I have done more and more collections I have learned not have the breakdowns,” the designer of Marchesa says. “But, then I wonder if I am going to not be as creative.”

Georgina’s counsel seems particularly targeted at Mondo.  “When he is in that mood he turns out his best work ever,” Michael says of his PRAS BFF.

The next day, Mondo digs deep and uncovers his long lost inspiration from… his emotions. “This experience has seriously made me crazy,” he says in his dry dramatic tone. “That’s my inspiration. I’m doing a collection called Therapy.”

Angela enters the workroom to announce, as many anticipated, the “All Stars twist.” She has upped the ante and the designers will now be creating six looks, not five. Then she signals some “special guests” and to the designers’ surprise it’s their eliminated competitors, back to either haunt them or help them.

Mondo chooses Mila as his assistant because of her technical abilities, Austin picks Anthony because they share a similar couture aesthetic, and Michael goes with April. Even though it’s random, he thinks they’ll work together well.

The designers bring the new additions up to speed. Then there is a clink of champagne glasses and the show is to be continued…

For more fun with Project Runway All Stars, visit the fan site NeimanMarcus.com/projectrunwayallstars and Shop. Vote. Win!