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Project Runway All Stars – Week 10, A Look for Nanette Lepore

This recap of Project Runway All Stars contains spoilers! Stop reading if you don’t want to know who won or lost last night. It’s the second to last episode and there are only four designers left. The episode opens immediately with the contestants drawing their battle lines and declaring two teams – A&K (Austin and Kenley) and M&M (Michael and Mondo).

“You are all now battling it out for a place in the finale, where one of you will win the grand prize,” Host Angela Linvall says as she stands atop the runway. “This means your designs will be placed within the walls of Neiman Marcus stores, the finest luxury retailer in the United States.”

This week Nanette Lepore is the guest judge and the winning design will be manufactured in a local factory, sold in Nanette Lepore stores nationwide, and the profits will benefit SaveTheGarmentCenter.org. But, like always there’s a catch. This week’s design must be manufactured for a “specific price point.”

Next it’s off to Nanette’s studio in New York City’s Garment District. ”I want you to make a garment that’s irresistible, feminine, timeless, and because this is a ready-to-wear challenge, you’re going to be under the real test of the customer,” Nanette says.

The designers are then instructed to sketch their designs so they can get price estimates from Nanette’s team before moving further with fabric. Mondo is instantly stressed. ”This is a challenge for me because I cant really sketch,” Mondo says as he draws swirls on his tablet. “So when given the opportunity I usually just draw hearts and stars like an eight-year-old.” When Mondo shows Nanette his sketch she is perplexed. “It does sort of look like a tin can with a string hanging out,” she says. Kenley points out Mondo’s illustrating disabilities, “you should teach Mondo how to sketch,” she says to Michael. Mondo over hears and takes it up with Kenley.

After scouring Nanette’s fabric selection and getting priced for retail, the designers are off to the workroom. Michael is working on a jersey caftan, Austin is creating a taffeta swing coat, Kenley has picked a peacock print for a key hole dress, and Mondo has chosen multiple fabrics for a striped shift.

Joanna brings Nanette into the workroom for the designers’ fittings. Nanette notices that Kenley is not sticking to the sketch she presented and calls her out, but Kenley stubbornly stands her ground and refuses to make any alterations. Nanette is also worried about Michael’s navel-plunging neckline and Joanna is at it again with the bra placement concerns.

Now to the runway! Mondo’s critique comes first and despite his anxiety towards his finished product, his mix-pattern and bold boxy dress is well-liked by the judges. The judges are full of compliments for Michael at first, but soon point out his caftan’s flaws.  “It feels a little canal street to me,” Isaac says referring to the exposed back. Kenley’s go-to vintage silhouette that she has presented week after week is not a hit. The keyhole Kenley had originally presented has vanished and Nanette is not happy. “I’m sad because there was a beautiful detail on the sketch that is missing now,” Nanette says. Austin’s coat dress is generally liked and the judges agree that his design would sell well in retail.

The final verdict: Austin is safe and he will go through onto the final challenge. Mondo wins this week’s challenge. It’s between Michael and Kenley. Michael is going to the finals. Kenley is not.

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