I've got to say one of my favorite parts of the show is meeting the designers, getting to learn about those wonderful little personality quirks that will quickly blossom into complete physcosis and split personalities.

We begin with our new Jay clone, this guy looks like fun and designs for drag queens. Clearly he's got talent even if he's wearing a leopard shirt and chartreuse tie. Next up Rami Kashou, or as another blogger referred to him "Yummy Cashews" and this guy is delicious he's a freelance designer who's worked with Jessica Alba and could be a secret Mossad agent. I think I have a crush on him. [He's clearly working the shaved head.]

Chris or Jay clone greets a cute hobbit named Christian who in his audition tape declares himself as "kinda fierce" which if you say it like that clearly you aren't. He's got this weird post-mullet asymetrical haircut with modern square glasses and it overwhelms his petite frame. He also looks like he might be an angry little man snapping at someone heels as the show progresses. Maybe he could be our resident snipper we'll see...

Now we meet one of the ladies Carmen, she was a model and is beautiful. She's very modern punk, pretty intense and I just hope she doesn't turn into the classic stereotypical angry black woman. She seems to be a solid designer but her style isn't quite decipherable. Next up Jillian who's also pretty and intense, her reason for PR is she "Didn't want to realize someone else's artistic vision", she used to work at Ralph Lauren. But looking at her portfolio her designs still look as if she's working for Ralph Lauren so right now her style is pretty much POLO. We'll have to see if she develops it.

Next up a girl named "Pistol" and Kevin "KJeans" Christiana who's obviously a jean designer but wants to get back to a more real collection not one consisting of just jeans.

We now meet Steven R. who seems kind but a little scary. He's got one of those looks which you're never quite sure if he's smiling with you or going to kill you. Then we meet Simone and Elisa who's our resident crazy and makes marionettes. Marion the flower boutique owner and Ricky "Lingerie Svengali" are next up and "Sweet P" who looks like she parked her Harley-Davidson downstairs are introduced and finally perfect Victorya is added.

And we're off! This season's runway starts off with an aerobic exercise it's a race to the
fashion tents where the designers must run and scavenge as much fabric
as possible for their first challenge. The challenge is create an outfit that represents you as a designer.

We
learn that the "Resident Crazy" seems to enjoy on the spot dye jobs and decides to hand dye
her fabric by crushing it in the grass in Bryant Park. (Ummm...that's
not weird.) The look on Tim's face is priceless. And the Jay clone (poor
thing) has to struggle (pant, sweat, and try to run) to get to tents,
where everyone else is already in the midst of ripping the fabric off
the walls.

Back at the bat cave aka Parsons, Tim enters and describes the challenge and tells the designers to "make it work". We love Tim. [sigh] Everyone's design illustrate their design aethestics and Resident Crazy seems to feel the need to add all of her fabric to a train on the dress, she describes this as a "cascade", which ends up looking like one big fabric furball. Tim instructs her to "edit", which is clearly Tim code for: "Godsake's woman! Rip that piece of crap fabric explosion train off of that dress, right now!" but Resident Crazy doesn't listen. Why hasn't anyone learned that when Tim talks you need to listen!

Carmen borrows scissors from superhero looking Jack who enjoy's be ogled by the other women designers who notice his abs. Tim stops by he looks at Rami "Yummy Cashews" and declares his dress as stunning. I absolutely love it, but without the giant Sarah Jessica Parker flower in the front. Christian notices and gets a little snippy. Everyone is exhausted except for Resident Crazy - Eliza who takes a nap.

Now Heidi must make her speech about how you're either in or you're out! She introduces the judges Michael (sun-glow) Kors, Nina Garcia, and Monique Lhuillier (acclaimmed wedding dress designer, wonder if she regrets designing Britney Spear's dress?).

Showtime baby! First up Elisa's dress, the model almost makes it then trips several times, each time catching herself before landing in an untidy heap overtaken by her cascade...err train. Why didn't you listen to Tim? Next up Chris, Kevin's, and Sweet P's dresses they are all nice dress some well done and others ho-hum. Simone's dress which she had to sew on the model to finish it, this I just don't get. It's odd, ill-fitting and not very pretty. Now we see Jillian's coral number, which excuse me looks like she's executing Ralph's vision pretty well.

Christian's design is next and I have to admit I love this jacket, its gorgeous, the cummerbund and asymetrical skirt I can live without. Victorya's design is cute, but these massive flower corsages have got to go. Rami's dress is absolutely awe-inspiring, it flows, moves, and is very graceful. Love it. Love it. Love it. Steven and Carmen's designs are ahem interesting but we'll move on.

Now its judgement time, all of the designers are lined up and the safe list is announced. Now the questioning begins, Christian is asked what was his goal? He says he was looking to create something tailored and European. Michael calls it "quirky tailored" and Heidi says it grows on her. Simone's outfit is up next and Nina puts on the platinum boxing gloves and declares the construction a piece of crap. Michael says it looks very Dressed in the Dark. (D.I.T.D.?) Monique is bored.

Rami's dress is judged and everyone applaudes, we can pretty much call this a done deal. Except for the flower which Michael declares its Mother of the Bride (M.O.B).

Now the time comes to play Jedi Mind meld with Elisa, the judges ask her what she was thinking and she spits out several adjectives all of which make no sense. The judges look momentarily frozen in time, but they persevere. Nina points out the train was a bad idea, Michael likes the color, Heidi is scared of Elisa, and Monique points out that Elisa should have listened to Tim, in not so many words.

Now the hard part even though Elisa is crazy they always keep the crazy's for dramatic effect and Simone is out, she looks like she's gonna cry and Heidi placates her with air kisses. Rami wins of course.

And up this season, momma's gonna need some Kleenex for everyone. It's a cryfest. I cannot wait.