"Project Runway" 7.13 Recap: The Mila vs. Jay Design-Off

On this second-to-last episode of Project Runway season 7, Heidi Klum meets with the final four designers: Emilio Sosa, Seth Aaron Henderson, Mila Hermanovski, and Jay Nicolas Sario. It feels like forever since there were sixteen (anyone remember Christiane?) With a $9,000 budget, and four months, the designers will return home, where they will create a ten piece collection. Mila and Jay will then choose three of their looks to show to the judges, “Top American designer,” Michael Kors and “Fashion Editor for Marie Claire magazine” Nina Garcia. (Is that how Heidi says it each week? Surely I should know by now!)

Then one will be in…and the other will be aut. 

At the Atlas, Mila packs her bags, vowing she will beat Jay. After all, she’s a better designer than he is. The boys prepare to say their good-byes as they pack up. Emilio reminds Jay, “Don’t forget your purse.”  Then he adds, “You bitches are going down!”  Good old Emilio. So kind and tender. Before he departs, he promises “another show stopper” at Bryant Park.

Later, in Vancouver, WA… Tim Gunn arrives to check in on Seth Aaron, who has fifteen finished looks. Most are black (maybe all?), several look like “leath-a” (I miss Stella from season 5, was it?) Hanging on the racks, I think they look great. Tim Gunn, not so much.

He doesn’t think Seth Aaron will win. “Because it won’t surprise the judges.” Tim encourages the designer to stretch beyond “classic Seth Aaron.” Re-conceptualize, and “find another level.” Not exactly what Mr. Henderson was hoping to hear! Next Tim meets S.A.’s wife and kids. They play a quick game of “Win, Lose, or Draw” (Tim: “fallopian tubes!) and we move on to… 

New York, NY…  Tim and Emilo stroll along a path beneath the George Washington bridge. Talk about uncomfortable! After how many months, and Emilio is still resistant to any advice Mr. Gunn has to offer. Tim is introduced to the Brothers Sosa. We learn how Emilio grew up in the late ’70s and ’80s. We see home movies with shots of graffiti covered walls, straight out of “Welcome Back, Kotter.” Then Emilio shares his designs with Tim. The looks are inspired by color, and indeed, the collection boasts a variety. As before, Emilio has created another print bearing his name (don’t think there’s a heart in place of the “O” this time). Tim expresses his concern. Emilio insists on arguing. Tim says, “Just do it.”  Emilio vows to “blow everyone’s socks off.”