‘Project Runway’ Recap: Shocking Elimination Sends Multiple Designers Home

Season 15 of 'Project Runway' continues to keep us on our toes as another episode ends with a jaw-dropping twist! Find out who, (and how many), designers went home in our recap.

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The designers take a trip high above NYC in helicopters, which gives them a new perspective and serves as inspiration for the Marie Claire challenge, where they’re tasked with creating an editorial look for a powerful woman inspired by their heightened view — this should be interesting!

Now, as for my first impressions on the designs:

From early on it is clear that Nathalia is in trouble — honestly, I had a bad feeling about her design when I saw what fabric she picked out at Mood, not to mention the fact that she was obviously relying on Jenni way more than we thought. Rik becomes her new go-to and everyone in the work room is taking notice. While I do feel bad when I see her start to get emotional, because she’s always so quick to tear everyone else down it is hard to sympathize with her in the moment, but I think it’s just a sign of immaturity more than anything else — I just think she has some growing up to do.

I’ve been dying to see Dexter really go for it, but I am so over his take on the structured shoulder — there are way better ways to build up a shoulder and add a design element without sticking these panels on his look. His lace dress is definitely different, though — but will it be enough to carry the get-up?


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Oh no — I get so nervous when we see Erin working with a cocoon coat silhouette again. Ugh, I wish she would go back to creating amazing textiles and silhouettes. Luckily she listens to Tim and scraps her original plan — and I like her new dress way better than a few of her most recent designs.

Laurence is working with prints and even showing off a more feminine silhouette — I am so excited to see her switch it up! I am beyond obsessed with how her dress comes out when it comes down the runway — from the fuller skirt to the open-back detailing to the way she evoked the feeling of the NYC skyline, everything about this frock is amazing from head-to-toe.


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In the least surprising news of the day, Mah-Jing is working with…denim! All jokes aside, I do like the way he added the tweed to the look — and it really made an amazing impression on the runway. Not only was it tailored to perfection, but it was so flattering and really enhanced the model’s shape. From the high neck to the exposed zipper, everything about this look was thoughtfully put together and it totally works — and the judges really loved it, too.

The movement and the way Roberi mixed the prints in his dress was just gorgeous, as was the silhouette — it was feminine and chic and, most of all, empowering.

Although she was unraveling towards the end, Nathalia’s pants are well-tailored when they come down the runway — but it doesn’t seem as elevated or chic next to everything else. Her taste level just does not compare to the other designers, and the judges think it is a bit too costume-like. “Beam me up, Scottie. She looks like she’s going to Comic-Con,” Nina says. When the jacket comes off, the construction issues are very alarming.

I love Rik’s dress, especially the way he created the print — but I wish he used the fabric on the entire dress. While the judges do like the draping, they call him out for the inconsistency with the design.

When Erin’s dress comes down the runway I breathe a sigh of relief — I love the movement and it is oh-so-wearable. While a majority of the judges like it, Nina isn’t one to sugarcoat it — and she was brutally honest about the look. Is it just me or is Nina totally on point with her comments this week?

Cornelius’ dress may be a basic silhouette, but I like the leather detailing and it is really well made — and this week he is in the top! This is a big moment for him and he proved himself, (even if it wasn’t the most editorial dress we’ve ever seen on the show).

Cornelius is the winner of this week’s challenge! Honestly, up until the point of elimination I wasn’t impressed with his work, but the fit, innovation and tailoring of his dress today was on point. Once he became more focused on his work and less on the drama, he really was able to shine — maybe almost getting sent home was a humbling experience for him.  I guess we’ll see what happens!

Nathalia and Dexter are in the bottom two and I wasn’t surprised when they sent Nathalia home — it was definitely her time to go. I was beyond shocked, however, when they also eliminated Dexter. Although during his critique it sounded like they were hoping to see more from the designer, I think they were disappointed when they saw the look up close and realized he didn’t design the undergarments. Hey, he has no one to blame but himself, (and maybe his shoulder).

Are you shocked that they sent two designers home this week?