A dress that was called an ”explosion of ruffle” was deemed worse than another one that looked like “toilet paper caught in a windstorm” by Project Runway’s hyper-discriminating judges this week, “Auf”-ing 27-year-old California designer Emily over rival Keith in the third episode of this season.
Emily’s offing was somewhat surprising after the judges ruthlessly panned Keith’s dress — a shapeless silhouette covered in squares of varying fabrics meant to look like fringe. Designer and “Runway” judge Michael Kors likened Keith’s dress to toilet paper more than once.
“Seriously the toilet paper dress is in??” wrote one viewer on the Project Runway message boards.
Even Emily herself was shocked at the decision, defiantly stating in her exit interview: “Hell no, this was not the losing dress for the challenge. That dress was beautiful.”
But the judges would beg to differ. Nina Garcia called the bright pink and orange ruffles inspired by New York’s neon lights “a Carmen Miranda moment” and later told her fellow judges that she had “no comment” about the dress.
“The worst review is no review,” countered Kors.
The challenge’s winner was also somewhat controversial. Kenley, a 25-year-old from Pompano Beach, Florida, took the top honor with a high-waisted green and purple printed dress inspired by a New York City tiled wall.
The judges loved the design, but nevertheless poked fun at the fact that it reminded them of the 80s.
“It’s very 80s, Joan Collins, Powerbitch dress,” Kors said, adding that “a girl who was not around in the 80s would really appreciate this dress.”
The judges also gushed over the other top two designs — a black “architectural” skirt and top by Leanne and a backless blue printed dress by Terri.
