Before I get into Simone’s unfortunate brocade-print scarf cum jacket — and the judges’ perhaps hasty aufing of Simone — I have to say, when normally blunt-but-sweet Heidi starts issuing Michael Kors-esque zingers like “It looked like she was pooing fabric,” you know it’s on.
After a “when’s it coming back?!” hiatus, it was a case of The Smart (Rami; Sweet P, I underestimated you!), The Sad (Steve), and The Fugly (Elisa) on Wednesday’s Project Runway 4 premiere. The 15 contestants were challenged to “sew us what you got” with $50K worth of Mood fabrics, and the result was a random hodgepodge of mostly over-the-top textures, prints, colors, and silhouettes that had no business sharing runway space — but every business sharing screen time.

After all, it’s about the “wow” and the lack of it, according to the judges, is why Simone’s self-described “modern romantic” look was the first to expire while Elisa’s “I didn’t follow my intuition” turquoise dress (and, I think, why Carmen’s gold lame top and black “I Dream of Jeannie” pants) survived.

Which makes me wonder if Rami has what it takes to get to Bryant Park.

On pure design, he’s among my faves, but between first-to-sniffle Ricky, I’m-a-big-deal Christian, and let’s-grass-stain-pricey-fabric Elisa, more than ever, it seems the mandate is Put on a “Sew” or you’re auf.
Think Simone would still be on if she’d been less normal?