We were down to seven designers. Doesn't it seem like ages ago since Ari and Malvin went home? Nicolas interviewed that he has to assert his point of view and focus on the finals, because right now it's "me me me." When is it ever NOT about Nicolas, do you suppose?

Tim took the designers to Rodeo Drive to meet a world-renowned designer. They went into Michael Kors's West Coast flagship store. Michael was the surprise designer? Really? Although he's been absent so much of this season, I guess he kind of WOULD be a guest at this point. The task was to pick one of seven locales that have inspired Michael and create a garment that evoked the location. Kind of a lame challenge in my mind. Carol Hannah picked Palm Beach. Nicolas went with Greece (New York wasn't challenging enough for him, he said). Althea grabbed St. Tropez. Gordana did New York. Irina picked Aspen. Christopher selected Santa Fe. And Logan was left with Hollywood. I've said it before, I'll say it again: I cannot believe Logan is still in this competition. Far more talented designers have been going home for weeks now.

Irina decided to make three pieces, including super detailed pants and a fur vest with a very full hood. She is very ambitious, that's for sure. Nicolas was creating yet another garment that was white on white. SO BORING. Carol Hannah worried that she didn't buy enough fabric for her flowy look. Logan decided to make something boho chic. And Irina took a minute to essentially call the rest of the designers a bunch of slackers. Sigh. Meanwhile, Christopher argued that "for most of the challenges" he has found himself on the top. That is blatantly false. He has been in the top maybe 33 percent of the time, and in the bottom more often than that. Christopher is completely deluded about his design abilities.

When Tim came through, Gordana hadn't even started making her dress, instead deciding to focus on a jeweled neck piece she was making.  That seems like a poor idea. Althea created her entire garment out of muslin first, to make sure she got the tailoring exactly right. Tim was concerned that Christopher's Santa Fe peasant-y outfit was becoming cliché. He failed to note that Christopher is himself a cliché ("I want to be taken seriously in the fashion world but I have no training!" Then get some fucking training or shut up). Tim advised Carol Hannah to do something with her shapeless print dress, urging her to put her point of view into it. Logan seemed  fairly behind, especially with all of the elements he was making. Irina was kicking ass, creating some awesome pants and a sweater with a gigantic cowl. Tim warned her about proportional relationships. Nicolas chimed in (in interview, of course, because I don't think he dared stand up to the ice queen), saying her outfit looked costumey. I didn't think it looked costumey at all. It looked modern and interesting. Meanwhile, he was having issues with his fabric, having never worked with jersey before (really?!).

After the day ended, we got a nice moment in which all the designers got together, and they seemed to genuinely enjoy each other's company. Even Nicolas said something kind about the rest of them. As an aside, I just noticed that Carol Hannah wears a LOT of eye make-up.

All of the designers seemed to be in the weeds on this challenge, with the possible exceptions of Irina and Althea (who are almost certainly showing at Bryant Park at this point). Christopher seemed to think that lopping 20 inches off of his skirt turned his pedestrian gown into some kind of fashion extravaganza. Nicolas admitted that his outfit had nothing to do with his destination, Greece, although it's maybe something someone would wear there. Well, that's not the assignment, is it?

The runway: Heidi looked amazing in a hot leather dress. Michael and Nina were BOTH there (thankfully), and were joined by actress/designer Milla Jovovich. Logan's outfit was as boring as always. I didn't necessarily see Hollywood in anything besides the white pants/suspender combo. Althea's outfit did seem quite St. Tropez, although I thought her model did a poor job with the garment and the gauzy overlay looked kind of sloppy. Nicolas' garment had absolutely nothing to do with Greece. Nothing. It was a white to and gray pants. That was it. And he seeme d unrepentant in his decision. Carol Hannah's dress was totally Uli S3. That's a compliment, since it's Palm Beach, and that stuff comes out of Uli's pores. Christopher said he was very proud of his fabric and color choices. He shouldn't be proud of either. The fabric looked cheap and the colors looked sad. Irina's outfit was killer. I loved everything about it, especially the quasi-open back to the shirt. Gordana's dress was super cute, and the neckpiece did look good and grabbed attention.

Althea was safe, which made me assume that the bottom would be the boys (Logan, Nicolas, Christopher),  with the girls (Irina, CH, Gordana) on top. Kors said that Irina's dress looked very 80's Aspen, but the judges all really liked it. Regarding Christopher, Kors said that nobody would ever get the American West from his garment, but Milla loved the belt, which had a "1983" sensibility to it. That's...awfully specific. And also, I didn't even care for the belt.

Nina really loved the back to CH's dress - a cool twist effect, I also liked it - and the rest of the judges were equally pleased. Nicolas tried to bullshit his way through the explanation of his dress, but Kors said he thought he got the wrong Greece - this was more "Grease" the movie. Even if it didn't totally make sense: HA! Gordana got a lot of props for her Park Ave dress (I'm glad; I'm always worried for her), although she didn't really stand up for the design when Milla found it too busy. Logan explained that his inspiration was younger Hollywood, like Lindsay Lohan, and I can actually see what he was going for. But Nina said that he failed in the styling, and that what he gave them was really basic. All the judges felt that what he made were clothes, not fashion. I think that's all he's sent down the runway the whole season. Milla had the quote of the season: "If this was called ‘Project I-Didn't-Mind-It,' he would win." BWAH!

Irina won, and rightfully so. I don't like her, but that was fabulous. Gordana and Carol Hannah were both safe, but Heidi encouraged Gordana to have more confidence in her work and defend her designs on the runway. How is she supposed to be confident when you're constantly shitting on her work for no reason?

Heidi told the boys that they're all talented (mmm, I wouldn't agree with that), but they needed to pump up the volume. Logan was spared, and ultimately Christopher was saved AGAIN, and Nicolas was sent home, basically for failing to do the assignment. Can't argue with that logic. I just wish they'd axed both of the Bottom 2. Christopher has no business still being in this competition. Four weeks straight in the Bottom 2! That has to be some kind of record.