‘Project Runway’: In through the ‘Auf’ door

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I’m all for second chances but is it cruel to bring someone back if that person is only going to get the ax again?

Last night, Jack, suffering from a skin staph infection, had to withdraw from the competition mid-challenge. It was sad for a number of reasons. For one, pretty-eyed Jack has shown promise. He’s been HIV-positive for 17 years but his MRSA, an antibiotic-resistant strain of the staph germ, wasn’t connected with his HIV. After he left the show, he had to be hospitalized for five days, as he writes on his blog. What a lame bit of luck.

But one man’s swollen nose is another man’s vindication, so in bounded Chris March, to the delight of Sweet P and others who had missed his booming laugh. Me, on the other hand, I just rolled my eyes. What is the point of bringing back a guy who clearly has talent but who also just as clearly isn’t going to make it to Olympus Fashion Week? Does it really make it more competitive to bring back a designer who was already cut? Though I also wonder if Jack will get to reenter the fray as well? In fact, maybe Jack and Chris will swap places a few times. Hey, why the hell not?

Last night’s challenge asked the designers to create an outfit for a client who had lost a lot of weight. Here’s the trick: the outfit had to be based on clothes they had loved when they were bigger. Steven was paired with a woman standing in her too-big wedding dress like a little girl in her mother’s frock. He knew right away he was doomed: ‘It felt like death on a stick.’

Never have I seen someone so intimidated by a heap of poly-satin and beading. He went the wrong direction -- pairing a simple black fabric with a mess of lace and pearls? You gotta meet that kind of insanity with more insanity. He could’ve made it playful, whimsical. Instead of going down in flames, he went down with all the dour impact of a librarian rear-ending a ‘just-married’ limo.

As far as the Algonquin fashion table goes, Christian, who initially seemed horrified at the idea of working with some norm from the real world, rose to the challenge and made a spectacular outfit -- chic, polished and accessible. Kevin’s was adorable too but he should’ve played with those leggings a little bit. Maybe some piping or a bottom cuff would’ve done the trick? Jillian, who made an awesome pair of overalls (I know, that might be an oxymoron) last episode, is clearly one to watch. Her dress was totally smashing and her client loved it.

One of the best moments last night was watching these regular women, renewed and breathing in the full powers of a second wind, taking to the catwalk with verve and attitude. I loved the energy, the sassy turns and devils horns. Heidi could’ve picked up a few tricks.

-- Margaret Wappler