Serious ugly

Jeffrey won. Undeservedly, I think. But I guess they couldn't have two winners in a row who came to America from Communism with nothing but a dream and a sewing kit. I'll get over it. It's not like it actually affects my life, unless this means Jeffrey's on my TV more often, which means I might have to throw my TV out a window.

When I waste my money, I want it hanging in my closet where I can look at it

I'm not a betting woman, but if I were, I'd put my money on Uli to win it all tonight.

A week ago, I would have said it was a two-man battle between Jeffrey and Michael. Jeffrey offers an aesthetic we don't see too often but sometimes the taste level isn't there. Same thing with Michael. It's interesting that both are straight men and I think they see women differently than gay men (who may see women only as coathangers for their creations) and women (who just dress themselves). They want to see women be beautiful, sexy, romantic, and I think it's an exciting perspective.

But after last week's episode, it looks like Uli might be in the running.

Michael brought some serious ugly with his odd safari theme. Safari could be good for Michael, who excels at sportswear, but it seemed misguided. Is he good only with feedback from Tim Gunn?

As for Jeffrey, I was on his side with the cheating allegations...until I watched the episode again. He has a company, so he has workers at his disposal. His receipts were all mixed up when Tim asked for them. And the plastic bags? On one hand, protection for one-of-a-kind designs that had to be Bryant Park perfect. On the other hand, what they came in after being sent out for sewing. We'll see what happens tonight, but I don't think it looks so good for him.

Which leaves Uli and Laura. As much as I like Laura and her designs, I don't think they're unique and exciting enough to win Project Runway. Which leaves Uli.

Who knows how things will turn out. Michael could style his way to a win or the judges may be on Jeffrey's side. The judges could be wowed by Laura's sophistication, or Uli could be the woman left standing next to the Saturn Sky. Maybe I'll be glad I'm not a betting woman. Or maybe I'll be regretting I didn't turn good odds into money to buy one of her creations.

The final four

Uli, Michael, Laura and Jeffrey are ALL going to Bryant Park's Olympus Fashion Week. Which already occurred.

Hurrah!

Also...

I want to go to Miami and hang out with Uli. She looks fun.

The Diane von Furstenberg of Project Runway

I love Diane von Furstenberg. I think she's beautiful. I think she's cool. I think she's real. I think she's a genius with prints. I think she's a shrewd businesswoman.

And she built her empire on one dress.

Tim Gunn (or Michael Kors?) compared Uli's talent with prints to DvF's, but I think the comparison could go further. Uli, like DvF, can build her own empire on a single dress. But I don't think she can win Project Runway by doing that.

One of the flaws on Project Runway is that the judges require designers to show a range. They want something as cool and practical as Michael Kors' sportswear and sometihng edgy and unique enough for Nina Garcia to put on the pages of Elle. They want something chic and wearable enough for Heidi Klum to parade down the red carpet in and they want something exciting and new enough to wow the guest judges.

Which means that designers like Austin Scarlett, who designs beautiful evening gowns and party dresses, can't win. And I think it might also mean that Uli, who designs beautiful party dresses for herself and her clients in Miami, can't win either. Unless she designs something else for the next challenge and the final runway show at Bryant Park. But by doing so, would she be abandoning the point of view that makes her designs so noteworthy?

Just a thought. Whether she wins or not, I wish I could afford and buy one of her dresses. Or ten of them.

Joesphine Baker's eigth grade dance

For a recap, go to www.televisionwithoutpity.com.

For reviews, read on.

Ranked, from worst-to-best, for your reading and judging convenience.

• Jeffrey: Was this the challenge where they're supposed to design something for Wet Seal? As Michael Kors would say (did say?), the taste level just wasn't there.


• Vincent: A joke. But he's crazy and needs to get back on his meds.


• Angela: Quite possibly my favorite outfit of hers, except maybe the Audrey Hepburn dress. But, since it's Angela, that's not saying much.


• Uli: OK, I liked the dress, but it was an Uli dress. Zac Posen loved it, as guest judges always do, because it's the first time they've seen the genius of Uli. But the other judges were naturally nonplussed, as was I.


• Kayne: Beautiful front, weird back. Perhaps not exactly following the parameters of the challenge, but it was definitely better than Jeffrey's. I thought it showed his range and it also showed that he's listened to the judges and Tim Gunn. Without the weird lacing on the back, it's something I would definitely wear.


• Laura: I liked Michael's much better, but I'm glad Laura got to win. Her design showed range without abandoning her distinctive point of view. However, I got a distinct mid-90s vibe from her dress. it reminded me of something Rachel Green or Cher Horowitz would have worn.


• Michael: I love this man. He has wonderful designs and seems to think about his designs without overintellectualizing them. He's classy and polite but not a stick in the mud. I loved this dress. It was simple, but beautiful. He understood the challenge, designed something that looked amazing on Nazri and styled it beautifully.

My predictions for the final three? Michael's the only shoe-in. I think Uli could pull an Austin Scarlett and put another Uli dress on the runway, which would almost guarantee her elimination. Jeffrey is in a similar situation, only he lacks Uli's taste level. Laura could design something boring or she could just not do as well as the other three and go home. But I think this competition is Michael Knight's to lose.

Although, because Fashion Week is going on right now, Laura, Jeffrey, Uli and Michael will all show at Bryant Park, so Project Runway addicts like myself won't be able to tell the final three by those who show. It's happened the last two seasons, too.