Finally! After what seemed like an eternity, Project Runway is back from its break and sweeter than ever. We caught up with the designers for, what I feel, was their most interesting assignment of the season thus far — designing with candy and/or candy paraphernalia. Here’s how it all went down:

Everyone was sent to the Hershey’s store in New York and given five minutes to grab anything that they felt would make their outfit stand out. With no budget, the designers ravaged the store, grabbing all that they could get their sticky little fingers on…for better or worse.

Back at the design studio, Jillian found out the hard way why she was the only one who selected actual pieces of candy, to create her look. Because it is nearly impossibly to get edible accessories to cooperate! While the other designers used materials such as pillows, stuffed animals, and candy wrappers, she chose to work with Twizzlers.

Despite the fact that she was stressed out beyond belief, Jillian “made it work” and sent a yummy creation down the runway. Because she pushed herself in a way that no one else did (and created a wonderful dress), she deserves a ton of credit.

This week was pretty successful for the designers. I thought most of the pieces shown were delicious, and I still cannot pick my personal favorite. Rami was ultimately selected as the winner with a futuristic approach to candy-inspired clothing.

And for the ousted contestant…Elisa. Just when I started to understand the lady, she loses the challenge. For those of you who missed the last episode, we got to peek into a tragic event that took place in Elisa’s life a few years back while she was in London with her T-shirt line. Hit by a car (she was a pedestrian), her skull was cracked open almost 4 inches, putting her in a coma for five days. Project Runway was Elisa’s attempt to get back into the business.

Despite such a sad story, it was her time to go and she left the runway with extreme grace and poise. Kudos to the good attitude Elisa!

So, as Kit pointed out last night, season 4 is at the half-way mark. I can’t believe it! How do you feel this round of Project Runway has stacked up?

~ Leeann

Photo Credits:  http://www.bravo.tv.com