Designer spared, but clinging to bottom

On Thursday night's "Project Runway" the competition was about jet-setting, and Shakopee's Christopher Straub's design didn't take off.

Last update: October 23, 2009 - 12:22 AM

On last night's "Project Runway," the competition was about jet-setting, and Shakopee's Christopher Straub's design didn't take off.

Designer/judge Michael Kors explained the challenge in his Rodeo Drive boutique. Contestants had to pick and draw inspiration from seven of Kors' favorite places.

Second to last to choose, Straub selected Santa Fe. He constructed a pale blue top and brown skirt. At the last minute, he declared it was too "Little House on the Prairie" and hacked off 20 inches.

Straub noted that being self-taught makes him an "underdog" in the competition.

The crowd at Hell's Kitchen in Minneapolis, where Straub watches most episodes, was certainly supportive, erupting in applause when he was on screen.

However the outfit wasn't warmly received on the runway. While guest judge Mila Jovavich adored the patterned belt, the judges were unimpressed with the rest. "It was just ugly," said Heidi Klum. Those comments landed him in the bottom two.

In the end, Irina Shabayeva, left, won with an Aspen-inspired faux fur vest, sweater and ski pants ensemble, and Nicholas Putvinski lost for failing to reflect Greece in a white top and grey pants combination.

So Straub will have a chance to take flight again as he moves on to the top six.

SARA GLASSMAN