Thursday night on "Project Runway," not only did the fabulous Michael Kors return (again), but he led the week's challenge! And no, it wasn't to design an outfit that was "none more black."

The designers met Tim Gunn and Michael Kors at Kors' Rodeo Drive store, of kors, and learned that their challenge was to design a garment inspired by different locations around the world. Since Carol Hannah won last week, she was allowed to pick first. But as an infrequent traveler, she opted for the fairly safe choice of Palm Beach. The other location inspirations were: Greece (Nicolas), St. Tropez (Althea), New York City (Gordana), Santa Fe (Christopher), Hollywood (Logan), and Bitch Island (Irina). Oh no, I'm sorry, Irina actually chose Aspen. Easy mistake.

Irina started grousing almost instantly, as she didn't feel that the $150 budget was enough to put together a winter look. No one's heart broke for her. However, no one was happy about the one-day time limit.

Back in the workroom, Nicolas revealed that he was creating a fabulous tomboy ensemble. (Because when you think Greece, "tomboy" is the first thing that comes to mind, right?) Christopher was determined to show the judges his sophistication. Carol Hannah worried that she didn't have enough fabric. The sound of laughter and pleasant chit-chat filled the room, which nearly caused Irina to pass out. Irina abhors laughter - unless it's her own being snidely directed at someone else.

Tim swooped in to have a look-see at everyone's designs, and his word of the day was "cliché." He was concerned about Carol Hannah and Christopher both falling prey to dreaded fashion clichés, and further warned Christopher (while peering at him over his glasses in that fatherly way that he does) to not only make his boring dress work, but also to make it "exuberant and sophisticated." Enter stock-commenter Irina, who is really surprised that (fill in the blank) is still in the competition. This week, that blank was filled by Christopher. But as much as I detest Irina, I can't disagree with her this time. Christopher seems like a completely different designer than he was just a few weeks ago, evidenced by his semi-permanent home in the Bottom 3.

When the models came in for their fittings, Gordana had no dress because she spent all her time making a giant necklace. Logan's jeans were too tight on his model, which made me wonder if he was designing something for a size negative 4. Christopher worried that his dress looked too "Little House on the Prairie," and hacked a bunch off the bottom. Irina claimed that the creativity among the designers was waning - herself excluded, of course.

Back at the designers' pad, Nicolas worried that he might be going home, and everyone bonded. Well, everyone bonded while Irina sat there smiling sweetly, waiting patiently for someone's back to turn so she could pull out that well-concealed knife.

At the fashion show, the judging panel was finally back to normal with the three usual suspects: Heidi, Kors and Nina. Since this had been a Kors challenge, I was kind of hoping that he'd bring his Mom back to judge, or perhaps unveil an evil twin who wore all white. Alas, that was not to be. Instead, actress/model/singer/designer Milla Jovovich stepped in as guest judge, and she was actually one of the better guest judges they've had. She was objective, harsh when she needed to be without being mean, and didn't just follow along with everything the other judges said. Next to Tamara Mellon, Milla's been my favorite guest judge so far. And she gets extra cool points for having been in "Dazed and Confused."

Althea's boring gold short shorts and gauzy blouse ensemble was deemed good enough to take her off the chopping block, and she toddled off to safety.

In the Top 3 were Carol Hannah, Gordana and Irina. Although everyone seemed most in love with Carol Hannah's very Uli Herzner-esque green print maxi dress, Irina was named the winner. I'm sure that winning her third challenge won't make her even more insufferable. Oh no, not Irina.

Actually, as much as I hate to admit it, Irina did a really good job. It's quite impressive that she was able to make a three-piece outfit (including a fur vest) with such short time and a limited budget.

The judges' least favorites were Christopher, Logan, and Nicolas. Once again, Logan squeaked by on his good looks and an inoffensive outfit that Nina dismissed as "just basic clothes." Heidi didn't mind his simple shirt/sweater/jeans ensemble because she felt like it was at least more true to his character than he'd shown in a while.

That left Christopher and Nicolas on the runway, with Heidi glowering at them like she was about to grow fangs and feast on their blood. (I don't know what's up with her lately but she's scaring me.) Just as I said aloud to myself, "Okay, Christopher HAS to be out this week," Heidi announced that he was IN. What?? HOW?? How does he keep staying in? Is he having an affair with Tim? Kors? Both? Seriously, I really liked Christopher in the beginning, but his designs have been horrible lately. And this week's not-quite-turquoise and poopy brown dress was, as Heidi said, "just ugly." Sure, Nicolas's design did not say "Greece" at all, but at least it was attractive and wearable. What are the judges smoking?

This show has turned into a series of bad calls. And it's such a shame that Nicolas was cut just when I was starting to like him. Ah well, now he can go home and wash his hair.

Auf wiedersehen - see you next week!


"The Pop Eye @ Starpulse" is a column written by native Pittsburgher and current New Yorker, Becky Broderick. You may contact Becky directly at beckeyeam@gmail.com, or check out her other ramblings on The Pop Eye.