Let's get down to business!

The five remaining designers rose before the sun this week in preparation for their most challenging task yet. Judy Coomber, Myer's merchandise director for fashion and beauty, gave them their brief: create a look to take a 30-something professional woman from desk to dinner. The stakes were high – the winning design would be manufactured and sold in select Myer stores as part of the Basque label.

The designers had just 30 minutes to familiarise themselves with the Basque brand and present their sketches to Judy. Most were on the right track, but Brent's idea of a tailored short received short shrift!

On to the fabric store, and with only 15 minutes and $100 to spend things got a little crazy. Leigh got stuck with a brown chequered fabric - and wound up with a depression not even his rainbow manicure could brighten!

With the deadline looming Henry couldn't resist throwing a curve ball at the designers – they had to take their partially completed outfits to the Melbourne peak hour streets for test marketing… and the response from the public was not all rosy. On Runway Day stress and dodgy adjustments were thick on the ground. Juli glued some crystals to her tailored jacket and accidentally transformed it into "mother of the bride"– crisis! And while she ripped off the offending lapels, Brent lengthened his pants with a sticky-taped hem.

At the show the girls dominated proceedings – both were highly commended by the judges. The winning outfit – Petrova's reversible prowess - was displayed the next morning in Melbourne Myer's shop window. No such plaudits for the boys, who all received stiff criticism from the judges. Leigh was told his work was fit for an aging monarch, but it was Brent who was eventually told to pack up and leave.

Tune in next week for the bridal couture challenge!

We chat to Judy Coomber, Myer merchandise Director for Fashion and Beauty, about this week’s challenge to design a womenswear outfit for popular label, Basque.
Question: We chat to Judy Coomber, Myer merchandise Director for Fashion and Beauty, about this week’s challenge to design a womenswear outfit for popular label, Basque.
Answer: Designers need to keep in mind the commercial reality of their designs if they want to sell in volume and outside of niche markets. In a competitive market and a tough retail world, design in itself will not be enough for a designer to deliver to companies who ultimately need to meet financial targets.
Question What are the common mistakes new designers make when starting out?
Answer They have a lack of understanding about the commercial viability and wearability of their designs. They presume what their customer wants. They have a naivety about the financial realities of design becoming a range that meets customers’ needs and makes money.
Question Why did Petrova’s outfit meet the brief the best?
Answer Petrova demonstrated the best understanding of the customer and maintained a sense of fashion ability, femininity and wearability – consequently, the customer remained fashion savvy. The other contestants misinterpreted the brief and became too careful and safe with their designs. The result was that the 30-year-old customer became older.
Question Finally, when will your customers be able to get their hands Petrova’s winning design?
Answer Women will be able to buy the outfit at the start of next winters launch in February.

We chat to evicted designer Brent Zaicek about his time on the show!
Question: When did you first know you wanted to be a designer?
Answer: I never made a conscious decision to become a designer. From a very young age I was always restyling clothes that I had bought. This eventually evolved into making my own clothes and then doing it for a job.
Question: What has been the most difficult thing you've had to work on so far on the show?
Answer: The Brownlow medal challenge - sewing with silk can be quite challenging..
Question: What was the most fun thing about being on Project Runway?
Answer: Meeting all the other designers and being surrounded 24/7 by other creative people who love what they do!
Question: How has being on Project Runway changed you as a designer?
Answer: I can now confidently say I am a womenswear designer! I can also say I actually enjoy designing for women. My wife is pleased, as in the past I have not made a lot for her, this, however is going to change.
Question: Who did you bond with most on the show?
Answer: Lui and Shane, but all the designers are great.
Question: Finally, what was it like seeing yourself in Sydney Confidential?
Answer: Humbling but awesome! I was really pleased with the write up. However I was confident I had nailed the challenge, and would not need immunity.