And we’re back! Now four weeks in, the designer pool is being whittled down quickly, although the ones we think should have been kicked off weeks ago (ahem, Stella, Jerell) are still hanging around. This week, the designers are piled into vans with Tim Gunn and dispatched across the city. Jerell doesn’t care where they’re going; he just hopes it “has nothing to do with female wrestlers.” Um. Random! Kelli, on the other hand, hopes it has nothing to do with hospitals. Tim uses the time to quiz Blayne on his tanning schedule—it’s about every other day—which Blayne likens to his personal hobby. We’ve been liking Blayne more and more, but we’re starting to really worry about his risk of melanoma.

We spotted 26-year-old Shanice after church in an unusual designer creation.

Shanice Wills, 26
Makeup artist, MAC

Who makes this dress? “It’s Issey Miyake. It’s two pieces. I got it a long time ago at a boutique in Friendship Heights. I can’t remember the name of [the boutique] and I don’t think it’s there anymore.”

Describe your style: “Eclectic, trendy, and chic. I love vintage and I love to buy from boutiques.”

Signature style: “I always wear heels. I hate flats. I feel unattractive in them.” 

Tuesday, August 5: Stylish local designer Ebong Eka is launching his ready-to-wear menswear line, Mi Chiamo Eka, tonight with a charity fashion show at K Street Lounge. Tickets are $50 in advance, $60 at the door, and proceeds benefit the Hoop Dreams Scholarship Fund.

It's also the opening day for the area's very first Madewell store, debuting at Tysons Corner. The sister brand to J. Crew is quickly gathering fans who love its comfy, chic pieces and vast denim selection—head down to check out the hype yourself.

Wednesday, August 6: Today's the last day to take your old jeans down to Wink in Georgetown and turn them in for 20 percent off a new pair in the store. (The old ones are donated to the charity New Endeavors for Women.) And while you're at it, pop down to Loew's Georgetown and catch the denim drive's inspiration: The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants II, out today.

What: Brightly colored screen tees, ties, blazers, and 80s-inspired glass jewelry for men and women.

Who: The 31-year-old began designing when she moved back home to D.C. after graduating from the University of New Hampshire. She started out printing t-shirts for junior high soccer teams and corporate softball leagues at a mom-and-pop shop. She only worked there for nine months, but looking at the rows of screens Bilonick keeps in her studio, it’s clear that experience left a lasting imprint—no pun intended.

Today, Bilonick works myriad jobs in the DC arts community. She’s a program director for the Washington Project for the Arts and her show—a display of printed images on large wooden blocks­—just closed at the Transformer gallery. She also makes time for her clothing line.

Where to buy it: Smash!, Civilian Art Project, and on her Web site www.kristinabilonick.com

After last week’s snoozefest of an ecochallenge, we were wishing and hoping (and thinking and praying) that the new episode of Project Runway would return to our good graces in a big way. We were not disappointed: The show bounced back with flying colors—also with Carmen Miranda-cha-cha-cha! colors—lots of glorious New York scenery, and a blissfully minimal amount of Stella time.

After the most anticlimactic model selection ever—Suede loves Tia! Suede blows everyone kisses with two hands!—our fearless contestants are sent back to the cozy Atlas apartments to await the arrival of our hero Tim Gunn, who will be taking them out for a night on the rainy town. Tim rolls in with a sleek black trench and majorly popped collar (Blayne: “Aren’t you ’licious!”) as well as ponchos and brightly colored Hunter wellies for all. (Seriously, where did those materialize from? Random!) Why, he’s taking them on a double-decker tour-bus ride!

Agnes Mannarelli, 46
Works for Warren Communications News

What she’s wearing: A printed cotton dress from Moo Joo Ken, a necklace from All About Jane, Frye shoes from the recently closed (so sad!) Wild Women Wear Red, and a Hobo International bag from Nana. The cool mother-of-pearl bracelet watch is Fossil.

Friday, August 1: Our favorite Dupont Circle consignment shop, the fabulously well-stocked Secondi, kicks off their summer sale today. Great secondhand finds at even-more-affordable-than-usual prices? We’ll definitely be showing up early.

Saturday, August 2 and Sunday, August 3: The lengthening list of Midcity boutiques—that’s 7th through 17th streets, between P and W—is hosting their annual Dog Days of Summer neighborhood sidewalk sale this weekend. We’ve got the following hotspots highlighted on our shopping plan:

• In addition to 75 percent off all spring and summer merchandise, the chic Caramel will hold trunk shows on Saturday from 10am to 7pm for local labels L~Shandi (we love the line’s vintage-inspired dresses) and Even Keel (whose extra-comfy yoga wear is a eco-friendly must). Both brands will offer one-on-one consultations and up to 40 percent off their wares.