The latest edition of Project Runway was special to a group of Houstonians who filled E.J. Farhood's Montrose home to cheer on Tracey Trachta, executive director of HP global marketing worldwide.

Trachta appeared on the show Thursday night to announce the HP Challenge, in which the remaining seven designers were instructed to use the company's touch screen technology to create a textile design that is "deeply personal."

The crowd was split between Trachta's friends and fans of the show, who dissected every move of each remaining designer. They cheered as Trachta appeared on screen in a chic sleeveless red print dress and pixie haircut. Her stylist, Stacey Abbott of Spa 1107, acknowledged kudos for Trachta's TV look.

While watching the show, Trachta explained that HP first got involved with the fashion world when the computer giant enlisted designer Vivenne Tam to create a netbook with a butterfly motif on the cover in a bid to appeal to women.

"Women influence over 70 percent of the consumer technology market, so we're focused on reaching women in an effective way," Trachta said.

Last season, Tam appeared on the show to announce the challenge, in which contestants used HP technology to create a signature pattern design. The company was so pleased with the results they signed up to be sponsor again this year and Trachta got the nod to appear on the show. She believes it's a perfect fit.

"Technology is male-dominated. Everyone wears Dockers and golf shirts. I stand out like a sore thumb," Trachta said. "(On Project Runway), we're not talking about hard drive and memory. We're talking about all the expressive and artistic things you can do with technology — everything from creating a pattern to editing an at-home video of the kids singing happy birthday to their grandmother."

Most of the show was taped in July, so Trachta already knows the season winner. But she won't say who it is.

However, her personal favorite in Mondo Guerra, the 32-year-old Denver designer who sobbed throughout most of the episode as he revealed he is HIV-positive. The most recent show was a sobfest, in part because producers brought the remaining contestants' moms (or in one case, partner) in for a visit.

But they probably would have burst into tears if Tim Gunn had said, "Boo." Since episodes are shot back-to-back over a six-week period without any break, by this point in the season contestants are so sleep deprived that they would cry at the drop of a pin.

This group of Houston fans who gather every week to watch the show together favor Guerra to take it all. (He's won the last three challenges.) But there was also some support for Michael Costello. However, no one likes Gretchen Jones, who has become the season's villain.