Project Runway: Recycled materials challenge didn’t reduce designer drama

The first unconventional material challenge has three teams of designers dredging through drama. Indeed, the recycled materials challenge had everyone feeling the pressure.

Every season of Project Runway has at least one unconventional materials challenge. Always a favorite with fans, and Heidi Klum, the 15 designers tackled this season’s challenge in Thursday night’s episode. While some created a stylish look, other designers’ outfits still looked like trash.

Project Runway Season 16, episode 2, recycled materials challenge, photo from Lifetime

As the designers dress in some bright orange safety vests and hard hats, everyone could guess what the second challenge of the season was going to be. An unconventional materials challenge means that the designers must transform various items into a wearable outfit. Traditional material, like fabric, isn’t used.

On Thursday, the designers had to specifically use recycled material from a recycling plant. While it is unclear if these items truly were someone’s trash (let’s hope not), the set up was supposed to feel they were. Designers had a wide array of paper, plastics, and other items to stuff into their trash cans.

Recycled materials weren’t the only twist

Before all the trash picking commenced, Tim Gunn had another twist for these 15 designers. This week’s challenge was also a team challenge. As Tim unveiled the infamous button bag, the designers were randomly placed into three teams of five. As luck would have it, the twins, Claire and Shawn, were on the same team. Everyone could predict the twin drama would be high this episode. As Sentell said, the twins are a team within a team.

After each designer collected the recycled items, the teams had to create a five-piece, cohesive mini-collection. The goal was to create a high fashion look from every day recycled items. Overall, the episode’s purpose was to highlight sustainability in fashion. The designer who could create a memorable look that embraced the recycled material would win.

When the designers returned to the workroom, they learned who would be their model for the week. Season 16 features various sized models. From 2 to 22, these models are meant to reflect the real world and real body types. Each week the designers will randomly get a different model. Some designers were happy with the challenge and others began their complaining.

Put on your big girl pants

Shawn, one of the twins, was most vocal about her new “curvy” model. She seemed indignant that she had to dress a curvy model. How would she like it if a make-up artist complained that she had to work with a person with a shaved head? Her high drama in this challenge was self-induced and she acted like a child. She needs to put on her big girl pants and stop crying.

The three teams were Team Tsunami, Team Wabi Sabi, and Team Ballin’ on a Budget. Finding a cohesive vision for all five looks was the first hurdle. Team Ballin’ on a Budget quickly came together on their vision. While Team Wabi Sabi had a clear direction, Team Tsunami seemed to be a hot mess. While each designer had to stay true to her design atheistic, they had to find a clear link between all five looks. Cohesion is key.

Project Runway Season 16, episode 2, Twam Wabi Sabi, photo from Lifetime

During the Tim Gunn critique, Team Ballin’ on a Budget seemed to be struggling. But, each designer incorporated Tim’s feedback. The use of a similar material in each look helped to create cohesion. While each look was specific to each designer, the outfits seemed to work together.

Team Wabi Sabi had an interesting idea with the Japanese influenced looks. But, like many early episodes, those looks were buried in between Shawn’s crying and Team Tsunami’s bickering. I would have loved to see more of Team Wabi Sabi. I think that some of their looks could have be the most wearable for the real woman. Team Wabi Sabi was safe for this challenge. Less screen time meant that they were just middle of the road.

The top team was Ballin’ on the Budget. They took Tim’s critique and transformed the whole collection. Each piece was visually interesting yet unique to the designer.

Project Runway Season 16, episode 2, Ayana winner, photo from Lifetime

Ayana was this week’s winning designer. Her look stayed true to her design beliefs. Even in a recycled materials challenge, she was able to create a fashion-forward wearable look. It was innovative yet approachable. She has immunity for next week.

Up for elimination was Team Tsunami. Even though Shawn wasn’t impressed with the Samantha’s braided top, the judges loved it. Samantha transformed the green plastic into a wearable top. Viewers knew it was trash, but it looked fashion forward.

Indeed, Shawn was in the bottom

The two bottom looks were Shawn and Sentell. Everyone could guess that Shawn was going to be bottom two. Her drama meltdown was over the top. She needed help from all her teammates to finish some type of garment.

Beyond the garment issues, Shawn was a cry baby. First, her model was a normal sized woman. Designing for a “curvy” woman isn’t a punishment, it is part of the real world. Her tone and attitude was bad from the beginning. If I had a vote, she would have been gone for her constant reference to her “curvy” model. As a viewer, I found it offensive. Last week, both bottom designers were admonished for the same comments.

Project Runway Season 16, episode 2, Shawn, photo from Lifetime

Also, Shawn tried to deflect her poor choices by throwing her teammates under the bus. Calling out other designers is a poor move. Granted she has her sister on the show, but designers can retaliate. Based on this episode, I doubt Shawn will be in the running for fan favorite.

Sentell had major design and structure issues. While the challenge was to transform trash into high fashion, his outfit still looked like a trash bag. The concept could have been a good one. Unfortunately, the execution of the outfit was dismal. He didn’t transform the materials.

Project Runway Season 16, episode 2, Sentell, photo from Lifetime

Sentell was sent home. He might have lacked the experience to compete, too. The judges felt he failed the main component of this recycled materials challenge: transforming the materials. Sorry to see you go, Sentell.

On a side note, anyone else count how many times Shawn and Clair say “indeed?” Maybe that could be this season’s Project Runway drinking game. Depending on how long the twins stay in the competition, it could become the phrase of the season.

Next: Project Runway season 16 episode 1 recap

Now that the first recycled materials challenge is completed, the 14 remaining designers continue on to the next challenge. Episode 3 focuses on dance and movement. Who will make it work? We will have to wait and see. Indeed.