Project Runway recap episode 6: Is it fashion or just clothes?

When models have a day off from the runway, what do they wear? This Project Runway recap for episode 6 answers the burning question: is it fashion or just clothes?

Fashion designers often have a difficult task to balance. While they may have a particular design atheistic, they must also listen to their client. When the partnership works well, the resulting outfit can be design gold, fashion at its finest. But sometimes that collaboration is just a bunch of day off clothes.

This week the designers had to create a “day off” look for the Project Runway models. Each outfit had to reflect both the model’s personal style and the designer’s point of view. Since the models were able to choose their designer, they should have picked a designer that blends with their personal style.

Project Runway recap episode 6, Models Day Off photo from Lifetime

Of course, in any school yard pick, someone is going to have hurt feelings. Hurt feelings and crying must mean that the twins, Claire and Shawn, were featured in the episode. Yes, the twins, and all their drama indeed, were on full display. Claire was the last designer standing, which meant that she wasn’t really picked. Doesn’t being one of the last designers standing show that the models don’t like your designs or they know that the judges don’t like your designs?

After the designer/model pairing were decided, the real fun began. The models’ day off outfit was supposedly street wear. Who knows how to define street wear? Based on the variety of outfits, that term can be almost anything.

Models have a unique situation with fashion. Even on their “off” time, models are on display. People are always looking at their clothes, how they put together an outfit and how they work the street as their own personal runway. These women are walking advertisements for the fashion world. No one wants to emulate a fashion don’t.

Of course, Project Runway isn’t just about the good and bad designs. The designer drama is always front and center. The twins and the collaborative outfits seem to be annoying everyone in the sewing room. Shawn heavily relies on her sister to help sew and complete her outfit. For these two designers, this season is Project Runway pairs. Too bad everyone doesn’t have a helper to complete their outfits.

This week’s episode had two components to the challenge. First, the outfit had to be worn on the runway. Second, the outfit had to be visually appealing on social media. Sometimes these two aspects don’t work together. What may be visually stunning in real life could look like a big, black blob on an Instagram post.

Project Runway recap, episode 6, Kentaro, top look, photo from Lifetime

Truthfully, the majority of outfits were rather good this week. Unlike last week’s descending into good and evil, there wasn’t a horrendous, hideous outfit to immediately cast off. Granted, some of the outfits weren’t the best choices for the normal woman, but the designs made sense for the fashion set.

This week’s top designs were Kentaro, Kenya and Shawn. Personally, Shawn’s outfit should have been the Shawn/Claire outfit because it was a collaborative piece by the two designers. If Claire hadn’t helped, the outfit’s construction would have been a disaster.

Kenya’s outfit was quite perplexing. The contrast of the emerald green with the black and white print was visually stunning. Granted, the 6 foot tall model helped to pull off this look. A normal woman would have looked like a big leaf. The high waisted, long pant with the printed top had a ’70s vibe. While I don’t understand the vest, the outfit made for a great visual. Definitely an Instagram worthy shot.

Project Runway recap, episode 6, Kenya, top look, photo from Lifetime

Of course, every Project Runway recap has to include the winner. Kentaro won this week’s challenge. His look was quite unique. While the Japanese influence, from kimono to samurai, was clear, the look was clearly his own. No one else would have this outfit walking down the street. The little details really set his look apart.

Although very few real women could pull off this look, the outfit is a great conversation starter. A few aspects could be incorporated into a real-world look. The crop top would look great with a pair of jeans. But, I doubt too many people will wear a skirt over another pair of pants. For most people, they would get a funny look on the subway.

But, why focus on the good looks, when the bad, low scores are just so much more entertaining? Claire was in the bottom. Her sweatshirt and short shorts were horrible. The model’s thighs looked like they were huge. The shorts were way too short. No one should show off that much butt. Still, Claire was safe.

Project Runway recap, episode 6, Claire, bottom look, photo from Lifetime

Side note, when will one of the twins be eliminated? The constant helping, whining and annoyance is getting old with them. Once one of the twins goes, the other one should follow immediately. Too bad that they can’t just go together together.

The bottom two looks were Margarita and Samantha. Margarita’s look appeared to be a retro outfit from ’90s Miami. The baggy, white pants were paired with a bright, print halter top and bomber jacket. The jacket was rather cute. I would have preferred to see it with some skinny jeans and a simple white top. The halter top looked like something a girl should wear to the beach. The print would be cute for a bathing suit.

Project Runway recap, episode 6, Margarita, bottom look, photo from Lifetime

But the pants were bad. White pants can be quite chic. Well-constructed, properly tailored white pants should be a part of every woman’s wardrobe. These pants should be sent to the burn pile. If a tall, skinny model can’t pull these pants off, no one can.

Samantha’s look was even more confusing. Her design was Lolita inspired. The cupcake skirt, fitted bodice and vest checked all the boxes for that particular style. The problem is that this look seemed almost like a pattern or even a costume. Yes, her model wanted something like this look, but the outfit was boring or worse, uninteresting.

Last week, Samantha was criticized because her personal style was more interesting that her runway outfit. No designer should outshine her work. The idea is for her voice to be louder than her look. Again, Samantha failed.

Project Runway recap, episode 6, Samantha, bottom look, photo from Lifetime

The designer going home was Samantha. While her look was constructed well, the judges felt that her designs are limited, one note. Every week, Samantha created a similar Lolita style. Yes, she’s good at that particular style, but winning Project Runway takes more than just one type of design.

Sorry to see you go Samantha. I would have voted off a few other looks instead, like Brandon’s Star Wars inspired beige bag. Thank goodness he had immunity. Then again, maybe people would wear that outfit to Star Wars Galaxy Nights.

Next: Project Runway episode 5: Descending into good and evil

Next week’s episode is going to be a pair challenge. Fingers crossed that it is a double elimination challenge and the twins go home. Indeed, that would be a great result.