After last week’s triple elimination, the designers had hoped drama left the runway. In this Project Runway recap, unconventional materials don’t provide a highway to success.
Project Runway season 16 has been less sweet and more salty this season. From the cattiness to the bickering, the fashion has been overshadowed by the drama. We’re down to the final six designers. With an unconventional materials challenge ahead of them, Project Runway seems to be driving off a cliff.
The unconventional materials challenges usually stump the designers. Even though the Project Runway designers have conquered one unconventional materials challenge, this Lexus sponsored challenge had many designers hitting a design road block. Even though Heidi warned the designers to proceed with caution, the advice may have hit deaf ears.
Image from Project Runway season 16 episode 10. Image via Lifetime
Looking at the season as a whole, no clear front runner has ever emerged. Brandon has been a judges’ favorite, but last week he struggled. Kentaro has had wow moments, but he has been inconsistent. Margarita won a huge challenge, but then faltered. Michael has only been in the top too. Kenya keeps going back to older looks. With everyone being almost equal, anyone could go home.
Image from Project Runway season 16 episode 10. Image via Lifetime
While Tim has the “Tim Gunn save” still in play, everyone wonders if he will even use it. When it is down to the final six designers, the save really isn’t a fair choice. The save is best used when a clear front runner hits a design block.
A great example would have been when Margarita’s post-victory outfit was a fashion don’t. If she didn’t have immunity, she should have gone home. The Tim Gunn save would have been appropriate in this case. Now, as Project Runway nears the season end, I hope that Tim never uses the save.
Every single stitch counts.
Overall, the designs for the unconventional challenge won’t totally horrendous. More importantly, nothing fell apart as it walked down the runway. While some designers had big imagination, other designers didn’t push themselves. The difference between the two groups was relatively clear.
Image from Project Runway season 16 episode 10. Image via Lifetime
Although the unconventional materials were all safety materials, safety itself wasn’t a theme. Michael’s bondage inspired dress felt more dangerous than fashionable. Overall, the look was rather tacky. While bondage style dresses are popular, the look was more street walker than runway model. Michael was in the bottom.
Brandon’s outfit had tons of color and texture. Even though the skirt was a little skimpy, the judges loved his look. The material was quite stiff, but the outfit had movement. Walking down the runway, the outfit was visually impressive. It was rather wearable, just as long as the skirt was a little longer or you don’t have a big butt.
Image from Project Runway season 16 episode 10. Image via Lifetime
Margarita’s look used the materials quite well. Each piece was visually interesting. Overall, she created a super hero inspired look. The look was graphic and bold, while still be modern. Granted, the look wasn’t quite wearable, but this challenge featured unconventional materials. It wasn’t meant to be worn on the street.
Kenya was concerned about her outfit. With a last minute zipper issue, she was hoping to be safe. The judges applauded her outfit. By painting the seat belts, her outfit had dimension and visual interest. While the shape was exaggerated, the outfit worked because of its drama. Kenya was a top design.
Ayana’s outfit was definitely the most dramatic, unconventional materials look. As her model strutted down the runway, the outfit was clearly a huge statement. The combination of all the materials was extraordinary. If this challenge was to showcase the drama, Ayana mastered the challenge.
Image from Project Runway season 16 episode 10. Image via Lifetime
Kentaro’s look was very disappointing. The styling had his model look like a Native American doll. A look that started as a cute skirt turned into a design disaster. No one liked this look. In the end, Kentaro may not have liked the look. Even though his design was well made, this competition isn’t Project Tailoring.
Ayana won the challenge. The grandeur of her look pushed her design to win. Plus, she incorporated and transformed the unconventional materials. Margarita, Brandon and Kenya were all safe.
The bottom two designers were Michael and Kentaro. Michael’s design didn’t transform the materials enough nor did it have any imagination. Overall, the look appeared cheap. Kentaro’s look appeared more like a costume. The design was uninspired.
Probably because the judges like Kentaro, he was safe. Michael was sent home.
It is somewhat sad to see Michael go. I think that Margarita will struggle in the next challenge because she used Michael as a sounding board. Their friendship was a nice side story for this season. It was good to see designers get along versus backstab each other.
With only five designers left, the competition should be quite fierce. Everyone wants to go to Fashion Week. It is unclear if four or three designers will create a whole collection.
Next: Project Runway episode 9: Major game changer
Do you have a favorite designer that you want at Fashion Week? I would love to see Margarita present a collection. I think that her designs could be fun and flirty, but also, those designs would be flattering to a woman’s body.
It is anyone’s guess how Project Runway season 16 will play out. While unconventional materials are in the rear view mirror, who knows what’s on the road ahead.