Project Runway All Stars recap: Betty Boop Hollywood bombshell chic

Betty Boop is an iconic bombshell. In this week’s Project Runway All Stars, the designers channel Hollywood chic into Betty Boop’s new look.

Some characters crossover from their screen beginnings to pop culture icons. Betty Boop is one of those characters. With a storied history, the animated bombshell character with flattering curves is an icon. Like many contemporary stars, Betty Boop inspires both designers and women. In this week’s Project Runway All Stars recap, the designers are inspired by Betty Boop to create a Hollywood bombshell chic look.

The idea of creating a chic, yet young, Hollywood bombshell look didn’t seem like a difficult task for this Project Runway All Stars recap. Sometimes the most unassuming challenges turn out to be the hardest. Who knew that the designers wouldn’t know how to inject some youthfulness into their designs?

For the most part, this challenge had designs that were meant for Betty Boop’s older sister. Some of the sophisticated designs were pretty and even flattering. Still, these designs didn’t adhere to the challenge. At this point in the competition, the designers need to get out of the middle. The middle is unmemorable. No one in the fashion world wants to be unmemorable.

At stake in this week’s challenge was an opportunity to design a Betty Boop inspired capsule collection for Torrid. This type of prize can be huge for a fashion designer. It offers great exposure far beyond the fans of Project Runway.

Unfortunately, several designers failed miserably at this challenge. By now, fans have come to expect Merline to be in the bottom. Again this week, Merline’s look earned her a bottom spot. Her dress had nothing to do with the inspiration. An asymmetrical dress that wasn’t flattering did not read Hollywood bombshell chic.

Project Runway All Stars season 6 episode 6 official photo. Image via Lifetime. Designer: Merline

Even with another fashion don’t, Merline survived. At what point does Merline get eliminated? Are the judges keeping her around for the week when a favorite totally screws up? While it can be argued that she has some fashion forward ideas, every week Merline has issues. Still, Merline is safe.

The other two bottom designers were Char and Edmond. Both of these dresses would land any young Hollywood star on the worst-dressed list. Additionally, Betty Boop wouldn’t want to wear either dress even if she were tied to railroad tracks.

Char made a huge mistake by working with neoprene. While she was trying to push herself, she didn’t know how to manipulate this fabric. The dress became bulky. Somehow, Char thought that neoprene would drape well on the bottom skirt. It definitely did not.

Project Runway All Stars season 6 episode 6 official photo. Image via Lifetime. Designer: Char

The bottom of Char’s dress was an overworked nightmare. The extra fabric made her model look hippy. Nothing hugged to her curves. Instead the very tall, skinny model looked gigantic walking down the runway.

Edmond’s look suffered from a personality disorder. The dress had too many ideas lumped into one dress. From the various parts to the neckline to the volume in the skirt, the dress seemed pieced together.

Even more disturbing was Edmond’s fabric. While this blue patterned fabric would be pretty in some situations, this challenge was not one of them. The fabric had nothing to do with Betty Boop or young Hollywood chic. It was more meant for an aging starlet’s nightmare.

Project Runway All Stars season 6 episode 6 official photo. Image via Lifetime. Designer: Edmond

In the end, Char was sent home. Her biggest mistake was choosing a fabric that she didn’t know how to manipulate. Plus, neoprene is an easy fabric to use. This blunder couldn’t be overlooked by the judges.

Given the huge prize at stake in this week’s Project Runway All Stars, only two designers truly excelled in this challenge. Stanley had an adorable, retro inspired romper. While the color choice was a little muted, the look was youthful. The shortness of the romper played off the demur collar. His look was a top choice.

Project Runway All Stars season 6 episode 6 official photo. Image via Lifetime. Designer: Stanley

Joshua finally got out of the middle. His look was the only one to really push the bombshell adjective. The see-through skirt was playful, yet not overdone. The hands down best piece was his top. The “I love Betty” top clearly played to the challenge.

Project Runway All Stars season 6 episode 6 official photo. Image via Lifetime. Designer: Joshua

Joshua’s top could have gone too cheesy. Instead, his subtle touches made top a delightful balance between chic and athleisure. For the less daring, this top could be paired with jeans, leggings or a more subtle skirt.

The winner of the Betty Boop challenge was Joshua. His Betty Boop capsule collection is currently available on Torrid. The collection has several pieces, including a version of this winning “I love Betty” top.

Going into next week’s challenge, the designers need to up their game. So far, this season has skewed older. While sophisticated looks are lovely, the outfits are looking a little bland. No one in their twenties wants to wear a look that makes her look 40. A spark of youthfulness is definitely needed.

Also, Project Runway All Stars needs to eliminate some struggling designers. Edmond and Merline seem to skate by every week. There has to be a point where their lackluster looks and technical mistakes get them sent home. Other, better designers were sent home for far lesser mistakes.

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Next week’s challenge is an avant garde challenge. Will these designers finally bring something creative to the runway? So far, I can’t remember any design from the previous weeks. If the looks aren’t memorable, is it really fashion forward or fashion at all?