Project Runway All Stars season 6 episode 9 recap: Red Carpet Posen
Many designers dream of dressing celebrities for a red carpet event. On this week’s Project Runway All Stars, everyone was red carpet Posen inspired.
For these Project Runway designers, the ultimate goal is to become a recognizable fashion brand. While Project Runway All Stars designers are known by fans, they want more.
From instant name recognition to signature design elements, each designer wants the fashion world to applaud their particular style. This week’s challenge had the designers dreaming big with red carpet Zac Posen-influenced designs.
An American fashion icon, Posen has a signature look. Many celebrities clamor to wear his magnificent red carpet styles to award shows, movie premieres and other high profile events. From the rich colors to the luxury fabrics, the materials aid the impeccable design.
Posen’s designs are known for two factors, anatomical and architectural. The gowns have structure but don’t overlook the curves and lines of a woman’s body. The combination makes a woman feel both beautiful and powerful.
Project Runway All Stars episode 9 recap. Photo from Lifetime
In this week’s Project Runway All Stars, the designers were challenged to show the judges their signature technique. While this challenge seems straightforward, the designers had to ensure that they weren’t repetitive. A signature technique doesn’t mean for a designer to recycle a previous look. This look needed to be fresh yet impeccable.
Since Posen was the inspiration for this week’s designs, he allowed the designers to use some of his collection’s fabric. While some designers choose wisely, a few designers were overwhelmed by the opportunity. Their fabrics overtook the looks versus letting the fabric complete the design.
In this challenge, the prediction of the top and bottom designers seemed to be a given before any gown walked the runway. Stanley was going to be a top design. His impeccable tailoring is his signature technique. Every design is picture perfect, hugs the model’s curves and never has a thread out of place.
Project Runway All Stars episode 9 recap. Photo from Lifetime
This week Stanley’s red gown was lovely, but it wasn’t spectacular. The bodice seemed a little too tight for anyone who has normal cleavage. Also, the skirt was slightly too short at the front. It was an awkward length. Still, Stanley was a top design and was safe.
The two true top designs were Fabio and Anthony. Fabio’s design was more intellectual. His signature technique was a pleating effect. While the judges applauded his fashion forward thinking, this gown looked a little strange. If the size 0 model look like she was wearing a huge tent, how could a normal woman wear this gown? Although I didn’t mind the color, the overall design was a little too eclectic for the normal woman.
Project Runway All Stars episode 9 recap. Photo from Lifetime
Anthony’s gown was an instant stunner on the runway. The exaggerated, architectural gown immediately made an impression. The asymmetrical front was balanced by the large back embellishment. At each and every angle, the gown was simply divine.
The structure, the design as well as the color choice made this dress work the runway. The light blue looked like a beautiful wave walking down the runway way. Often these types of highly structured gowns opt for a more powerful color. The light blue made the gown light, airy and almost floating.
Its no surprise Anthony won this week’s Project Runway All Stars challenge. Its safe to say that whoever Anthony dresses for a red carpet event will be on the fast track for the best dressed list. It may not be a red carpet Posen, but his gowns will make their own memorable impression.
Unfortunately, the two designers on the bottom were quite disappointing. Edmond’s gown looked like someone pinned a red, ruffled throw pillow on a dress. The ruffled detail was horrible. No woman wants a giant ruffled piece covering her chest, especially if the ruffle is asymmetrical. Sure some ruffle techniques can be pretty, but the ruffle can become very youthful. This challenge was about sophistication not over-embellishment.
Project Runway All Stars episode 9 recap. Photo from Lifetime
To add insult to fashion, Edmond combined the ruffle monstrosity with a brocade fabric, making the gown look heavy. A slightly better choice would have been to stick with one fabric. Still, there was little that could have saved this look, except maybe removing the whole ruffle.
Project Runway All Stars episode 9 recap. Photo from Lifetime
Joshua was the other designer on the bottom. His look seemed dis-jointed. The pin-pleating technique could have been quite lovely. Unfortunately, the top didn’t match the skirt. Each portion looked like it should have been paired with something else.
Joshua’s top needed more time to correctly complete the technique and look. Instead it was completely unresolved. The plunge was wonky, the sleeves weren’t matched and the fit was improper. What could have been quite pretty didn’t live up to the hype.
As for the skirt, the front hem was shorter than the back, cheapening the look. Add to that fact a bright, insanely bright color blocking skirt, the gown would lead even the most popular celebrity on the worst dressed list.
Ultimately, Joshua went home. Even if you didn’t like Joshua’s designs this season, his looks were never boring. From bondage inspired to bright colors, he always brought the drama. With him leaving, this Project Runway season has lost a little spark.
Next: Torrid and Project Runway collborate on a capsule collection
Only six designers remain in the competition. It seems like the final three will be Stanley, Fabio and Anthony. Can one of the underdogs pull off an upset? Share who you think will win Project Runway All Stars in the comments.