Project Runway All Stars season 6 episode 10 recap: Rock Your Face Off

For the first time ever, Project Runway takes on a performance look. Did last night’s Project Runway All Stars hit a high note or fall flat?

With only six designers left, the competition is getting fierce on Project Runway All Stars. Since this season has shown avante-garde, unconventional materials and red carpet glamour. On this episode, the designers take on a challenge never tackled on the show: a performance look.

Sometimes on Project Runway, the designers are criticized for making a look too costumey. In many situations, a design doesn’t need to be over the top, over embellished or over designed. For this challenge, the designers needed to think bigger and create designs that could be seen from far away.

Stanley Hudson and Edmond Newton star in the tenth episode of Project Runway All Stars, airing Thursday, March 15, at 9pm ET/PT on Lifetime.

Photo by Pawel Kaminski

With the challenge to create a dazzling outfit for the stage, the designers thought that this scenario was enough of a test. But, this episode had a face-off scenario. Two designers would face off by creating looks based on the same music genre.

The three musical genres were pop, rock and country. Helen and Fabio got country, which was hands down the hardest genre. Even though country music isn’t cowboy boots and Wrangler jeans, the style of a modern country performer can be difficult to pin down. While the design needed to be fashionable, the looks needed to reference country.

Fabio Costa stars in the tenth episode of Project Runway All Stars season 8, airing Thursday, March 15, at 9pm ET/PT on Lifetime.

Photo by Pawel Kaminski

In the country face off, Fabio won. While his look wasn’t great, it was better than Helen’s odd sequin prairie dress look. Even with a win, Fabio’s look wasn’t great. The romper didn’t reference country.

In the pop face off, Anthony and Ken were evenly matched. Anthony’s pop starlet outfit worked. While there was a lot of embellishment, the overall vibe met the theme. Although the fringe was a little Tina Turner-70s vibe, the outfit had enough modern edge to make it successful.

Anthony Williams stars in the tenth episode of Project Runway All Stars season 8, airing Thursday, March 15, at 9pm ET/PT on Lifetime.

Photo by Pawel Kaminski

Ken’s outfit offered an unusual twist on a jumpsuit. While the cream coat was debatable, the sheer jumpsuit was pop star perfection. It offered a slight edge without going too far. Overall, his look balanced performance and fashion.

For the final face off, rock, Stanley was no match for Edmond. While often on the bottom, Edmond excelled in this challenge. His look was totally glam rock star. It allowed for a performer to move while still being fashionable. More importantly, the design hit the light and was visually interesting. Any pop star would look amazing on stage in this design.

Edmond won the Project Runway All Stars episode 10 challenge, making it his first challenge win. While he excelled in this challenge, it could be difficult for him to maintain the momentum. Edmond has been in the bottom so often. This challenge seemed like a lucky break for him. It is similar to Merline’s final avante garde episode reprieve.

On last night’s Project Runway All Stars, two looks were definitely in the bottom. Helen and Stanley both didn’t hit a high note. While both looks were impeccably made, neither look met the challenge. The designs were contrite, boring and not fashionable.

Helen’s nod to the prairie dress looked like a crazy costume. The sequin made the look appear cheap. While sequin can be an accent on a country outfit, this look had too much sequin. It was overpowering. Add to the confusion her very odd sleeves, the look was a total fashion don’t.

Stanley Hudson stars in the tenth episode of Project Runway All Stars season 6, airing Thursday, March 15, at 9pm ET/PT on Lifetime.

Photo by Pawel Kaminski

Stanley’s look had a cheerleader vibe, not a rock vibe. The whole look was too matchy-matchy. Rock stars need an edge. Matching leather stripes isn’t an outfit that any self-respecting rock star would ever wear. This outfit looked more like a sad Halloween costume than a fashionable performance design.

While the decision was close, Helen was eliminated. Since there are so few competitors left, the competition is getting fierce. Even the smallest mistake can send anyone home.

It is really disappointing that the final five designers are all men. While gender shouldn’t be a deciding fact, it would be nice to see a different perspective on the runway. Helen’s designed often highlighted a woman’s figure differently than the male designers. Her bodices were impeccable. Her presence on the runway will be missed.

Overall, this design challenge was a little lackluster. Truthfully, it seems unlikely that any music performer would want to wear any of the top designs. If anyone wore one of these outfits on the VMAs or Grammys, that performer would probably be questioned about her fashion choice. The designers had an opportunity to push the envelope and no one really took advantage.

Going into next week’s episode, anyone could get eliminated on a poor design choice. The smallest issues are the difference between the top and the bottom. At the same time, no one should play it safe. Boring design is just as wrong as bad design.

Five designers remain and only one can win Project Runway All Stars this season. Who do you think will win it all?

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