History inspires fashionable designs on this week’s Project Runway All Stars

The final four designers on Project Runway All Stars look to history for fashion inspiration, but should innovation trump impeccable taste?

The final four designers on Project Runway All Stars can almost grasp victory. While the title is within their reach, the road to the ultimate prize isn’t quite over. Only three designers will get to show a capsule collection on the runway.

Although the season has been a rocky one, the final four designers are poised for their moment of glory. But, one designer’s journey will end just short of the finale.

L to R: Stanley Hudson, Fabio Costa, Ken Laurence and Anthony Williams prepare for the twelfth challenge in an all new episode of Project Runway All Stars season 6, airing Thursday, March 29, at 9pm ET/PT on Lifetime.

Photo by Pawel Kaminski

This week’s challenge had the final four designers looking to American history as their fashion inspiration. As the designers toured the Smithsonian’s American History Museum, the First Ladies’ gowns, iconic fashion designs, historical figures and pop culture moments served to inspire a six-piece capsule collection.

Of course, the idea that all final four designers would make a six-piece collection didn’t seem likely. Project Runway All Stars always has a few twists and turns. This week was no different. Instead of showing all six looks, each designer had to show just one look to the judges. Could that one piece spark the judges’ interest and persuade them to see more?

The four signature looks had more similarities than differences. From the color palates to the tailoring, the sense of sophistication was the common thread. Still, each designer was able to add his own flair to the singular look.

The most impeccable look was Stanley’s white dress with black leather accents. This dress played the sweet-and-simple with the slightly naughty side perfectly. The addition of leather accents was a genius nod to an edgy note. Overall, the look could have gone too prim and proper if he hadn’t used such a deft hand.

Overall, the design had several hidden gems. The black layers that peeked out from under the skirt was smart. It added a little mystery to the overall look. As the design walked the runway, it had a sense of freshness with a little nostalgia.

Ken’s look was a little more confusing. His pants were amazing. The length made the model look so tall. Where the pants shined, his top and embellishment were a little confusing.

The embellishment on the bodice had a lot of potential. On the top, it was dramatic and structural. Unfortunately, the cross body draping and flowing bottom referenced a beauty queen sash. Maybe if his design was in a different color, the look could have been more successful.

Fabio’s look was quintessentially Fabio. While the top with its bird fabric was a little too eclectic, it kept with Fabio’s design aesthetic. Truthfully, that top shouldn’t have been paired with his graphic skirt.

While the judges loved Fabio’s skirt, I was stumped. The skirt didn’t seem to complement the model’s figure. The pleating seemed to add a big stomach — or maybe it was just the television angles or how she was standing. It’s needless to say that I wasn’t a fan.

Anthony’s design was the only look with a bright, bold color. As the bold blue walked the runway, the design was stunning. Also the only gown, Anthony’s look made a big statement. Although the fabric choice was debatable, this look stood out because of its color

While the judges loved the length, the side train seemed unnecessary. It added too much weight to the waist, which made the waist buckle a little. Still, the bodice was truly stunning, which made up for the slight issues with the waist.

Of course, the second to last episode of Project Runway All Stars season wouldn’t be complete without another twist, hurdle or other issues. After the first runway, the designers had to create an impromptu look using fabric scraps from previous challenges. This quick challenge had to be completed within an hour.

The four quick looks were quite good given both the time and fabric challenges. The judges picked on some strange flaws (like Anthony’s wrinkled fabric — really, he had an hour). Still, the designs were organic, real and showed each designer’s aesthetic.

Anthony’s look was the most impressive. The color choice was the biggest impression. The gown was draped well and the model looked so tall.

Stanley and Fabio both had interesting, yet slightly off designs. Stanley’s glitter dress was simple and almost a throwaway. It didn’t look like anything that he would normally make. Fabio’s shorts were strange. The length was more “old man” than fashion forward.

Ken’s look was nice, but nothing special. It was a well-tailored, pretty black dress. Unfortunately, it wasn’t something new, innovative or different. It wouldn’t get anyone on the worst-dress list, but it wouldn’t put someone on the best-dressed list either.

Even though the twist added 30 minutes to this episode of Project Runaway All Stars, the judges didn’t use those looks in choosing which designer stayed and which one went home. Who knows why the show added this episode twist? It was really unnecessary.

The designer sent home this week was Ken. Truthfully, there was nothing horribly wrong with his design. The biggest concern is that the judges didn’t want to see more. If a design can’t spark the judges’ interest in a whole collection, Ken had to be the designer going home.

With the final three designers set for the Project Runway All Stars finale, my prediction for a winner is Stanley. His designs have been the best all season. Each look is tailored and well made. Some designs might not have been super innovative, a few elements have added an element of drama. From this week’s black underskirt to the under-bodice on the Isaac Mizrahi challenge, Stanley has a clear vision.

If Stanley isn’t the winner, Fabio would be the second choice. His looks are innovative and fresh. Just like his personal style, Fabio is clearly unique. If Fabio can push the envelope without going too far out of the box, he could be the judges’ darling.

Which designer will be crowned the winner of Project Runway All Stars this season? Check back next week to find out.

Home/Project Runway