Project Runway All Stars review: A walk on the wild side

In this week’s episode of Project Runway All Stars, the designers needed to create a look for a wild night out. Did this animalistic inspiration make people territorial?

Project Runway All Stars posed this question this week: Which designer will be crowned king of the jungle? For this week’s episode, the designers found inspiration from various exotic animals. With these wild animals as inspiration, the designers needed to create a look for a wild night out. Unfortunately, this challenge showed the claws coming out in the workroom.

When the designers were tasked to pick a particular zoo animal for this wild night out, the designers didn’t seem all that impressed. Since this concept had many directions, the show had certain animals that could be chosen, and each animal could only be chosen by one designer.

Although there is no way for this challenge to incorporate a plethora of animals, the animals in the mix were a little strange. Although leopard, alligator, or even lion seemed obvious, where was an animal that could push the designers more? This season is an all-winners edition of Project Runway All Stars. Didn’t someone want to see something hard, like warthog?

As the numbers start to dwindle, the designers are starting to get a little catty. The whispers are getting louder. Criticisms are getting less constructive. Backstabbing could be right around the corner.

Before looking at the top and bottom designs, this challenge was a little disturbing. The concept was to create a look that could attract a mate. Sure, that phrase was chosen because it is an animal theme challenge, but it is a little problematic. Should you pick an outfit because you feel confident wearing it? Does it matter if someone else thinks you look hot in it?

The three top designers were Dmitri (again), Michelle, and Anthony Ryan. These three looks were very different and definitely represented three totally different nights out. There is no way that these girls hang in the same circles.

Anthony Ryan was inspired by the owl. His goal was to create the textures in the feathers without becoming too literal. He made a lovely, understated look.

Designer Anthony Ryan’s final look for the fifth challenge of Project Runway All Stars, Season 7.

Photo by Barbara Nitke

Copyright 2019

His look had a sense of quiet elegance. Being very thoughtful with the design, he definitely created something special. It was commendable that he didn’t go for literal feathers. Although not completely perfect (sorry, visible bras need to stop), the look deserved to be in the top.

Dmitry was a judges’ top choice. Inspired by a rhea (a small ostrich looking bird), this design was strange. It was prairie dress meets bondage neckline. Even more concerning, the look was almost the same as his winning look from week 1. Does Dmitri only have one style this season?

Designer Dmitry’s final look for the fifth challenge of Project Runway All Stars, Season 7.

Photo by Barbara Nitke

Copyright 2019

Although the judges appreciated the design, the look was in the top for a different reason. When the model walked the runway, the dress flowed and flounced. That movement, which was a little unexpected, earned him a top spot.

While in the top, it is concerning that he is making a similar look within just a couple of challenges. Is he lacking inspiration? Maybe he feels that this season of Project Runway All Stars isn’t too difficult for him.

The third top look came from Michelle. There was a lot of drama over this design. Inspired by the porcupine, Michelle used carefully placed shards of fabric to create the feel of quills, but it didn’t scream animal challenge. It was extremely smart, offered some intrigue, and was well made.

Designer Michelle’s final look for the fifth challenge of Project Runway All Stars, Season 7.

Photo by Barbara Nitke

Copyright 2019

It was clear that the judges were going to love this dress. It was perfect for a night out. More importantly it captured her animal inspiration. Obviously, Michelle won this week’s challenge.

This week started the workroom cattiness. Sometimes a designer has a style or look that is often associated with their designs. For Dmitry, he previously won Project Runway with some sharp angled, cut out designs. With other designers stirring the pot, some people thought that Michelle copied his previous looks.

Everyone needs to take a step back. No one, not even some of the best designers in the world, are completely original. The designers on Project Runway will be copying some technique, style or look in some shape or form.

Additionally, these designers cannot say that one person “owns” a particular look. Cut out dresses and that technique have been around forever. The drama over Michelle’s dress was silliness.

The bottom three designers were Julie, Sean and Django. These looks had too many flaws to count. If someone wore these looks on a wild night out, she would have difficulty attracting anyone.

Django’s look was absurd. It looked as if he tucked the back of a skirt into a waistband to make pants, or maybe the bottom was harem pants gone wrong. That poor visual has been etched into my brain for all the wrong reasons.

Designer Django’s final look for the fifth challenge of Project Runway All Stars, Season 7.

Photo by Barbara Nitke

Copyright 2019

The judges hated the use of green, too. With his animal being a lion, it was a confusing color choice. While fashion should get people thinking, this look just had the judges confused. Saying this design was unresolved was kind. It was an epic disaster.

Juli, inspired by a gibbon (she referred to it as a cheeky monkey), must have been going for a laugh. This dress wasn’t flattering. There were so many things wrong with this dress. From bad angles to extra fabric on the hips, this dress needed to be hidden in the corner.

Designer Juli’s final look for the fifth challenge of Project Runway All Stars, Season 7.

Photo by Barbara Nitke

Copyright 2019

One of the biggest complaints about Juli is that her looks don’t have a personality. While she might make wearable clothes, they are more generic. There is nothing that screams this look was made by her. That blandness causes her problems with the judges.

Lastly, Sean’s plaid jump suit was a shiny, patterned disaster. While he got the elongated shape that showed giraffe, the fabric was horrendous. First, who wears shiny fabric? Second, who wears shiny plaid?

Designer Sean’s final look for the fifth challenge of Project Runway All Stars, Season 7.

Photo by Barbara Nitke

Copyright 2019

It was interesting that the judges didn’t comment on the seams. The lines didn’t match up. That element was as disturbing as the long, fabric piece hanging in front of the model’s hips. Did she lose her napkin?

The designer set home this week was Julie. It isn’t that Juli is a bad designer. Instead, she isn’t the right fit for this show. The judges want big, bold, and memorable looks. Something that every woman can wear doesn’t offer the drama on the runway.

What did you think of Project Runway All Stars this week? Did the designers walk on the wild side?