Project Runway All Stars episode recap: Avant-garde innovation or indecision

In this week’s Project Runway All Stars, the designers looked to incorporate innovation into their avant-garde look, but was it truly innovative?

Sometimes an episode of Project Runway All Stars can excite fans with the fashion forward designs. Usually the avant-garde challenge has a runway filled with creative, exhilarating looks that defy fashion trends. In this week’s episode, did the avant-garde get lost in the innovation?

To set this week’s design theme, the designers headed to Broadway and the stage of the current Willy Wonka musical. While Willy Wonka combines whimsy, theatrics, and imagination, the designers might have needed a little more Wonka magic in the workroom.

This week’s challenge was a little unusual because the avant-garde look needed to incorporate an innovative aspect to the design. These two concepts do not necessarily go hand in hand. Avant-garde fashion is often unwearable in the real world. Innovation is a concept that is forward thinking and represents a possible future of fashion. Putting those two ideas into a singular design is confusing.

Truthfully, designers either had a strong concept or struggled. The middle ground was the middle because the concept was boring. Why anyone would want to be boring in this year’s competition is astounding. Isn’t it better to go big and go home?

This week’s Project Runway All Stars top designers were Michelle, Anthony Ryan, and Christina. It was slightly curious that all three looks had a slightly futuristic edge. From color choice to design aesthetic, these looks could come from a science fiction movie.

Michelle’s look, made from carpet padding, was the most impressive on the runway. While some people might now have an idea for repurposing carpet padding, the look was strictly runway. Although the judges loved the little dress, it was a little bland. The show stopper was the giant circle overlay.

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

Photo by Barbara Nitke

Copyright 2019

Additionally, Michelle had a strong innovative concept that was also deeply meaningful. A fashion forward look and concept that could offer a place for a person to “hide” when feeling overwhelmed was clearly innovative. Overall, Michelle excelled in this week’s challenge.

Anthony Ryan also had a personal, innovative, and fashion forward look. His concept of a transformed wearable dry erase board captured the childhood imagination (yes, he got a Willy Wonka reference). Still, the overall design was very fashionable. Even if you didn’t know the innovation, it looked impressive on the runway.

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

Photo by Barbara Nitke

Copyright 2019

In a way, Anthony Ryan found a cheeky way to interpret this challenge. Too often, avant-garde is perceived as high art, with a sense of snobbery. This design was playful and fashionable.

The third top look belonged to Christina. This designed looked as if it came off a sci-fi movie set. While all the judges fell for the idea of a wearable boom box/DJ jumpsuit, the design itself was well made. The tailoring set this look apart from everyone else.

Designer Christina’s final look for the seventh episode of Project Runway All Stars, Season 7.

Photo by Barbara Nitke

Copyright 2019

Although the judges liked this look, the vibe didn’t seem innovative or avant-garde. Similar looks have walked the runway before. Maybe it was the color choice, the structure, or something else. But, this jumpsuit needed a bigger wow moment.

The winning designer was Anthony Ryan. His look captured the theme in both spirit and design. He is the only designer to have won two challenges this season.

The bottom looks were quite rough. While everyone had anticipated that Django would shine in this challenge, his look definitely earned a bottom spot. He was joined by Sean and Irina.

Irina’s looks are either extremely well received or hated. There is no middle ground with her. This look was confusing, but not in a good way. While the design was supposed to create a sense of taking flight, the fabric didn’t project that lightness.

Designer Irina’s final look for the seventh episode of Project Runway All Stars, Season 7.

Photo by Barbara Nitke

Copyright 2019

Although hidden, the mini dress under all the voluminous fabric was tacky. A jumpsuit would have been a better choice. Even though she was in the bottom, her look wasn’t as bad as the other two designs.

Django’s look was just odd, but not in a though provoking way. It looked like a hat from Hello Dolly crossed with a new take on the curtain dress from Gone with the Wind. Although the hat was slightly impressive, the design didn’t go far enough. Plus, there was no innovation element.

Designer Irina’s final look for the seventh episode of Project Runway All Stars, Season 7.

Photo by Barbara Nitke

Copyright 2019

In an avant-garde challenge, the designers are given permission to go crazy, think out of the box, and be controversial. This look was just strange. A person with no fashion sense can be strange, but they aren’t a Project Runway All Stars designer.

Sean’s design was a hot mess. His concept was a create your own garment look. The idea is to have pieces that can be added or taken away depending on your whim. While an interesting concept, the design looked like a child’s art project.

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

Photo by Barbara Nitke

Copyright 2019

Truthfully, Sean know that he was going to be in the bottom before the runway started. He was remaking his dress in the final hours. Fans knew that this look was a bottom choice because Isaac said that he approved of the color. That phrase is always a bad sign.

The designer eliminated this week was Django. It was definitely his time to leave the competition. If he couldn’t excel in the challenge in his sweet spot, he deserved to go home.

Although no designer has consistently been a top choice, a few designers are still floating in the middle. Cynthia is the unknown designer in the bunch. The judges just keep passing her through. Will she finally make her way out of the middle?

As for the other designers, it would be nice to see something unexpected next week. Can one of these All Stars create a look that is fresh, stimulating, or even rousing? Fashion is only fashion when it produces a reaction. Good or bad is much preferred to blah.

Did the judges make the right choice in this week’s Project Runway All Stars? Which designer do you think has the best chance at winning it all?