Project Runway All Stars recap: Upcycled separates

In this week’s Project Runway All Stars, the designers upcycled daytime separates into a nighttime look. But was there a trendy transformation?

Upcycling is a huge fashion trend. For this week’s Project Runway All Stars, the designers had to take daytime separates and transform those pieces into a sophisticated nighttime look. While not the traditional day to night challenge, this week’s episode was more uncomfortable than a fabric tag rubbing on your neck.

Throughout this season, one notable element has been quite confusing. After the season’s start, JC Penney ended its relationship with Project Runway. As fans clicked online in hopes of buying an “inspired” design based on each week’s “winning” look, people were met with “not available” and “sorry for the confusion.” Each week, the statements were never edited from the episodes, which leads fans to this week’s even more confusing episode.

This episode was completely focused on JC Penney and clothes sourced from the store. Granted, Project Runway All Stars couldn’t delete the entire episode, because that would cause a hole in the season. Still, the whole challenge was a little wonky knowing the current partnership status. In the end, fans care about the designs and fashion, not the business relationships.

As for the designs this week, the looks were boring. Even the bad looks were just blah. If something is going to be bad, let it be an awesome train wreck of a disaster. Mediocre, lackluster, and bland designs don’t make for good television.

Before getting to the top and bottom looks, the designers’ repetition is starting to get ridiculous. Even during the workroom critique, the comments are flying. If you didn’t guess already, Dmitry made some ruffles, Michelle made a little shift dress, and Irina made a dress with a short hemline. Sorry to ruin the episode, but each runway is starting to look like Groundhog Day.

For the top looks, the three designers were Biddell, Michelle, and Irina. Truthfully, these three designers were in the top because their looks did the best job of upcycling the separates. The looks were playful and used the material well. Would anyone really wear them on a night out? That depends on how much of a fashion statement you want to make.

Irina’s look had the most creative use of the repurposed material. The use of the shirt in part of the hemline was cute. Still, the slit was super high. Hopefully, there was some sticky tape keeping it closed.

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

Photo by Barbara Nitke

The judges called this look humorous couture. Given the circumstances, it deserved to be in the top. Some elements were wonky, but it wasn’t insanely horrible.

Michelle’s look worked well because it offered a style that the judges liked in the past. A simple-ish dress with some nice technique, given the challenge, worked. Although some judges called it very “space party” (thanks to the glittery fabric), some elements were interesting.

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

Photo by Barbara Nitke

The nicest compliment about Michelle’s look would be that it was thoughtful. The denim shoulder element was smart, although it did have a space airline stewardess feel. Still, comparatively, it was a top look.

Finally, Biddell rounded out the top three. He made a look for a cool girl who would be going out. While the turban element is beyond confusing, the design was praised by the judges. Overall, the idea conveyed a modern/retro look and still looked relatively effortless.

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

Photo by Barbara Nitke

A very confusing element in his look is the crotch. Call it droopy drawers or however you want to describe it, a dropped crotch should be banned from fashion. Sorry MC Hammer, but these pants need to stay back in another decade.

Winning this week’s Project Runway episode was Biddell. It was obvious that he would win. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to buy his look at JC Penney, but did you really need a pair of hammer pants?

The bottom designers were Christina, Cynthia, and Sean. Again, based on the clips leading up to the runway, everyone knew that Christina was going to be in the bottom. There was nothing that could help save this disaster.

Christina’s pants, with their flamenco ruffled bottoms, were a huge fashion don’t. If this look was intended to be humorous, then make those ruffles huge and include tons of layers. It was indecisive, which made it cringe worthy.

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

Photo by Barbara Nitke

For the most part, it looked like a bad Halloween costume gone awry. The idea seemed like a person trying to channel a ’70s vibe, but it was the vibe that should forever remain in a shag carpet basement. It was wrong on so many levels.

Sean’s dress was doomed by bad fabric. The yellow print fabric was like a throwback to The Golden Girls, but it may not even be acceptable in Miami Beach. While it wasn’t as bad as ruffled pants, it was very concerning.

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

Photo by Barbara Nitke

Again, this dress fell into the “boring” category. Everyone has seen a maxi dress in a floral pattern. The tiers and lines have been done. Granted, no one needs to see more embellishment or tassels from Sean. Still, there could have been something else he could have done with these fabrics.

Lastly, Cynthia was a bottom look. So far this season, no one has really heard from her. Her looks always seemed to earn her the “middle.” This week’s design definitely earned her the bottom three.

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

Photo by Barbara Nitke

The best phrase to describe her look was a secretary from the ’70s. The frumpy vest needed to be upcycled into a garbage can. No one would ever want to wear this jacket.

Overall, the proportions are wrong. While the judges tried to say something nice about the neckline, there was really nothing good about this look. Tacky is the best word to describe this walking disaster.

The designer sent home was Cynthia. Truthfully, it doesn’t seem like she will be missed. Had she really been part of the season?

As this Project Runway All Star Season heads towards the end, which designers could make it to the end? Right now, it seems like Michelle, Anthony Ryan, and maybe Biddell would be strong contenders. Also, Irina seems to be sneaking her way back to the top. Then again, another fashion disaster could already be brewing in the workroom.

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What will happen next week? Check back for another Project Runway All Stars recap to find out.

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