Project Runway All Stars recap: Gender is so passé

On this week’s Project Runway All Stars, the designers must create gender neutral streetwear. Who knew that gender was so passé?

Fashion trends are fluid. For this episode of Project Runway All Stars, the designers took on a hot fashion trend, gender neutral streetwear. When it comes to fashion, the rules are continuously broken and then reestablished. Can these world champion designers find the fashion in neutrality?

Gender-neutral fashion has been used throughout fashion history. From the pantsuit to even this year’s Oscars red carpet, everyone is looking to ditch the labels of feminine or masculine. Gender-specific or not, the design needs to be impressive. Trending without a purpose is never fashion forward.

While the challenge was to create gender neutral high fashion streetwear, the designers had a huge twist that affected the entire challenge. The designers didn’t know their model prior to the model fitting. That factor challenged the designers more than the concept itself.

With only a set of measurements, the designers had to create a look. While this aspect added to the challenge, it was a little strange. Understanding fit is key to making a successful look on the runway.

Throughout the beginning of the challenge, the “unknown” model really unnerved the designers. There’s a bond between designer and model, and how the clothes hang on a person or how that person walks is important. This unknown was the hardest part of the challenge.

Going into this challenge, many Project Runway fans could probably guess the top and bottom designers. For the most part, Michelle and Anthony Ryan were most likely going to be in the top. Overall, their aesthetic works in this type of challenge. While edgy is a poor description, their designs usually push the envelope.

Anthony Ryan’s look fit the challenge. Still, it wasn’t necessarily pushing boundaries. He had made this silhouette in the avant-garde challenge.

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

Photo by Barbara Nitke

Copyright 2019

While it was a good use of color, the design needed something more. Yes, it was visually impactful, but it needed a touch of softness.

Michelle took a very artistic approach to the challenge. She embraced contrast in this design. From floral fabric to a creative color story, she tried to push the boundaries. Still, the safety pin Xs were a little quirky, and not in a good way.

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

Photo by Barbara Nitke

Copyright 2019

While the look wasn’t perfect, Michelle’s design fit the challenge well. As her model walked the runway, the model’s gender didn’t matter. Everyone was looking at a well-conceived design.

The most interesting part of her look was pushing the discussion on fabric. Florals aren’t just for women. Even the most grandma floral pattern can be worn by anyone. The biggest factor is that the floral needs to be used with a deft hand. Michelle accomplished that.

Finally, the third top design was from Christina. The color blocked design was quite elegant. While there might have been a reference to pajama pants, the look was quite successful. Truthfully, everyone loved the pants.

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

Photo by Barbara Nitke

Copyright 2019

Again, Christina’s look was successful because the judges focused on the design, not the person wearing it. That aspect seemed to be the whole point of this challenge. Christina won this week’s challenge.

Before any design took shape, it seemed obvious that Irina and Dmitry would probably struggle. Irina is known for her more feminine looks. From dramatic volume to short lengths, her designs are inherently feminine. Unfortunately, for this challenge, that flair might not be the best choice.

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

Photo by Barbara Nitke

Copyright 2019

Looking at Irina’s design, she excelled with her pants. The skinny pants kept her safe. Those pants were a huge risk — and they definitely paid off. While her jacket had a questionable fabric and volume, the pants (and blouse) kept her in the competition.

The bottom two designers were Dmitry and Sean. Dmitry had never been in the bottom, ever. Throughout all his seasons, he never experienced the threat of elimination. This week, his design was very deserving of being in the bottom.

Throughout this season, Dmitry has been putting ruffles on everything. While, fortunately, there were no ruffles, this trench coat looked like it stepped out of a sci-fi movie. Truthfully, everyone would have been saved if this look was sucked into a black hole.

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

Photo by Barbara Nitke

Copyright 2019

Even if there could have been a little nod to a rock star vibe, this trench coat dress was just bad. Non-functioning buttons are a fashion don’t. The shiny fabric was horrible. Even the slight straight-jacket feel showed its craziness.

The other bottom look was from Sean. This design was just cliché. Pinstripes are tired, boring, and expected, especially in a gender neutral challenge. Additionally his nod to bondage was a poor choice. This look has been done before, and done better.

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

Photo by Barbara Nitke

Copyright 2019

For Sean’s look, the biggest concern came from the proportion and cut. While it wasn’t a complete disaster, it brought the conversation down.

Ultimately, Sean was sent home. Personally, Dmitry’s design was more fashion-wrong than Sean’s. However, Sean set the fashion forward conversation backwards. Drawing inspiration from the past is a good thing, but setting a movement backwards is never acceptable.

It is great that Project Runway All Stars is pushing the boundaries and advancing the fashion conversation this season. Next week’s episode continues that conversation with transforming resort wear.

Could this Project Runway All Stars episode spark a change in your fashion choices?