Project Runway review: Survival chic with an unconventional materials twist

Do you have survival chic in your closet? This week’s Project Runway review has the designers giving a new twist to the fan favorite unconventional materials challenge.

Could survival chic be the next fashion trend? This revamped season of Project Runway is looking to spark some vigor into the traditional program. While every fan expected at least one unconventional materials challenge this season, this week’s challenge had the designers facing more than just workroom chaos.

Periodically, Project Runway has tried to throw a few curveballs at each season’s designers. While unconventional materials were first shocking, the challenge has become an anticipated part of each season. In an effort to invigorate this new season, this week’s challenge wasn’t just the materials that caused designers trouble. Their working environment was definitely outside of the box.

The theme to this week’s challenge was survival chic. Since the designers needed to find their muse, they packed a bag and headed to the great outdoors. For this challenge, the designers would work and stay at campground.

While Project Runway has whisked designers away on fabulous trips before, working and staying outside hasn’t been done previously. This twist definitely gave not only a different vibe to the challenge but also showed the designers’ adaptability. Would foraging the forest really provide inspiration for fashionable survival-wear?

Since this week’s episode was an unconventional materials challenge, it would have been a little more exciting to see the designers push the materials envelope. With choices like sleeping bags and rope, the basis of several looks were real, quasi-normal material.

Thinking back to previous seasons, items like paper and party supplies were more unusual. Maybe the twist of making the designers camp and work outside was enough hardship for their creative process.

Again, since it is early in the season, a few designers were passed over for the top and bottom looks. Designs by Venny, Bishme, Sebastian, and Garo all had big runway impact. Each look appeared to be well tailored, fashion forward and wearable.

Part of the reason why these looks weren’t well received was that the challenge was actually to create a type of survival outfit. While the theme was “survival chic,” the concept was to create a design with an element of real survival adaptation. While the safe looks were lovely, there wasn’t a “real” survival aspect to the design.

The top three designers were somewhat surprising. The designers were Hester, Rakan, and Renee. Given that Hester had immunity from last week’s win (and a little issue with people “borrowing” from her materials pile), she created another vivacious look.

PROJECT RUNWAY — Episode 1704 — Pictured: Designed by Hester Sunshine — (Photo by: Scott Gries/Bravo)

When Hester channels her own personality, the look works. The skirt on this look had flounce and movement. It conveyed a sense of fun and personality.

While the survival aspect wasn’t completely clear, the overall look was well styled. Additionally, Hester is showing the judges who she is as a designer. Remaining clear to her personal aesthetic should get her far in the competition.

Another top look was Rakan. After being almost eliminated in last week’s challenge, this look was a far departure from last week’s debacle. Still, there were a few confusing elements from this design.

PROJECT RUNWAY — Episode 1704 — Pictured: Designed by Rakan Aldeen — (Photo by: Scott Gries/Bravo)

While the judges appreciated the bandage top, that concept was a little strange. If the bandages were intended to be removed for a survival need, what would she wear on top? To me, the top looked more like an ode to a mummy than this challenge’s theme.

The biggest positive in this design was the skirt. The use of the two-toned sleeping bag had a great visual impact. Additionally, the skirt had movement due to the draping and a lovely sense of volume. The judges called this look sleeping bag chic.

For a person who felt out of her element, Renee excelled in this challenge. She was the only designer to truly capture the entire theme of the challenge. While the judges referenced her look as Camp Beverly Hills, the look was a complete idea from head to toe.

PROJECT RUNWAY — Episode 1704 — Pictured: Designed by Renee Hill — (Photo by: Scott Gries/Bravo)

Renee’s accessories were smart. Her model had everything that she needed to live, work and survive in the elements. From the plastic jug purse to the compass, it was all part of the design.

Additionally, Renee made smart choices in her construction. By repurposing different parts of her unconventional materials, it made the design even more functional. That aspect is key to a successful unconventional materials challenge. It is all about thinking outside of the fabric.

Winning this week’s challenge was Renee. Hopefully she can continue to find the balance of impeccable construction with a modern, youthful vibe.

Unfortunately, the three bottom designers were quite disappointing. They were Afa, Kovan, and Sonia. All three designers had issues that couldn’t be ignored.

Sonia’s issue was in construction. While the design had a huge impact from the back, the model tripped on the runway. The Mylar blanket was too long in front (she forgot to trim it) and the walk was a disaster.

PROJECT RUNWAY — Episode 1704 — Pictured: Designed by Sonia Kasparian — (Photo by: Scott Gries/Bravo)

Brandon Maxwell compared her look to a baked potato. All the sliver Mylar had too much volume and the structured duct tape looked like it was keeping everything from exploding. Overall, she did not have enough construction to make this look work.

Afa took a different approach to this challenge. While everyone else was in the forest, his look channeled the sea. That decision was his downfall.

PROJECT RUNWAY — Episode 1704 — Pictured: Designed by Afa Ah Loo — (Photo by: Scott Gries/Bravo)

The judges criticized Afa because he didn’t have enough materials to make a complete look. They felt that the knotted rope looked like a mop and that he didn’t do enough with the materials.

Personally, the judges’ comments were a little harsh. Tessa had less coverage than Afa and she was safe. Sure, her weaving was nice, but the model had bark on her chest, while the netting covered nothing. How did she not receive any harsh judgments for not doing enough with the materials? That look was far from survival chic.

Truthfully, Afa’s look works for a captain of a ship or a tropical setting. Rope, lures, and the like would be the right survival gear for that environment. Something seems fishy with his critique.

Lastly, Kovid’s design was a bottom look. This design looked like a colorful explosion of ideas. If someone was looking to be stealthy in the woods, this design would get her discovered in a heartbeat. To say the look was confusing is an understatement.

PROJECT RUNWAY — Episode 1704 — Pictured: Designed by Kovid Kapoor — (Photo by: Scott Gries/Bravo)

Kovid is a conceptional designer. In this week’s challenge, the concept didn’t translate. It was far, far removed from practical or even applicable. While Nina appreciated the pants, this look was a train wreck.

In the end, the judges eliminated Afa. They felt that his design didn’t fit the challenge. It is unfortunate (and I don’t agree with the decision). Afa’s previous designs were lovely and had done well.

What did you think of this week’s Project Runway episode featuring survival chic and unconventional materials? Did the judges get it right or wrong?