Project Runway review: Powerful women don’t need costumes

Project Runway‘s bottom looks of the week

Unfortunately, the bottom looks were in definite need of an extra life. These looks didn’t celebrate the powerful female character. Instead, they seemed to push the conversation backwards.

Similar to last week, Jamal struggled, again. While he can make a lovely tailored jacket, the decision to have no “support” for his model was horrible. No woman wants to feel exposed.

PROJECT RUNWAY — Episode 1706 — Pictured: Designed by Jamall Osterholm — (Photo by: Karolina Wojtasik/Bravo)

More importantly, Jamal’s look was rather cliché. Putting a woman in a tailored jacket doesn’t make her powerful; the power comes from feeling and being confident. There is no way that this women felt confident in this design.

Still, Jamal was safe. Given the other two bottom looks, Jamal’s design at least had some effort in the craftsmanship. But, Jamal needs to find some direction or he will be out soon.

For yet another week, Rakan was in the bottom. Similar to Hester, Rakan is determined to go in his own direction. Unlike the other designers, he doesn’t show a well-finished look. It is ok to have a particular style, but it needs to be well done.

PROJECT RUNWAY — Episode 1706 — Pictured: Designed by Rakan Aldeen — (Photo by: Karolina Wojtasik/Bravo)

This design was confusing on so many levels. The fabric choice was poor, and that adjective is polite. Cranberry lycra is a never a good choice. Also, Rakan made a badly constructed garment. The seams didn’t line up. It was totally unfinished.

For this challenge, the concept was to convey a powerful woman. In this design, his model looked like she needed to be rescue from the design. The top looked as she was being swallowed by duct tape.

The final bottom look was Venny’s ode to a church woman. In all honestly, his design went wrong either at the sketch or at Mood while he was picking fabric. His decision to use that royal blue and white looked like a choir robe.

PROJECT RUNWAY — Episode 1706 — Pictured: Designed by Venny Etienne — (Photo by: Karolina Wojtasik/Bravo)

While Venny had an original concept, the idea didn’t translate. With feathers and lace and cape, the design was a jumble of ideas that never came together. Overall, Venny needed restraint and editing. The cross was unnecessary. The cape looked like a turtle shell. Everyone is questioning Venny’s taste level.

The designer sent home this week was Rakan. After several challenges in the bottom, it was time for him to leave the competition. The judges could no longer overlook these poor choices.

What did you think of this week’s Project Runway episode? Did any designer really create a powerful woman character that would entice you to become part of her world?