Project Runway review: Wear your cause on your sleeve

In this week’s Project Runway, the designers were inspired by a cause near and dear to their heart, but did that cause overwhelm their design vision?

As Project Runway draws closer to the finale, the six remaining designers need to find ways to incorporate their aesthetic and current culturally relevant topics into their work. Sometimes the causes that mean the most can overwhelm the emotions. Did the designers let the cause over take the design in this week’s challenge?

While the theme of this week’s challenge seemed straightforward, the reality was much more muddled. The idea of conscious fashion goes beyond the usual Project Runway topics. Even while the show has tackled sustainability, body image and more, deeply personal causes can be problematic. Did the designers hit a chord or miss the mark?

One issue that I had with this week’s episode was the flash sale aspect. In addition to the runway look, each designer had to create a T-shirt showcasing their cause. The designers wore the T-shirt on the runway with their models. Although I understand the concept, the flash sale aspect seemed a little gratuitous.

In many ways, this fashion reality show blurs the line between fashion, competition, and social causes. With this week’s flash sale, it seemed like the show is asking people to vote for a cause, not for a design. In some ways, that idea takes away from the show itself.

Every cause, especially personal ones, deserve support. One is not better than the other; rather one strikes a chord to some and not others. However, the flash sale seemed to pit one cause against another. Yes, it is a competition, but it is a design competition. Maybe the show runners should have re-thought the aspect of a flash sale for this challenge.

Additionally, the causes seemed to affect the judges’ voting. While the designers did have to incorporate their cause into the look, the judges were almost compelled to push two designs onto the next round because of their themes.

For example, Tessa’s design started to receive harsh criticism from this week’s guest judge, Aurora James. After Tessa bravely revealed a very personal experience, the criticism abruptly halted. It was as if the judges felt the need to move on and avoid the subject. Doesn’t that defeat the purpose of this challenge? Weren’t these designs meant to spark a conversation?

PROJECT RUNWAY — Episode 1710 — Pictured: Tessa Clark — (Photo by: Karolina Wojtasik/Bravo)

Tessa’s dress had a strong conversation point. It called into question the objectification of women, the pressure to look a certain way and a myriad of other women related issues beyond her personal story. By just a cursory look, the judges did a disservice to her, her look, and her cause.

This week’s top three looks were from Sebastian, Jamal, and Bishme. Jamal’s look was interesting but it is derivative. The puffer jacket style gown is similar to everything else that he does. If he doesn’t do a puffer look, he is normally in the bottom. At some point, that design choice needs to be expanded into something more.

PROJECT RUNWAY — Episode 1710 — Pictured: Jamall Osterholm — (Photo by: Karolina Wojtasik/Bravo)

Sebastian’s look was probably the most elegant in an unusual way. The layering of fabric to reference variant skin tones was creative. While the waves and lines needed to be more refined, the visual from a distance was stunning.

PROJECT RUNWAY — Episode 1710 — Pictured: Sebastian Grey — (Photo by: Karolina Wojtasik/Bravo)

Additionally, this gown epitomized his theme. If the idea was everyone has the same DNA, the varying tones effectively created that visual. Sebastian deserved his high marks.

The designer who best married the cause, design and T-shirt concept was Bishme. His overall presentation worked because his cause was so close to his heart. Helping Baltimore’s youth is what he does, and that dedication showed.

From his T-shirt design with a flower growing from a forehead to the faces on the skirt of the gown, the idea of youth blossoming was clear without being preachy. It was fashion forward yet still relatable. Hands down, Bishme deserved this week’s win.

PROJECT RUNWAY — Episode 1710 — Pictured: Bishme Cromartie — (Photo by: Karolina Wojtasik/Bravo)

With Tessa and Hester passed along to next week, Garo and Venny were in the bottom. For both designers, these looks didn’t translate well on the runway. While both designers are talented, the causes seemed to cloud their design judgment.

Venny’s cause was to break down stereotypes. While his T-shirt was powerful, his runway look was problematic. Prior to walking down the runway, he knew that criticism would be coming. Hiding a broken zipper by not removing a jacket isn’t going to be missed by the judges.

Beyond the technical flaws, Venny’s look was proportionally wrong. It hid his model under the weight of the jacket. It seemed like all his overthinking weighed down the look entirely.

PROJECT RUNWAY — Episode 1710 — Pictured: Venny Etienne — (Photo by: Karolina Wojtasik/Bravo)

Garo’s look suffered from too literal an interpretation. While everyone understands that the bees are vital to the planet, no one should walk a runway looking like a literal bee. From the color to the stitching, the model looked like a dominatrix bee.

With his talent and experience, Garo is a master craftsman. He can construct a beautiful garment, but he keeps putting the same look down the runway each week. It is time for him to move beyond the corset; it has become too constrictive.

PROJECT RUNWAY — Episode 1710 — Pictured: Garo Sparo — (Photo by: Karolina Wojtasik/Bravo)

In a way, both Venny and Garo suffered in this challenge because they lost the creative aspect. Instead of using the cause as the muse, the cause became the impediment. The judges needed to want to explore the cause. With these designs, no one cared enough to give a poignant reaction.

The designer sent home on this week’s Project Runway was Venny. There were too many technical mistakes, and his designs need to find a bit more polish.

In many ways, Venny needs to be commended for being on this Project Runway season. With so many designers with long, successful careers competing, this accountant outshone many of them. Maybe Venny can put away the spreadsheet and pursue that fashion career.

What did you think of this week’s Project Runway? Did the designers successful get fans to care about the causes worn on their sleeves?