Project Runway season 17 episode 11 live stream: Watch online

As Project Runway season 17 nears its conclusion, will the designers find that New York City fulfills their fashion dreams in a big way?

Project Runway and New York City seem to have a common theme. If the designers can make it there (New York City or Project Runway), they can make it anywhere.

In this week’s episode, the designers must find a way to balance their vision and their client’s dreams.

According to Bravo, this week’s episode, “New York City of Dreams,” features the following synopsis.

"The designers head to the store and atelier of their mentor, Christian Siriano, for a look at what could be their future as the winner of Project Runway. There, some surprise clients await: the real women who keep New York City moving! The designers are asked to create dream dresses for civic workers from the Post Office, Department of Sanitation, FDNY, NYPD and more! But they’ll need to balance their own design aesthetic while delivering on their clients’ dreams, otherwise this challenge could be their worst nightmare."

The key point from this synopsis, as well as the preview videos, is balancing the client’s wants and a designer’s aesthetic. Unlike the real world, these designers need to find that happy medium. These clients didn’t choose them; instead they were paired with them.

The biggest controversy for the week will be the concept of dresses. If the challenge says dresses, but the client wants pants, what should the designer do? It is a difficult task. In some ways, maybe the designer should find a way to make a dress that feels comfortable for the client. Just doing what the client wants doesn’t fulfill the challenge.

A theme throughout this Project Runway season has been pushing the designers’ vision. While Hester might be celebrated for her wild looks, Tessa is criticized for her mostly black outfits. The same can be said of Garo and his corsets versus Jamal and his puffer aesthetic.

In some ways, the different or the outrageous outfits seems to excite the judges. The new, different or visually arresting, even if totally unrealistic, receives higher praise than the wearable, comfortable or even realistic designs. At what point does fashion and art divide?

This week’s challenge isn’t about the fashionista. It is about the real woman. Could this challenge cause the judges’ darling to fall from grace?

Here’s how to watch Project Runway season 17 episode 11, “New York City of Dreams.”

"Date: Thursday, May 22Start Time: 9 p.m. ETEpisode: “New York City of Dreams”TV Channel: BravoLive Stream: Watch live on Fubo TV. Sign up now for a free seven-day trial. You can also watch on Bravo’s website or app."

Project Runway season 17 will air on Bravo on Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT.