Project Runway review: Upcycle to the latest Paris fashion
Project Runway highlighted a huge fashion trend. Did these designers find the fashion in the upcycled designs, or was it just a fashion replay?
While some fashion designs are timeless, Project Runway understands that it needs to address fashion trends. One of the biggest topics of the fashion industry is upcycling. Although this design reimagination is eco-friendly, it needs to be more than cutting up an old suit jacket. Can these designers find their vision and make something old new again?
This week’s Project Runway episode started off in a totally different way. Immediately following Alan’s elimination during the unconventional challenge, the designers were summoned back to the runway. The next challenge was revealed, including the special client.
Karlie Kloss was waiting for the designers, with her stylist. The challenge was to create a chic, fashionable look for a CDFA Council event in Paris that Karlie would wear to the event. But, the event and the client were just the start.
The designers wouldn’t be going to Mood for fabric. Instead, all their materials would be coming from a New York City Goodwill. This challenge would be an upcycling challenge.
Many people do not realize the negative impact that the fashion industry has on the environment. While many people donate clothes to charity, all that fabric eventually finds its way to the trash. In many cases, all that fabric in the trash is a huge waste problem.
Although Project Runway occasionally mentions in designers’ profiles that they are eco-friendly, this challenge actually shows home fashionistas that upcycling is doable by anyone and everyone. While many people cannot turn 12 pairs of jeans into an amazing pant, they can repurpose an old shirt, pants or skirt. It is the new way of looking at thrifting.
Since Project Runway is only on episode 4, the majority of designers are just safe. As seen during the workroom commentary, some designers want the judges’ feedback, as long as it is for good reasons. Still, the “safe” crowd is the majority.
This week’s top looks featured two designers who have been part of the “safe” crowd in the previous episodes. Given the comments during the workroom, it was clear that Chelsea was going to be a top look.
Her concept was an American in Paris, and a total denim look was very identifiable as American look. In a way, her look was very innovative, fresh and different. While the top’s design needed a little refinement, it was clearly a statement.
Although this look was clearly Chelsea, it might not have been the most appropriate look for the event. Walking down the streets of Paris, this look is perfect. Going to a fashion-industry function, it might have been a little too casual.
Another designer getting feedback for the first time was Nancy. She definitely deserves this moment. From celebrating her 64-year-old self to being relatively new to the fashion industry, she was almost giddy to get to spend time with the judges.
Her look had a light, airy feel and was totally different from everyone else on the runway. While some designers made catty comments about the backwards blouse, it felt chic, practical, and fresh.
Overall, her look checked all the boxes that were required for this Project Runway challenge. It looked fashion forward, and no one would guess that the design was upcycled. She definitely deserved to be a top look.
Lastly, Victoria nailed the challenge. She captured the idea of a fashion model attending a Paris fashion event. It definitely created a fashion moment.
Victoria was really the only designer who combined both the client and her own design aesthetic. Victoria’s signature style and look (asymmetrical and cut outs) balanced the upcycled suits in a new way. It was smart and nailed the challenge.
Winning this week’s Project Runway episode was Victoria. Although Nancy came close, Victoria’s look created the wow factor for a fashion event.
Unfortunately, the three bottom designers had major issues. Shavi knew from the beginning that he was going to be in the bottom and hoped to skate by. After a workroom mistake (putting a hole through his skirt), his skirt became a fashion nightmare.
His model could barely shimmy down the runway let alone walk. Even worse, the look felt like a bargain basement office party. There was really nothing redeemable about his hot mess of a look.
Marquis was also in the bottom. When a designer is using double-stick tape in his look, everyone knows that it will get called out by the judges.
Overall, his look was over-designed. There were too many ideas, and none of them were executed well. It was definitely forced.
Lastly, Tyler was on the bottom, again. For another week, Tyler was called out for missing the mark. Even when Christian tried to offer him some advice in the workroom, Tyler didn’t want to change his inspiration.
For Tyler, the runway went from bad to horrible. After the judges made comments that he totally missed the mark —not what you wear to a party in Paris and cheap — Tyler made a flippant comment about not a look that Karlie would wear to a dinner with the Kushners.
That comment caused a gasp from everyone. Basically, his fate was sealed. That statement was definitely not saving his grace.
Needless to say, Tyler was eliminated. His look was an illusion to a ‘50s moment, and not the modern or innovative look that a fashion model would wear in Paris.
Additionally, given that Tyler was continually in the bottom, it was pretty clear that his time on Project Runway was over.
Given the importance of upcycling and fashion being eco-conscious, it would be nice for Project Runway to incorporate more of these themed challenges. It serves as a great example to those budding fashionistas at home that repurposing materials is good for the planet and fashion forward.
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