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This week, contestants will collaborate with some of the best accessory designers in New York.
There are many reasons why I am a bad Project Runway contestant, but one is obvious: I spend too much time in my meager studio time to read the attachment wall carefully. A gleaming shelving unit is stuffed with belts, bags, hats, jewelry and platform snow boots. The walls are the last resort of designers to make their shapes popular on the runway. My addiction to mini bags and square-toed shoes has a tipping point, so this week’s challenge—a collaboration between contestants and New York’s best accessory designers— feels like an early holiday gift. I fully support the cliché-themed battles that Project Runway proudly executes, but the reality-based challenge makes this week's stakes feel higher, and the appearance reflects that spirit.
At the beginning of episode 6, "Fashion is back, baby!" The designer was instructed to grab one of the several white boxes decorating the aforementioned wall. They found an accessory in it: Anna had a collar necklace, Prager a pair of floral gloves, Katie's vegan leather boots, etc. Christian revealed that they have designs from a New York accessory manufacturer, and everyone has been hit hard by the economic losses caused by the pandemic. To celebrate the material and economic rebirth of fashion, the designer will "make a one-time collaboration" with one of the experts to create fashion show looks and new accessories together with them. The winning team will share a $25,000 prize from Visa (the company enjoys multiple brands yelling in Pilot Frixion Erasable Pens. The product placement is back, baby!).
I appreciate this challenge because I feel that if these designers can one day make Christian Siriano-sized labels, they might really do something. They probably won’t design a full set of Halloween-themed gowns or Olympic suit jackets, but in fact, they might work with a talented hatter or jeweler. Collaboration is all the rage these days, partly because of the benefits of mutual branding, but also because teamwork is fertile ground for ideas. This is indeed the case this week. Some of the best looks of the season so far come from this episode.
From the moment the designers met their collaborators, the attitude in the studio was ecstatic. Aaron partnered with handbag designer Lorna Nixon, and they decided to adopt a charming swimsuit and beach bag styling. Bones is excited about the sculptural hat made by his teammate Ashaka Givens. Creative waste designer Akilah Stewart has found a new friend in Zayden. He wants to celebrate their common indigenous background with tribal prints. Shantall's emotions aroused by the story of the passing of the pandemic chose a phoenix-themed appearance, symbolizing the rise of small businesses from the ashes.
In Mood, even when time is tight, this-ahem-mood is equally elated. Christian urged Coral to choose a fabric color other than black—he believes this is why the judges have been missing her lace work—and she chose gorgeous red lace. Next, in Hai Trim and Feathers, contestants filled their carts with crystals, pearls, feathers, ribbons and chains. Anna had a 1920s-style silver chain-head hat on her head and said to an employee of Hai Trim: "Thank you for helping the queen. I invite you to my castle." I know I never shut up to Anna, but I Do you really need to explain why?
Finally, in the studio, the designers are full of bold but risky ideas. Aaron admits that his swimsuit can "become a Hamptons vacation suit very quickly." Katie chose another bib collar pattern to explode, and Christian was worried and suggested that she make the skirt mid-length to enhance her silhouette. She panicked, hem it too short, and then decided to wear it as a high-low skirt. As far as the bones are concerned, he decided to completely ignore Christian's concerns. Christian didn't want the designer's layered, water-inspired fabric to look like a "big tattered wood", but Bones was a bit too enthusiastic in the confidence department, and he chose to keep his original design.
After the working day is over, this episode may reach its most sad moment. Returning to the contestant’s apartment, Zayden lay on the corner of the bed and answered the video call of his partner returning home. The latter expressed concern that Zayden would owe rent. "I know it's tough, and I'm nervous now," he told Zayden. "But life is happening."
Project Runway will not stay at this moment, and I am not necessarily sure that it should. Nevertheless, there is a powerful force in opening the curtain here, which reveals how behind the gossip and small disputes are the people who really exist in this game, they live in a world squeezed by the adversity of the pandemic era. middle. Most fashion designers are not Brandon Maxwell or Christian Siriano; in fact, Christian Siriano is one of the few Project Runway winners to develop mainstream fashion houses. Most other people — and most fashion designers in the world — run small businesses, and many people barely make ends meet. Contrary to popular belief, fashion is only fascinating occasionally. There is power in acknowledging this. Yes, Project Runway is designed to let you watch the frothy, silly fun with a glass of rosé wine and a bowl of popcorn. But it can also be true. This is the first episode I have seen that admits the truth.
The next morning was Runway Day, and the fight for the $25,000 prize was more painful than ever. Let's break down the appearance.
In most cases, the judges—including the guest judge Steven Kolb of the Fashion Designers Association of America—shared my thoughts, and apart from Christina's appearance, they pleased. Prajje, Coral, Kristina and Octavio all top the list, while Zayden, Katie and Bones are at the bottom. Brandon thinks Prajje's dress is "sacred", Steven even thinks it is timeless and can be worn by Jackie O or Lady Gaga. He called Coral's lace "exquisite", and Nina told Octavio, "This challenge is for you." However, they all praised Christina for themselves and they provided her with the best design of the week. I may not completely agree, but as I said before-I would be a bad Project Runway contestant for a reason.
Unfortunately, after a few weeks at the bottom, Katie should go home. The judges insisted that it was because she couldn't hear her voice, but my theory was that she did know her voice; she was just trying to spread it in a high fashion environment. Katie dresses well for herself and her customers—her own clothes are full of energy and creativity—but it is difficult for her to recreate this playful aesthetic for fashion shows. I hope she can one day turn this preference for patterns into something very successful, and it looks like she is already doing it. At the same time, Zayden and Bones returned to the lounge, Zayden may be more excited than anyone to see a second chance.
Next week, we will accept the artificial fur challenge-and, uh, a car accident? After this week's show inspired by the real world, it seems that the show may return to its dramatic indulgence. We all know that peace is unsustainable!
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