Friday, October 20, 2017

And Then There Were Six - Project Runway NO SPOILERS

It's the Lexus challenge, featuring unconventional materials without a trip to Mood in a one-day challenge. Because the car company is focused on safety, the unconventional materials are centered around safety - tubing, cones, safety straps, seat belts and harnesses, rubber boats, fire hoses, etc. None of the six designers left in the competition are excited about a second unusual materials challenge, but they are all focused on making something remarkable. It's impressive how far they've grown as designers who can think on their feet by now.



We started the night with six designers. By the end of the
Runway show, there were five. Here's the skinny on how
the night progressed. No Spoilers today, but all the outfits
and analysis tomorrow. 




Anaya is hammering safety reflective disks, crushing them to make a mosaic across her bodice. It's something high necked and long sleeved, but tightly fitted. Sexy modesty - very Anaya in form and function. I like it a lot. 

Michael made an interesting statement. He's hoping that Tim Gunn doesn't use his save. His theory is that the designers left are all so strong, they should be making it to fashion week based on their strengths, not because Tim used his save. There's something to be said about that attitude.

Brandon and Kentaro are putting their heads together again, but I think both of them are having problems with this week's challenge.

Michael wants to bring some sexuality and a bit of fetish to his design - apparently something he already does in his men's wear. But it's different exposing a lot of skin in men's wear than women's wear. By the morning, he's added fabric to the bottom portion and his model expresses relief that she won't be walking the Runway naked.

Kenya is stressed because she feels she doesn't have enough material while Margarita is pushing her own personal boundaries but feeling that she isn't doing enough to make a statement at this point in the contest.

So, to recap, we have three ladies and three men still in the competition. Kenya, Anaya and Margarita are running towards the finish line against Brandon, Kentaro and Michael.

Kentaro discovered that the fire hoses he had chosen are actually fabric and he's making a flirty skirt and top for Liris from these. Although Tim pointed out to him that fabric, even fire hose fabric, is not considered unconventional, Kentaro didn't come up with any other idea, so decided to keep the fire hose design. If anyone can sell a design, it's Liris. He may luck out just because of his model's style and ability.

Michael's model is practically nude, covered with strapwork made from twisted bungee cords, Brandon is using thin foil for his top and it rips and rips. Anaya's design is growing, growing, growing as she adds cutout fencing as skirting below her mosaic-embellished top. Brandon finally abandons his foil in favor of life jackets. At least those won't rip when worn. Kenya is trying to make her outfit from woven safety belts and an interesting profile. As she's putting the dress on her model and is ready to leave for the Runway her zipper breaks on the bodice, although it holds for the skirt. Kentaro is very unhappy with his design which looks like Pocahontas in flour sacks, and Margarita is adding hard plastic pieces at the shoulders and upper arms as though she's dressing an NFL Linebacker.

Unconventional materials challenges are always edgy, but this one may be the highest cliff with the most crumbling edge I've seen in several seasons of Project Runway. A look at the winning and losing looks along with judges' analyses in tomorrow's post.

Enjoy your Friday. We're having a spectacular autumn up here in the Frozen Northlands, and I hope to get a chance to share some photos with all of you one day next week.


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