Project Runway On Stage at Hard Rock Cafe

Performance art in clothing. There is a huge difference between fashion for the stage and fashion for the musical stage. This week, the six remaining designers face off in three head-to-head challenges focused on three separate musical genres: rock, pop and country. There are specific concerns when dealing in musical performance - movement for the performer, flow of the outfit, tradition - how far clothing boundaries can be pushed (never forget Lady Gaga's meat dress or some of Katy Perry's more outlandish clothing choices), and the ability to show up on a stage in front of a multitude of fans. The challenge was issued at, and sponsored by, the Hard Rock Cafe who will hire the winning designer to design a t-shirt that will be sold in their stores. The winner will also get a vacation at the Hard Rock Resort in Cancun. That would rock (pun totally intended)! 

Helen and Fabio were assigned "Country" for their genre. From
the general responses to the musical choices, I don't think
country would have been the first choice (or maybe even within the
first five choices) for any of the six remaining designers. 

When I think of pop, Beyonce comes to mind. I focus a bit older for country, thinking more of June Carter, Patsy Cline and Reba. For rock, I switch off a bit and think Steven Tyler or Lizzy Hale from Halestorm. I didn't really get a comforting feel of "Oh Yeah!" from any of the designers regarding their genre or fashion choices, but the designers have a lot of freedom for these styles of performance clothing. I hope they take advantage of that, but we are down to six and all of the cuts will hurt from this point on. 

The musical genres were "chosen" by each designer entering a number into a giant jukebox. Of course, the numbers were fixed so that each type of music would end up being assigned to two designers. As mentioned above, Helen and Fabio ended up with country music. Anthony and Ken ended up paired for pop music and the final two - Stanley and Edmond - were assigned to rock. None of the designers seemed especially happy with their musical choice. With a budget of $250 for Mood and a single day for the challenge, they were off and running after sketching/designing time. 

Since there are only six designers left, no designer will be "safe" this time. Each pair, each genre, will have a high and a low look. The winner of the challenge will come from the three high looks, and the designer sent home will come from the three low looks. I was pretty impressed with what the designers put out on the Runway. Even designs that I thought would be a red hot mess turned out to be pretty darned kewl when they were completed, worn, and walking down and around in front of the judges. 

Who won and who went home? I'm hoping to have pictures, etc for you tomorrow. Meanwhile, have a wonderful Friday - we all need a Friday periodically, and today, it has arrived!