The Challenge: Create a second accompanying look
All sixteen designers arrive at Parsons School of Design with one finished piece. They were given $100 and a day to create a 2nd complementary look. As there are so many designers, it's hard to feature each one's work during the challenge, but there is plenty of negative backtalk to focus on instead.
Gunnar throws a hissy fit at Christopher for no apparent reason, other than the fact that he doesn't like him because he feels he's too similar with his personality. Dmitry, who was annoyed by Buffi's bubbly-ness, calls her mixture of colors "diarrhea." Gunnar says Kooan's outfits looks "like Liberace threw up." On runway day, Ven calls some people's outfits crafted "student projects." Obviously, the turn of events had started!
The Times Square Runway
Screaming fans gather at the event area and Heidi, Nina and Michael open up the runway show. They were joined by the first guest judge ever on PR, Patricia Field and Lauren Graham (of Parenthood). After all 32 looks strut the special runway, it's back to the Parsons runway for the actual judging process. Six names were called and the others were declared safe, and everyone took load off their chest. I suppose they were really ruffled, but playing it safe in this competition won't get you too far for long.
The Top 3 Designs
Melissa was complimented for her distinct POV, which is current, young and "very now." Michael just hopes she can do more than just black, but all around she gets high marks from the judges and Heidi would definitely wear both of her looks.
Christopher's first look is a delicate halter top gown made from his own detailed fabric. It blew the judges away. There's such labor-intensive detail and yet it comes across as effortless and ethereal. His second strapless black mini gets more mixed reviews, but the gown more than makes up for it.
Ven's rose bustier was called "phenomenal" and it's clear he is a master tailor. Nina likes how it looks expensive and Heidi likes how his 2 looks work together.
The Bottom 3 Designs
Kooan really left the judges confused, however they appreciate how bold his creations are. Their main concern is that he doesn't take his goofy, cartoon-y aesthetic too far as to be jokey. Also, they find him to be a bit off, but Heidi wants give him the benefit of the doubt.
Beatrice sadly got the "NO-NO" description from Heidi. The judges acknowledged the allure of comfort and ease, but they say that's not enough to win in this show. Michael has no idea who she is as a designer and Heidi says she cannot win designing t-shirts on this show.
Lantie's vintage dresses render uncertainty, especially with the python print panel in the front. Overall, her first look got mixed feedback, but it's her second look that really brought her down. Nina says the harshest thing of the night by emphasizing how "horrifying" it is and Michael calls the fabric "muddy mosquito netting." Patricia Field calls Lantie "one step below design" and said she's more of a stylist.
The Results
The winner of the first challenge is... Christopher! Which was crystal clear, given how enticed the judges were with his flowy, hand-crafted and complex gown.
Kooan was named safe and when he lets out an odd "ooohh" noise, Heidi shrug her shoulders at the other judges, as if to say "I know he's weird, but what can you do?"
So it's down to Beatrice and Lantie.
The person going home is... Beatrice! Sometimes the judges like to see more fighting spirit even if it comes with questionable designs at first.
(photos courtesy of Lifetime)
