In the second episode of TVNZ 2’s Project Runway New Zealand, designers let their guards down with true temperaments (and accents?) rising to the surface.
As for the runway? Last time I checked it was Nicole that went home, but it seems that most designers’ technical ability hitched a ride this week.
This week’s episode starts at the hotel the morning after, the 13 remaining designers stew on their first runway show before hopping in their #spon Holdens to hightail it back to the runway where they’re greeted by Georgia Fowler. Wearing green leather trousers, blue drop earrings and a raspberry red lip, Georgia stresses the importance of thinking about what your customer wants before sending them off to Sylvia Park to be briefed on their challenge. Interestingly, the designers are wearing the exact same outfits they wore to their previous runway… You know, just in case you missed Massey’s leery Hawaiian print shirt the first time. Oh wait, just kidding – they obviously filmed this scene immediately after last week’s runway. Subtle.
Cut to Sylvia Park (and 13 miraculously quick outfit changes later) and mentor and dreamboat Andreas is here to deliver this week’s challenge.
Meet the Project Runway New Zealand contestants here.
The brief:
Create a contemporary streetwear look considering elements such as colour, energy and a fusion of sportwear with late-20th century streetwear.
Furthermore, designers will need to purchase an item from within the shopping centre to integrate into the look they will be creating.
Beth is “like what? I’m used to dresses, and skirts and pretty things.” While self-taught dressmaker Judy expresses how nervous she is about this one.
Little do they know that after they meticulously seek out their ‘feature’ item, Andreas is going to make them pass it on to a different designer anyway. Judy’s nerves escalate to a level 6.
“OMG, Judy why have you got such bad taste,” Kerry on trying to make Judy’s marigold wrap top work for his design. That was way harsh. But we love you Kerry, really.
“I literally had, what’s that look called? Resting bitch face look,” says Beau.
Welcome to my life Beau.
I hate to say I told you so, but I did say following last week’s episode that they couldn’t ditch Massey, aka king of streetwear and series underdog, on account of his circa 2005 prom dress that is so not his forte.
“Everyone knows that [streetwear] is more my element – let’s battle,” says Massey.
And here we are, being briefed in on a (gasp!) streetwear challenge. Could this be the new pattern as to who stays and who walks?
“You can’t lose them, cause you didn’t choose them,” taunts Andreas.
During the challenge
Judy has been given a pair of baby pink Puma sneakers with ribbons for laces, in other words the easiest hand out for her design, and she’s complaining about how it’s too hard because she’s only used to making dresses and has to rethink her entire design. Firstly, that’s not even relevant, and secondly… Make it work, Judy.
With three hours of the day remaining, designers arrive at the workroom following a spend up at The Fabric Store to make a start on their streetwear designs and Judy’s nervous level has risen to a steady 8.
Playsuit, jumpsuit, and dungarees is the silhouette of the week for this challenge. It seems our designers are having a really hard time gravitating away from their preference for formal high-end and feminine silhouettes. More for Matt and Massey, I guess?
Time stops when Benjamin describes the chicest woman he’s ever seen in his life… She was French – with a bob – wearing a floor-length mink coat over a grey tracksuit with a baguette (obviously). This is where Benjamin will draw his inspiration from for this week’s challenge. And boy does he deliver, sans baguette.
Kerry, who was extremely generous last week with helping fellow designers develop their patterns, has his patience pushed when approached on textbook sewing practice like identifying the right vs. wrong side of fabrics… This is a competition and Kerry need not bear the role of teacher’s assistant.
“I’m super nervous about how this will go for me, but I think I like my design?” says Judy. I can just imagine the show’s producers while editing this episode: “Take a shot every time Judy says she’s nervous.”
We discover that Matt is super deep, describing his garment as a canvas of feelings; Beau is actually American (how did I not pick this up last week?) and enjoys a hot pink skin tight t-shirt; Caitlin has aloooot of energy and multiple personalities; and, as it turns out, you can tell a lot about person by their pin cushion – especially if it’s fashioned on their wrist.
Come runway day, designers are giving their garments their final finesse – except for Lenon who’s decided to add a tartan bow and an ET hood to their design, and Judy, who “as a self-taught designer “ is “ feeling super nervous” (peaking at level 10 now, I suspect) because she’s yet to make a top for her model.
This week’s beauty looks are understandably more pared back given the brief. Lenon’s bright blue lid and hot pink lips being the predictable exception.
Judging
Judging this week’s contemporary streetwear runway is Fashion Quarterly magazine editor Sally-Ann Mullin, WORLD director and designer Benny Castles, supermodel and host Georgia Fowler and guest judge Jimmy D founder and designer James Dobson.
Georgia Fowler’s enthusiasm to get the show underway seems more authentic this week. More relaxed, hon?
The judges from left to right: James Dobson, Benn Castles, Sally-Ann Mullin and Georgia Fowler.
How Jess’s design didn’t make it into the top three is beyond me. That jacket is baller. And Misty’s vibe was so cohesive – she crushed it. But alas, this week’s focus during judging was turned to Judy, Camille, Benjamin, Massey, Lenon and Beth.
Let’s talk bottom three…
Upon closer inspection, Sally-Ann gets under the hood – and no, we’re not referring to her newly assumed role of motoring editor here at Fashion Quarterly (inside joke) – assessing the garments to reveal poor finishing from the majority of designers. *Cue the waterworks from Camille*
Camille’s design was the definition of nice from afar, far from nice. But her tears were wasted with her design being one of the top three, not bottom three. There, there Camille!
Judy, Judy, Judy. The concept just wasn’t there. The level of execution just wasn’t there. The shorts were barely there. But the small details and knowing what she is capable of (cast your mind to her cocktail dress from last week) was enough to give her another shot. She’s safe. (I wonder if she was nervous about going home?)
Next up, Beth. Our roller derby ‘50s aesthetic queen. Streetwear is not her bag, and while her outfit mightn’t have been entirely on brief, it was still polished and constructed to a high level. Which leaves Lenon…
The judges weren’t impressed, the model grasping to keep the “dungarees” covering her chest due to poor design certainly wasn’t impressed, and in all honesty, it’s no surprise Lenon was the one to walk this week. In very, very high sunshine yellow heels.
Lenon is sent packing back to hometown Timaru this week.
But the question remains… What was Lenon’s hood? A fungi? A fish? A fail.
And the winner, from underdog to top dog, was Massey. Followed by Camille, followed by Benjamin. But that’s enough from me…
Scroll for the final runway looks below from week two:
