EVENTS NEWS Sewnews charmeuse, Sewnews deyonte 2 min read

Project Runway Week in Review S16, E4

Enjoy patterns, articles, and secret surprises! Become a Charter Member of our brand-new digital sewing membership Makers Club.

We’re Sleeping Wear?

Season 16, Episode 4

The designers must incorporate surface embellishment techniques into sleepwear fashions for Heidi Klum’s Sleepwear Collection. The winning look will be mass produced for Heidi’s line.

photos courtesy of mylifetime.com.

I was super excited to hear that the designers all had to embellish their fabric for this challenge. They were given fabric dye, paints, stamps–all kinds of items to help them achieve one-of-a-kind looks.

Screen Shot 2017-09-08 at 9.08.56 AM

But first, they had to spend the night on top of the Empire State Building to get inspired. I’m not sure why–but they were very excited to be there all alone. It looked cold!

They had two days to complete the challenge–a blessing and a curse. Most of the fabric they were given was silk charmeuse, which we all know is such a bear to sew. Then they had to paint it or dye it, which changes the hand altogether. Plus, Heidi was the client and the judge, so I knew it was going to go in a strange direction–simply because the winning look had to be easily reproduced, and that’s not a small feat when you’re adding all these other requirements into the mix.

This was not a team challenge, although the twins seemed to think otherwise. I’m wondering when they will be disqualified. It’s not against the rules to help each other, but these two take it to a whole new level.

Screen Shot 2017-09-08 at 9.16.15 AM

 

There were a bunch of warm fuzzy feelings from the episode, which I enjoyed so much! The twins only caused a little bit of drama (and I’m sure that was heightened by the producers), and we got to see a cute exchange between Samantha and Kentaro, Kentaro and Brandon, Margarita and Michael, and watch their overall support for each other.

OK–on to the fashions!

Once again, I loved Samantha’s look. When will she be on the top? I think she’s the sleeper of the season who will come back in the end to win it all–like Dom from season 12.

Screen Shot 2017-09-08 at 8.59.26 AM

Screen Shot 2017-09-08 at 9.01.28 AMThe embellishment was tasteful–subtle yet effective. The whole look was clean and effortless, yet looked expensive. I thought for sure Heidi would choose this–but perhaps it wasn’t sexy enough for her.

Kentaro’s slip was really cool–he actually did more embellishment than most, and did something artistic and thoughtful.

Screen Shot 2017-09-08 at 9.00.23 AM Screen Shot 2017-09-08 at 9.01.06 AM

HIs model really helped him out–asking for a tie to show off her figure. He was in the top 3, but didn’t take the win.

This guy did.

Screen Shot 2017-09-08 at 8.59.56 AM Screen Shot 2017-09-08 at 9.01.20 AM

I thought this was too simple–and the straps kept falling off the model. Yes, it could be mass produced for less money than the others–easy construction, less fabric…but not much going on in my opinion. She does look like she’s wearing the Empire State Building…maybe that sealed the deal? The fabric does look great cut on the bias. I”ll give him that.

This week, we say goodbye to Deyonte.

Screen Shot 2017-09-08 at 9.00.12 AM Screen Shot 2017-09-08 at 9.00.56 AM

What a frumpy, terrible outfit. He dyed his fabric as an afterthought, didn’t do any other embellishment, and really did no design at all. This looks like a tablecloth with an elastic waist. Poor thing.

In many seasons past, we’ve seen the winner of the first challenge take home the prize in the end. Not this year! Bye, Deyonte.

 

 

Join the Conversation!