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Project Runway Recap, S 16, E 9: A “Little” Avant Garde

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Project Runway Recap -Season 16, Episode 9: A “Little” Avant Garde

photos courtesy of mylifetime.com.

This episode started off as a continuation of last week. Did Claire cheat? Or was she the clear winner of last week’s challenge? I’ll just say: cheater, cheater, pumpkin-eater.

Turns out, Claire broke the rules by having a measuring tape in her room after sewing time each night. She was measuring garments she brought with her to ensure the correct crotch depth, armhole curves and the like. Totally against the rules. So, Tim revoked her win, she did not collect $25,000 and her design would NOT be on the Dixie cup. Brandon won the design aspect, but no one would take home the 25K. Cliare is OUT, Batani is back IN.

This week’s challenge was to create an Avant Garde look using Shopkins Shoppies as inspiration. Each designer was paired with a little girl who explained who her favorite Shoppie was and why, and collaborated with the designer on the final look. Some feedback was good; others not so much (“Smear chocolate all over the fabric!”).Screen Shot 2017-10-13 at 10.20.15 AM

The designers were prepared to go big or go home, and Ayana set the tone with her ruffled clown/doll look.

Screen Shot 2017-10-13 at 10.22.20 AM

Screen Shot 2017-10-13 at 10.20.57 AMI was a little worried for her–she used chicken wire to create the skirt–but the styling and her model really sold it to the judges. They loved it and she ended up in the top 4.

Screen Shot 2017-10-13 at 10.21.44 AMBrandon was also in the top, with his mint green monstrosity. I don’t get it. It looks like his other designs, but with an oversized cuff at the sides, which I thought was very strange. He struggles with this challenge and everyone thought he would be in the bottom. His design was not necessarily Avant Garde to me, but the judges love him.

Screen Shot 2017-10-13 at 10.22.34 AMMargarita was also in the top. I thought her design looked like a bunch of piles of fabric taped together. I didn’t get this one either…but I guess that’s the feeling that Avant Garde is supposed to evoke?

Screen Shot 2017-10-13 at 10.22.55 AMKentaro and Kenya were both safe. I liked Kentaro’s design–maybe not enough over-the-top-ness for the judges. Kenya’s looked like her signature style, and the model sold it well. But she could barely walk!

Kentaro
Kentaro
Kenya
Kenya

Batani had some problems. Her design looked unfinished and although the designers liked her choice of prints, they didn’t like the black skirt peeking out with the raw hem, the peek-a-boos along the the model’s back and the overall messiness.

Screen Shot 2017-10-13 at 10.22.28 AMAmy was also in trouble for her lack of surprise. Heidi thought her look was boring, and the other judges agreed that it was not up to par with the rest.

Screen Shot 2017-10-13 at 10.21.27 AMMichael won the challenge. He described his look as a melting disco ball–exactly what his little girl was going for.

Screen Shot 2017-10-13 at 10.21.09 AMSure enough–that’s what it looked like! I didn’t think it was particularly flattering on the model from the front. He should have moved the disco bulk from her shoulder and placed it either further up or further down to give her some shape around the bust. And from behind, the model looks like she has the widest hips. It did look futuristic and Avant Garde, so Michael for the win!

Screen Shot 2017-10-13 at 10.23.01 AMTo continue with the episode’s twists and turns, TWO designers got sent home this week: Amy and Batani. Just when she thought she was in, they pull her back out.

Screen Shot 2017-10-13 at 10.22.04 AMCan’t say I’ll miss these gals, simply because it seemed as though they were giving up. Batani was deflated from losing only to be in again. And Amy was missing her daughter. It was time for them to go. (I’m still secretly wishing Tim would use his save and pull Samantha back into the competition!)

There are only six designers left, and now is when it starts to get really good, folks. The tensions rise, the designers get super focused, and everyone left is creating amazing stuff. I can’t wait to see how it unfolds next week!

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