Project Runway All Stars S6, E5: Fashion’s New Superheroes

photos courtesy of mylifetime.com.

On this week’s Project Runway All-Stars, the designers had to celebrate woman’s inner superhero using words featured in Rodial’s HERO products as “super power” inspiration.

Let me start by saying I didn’t agree with the judges on who won OR who went home. What a disappointing episode in that regard. Usually I agree on some level, even if it’s just with one comment. But nope. Everyone who was safe should have been up for critique, and everyone up for critique should have gone to the lounge, IMO.

Let’s start with Char. That outfit was stunning. Her word was “bee venom.” And her gal looked fierce. You cannot see the yellow heels the model is wearing, but it really pulled the look together. She should have been in the top, but was only “safe.”

Now we come to Joshua. I haven’t liked his designs yet, but this one was different. His word was “concealer,” and he made a lingerie-inspired piece that was stunning. All the work that went under that black chiffon overlay should have been commended. I thought it was smart, told a good story and could have been worn in public despite it being so revealing (his signature, apparently).

He was sent to the lounge as “safe” and even said in his confessional: “Do I have to send a girl down the runway naked to get noticed? Geesh!”

Stanley’s word was “smoke.”  I thought he did a beautiful job layering his textiles for a smokey effect without being too literal. The silhouette was flattering and had strength. Alas, he was “safe.”

Then we have Kimberly. I thought her look was just ok. Ann advised her against the safety pins, but without them she would have had these ill-fitting leg warmers on her model. I didn’t get how it went with her word “illuminating,” either. I thought she should have been in the bottom. But she waits it out in the lounge with the others.

OK. Here we go with Helen. What is this design, may I ask. I thought it was terrible! Her word/phrase was “24 carat gold.” She claims the model’s super power is that she can turn her enemies into gold. Um…ok. I don’t get any of it and I thought she should have been in the bottom. Again, she waits on the couch.

Ken showed a beautiful gown. I actually thought he might win from the start of the episode. But the way he finished those sleeve ruffles is just so…unfinished. Plus, he had his buddies (“sister wives”) helping him finish at the last second. I suppose I did like this one, so I guess I agree with the judges there. And I commend him for making his model bald. Not sure how it fit with the challenge, but it was a nice gesture. If he would have said that his model lost her hair in a fight with “super acid” then perhaps it would have told a more compelling story. He ended up in the top 3 but didn’t win this week.

Oh, Edmond. This look was just ok for me. I thought he could have been safe and sitting in the lounge. But he was on the bottom for making a leather cape with no drape.

Anthony was also in the top for this number with flowy sleeves. My only beef with this look is that it had nothing to do with his phrase “dragon’s blood.” The Rodial gal told him she named it after Game of Thrones. So…how do we get a white gown with voluminous sleeves out of that inspiration? It’s pretty, but it just didn’t jive with the challenge. Red heels might have made more of a statement to the challenge, me thinks. Anthony didn’t take the win, but Alyssa wants to wear the dress.

Oh, poor Merline. This dress was on the bottom and rightly so. (I guess I agree more and more with the judges as this post goes on.) What could have been a simple sheath dress was really a poorly made trying-too-hard garment with too many seams, an asymmetrical slit and her signature boxy shoulder/sleeve combo that wasn’t actually sewn to the dress (just pinned on). After her critique, I was sure she was leaving us. But nope!

Amanda goes home for her pink diamond-inspired frock.

The judges hated the color blocking, fabric choice and overall silhouette. Isaac just about passed out when she cinched in the waist on the runway; he said “Oh my gawd, that’s soooo much better!” But too little too late, friends. Amanda was a goner.

Fabio wins for the second week in a row with this look:

I thought it was a bit plain to be deemed “super-hero inspired.” Ann even called it “grandmotherly” in the workroom, but he powered through and continued making his vision. The paper-bag waisted skirt was a nice touch, but the dress underneath was quite boring. His inspiration word was “snake,” so I just expected a lot more edge to the design.

Overall, not an exciting episode but I look forward to next week!