First off, I must say I am very impressed with the challenges so far this season. I love this neon, glow-in-the-dark challenge! I am feeling inspired, even as a viewer. It is making me jealous that I am not in the workroom with them! It looks like the designers are off to a great start in the workroom. I am especially excited by Mah-Jing’s sketch.
I am a little surprised the designers are able to go to Mood for this challenge. I believe it would have been interesting to give the designers just a plain white fabric and have them create their own textile. Instead, the designers are allowed to choose fabrics at Mood and then enhance them. Oh, well…
My heartstrings are definitely pulled when Mah-Jing FaceTimes his four-year-old daughter and fiancée. I can’t imagine leaving my daughter that long, but I think that his daughter will be very proud of him when she is old enough to understand what he is doing. On another note, I was laughing out loud when Erin tells Tim, “Sometimes you want to be a slut,” when describing her look!
So far I must say I have enjoyed these designers personalities, in addition to their work. Usually, it seems that I am really annoyed by one or two designers at this point, but right now, I find myself actually rooting for everyone.
Once Tim does his rounds we start to see that some of the designers are running into trouble.
It seems like many designers are getting into the “costume” range and not trying to create something chic. I am very surprised that none of designers are creating lines to engineer and flatter the body. Instead, it seems like the majority of the designers are just focusing on fun looks. The best example being Cornelius and his emojis, which really don’t look like emojis to me.
There are a few designers in trouble going into runway day. I do feel for them, it is extremely difficult to try new things on a one-day challenge, especially when using unconventional materials. A few come to mind, Jenni with her beautiful use of the puff paints, unfortunately falling off when wet. There is Kimber and her fabric choice, soaking up all the paint and not glowing in the dark well. I especially feel for Mah-Jing, who uses a paint that he thought would only show in the dark, but instead is also showing in the light, changing his whole concept.
Whew, on to the runway:
Cornelius – I think this look was well-done in that the dress totally changes from day to night, but I am not crazy about the emojis. They look a juvenile and are not well executed. That said, I like the silhouette of the design and think the look is flattering. I see this being safe.
Jenni – I love this and see it being in the top three. I think she did a great job with her hand drawn artwork and she kept it all very tailored and chic, even though the look was very transparent. I would love to own that jacket!
Alex – This is a nice looking dress, but I agree with the designer that it is very underwhelming in the blacklight. I also do not think that blue/hot pink color is very flattering for everyday wear.
Mah-Jing – This dress brings the same excitement level as Alex’s dress. It is a nice looking dress and I like the rope detailing on the neckline, but I would have like to see the dress be a little more tapered at the bottom, with front slit for a more femme fatale look. The blacklight paint looked okay, but very last minute (which we all know why!).
Nathalia – I appreciate that she did a three-piece look with only one day to work. Everything looks well-constructed, but it does not look very modern to me. I see this being safe. Well done, but nothing that memorable.
Roberti – This dress blew me away. I think it is cute in the regular light, but in the blacklight, it looks like a coral reef. It really looks like a piece of art and Roberti did an exceptional job putting the blacklight paint in just the right places on the garment.
Kimber – I wish I shared the same excitement as Kimber about this dress. The fabric does not look that expensive, and the design not that unique. There was also not that much excitement under the blacklight. I could see this being in the bottom.
Sarah – I really like this look when it comes out onto the runway. It is not incredibly original, but it is well -made and a great classic look. I was then even more surprised with the pop it had in the blacklight. I didn’t realize the texture that it had in the regular light. I like the juxtaposition of the classic look with the blacklight effect.
Rik – I am unsure how I feel about this garment. I think it looks ridiculous in the normal light, but I love how the ties pop in the blacklight. I think that he could have pushed it more by making a fitted lace up dress, or lace up pants.
Laurence – I love the sleekness of this look. It looks like futuristic, femme fatale, office attire. It is also well-tailored. Unfortunetly, this look does pop too well under the blacklight. Because of this I think this look will be safe. I also did not understand the strip across the butt.
Tasha – I really like Tasha, but I do not love this look. It does not seem modern, and the pink lines are not flattering. I do like that it looks a little goth. I think her look would be more successful if she pushed this further. I could see this look being in the bottom three.
Erin – I love this look! I love how innocent it looks when the model first comes down the runway, then that look transforms when the model goes under the blacklight. I think Erin did a great job on the detail work, and the purposeful placement of sheer fabric. This look has a great chance of winning this week.
Brik – I am concerned for Brik. The shape of this garment is interesting, but it is basic. After his last two underwhelming looks he needed to blow the judges away this week. It becomes even more under whelming when the model walks under the blacklight and there is zero detail work. I think he could be getting sent home this week.
Dexter – Wow, another contender for the win! I love the way this look moves and the interesting placement of fringe cut at different lengths. It becomes more interesting under the blacklight. The fringe glows extra bright as well as some details of the look, such as the belt and hem. Well-done! The feeling of this look is really fun and exciting.
It is no surprise that Erin wins! I was also not too surprised to see Kimber be sent home, although I think Brik’s days are numbered.
