Is that a mirage or have we reached the promised land of New York Fashion Week? I think I see it, but wait! Our four designers have some work to do in the two days before the final runway show. Will they manage to pull it together? Will we ever make it out of this damn desert?
Edmond and Candice are disheartened and shocked by the verbal smackdown they received from the judges when previewing their collections. If you recall, they told Edmond to sex it up and Candice to tone it down. Ashley received pretty good feedback and feels that she’s in a good place. The always-sunny Kelly just knows she can make something happen in these final hours.
Tim comes in to energize the contestants with his positivity by reminding them that the final petal of the enchanted rose has yet to fall. Their beastly work can still transform into something worthy of royalty. Thanks, Tim!
Tim offers up a trip to Mood and Ashley and Kelly express a need for some minor bits and bobbins. Edmond and Candice have no objections when Tim offers to go to Mood for Kelly’s glitter (20 lbs. of it!) and Ashley’s thread and zippers. Everyone gets to work.
Kelly covers her shoes and accessories in a multicolored glitter. She worries about the fit of one of her garments but there’s nothing she can do about it until the model fittings.
Candice decides to scrap the wooden skirt and hoop to avoid theatrics. Additionally, she feels that the cherry blossom print does not necessarily make sense with the rest of her collection. Tim reminds her that sometimes the things you love hold you back. If you love something, let it go. Like a bird. Or a boomerang.
Ashley is confident in her collection after the critique with the judges, but Tim warns her to keep an eye on what she’s doing because, you know, the higher they are the harder they fall.
Edmond is questioning himself because of the preview conversation with the judges. He and Tim share a long, meaningful look full of furrowed brows and consternation. Finally, Tim tells Edmond to stick to his guns if he feels strongly, reminding him that Sean Kelly won last season even after Nina expressed concerns about the amount of fringe he was showing. Looks like the ruffles shall fly!
Candice had planned to do three more looks, but with the time crunch only manages to put two together. She has to add one cherry blossom look back into the collection with the knowledge and fear that the judges may hate it. The bird slash boomerang slash cherry blossom dress returns.
At the totally normal hour of 3:30 a.m., the contestants are dressed and ready to see the runway where their final collections will be presented to a room full of celebrities, fans, and fashionistas. They arrive in the quiet dark morning at The Arc, take a moment to feel all the feelings, then get to work dressing and styling their models.
Runway:
While the designers, models, stylists, and Tim are frantic backstage trying to get the looks together, the audience is none the wiser. The judges’ wardrobe choices are a thoughtful homage to the date of this finale runway, September 11th. Zac, Nina, and Heidi walk the runway in color coordinated U.S.A-themed suits, accompanied by singer/actress and finale guest judge Carrie Underwood in a cute blue-and-white patterned dress.
Backstage, Ashley and her model bust a zipper. (#CurvyGirlProblems) The collections walk, no one falls, we see glimpses of Merline dancing in the audience. Even Season 8’s Mondo is here, dressed like an extra from “Party Monster.” We’ve all come so far.
The judges and designers meet at the regular runway and we’re reminded that Carrie Underwood knows exactly how these kids feel, having started her own career on a little reality competition show called “American Idol.”
Kelly: Zac appreciates the use of glitter as well as some of her innovative techniques with cording and zippers. Nina is impressed with Kelly’s ability to translate her own aesthetic into an entire collection. In particular, Nina likes Kelly’s first look of a stark white stretchy jumpsuit under a brown glittery halter crop top, as well as the jumpsuit Kelly holds so dear. Nina does not like the teal spandex triangle dress, comparing it to Cirque de Soleil. Heidi likes Kelly’s long dress made of wood fabric with matching fanny pack. She says it’s “sophisticated, but fun at the same time.”
Ashley: Nina likes the pink opening look that Ashley had shown in the preview show sans turquoise bandeau bra. After adjusting the fit and adding the pop of color with the undergarment, this look is kind of a stunner. Nina points out that Ashley is pushing the limits of what full-figured women can wear. Carrie’s favorite is Ashley’s last-minute challenge look, a plum lace skirt and top, proving Heidi’s point from the last episode that sometimes those looks end up the best. Heidi loves a lot of the looks but does not care for the romper, as the crotch wouldn’t be flattering on anyone. Zac explains that Ashley put the collection together and sent it down the runway just right, always leaving us wanting more.
Candice: Carrie loves the dramatic black coat and cigarette pant but has trouble with the heavy use of leather in the collection. Nina surprises Candice when she says she adores the cherry blossom look (BOOMerang). Nina also likes the red sparkly skirt and black bustier, explaining that after stripping the looks down of the costume-y elements, the pieces look more sophisticated. Zac urges Candice to find a more original voice and is slightly perturbed that some of the looks don’t fit as impeccably as we’ve come to expect from Candice, in particular a knee-length black leather dress that he calls “real wobbly.” Heidi says that the collection still lacks cohesion and calls out one particular red and black dress for looking too Halloween-y. (But wait, isn’t Heidi notorious for loving Halloween?)
Edmond: Heidi loves Edmond’s long black fitted dress: “It was like pow!” Heidi also compliments the third gown, a black satin-y slinky sort of number, calling it “one of the most beautiful dresses I have seen.” However, Heidi hates the white ruffle look so much that she compares it to toilet paper. Edmond defends it, which is refreshing after watching Candice take the critique of her collection so quietly. Nina appreciates the refined way Edmond can make a woman feel, mentioning in particular the sexy one-shoulder look from his collection. Nina and Zac then agree with Heidi and warn Edmond about the moments when he tries to go for the showstopper and loses control.
While the judges deliberate the designers reflect on the amazing feat of having shown at NYFW. Win or lose, they’ve all accomplished something pretty huge.
After deciding that Candice and Edmond didn’t necessarily present a collection that was representative of them, it comes down to Ashley versus Kelly. The judges admire Ashley’s tenacity but equally love Kelly’s positive energy and point out that she won the most challenges this season. Noting her bold choice of color and commitment to presenting a plus-sized show, the win ultimately goes to Ashley. She cries but she totally deserves to let those emotions flow this time.
Real quick #realtalk: I want to thank all of you for the active commenting. Whether I agreed or not, I loved reading your unique perspectives. It was my first time writing these recap bloggys and I really appreciate that you went easy on me! I had a great time, and I hope you did, too!
