Starting right off the bat this week, Alyssa met the designers on the runway, informing them of a visit to a castle for the rest of the challenge details. However, she didn’t say what type of castle! The designers arrived to find they were at an inflatable bouncy castle, filled with all types of balls — toys, rubber, sports, etc. They were tasked to create a modern day ball-gown with the use of these unconventional materials, the balls!
The designers had 5 minutes to gather their supplies. An interesting note was that it seemed almost all of the balls were taken from the castle, yet the designers were later told they didn’t get enough materials?? Either way, it was a “make it work” moment for this 1-day challenge.
The designers upon arriving back to the workroom were excited to get creative! Helen whined a bit, but most of the bunch were having fun with this challenge. A lot of the balls to choose from were similar in color, so naturally, there were similarly colored looks being created, multi-colored rainbow and gold for example. So who would win those individual duos and who would just plain win out for the week! To help judge, this week’s guest judge was country singer Kacey Musgraves.
For those safe with the week, I felt there was a reason for this. There was some good and some bad aspects within a given look as a whole, so overall, just the need for a bit more of a push from certain designers. Having seen the next week’s episode already, I know Ken landed in the top, but I would have rather seen him on top this week because I did really like his look a lot! It was super sexy and I loved the color!
Shout-outs — Intermix on the killer heels
But onto the judges’ top 3, we have Stanley, Fabio, and Kimberly. I actually think the judges were not all in agreement with Kimberly’s look. It read a little “barbie princess” to me, more junior than modern ball gown. So certainly for the win, it had to have been Fabio or Stanley.
Shout-outs — Intermix, Rodial, & Umberto
I didn’t love Stanley’s look, and certainly not enough for a win. I got this candy-esque vibe from it, but as always, he did do some high quality work. For me, the winner was Fabio. I have been much more impressed with Fabio this go-round than on his original season. And this look was just another check mark in the book for me with him (picture above, Stanley below)!
Shout-outs — Umberto for Hair!!
In the bottom 3, we had Amanda, Helen, and Candice. I am not sure how Helen landed in the bottom. Her look was a basic silhouette, but it was so well-made, great color palette, this just made 0 sense! There were some other options that could have taken her bottom 3 placement.
Amanda and Candice were also in the bottom. Amanda, granted her look had fit issues, it was a little costume-y, but there was an interesting quality to it that I appreciated. It was so different than the rest and really stayed true to Amanda as a designer.
I think from this bunch, it was obvious Candice would be out. The bottom part was just so bad. It sucks to say, but it felt like a let-down. I know Candice is better than this, and it was just one where the challenge won out. I’m very excited to see Candice very soon with NYFW!
