At the start of this week, the designers woke up to Everlast boxing gloves, stating the fight was truly beginning! I also picked up from the women, a little guy versus gals mentality! The designers were off to meet Tim at a boxing ring gym. Shocker — Tim was in sweats!! Alongside Tim was Evy DeAngelus, the Executive Director of Sales Development for Avon. We had the JC Penney challenge, the one for Lexus, so now, it was time for the Avon one!
Avon is all about improving the lives of women, and with that, Avon is steadfast in its commitment to the breast cancer crusade — help today, hope for tomorrow! Also in the ring with everyone were breast cancer survivors, sharing their inspirational stories. Each designer was tasked to create a high fashion, editorial look, with a warrior woman inspiration. This was all up to each individual designer for interpretation. Firstly though, the designers engaged in a boxing boot camp to get into spirits!
Each designer was given a $250 Mood budget for this 2-day challenge. On day 1, Kenya was struggling to get going, while Brandon & Kentaro were sort of working in the same aesthetic vein. But Kenya’s early struggles were nothing compared to Kentaro’s final craziness in trying to complete his look! Guest judge this week was actress Rachel Brosnahan.
The judges were gung-ho about the designs they loved, but for me, being so close to fashion week, I was underwhelmed with this runway! I was certainly left wanting more. I guess I wasn’t head over heels for any one look. Not all of the looks were bad, but they did not stand out as memorable looks!
I still do not get the judges’ unwavering affection for Brandon. He has not shown any growth with his creations. And to me, they all do look the same! He won this week, so I guess the judges’ love-fest is not dying down anytime soon. I did see a street warrior vibe in his look. It was well-made, but nothing new from previous weeks.
Ayana is still a fave of mine, but this look was not my fave from her. I am glad the judges liked it, making her safe for another week. It seemed very heavy on fabric in my book, but a great effort nonetheless.
Kenya rounded out the top looks. I guess of this top 3, if I had to pick a winner, it would have been her. I did love her color choice. And I really liked the concept with the petals. But I wish there were more. Other than that, itwas a simple dress. For a warrior look, it fell a bit flat. But on another positive note, I was also pleased that Kenya didn’t try to hide her model’s figure.
This left Margarita & Kentaro in the bottom. As I stated last week, the cuts are not going to be easier. Seeing either designer go for me was going to be sad. I will state now, Tim did finally use his Tim Gunn save, and I guess best to do it now, before time ran out. I am guess though that this next episode will be a double elimination.
Kentaro was not the planned eliminated designer. With his bottom placement the week before, I think Kentaro should have been out this week. There was nothing to his creation for the week. It was a lot of basic items, placed over basic items. It did give off an Asian warrior vibe, but overall, a let down. I am hopeful had he been eliminated over Margarita, the save still would have come into play.
AVON SHOUTOUT — LOVE THE HAIR & MAKEUP HERE!!
Margarita’s dress, under the armor she created, was very beautiful. But the final pairing of the pieces didn’t make this look a warrior great. It was very literal of an interpretation.
So with next week, I wonder if 2 designers will go home, right before fashion week!
