Week 7 | longterm2

Panel - Week 7

So this week was exciting. As you all know, we garnered a new contestant. Allanah (aka fairykraken-) has joined the cast due to scoring the highest out of 24 applicants for the Entry Series. The Entry Series was hard to judge because there were a lot of talented designers who applied. There were some people whom I definitely wanted to be in this competition because I knew how talented they are, but they delivered sub-par outfits. Then there were people whom I did NOT feel comfortable joining, yet they delivered fantastic outfits. In the end, I am very pleased with Allanah taking the crown and coming in. However, that doesn't mean I will be going easy on her. She will be judged using the same template as everyone else.

This week you were all selling heels by making them stand out against a light outfit. Your abilities to make the shoes pop were put to the test when I asked you to pose behind a fence. This idea was originally coined by Kara when I was photographing her on Week 2 and she asked if she could pose behind the fence for a couple of shots. Also, I asked for the contestants to choose partners and pair themselves up for the photoshoot to see their organization skills as well as cooperation skills. Most of you impressed me by pairing up and meeting all by yourselves and not having me chase you down, so for that, thank you.

With that said, it's time to see who is breaking through the barriers of fashion, and who will remain CAGED.

The first duo up is Skye & Valentina!

Skye's Outfit: I am just honestly not captured by it. My eye drifts right passed it and goes straight to the fenced part of the photo, then to Valentina. I liked how you respected the task's rules and used white and grey, but this is NOT the standard I expect at the 7th week in this competition. The whole design of the outfit is boring and has been done over and over since Habbo jackets have been around. At the end of the day you fail to sell the shoes because the outfit itself is so mundane and yawn-inducing that the customer just glances at it and moves on. Plus I think there's way too much grey on the bottom, and when combined with a skirt and uptight belt, it gives me that middle-aged vibe. There is a market for middle-aged women's clothing, but unless specified otherwise, we always try to appeal to the younger, more fresh audience.

Val's Outfit: Like Skye, I think the entire layout is played out and not entirely original. However I think you did a far better job at being light, vibrant, and making the shoes the focal point. This is by far not your strongest performance but it is in no means terrible. The symmetry from the jacket's lines jutting off perpendicular to the lines of the belt is actually quite interesting to look at. The shorts are unusual but I think they actually help balance out the density.

Overall Photo: As for the fence photo, I think you both did a decent job at pushing through and showing off the shoes. If I had to choose one over the other, I'd probably go with Val just because Skye's Habbo is naturally dark, so by posing near the greyish wall, you sort of blended in. I hate having to bring skin colour to the judging room, but in certain tasks like this, you need to be mindful of your Habbo's tone and how well they stand out in a situation. Skye would've had better luck if she posed at the bottom where Val is.

Second duo is Kara & Joseph

Kara's Outfit: Sadly, it's not bad. The reason why I say "sadly" is because I was hoping you'd bomb this photoshoot so I can finally eliminate you because you've done nothing but deliver mediocrity all competition! The only time you ever stepped out of the box and blew me away was on Week 2. This outfit is actually pretty good so I am expecting you to survive this week, however it isn't fantastic either so I assume you won't be anywhere near the top 3. Just another average photo to add to Kara's sleep-inducing portfolio. I could go to the Progress page, scroll down to your portfolio, and print it and market it as a children's book to help kids fall asleep. That's how boring your outfits are. Okay with all jokes set aside this outfit is actually one of your better ones, so I guess you ARE improving? I liked how you made the sleeves a light pink but then the shoes a brash purple; it's like a bubbly candy contrast. I like the puff jacket because it adds youth and vibrance. I can picture this in a photoshoot on a snowy sidewalk in Russia while you kick your heel up.

Joseph's Outfit: This outfit is quirky but I like it a lot. I look at this, and I truly believe that it could be used to sell shoes. What a lot of people don't know is that there IS a market for cute and quirky clothes. This looks like a cross between late '90s EDM and K-pop. You've chosen fabrics and clothing that work well but in an innovative and resourceful way, while making the shoes pop against the baby colours. There's not much else I can say about this outfit that isn't repeating myself. It's creative, cute, and it sells the shoes perfectly. Great job.

Overall Photo: The poses are actually above average so I was really pleased with how the two of you modelled on set. But I think it's worth mentioning that the modelling wasn't totally cohesive with what your outfit conveys. What I mean is, it would've made more sense if the two of you actually traded poses. Joseph's pose looks high-fashion and strung, which doesn't go with his cute and quirky outfit, and Kara's pose looks sweet and sensual which doesn't really match her ad campaign outfit.

Third duo is Bri & Kayllah

Bri's Outfit: At first I didn't really care too much for it, but I've been admiring it for a few minutes now and I totally see where you were going with this. It is probably the most modern piece of this whole week; something that is fashion-forward but also can be seen on an everyday basis. The colours are simple like I asked, but you were able to elevate the top by tone contrast. My only critique is wondering if the skirt was the best choice, but everything else comes together flawlessly to let the shoes steal the spotlight.

Kayllah's Outfit: I am not a fan of this at all. I appreciate your knowledge of fashion because I can clearly see what you TRIED to do. You wanted an outfit that is plain and simple while still sensual and modern, but it just comes out looking bland. The earrings and top in combination make you look really old. Overall this whole outfit was a hit and miss, and quite frankly your worst performance yet.

Overall Photo: The two of you did a really good job at powering through the fence, but I gotta give major props to Bri who probably has the best pose out of everyone this week. She looks like she is faintly holding onto the fence with her left hand as she throws her body back and side-eyes the camera. It's magnificent! As for Kayllah, you did good as well; I like how your right heel is kicked back a bit. Really nice photo.

Jade & Vicky are the forth duo this week

Jade's Outfit: Pretty outfit, but it doesn't look like you're trying to sell me shoes. When I asked for a light outfit, I wanted the fabrics to be just as light as the palette. This looks inbalanced and heavy. I like the top half, but the bottom half totally tilts everything from under. There's not much to say about this outfit as I have nothing to officially judge it by... because it fails the job to sell shoes!

Vicky's Outfit: Just like Jade, I found this to be very underwhelming. The two of you are my Chanel girls! Come on! This outfit is flat, dull, disproportioned, too business-casual and quite frankly your worst performance yet. Hopefully it's not your last because you've done some amazing work in this competition. You had a decent outfit on when you first came to set but then you changed into this travesty and all I could think in my head was "NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!".

Overall Photo: The poses may look a bit drab and simple, but that's kind of why I like it. Jade has a firm grip on the fence which is hot, and I think it would've been remarkable if her head was turned over her shoulder. Vicky sat down, and took a really simple approach but it kicks the shoes in front and makes you totally focus on them. Thank GOD that the actual photo turned out great because based on the two of you botching your outfits, one of you may've just narrowly escaped elimination.

Finally we have Savon & Allanah

Savon's Outfit: This is another modern outfit devised by you and it's lovely. This looks fresh, up-to-date, and street smart while also keeping that high-strung fashion aspect to it. And alas, the shoes are the focal point! I love how the underclothes were left white but the coat is a dense beige. The only critique I'd give this outfit would be the glasses and earrings combo. I am not sure if they justify themselves on an outfit this commercial-like. Other than that this is a really great outfit and it's good to see you constantly stepping your game up week by week.

Allanah's Oufit: Really impressed by the palette and the way you incorporated the shimmering earrings into the whole outfit's core. I really like the boxish style you went and I think in terms of technicality, you've mastered everything. The shoes are being showcased very well and smart. My only critique is that I wished maybe the clothes and fabrics themselves would be a little less heavy and prominent? But you're not too heavy and cluttered so I think this outfit is a definite success this week. A very impressive first-impact on your first task in this game! Welcome to Project Runway, Allanah!

Overall Photo: The poses are kinda generic but there's not much you can do in a situation like this so the two of you definitely did an acceptable job. I think Savon does a great job at pushing through the fence to showcase not only the shoes but the outfit as a whole. Allanah, your modelling is great too but since the bulk of your outfit is white, I think it would've been better if you posed around the grey tiled wall just to help you pop a bit more. Nevertheless the two of you did great and this is a great shot.