Project Runway 10/21/21--"#STREETWEAR" summary

 

Previously on “Project Runway”: we began the season with a team challenge and forcing everyone to use color. There wasn't a ton of interpersonal drama, just Bones telling Christian he didn't need any outside opinions. And then Bones made Darren's dress for him, but Darren gave him credit for that. In the end Bones won, and Caycee was sent home for putting the plus-sized model in too much fabric, as tends to happen. (click for more)

Yeah, so I guess Karlie isn't going to be in the credits. I know she shows up at some point, but not enough to get hosting credit? Whatever.

We start in the Scrap Bin, where everyone is tired and Meg claims to have been up for 24 hours. She's just lucky to not have been in the bottom. Christian appears to force them all to go back to the runway for another challenge. The new challenge is to make an “impactful, breakout streetwear look” that must contain three separate pieces. Then the guest judge shows up and it's Wisdom Kaye, who is someone on Tik Tok (I do not have Tik Tok). Anyway, he tells the designers loose fit, comfortability, wearability, are all key ingredients of streetwear. Christian then tells them they'll have a wider selection of models: both male and female as well as non-binary. He'll send the model cards to the house in the morning and they can all argue over models there. So there was really no reason to do this today? I guess I don't know how long it takes to film a segment like this, so they will save that time tomorrow. Everyone rejoices that it's a two day challenge. There is no mention of distancing but I can't imagine just losing one person made enough room for everyone? Actually right before the runway they were all crammed in there. Whatever, it doesn't matter.

The next morning everyone scrambles to claim models, except Prajje who gets what's left. He's not that thrilled. Meg seems to be excited for a male model? I don't know with Meg. She was so confident but then her outfit was bad. Prajje complains to Meg and Aaron during sketching time that whenever he tries to design what he wants he ends up with the “wrong” model. His argument appears to be that his designs represent where he's from (which is Haiti) and to put his clothes on a white model is an insult to his entire country. His design is so integral to Haiti that he doesn't think anyone will get it if it's not on a black man. He also thinks no one will understand he didn't have any options but if it's so important to get exactly the model you want you probably should have pushed some more people? Plus I would hope that people understand the show has constraints. Aaron says using a white model would be appropriation (…?) and then Meg jumps in to say they shouldn't be afraid to say “racism” and “whitewashing” and she really is becoming exhausting. She is literally explaining how Prajje didn't grow up seeing himself in media and HE KNOWS THAT MEG. “It's like how I didn't see bigger people when I was growing up.” Come on. Inside, Bones closes the door so he doesn't have to listen. This conversation is edited like Meg is dominating it, and honestly I'd buy that she is. She is telling Prajje that this should be a “Black Magic Moment” complete with finger snaps after each word. This is not how you are an ally, Meg. Prajje is tired of her but eventually she shuts up. But not after saying how she's insulted on his behalf. She's probably about to try to bully someone into trading models.

Mood time. $300 and 45 minutes to shop. Kenneth says he's doing “luxe street”. Menswear kimono? I don't know. Meg is doing “more muted” colors and apparently she says it's because her model is Asian? What? Christian is bored with her boring colors. Aaron's going to make overalls and a varsity jacket. Katie has never made streetwear. She's only made clothes for herself, and mainly that involves making her own fabrics and prints. Anna takes it down to the wire.

Kristina has a clear vision. She's inspired by New York street style specifically. I think she is making a dress over trousers? Who knows. Christian shows up early. Zayden is making a big coat over a top and pants. He needs to make it something you couldn't just go buy in a store. Anna is making a bodysuit? With tulle? It's not very street but maybe it'll work. Christian sasses to Darren that he's going to make his own look this time right? He's doing a little Harajuku look. His confessional is about how Christian used to be emo? Based on his haircut from when he was a contestant? That was so long ago, Darren. I don't know where he's going with this. Christian announces to the room that there are so many streets to be inspired by! Like Sesame Street, and the Yellow Brick Road is a street, and the “mean streets”. Heh. Katie's sketch is a huge ruffled collar and somehow pink pants with a striped jacket. It's very Katie but not really streetwear. I think everyone is making a top, pants, and a jacket. Mostly. Coral doesn't make streetwear, and Christian tells her to put something of herself in her design.

Prajje describes his look and the symbolism on his jacket. He also tells Christian how he has a “model issue” just because he got stuck with the last model. A perfectly good model for any other design but not this one. Christian asks if he's asked people to trade models with him, and it sounds like he did but no one would? I'm not sure. Christian offers to ask Coral for him. Coral of course asks who Prajje's model is, and Christian says “the best” and that he was in Geoffrey's finale runway last season. Coral agrees to trade, and I'm not sure about this. Did Prajje ask and she said no but now she feels pressure? Did he not ask at all and I misunderstood? It does help that they're not asking her to take a female model when she's been designing for a male model. Coral looks less than thrilled, and Prajje doesn't freak out as much as I thought he might. But that's settled at least.

More Christian time. Meg says she “focuses on apparel” unlike everyone else, which is hilarious. She just means that she does streetwear, but not everyone does. Now she designs for everyone! Men and women and non-binary people! Fat people too! Whatever. She's making a “shacket” which is a shirt-jacket, and she wants to embroider “there is only one race-mankind” on the back. Don't be Sergio. She's got browns and grays and Christian calls it “old man”. She has a different concept but it might look too bland because of her color choices. In the middle of her arguing to Christian about how she likes her colors she has to pause to get hold of herself, which makes me a little suspicious because she seems to be successful? Think about it—how many times have you seen someone have to stop in the middle of a sentence because they were about to lose it, and when they started talking again they were NOT still about to cry? Christian's advice is don't get emotional about it, you'll figure it out. Meg knows she's not the type of person to do a big art piece so she's feeling insecure. She's already complaining about how emotionally taxing this show is and it's episode 2, which is not a good sign.

With three hours left, Christian brings the models in. Prajje is telling his model that he is wearing something that is important to an entire country. Kenneth is working next to him and then out of nowhere says “I want to switch models with Meg”. You'll recall that Meg's model is an Asian man. I wonder if Kenneth was just going to roll with it because he didn't think he had the option to trade. But then finding out Prajje traded, now he wants to also. The problem is it's later than before, and more work has been done in terms of cutting and starting to sew, so if the two models are not close in size it's not as easy. I think Coral and Prajje hadn't done much of that yet. Kenneth goes to Meg to ask her to switch, and in a monologue that is probably at least twice as long as it needs to be, Meg says she doesn't want to agree to anything without seeing Kenneth's model first. Fair. Kenneth is totally fine with this, but Meg keeps going on about it, which is why it's twice as long as it needs to be. She's started cutting and claims she's already got all the elements done, but also it's important to respect that Kenneth wants to design “for his own culture”. She knows if she says no, she will look like a bitch. True and possibly not fair to Meg but it is what it is. So Meg and her model go over there, and Kenneth starts to say something about “we're going to see if this will work” and Meg interrupts him to say that's not it, Kenneth wants my model and he wants to trade. I guess to make it clear to Kenneth's current model that he's being rejected? Anyway, Kenneth explains himself and then Meg says it's total bullshit because they should have had this conversation ages ago. She'll do it, because she “totally respect[s] the race thing”, but they should have swapped hours ago. I mean, she has a point, but also I feel like saying in confessional that you know you'll look like a bitch if you say no means you're concerned about looking like a bitch? Kenneth accuses her of making it awkward for no reason, and she literally tells him to stop talking. Jesus. Finally they part ways and get to work, but not before Meg tells her model “apparently I can only design for white people”. I mean I think that's for the best. You can't claim to be woke and then make everything about you. As she's introducing herself to her model he says “Just don't yell at me like that, yeah?” Damn. Meg immediately is like “I can't say how I feel because I'm a woman?” The time to complain about the timing was when Kenneth asked you in the first place. You only complained to him when you did because you wanted his model to know he was being rejected. Don't play the “strong women are unfairly labeled as bitches” because you told the man to stop talking. Notice we don't know if Coral was upset about trading or not, and we have to guess, because she said she'd do it and then she did without making it about her.

There's some interaction with Kenneth and Prajje, where Kenneth is apologizing for there being a scene, and Prajje is mad. At first it sounds like he's mad at Kenneth, but then in the next shot it's clear what's happening. In the sewing room, he confronts Meg, calling her “fake as fuck” because she was so ridiculous this morning with Prajje's model situation, and then she turned around and was rude to Kenneth. Prajje has lost respect for her, because she wouldn't shut up this morning, to the point where Prajje was uncomfortable. And then she did the same thing to Kenneth. Prajje says he's done and has work to do and flounces off. Kenneth gives him a hug, and Prajje tells him not to let anyone treat him like that. Kenneth doesn't like confrontation, and Prajje says he knows. Aww, Prajje sticking up for him. Meg is not good at this, because when Kenneth goes to sew something she gets on him about how she was very clear that she would switch models because the race thing was important. OK but you were salty about it. Then she is mad that Kenneth didn't say anything to stand up for her? And she finishes with a “fuck you dude”. Fuck's sake, Meg. Everyone else is shocked and FINALLY Meg leaves and asks someone to take her mic off. JFC. Someone says you're fake woke and your response is to tell the person you were rude to “fuck you” because they didn't defend you?

Prajje has gone back to the sewing room to proclaim to Zayden (and everyone) about this morning, and Meg has returned to say “I'm right here” except that she wasn't, and I guess no one took her mic off. Prajje doesn't want to talk to her, because he's proud of what he said. They yell at each other for a while, because Meg doesn't understand how she's fake when she agreed to trade models. Anyway, now Meg wants to quit because she is all alone and the victim, and no one is on her side, and she's having a panic attack. Kenneth is in tears, but Chasity and Prajje are taking care of him. Darren too. Chasity is reassuring Kenneth that Prajje confronted her but she took it out on Kenneth which is unfair. Exactly. She thought Kenneth wouldn't fight back. When she actually tried to argue with Prajje, that's when she says she had a panic attack and fled the scene. Meg doesn't get that it's not about her, but wants to force everyone to acknowledge how woke she is. When she got called out on it, she decided she was really the victim here, and now she's trying to make this whole thing about how mean Prajje is and how no one is on her side. I think maybe noticing that no one is on your side is important?

Day 2. Aaron is complaining they're in New York and have some store bought bagels. Heh. Kenneth is grateful that he has such support there. True. Prajje is now changing his design so the mother figure on his jacket is crying. He is not here to fight people's battles but he felt he needed to in this case. Fair. Everyone is working and apparently Meg is not there. Did she just vanish in the middle of the night? The other people living with her should know what happened right? Maybe they were told she was coming and then she didn't. Christian comes in, and says that Meg has quit. He promises they wish her the best. Meg gives one more interview that she believes she was in the right, it was important for her to stand up for herself (?) but maybe she was bitchy about it. It's OK to give up something that might be your big break if it's not good for your mental health. If your mental health is that threatened by someone criticizing how you reacted to criticism then I guess so. Look would I be mad about switching models that late in the game? Maybe? But I would hope that if I can say “I have to say yes or I look like a bitch” that I would also understand that berating the person I'm trading with also makes me look like a bitch? Meg clearly felt that since she said she'd trade, anything else she said or did doesn't count. Whatever.

Kenneth is sad because they did all have the same dream, but it is a situation that needs to be dealt with. Chasity is fixated on how if Meg really was this upset about trading models she could have said no. I mean I agree with Meg that saying no would have caused some backlash, but as much backlash as is going to happen now? Chasity interviews that she's not saying Meg used race to create drama, but she did use race to be “down” with different ethnicities and try to reassure them she was an ally. Yes, exactly. Zayden is trying to be open minded about it, like maybe she was just ignorant and needed to be educated. He and Darren are outside painting on fabric. Zayden is painting “Say Their Names” on the back of his hoodie. There actually does seem to be a ton of painting going on. Everyone using their design today for political messages, I guess. Kenneth has decided to gather scraps from everyone so everyone has a part of his look, because of the support he got yesterday. He waxes poetic in confessional about love and finding people who support you.

Runway Day. Still lots of work to do. Darren appears to have made a mesh shirt with holes in it. Like it's torn, you know? But he has clothes today, unlike last week. Aaron gets slightly negative criticism and he flounces around. He wants to put a 19 on the jacket because it's season 19. Christian is not thrilled about this idea. Prajje would be proud to go home on this design because he stands behind it. Kenneth's kimono doesn't go with his patchwork vest, but this means he wouldn't have three pieces. There are several people outside doing...nothing, I guess. Christian yells at them to come in and Prajje is like “Yes sir”. Kristina says she wishes she was a little taller then she could wear the clothes. When a producer asks her how much taller she'd need to be, she says “like DD”. Heh. Hair and makeup time. Last minute touch-ups.

Elaine praises the designers for serving looks themselves. Then everyone applauds for Wisdom Kaye. Darren: pink leather motorcycle jacket, paired with a black mesh crop top and a red checked flannel skirt. I believe that the designers are not allowed to use real leather or fur, so just assume everything is faux. Probably a lot of faux leather today. The jacket has a black smiley face spray painted on the back, for edginess. The top has holes in it, like artful distressing, and then the skirt looks like a flannel shirt tied around his waist. Katie: a shirt, knee-length pants, and a vest. The pants are hot pink, and the shirt is black and white gingham checks with a collar that is black and white stripes. There are also stripes in the shoulders? Like she made short sleeves in the stripes and then elbow length sleeves underneath in the checks. The vest is a patchwork with many colors, that seems to match a sash. Also these pants are very high-waisted. When the model gets closer, it's clear they are actually low overalls? It looks like high-waisted pants, with a short panel that comes up to just under her boobs, and elastic straps over the shoulders. It's very loud and busy.

Prajje: jacket, shirt, and pants. The pants are baggy, and have one leg that's all black, and one with red strips of fabric all over it and yellow strips that say 1804. The shirt is gray, not very exciting but I think it comes down to one knee over the black pant leg. There's something written on one side of the jacket, but I can't see what it says. “Sak Pase”? There's yellow shoulders and sleeves and then the back of the jacket has a painting of a woman crying blood. Chasity: black sheer shirt with darker parts over her chest. Like strips of the sheer that are sewn on top to make opaque parts? The top has slits over the shoulders and a high neck. Then tight black pants, but one leg of the pants has a huge poof of tulle all the way down. I think the third piece is a sheer short sleeved shrug in the same black. Aaron: black pants, a black and white shirt, and a yellow varsity jacket. I'm not sure if this is two pieces or a jumpsuit, but I'm going to assume two pieces because otherwise he doesn't have three distinct pieces. The top is divided between black and white on a diagonal line, and when she takes the jacket off, you can see the hem of the shirt is not straight but higher on the sides, like a dress shirt. There is also a big collar on one side? I think? The pants are baggy and draped, and then for some reason there's a panel of black and white checked fabric wrapped around the back of her hips like part of a skirt. But it just hangs there and when she's got the jacket on it looks like he just sewed pieces of fabric to each hip. I don't know.

Sabrina: her look is in bright oranges and yellows, with a diamond print. I'm not sure what is going on in her look, except for a length of the diamond print draped over one shoulder, and no pants. There are just random strips of the fabrics hanging down, but not as many as I feel there should be for a skirt. More like you just made a top and shredded the bottom? Maybe there's a skirt under a belt of straps. The top has several layers going on, which make her pretty covered up. As if she's just wrapped in different lengths of fabric. I don't know but this is the first she's spoken today. Kenneth: black dropped crotch pants, knee length, and then a patchwork vest. It looks like a hi-vis vest a construction worker would wear. And a patchwork hat I guess. Kristina: long black pants that seem kind of baggy, and a long tunic-length top in black and white checks. The top has long sleeves that end in straps, and it looks like a loose smock that's been wrapped around her. I'm not sure what the third piece is. There seems to be a scarf or possibly a bag.

Shantall: baggy black pants, a black halter top, and a yellow and black jacket with a hood. The top looks like a panel of fabric that goes around her back and then crosses over her chest. The jacket looks good. Octavio: black skirt with an unfinished hem, a black and white striped top, and a yellow jacket. It's hard to tell what is attached to what, but I think the skirt might be open in the front, attached to a yellow sash. The shirt is tunic-length, and then the jacket has long slender black sleeves and wide yellow shoulders. It almost looks like he put a panel of fabric around the model's neck, to form a collar, then took the ends of that panel under the armpits and attached in the back. Anna: black tulle skirt with two tiers, attached to suspenders. There is a tight shirt in a black and light pink floral print, that has a very high neck, and merges into a hood that covers her head and face. The shirt is cropped. At the end of the runway the model spins and drops the skirt to reveal leggings in the same floral print. Coral: black leather pants, not that tight, and a jacket and shirt. Well, technically a shirt, because the model opens the jacket to show that it is literally half a shirt. One whole side of his chest is uncovered. The jacket looks good, there's some braided detail on one shoulder and some fringe hanging down. The shirt thing is weird though. Bones: a crop top with a mock turtleneck, in a multicolored print. The model has a matching headband and elbow-length gloves/arm covers. She's wearing a huge shapeless skirt in two tones of brown, which she takes off to reveal...a shorter shapeless skirt in the same fabric. Maybe it's really baggy shorts? There's some color, or other fabric appliqued on, and maybe a message but I couldn't read it. The big skirt is now a jacket/cape. I think the message was “dream”. Zayden: baggy black pants, a white and gray top and a camo jacket with orange lining. On the back of the jacket is “Say Their Names” in red paint. The top is less a top and more a bib with a wide strap to hold it on.

Zayden, Aaron, Kristina, Prajje, Darren, Katie, and Kenneth get to stay for judging. Everyone else is safe. Seven, huh? Hmm. No drama today, we're just bringing the models out one by one. Zayden talks about only having streetwear where he grew up, not high fashion, and needing to have a message. They love it. The pants seem to have a strap looping around? He wanted to make some details. Elaine says she never saw a top like this. Yeah, because it's not a top, it's a runner's bib. It's a dickey with a cummerbund. Come on. Zayden gets emotional about how this means a lot to him. Aaron is also in the top. His jacket is reversible, but the yellow means a lot to him I guess. The other side is black and white. Also the pants somehow fold down to be straight-legged instead of gathered. Elaine says it's back to the 90s in the best way possible. Darren's jacket now looks less pink and more red, but sadly he's in the bottom. He's proud of his look, but Elaine thinks it's too many ideas and it's messy. Brandon doesn't think it's original. They sort of enjoy it at least. Prajje explains the 1804 on the leg of the pants, which is when Haiti declared independence from slavery. On the back is the goddess of motherhood. There is a lot here but it's clearly a meaningful look and has so much history. It's also clearly very Prajje and they love all of this.

Katie tells the judges she's a textile designer. I think this vest is made up kinds of fur? So then she takes it off and it's actually a shirt. The short sleeved striped parts are attached to the patchwork vest part, and the top is just the black and white checks. The silhouette is terrible and it looks dated. Or childish possibly. It's gone past quirky to tacky, I think. Darren says he's proud of the “behind the scenes” story of what he did, but he's not proud of the final look. Originally he had a different idea, but “something happened” and he changed the look to use everyone's scraps for the vest. Then he gets emotional about it, without coming right out and explaining what happened, and now Prajje is crying too. The judges act like they have no idea what's going on, but there's no way they weren't briefed on why they were short a designer, right? They have to know Meg quit. I guess it's possible they don't know why. Prajje and Kenneth sort of explain, although we're not shown them actually explaining anything. Just talking about feeling voiceless and attacked and whatever. Nina thanks everyone for being supportive, and Elaine asks Kenneth to put the kimono coat on his model. That's the one he originally planned, but it didn't go with the vest, so Kenneth just decided to wear it himself. They do tell him he was in the bottom, but it's not like Kenneth doesn't agree. Mostly it's that the vest doesn't go with the pants, because visually it's a bad vest. But no one wants to shit on it because of the meaning behind it. Kristina talks about New York street style. There is a ton of stuff happening here, but it somehow all works and they love it. The stripes and checks look modern, and she's designed it very well.

The judges feel Kristina's look is very modern. It's not the stereotypical “streetwear” look they usually get. Prajje put so much passion into his look, and history. And it's well made. Elaine thinks it's a little less wearable than maybe it could be. She prefers Aaron's in terms of wearability and marketing. His styling is on point. Plus I think they're impressed it's a reversible jacket. Elaine then raves about Zayden's coat, that they could all wear it. The winner might come down to message vs. wearability. Then we go to commercial without discussing the bottom so you can guess where they're going with this.

Oh just kidding, now we're talking about how sad it is that they have to send someone home. Because everyone put their heart into it. They're glad Darren loved his look, at least. But it's a costume. No one is going to wear Kenneth's outfit anywhere, and Nina doesn't want to take the situation lightly, but you can't wear that outfit. Katie had a problem with proportions. But at least she has a point of view. Brandon thinks that he's seen potential from Kenneth, but Darren has shown two poor looks. They all ague about Kenneth vs. Darren for a while before they bring everyone out.

The winner is Prajje. It's priceless that he won with this message on such a big platform. He claims he's never won anything before. He gets immunity also. Kristina, Aaron, and Zayden are all in. Elaine points out that someone has already gone home this challenge, so they really don't need to eliminate anyone. Everyone is in. Yeah, I figured that would happen. And why not? It's early enough and they did lose a person so it's not like we're extending the show a week.

Next week: a haunted house, Christian calls something Popeye, Taraji P Henson is the guest judge.