The last season of this show was not very good, and for this season they seem to have doubled down and hired Tyra Banks and cast 22 designers. I have zero motivation to even watch this show, let alone motivation to write about it, but we'll see. I was going to write this as it happened, but I just couldn't get up the motivation to deal with it until Friday morning. Certainly if this season drags on and they don't start doing double or triple eliminations, I don't think I can summon up motivation to start a 90 minute show at 8:30pm on a school night. I think this is what I did last season and seemed OK. Let's see how long I can last. (click for more)
There's a montage, but the best part of it is where some girl says she watched Christian on Project Runway when she was 12, and he has to physically pause and then says “I might kill you.” I feel that. Also we imply Tyra and Law get in a fight, which if true should be entertaining. And then it's “something never done before in Project Runway history” and then Ethan and the twins and Yuchen come out. OK, no, fuck that shit. THERE'S ALREADY TOO MANY PEOPLE. They'd better be clients or something.
Everyone is at The Oculus https://www.explorewtc.com/en/local/learn-about-wtc/oculus-transportation-hub.html in a roped off section at one end of the building. It's a transportation hub that's shaped like an eye. Just a big open space with hallways leading to the different train lines or whatever. It does look really cool though. Actually, there's only 12 of them in this group. Heidi waves from the second floor, with Christian. They come down and Heidi immediately claims last season was “the most talked about season”. Is that true? Also I can't believe all of that was positive talking. Also she's wearing a black dress with long sleeves and two giant cuffs that look like they're made out of zipties. Oh well, since last season was so “great”, this season has to be bigger, so you didn't think you were the only contestants, did you? So she yodels and random people start walking over. I did notice that the captions say “Plane” so I did look this up, and Plane Jane is going by her drag name, while Q is doing as Ethan did last season and going by Robert. We will see. Bi says in confessional that a professor once called him a “one-man sweatshop” and he was offended because he doesn't sweat. See because he's Vietnamese so you expect him to be offended because of the racism. Ha ha. So now there are 21 people, which is obviously not it, and then Joseph McRae shows up. Not Belania? Not literally anyone else from last season that I'd rather deal with? The caption reads “back by self-demand” and that is a true statement. Well your ass is going to be referred to as “Joseph” because I'm not writing out your whole name every time. He did get voted out instead of being eliminated by the judges, although he also believes he would have made the finale.
Anyway, the first challenge involves a look from home they were asked to bring. You know, the classic “bring a look from home that showcases who you are as a designer”. And then the chyron says “Challenge 1 of 10” so how is that going to work? Multiple eliminations? The good news is, if this is not a trick I am much more optimistic about making it through 10 episodes instead of almost 20. Christian reminds them that they made this look with no time or money constraints and no requirements, so no excuses. They will pick out six winners, and all of them will have immunity. And six designers will be “out immediately”. Oh thank God. Everyone walks off while interviewing about how nervous they are, or how they need to be one of the winners, or whatever.
They only have two hours in the workroom? I guess since the garments are pretty much done? Varvara introduces herself but says she goes by “Bobby” because that's easier for Americans. OK “Varvara” is not difficult. I encountered this a bunch in Europe where people would have an “English” name. I get that having people say your name wrong a million times would be extremely frustrating, but also I feel like Americans could put some fucking effort in. She talks about her haters. Robert (OK, “Robby”), is hanging out with Plane Jane and Jeffrey. Jeffrey also does a lot of drag design, and is also Alexis Matteo's ex. Which we know because Alexis has gone on social media to say that Project Runway tried to get them to be on this season but it didn't happen. Plane and Robby stand to one side and shittalk everyone, which is why they cast Plane in the first place, I am sure.
Christian Time! He knows they're not making anything but maybe some editing? Alterations? Also it's model time and there are some men, I'm guessing because some people have menswear. Jennifer has a green gown that seems to be made of leaves, and she admits she wore it for Halloween last year as Poison Ivy. Christian immediately tells her not to admit that to the judges. Bao promises Christian she's going to make it perfect for him. Well and for herself. Christian says he doesn't need it because he already won. Bi talks in confessional and decides he needs to sound “straighter” which is funny because no one cares on this show. He has an amazing coat but the dress is not that great so maybe no dress? Just try it. Bryan has a big quilted dress and also a giant knit hat, which Christian says to get rid of. He has so many questions for Christian, but in confessional he is very cocky. Bi says he's worked with Bryan before and they are frenemies. Bryan reveals that Bi was his intern, and the producers ask “does he know he was your intern?” because Bi is claiming he's no one's intern. We finally establish Bryan was in charge and Bi did all the work, or directed the team, or something, and he's better than Bryan because Bryan didn't do any work.
Plane has a full bodysuit in gold fishnet lined with a lighter shade of gold. There are spikes in various places. He tells Christian it's a “simple” catsuit but Christian does not think Nina will think this is “simple”. Plane responds with “It's just gonna be fierce, girl” which is funnier than it should be. I choose to believe Plane watched Christian's season and knows he said “fierce” every other word. Christian finally thinks they might at least be able to see how well he tailors. Plane says he lives design, which...I mean I guess that's possible but I did see an interview where he said they asked him to be a guest judge and he begged them to make him a contestant. Jude has a great double-breasted suit coat, like an overcoat dress. But he has put it with booties that are just, like eight buckles. Jude interviews that he loves suits and he has worn them everywhere including hiking. I rolled my eyes but I did watch a YouTube video with someone who wore a suit to climb Mt. Fuji so those people do exist. Shoutout Mudan. I think he is describing himself as a tailor.
Lré has put her model in an outfit that looks exactly what she herself is wearing, just in another color. So I hope they notice that. We also get the clip of Anna telling Christian she watched him when she was 12. She has made a skirt out of possibly leather and can tabs. Like, soda can tabs in chains making up the sides of the skirt. She seems to be claiming “unconventional materials” is her specialty. To be fair she is wearing a bolo tie made out of a measuring tape and it actually looks really cool. Chloe has a look with absolutely no back, and she kind of loves it. Christian doesn't seem to hate it, but suddenly asks where she's from and we find out she grew up Mormon and now makes clothes that are revealing. I mean actually revealing, not just revealing if you are a conservative Christian. Dani claims to like colors that are ugly. She's got like that olive-y green-brown-yellow that was popular in the 90s. Pretty sure I wore that color a bunch. In confessional she has a very long list of things she likes and then reveals she's a flight attendant.
Joseph is back with his nonsense but he was always great at volume. His model has like a tall knit hat, and Christian wants to know what her hair is like under there. She's got plenty of hair sticking out underneath the hat in an afro, but when Joseph takes the hat off he reveals it's like, an elastic band running around her head with the wig hair attached. Like a monk's tonsure. Then her actual hair in a ponytail. This is objectively very funny and both Joseph and his model crack up laughing. Immediately two different people complain that he sucks. Robby's look is fine, he is trying to keep it together and not make a drag look. It's a little circus and Christian thinks it does need some editing. Now he hates it and is spiraling.
Runway Day. They have two hours, which doesn't seem like enough time. Not because people need to finish, but because you have 22 models to send to hair and makeup and with the usual team I just don't think there's enough time to get through them all. Jeffrey promises no pearls will fall off his look, and then in confessional says people would describe him as good looking. I did not clock this (but I did read about it) but the look that Jeffrey has brought is Myki Meek's promotional look from season 18 of Drag Race. I'm kind of surprised because I thought they'd provide the promotional looks, so they all have the same theme and look similar. Anyway, bold move to bring a literal drag look.
Plane has to explain to Bao that “sickening” is good. She is also excited for Tyra. I think everyone is excited for Tyra because they don't think she's going to come for them. Robby removed a bunch of the bodice of his look, and a lot of the back, so it is edited. Is it too simple? Who knows.
So...everyone is in the workroom? They aren't going to sit next to the runway? Why not? Won't they fit? This is stupid. They have to watch the show on a screen and they can't even be there. Heidi does confirm that when they're watching a runway and making comments, that the designers can hear them. I guess more accurately, if they can hear from the other side of the room. But here there is no way to hear comments. That's fine because I think there shouldn't be that many comments during the actual runway show. At least Nina is here to counteract Tyra and Law.
Andriy: black sequined skirt, slim but not tight, with a train. Then a black satin jacket with a small peplum that looks almost like panniers, two crescent shaped cutouts above her boobs, and long sleeves and a high neck. Buttons all up the front, and the back has cuttouts in a leaf pattern. I have no idea who this is so he must be safe. OK they put his introductory interview here and I hate it. The runway sequence should be shots of the models, and maybe the designer talking about the look. A whole ass interview ruins the rhythm of the runway show. Bobby and Andriy talk in Russian so people think they're shittalking everyone. Good. Bobby: blue dress with short sleeves, a Peter Pan collar, and an A-line knee length skirt. There is a rectangle of vertical black bars over most of her torso. Then the whole thing is quilted in long vertical lines. It's not puffy, though. Maybe the skirt is a little puffy. I like it.
Bao: long gown in light pink, with lots of ruffles from the knee down. Above this, there are two swags of fabric over her hips. Like two big ovals vertically on her hips, but the whole thing is sewn to the dress, it's not hanging. The top I think has a halter neckline and more folded fabric at the shoulders, like sleeves. But there are cutouts on her midriff? It's hard to see because the pink matches her skin tone so well. Yangyang: a long dress in a light green and blue print. The whole skirt looks like ruffles edged in black sheer fabric, and the bodice has a simple V-neck. Over this is a shrug that seems to be two puffy sleeves in a light blue. Maybe not puffy but just big elbow-length bell sleeves? I take it back, it's not ruffles but black ribbons and cut-outs. The judges discuss if those are leaves or bats or what. When the model takes off the shrug there is a shirt collar and no sleeves.
Joseph: a dress in a blue and white rectangular print. It's hard to tell what's going on, because there are cutouts and tabs and all kinds of stuff. I think the top is cropped, with tab closures and a strip of skin down the front. The sleeves are just wide rectangles sewn to the shoulder and then gathered at the wrist in cuffs, but open otherwise. Then matching high-waisted pants, very loose but cropped. Heidi says “well we know whose that one is” and Law immediately says “please tell me he's not back” and makes a face. Heh. Also there is no wig anymore, so the tall knit beanie reads more as a headwrap than a hat. Chloe: long skirt in red lace, lined with a matching red, with a handkerchief hem. The top is basically a dust ruffle across her chest, with a bib collar and bracelet-length sleeves. All in the same red lace. Her back is completely bare, no straps or anything. She figures out Law called it “beautiful” and shrieks.
Andrea: OK so they have her introductory interview first and I still hate this, but she seems to feel she's an inspiration to everyone and that's why she designs. Knee-length shorts in a black and white print, like paint spatters. They're loose shorts. Then several layers on top: a sheer white at the waist, and then a blue (I think while Christian was around she said it was a mesh), and then a black wrap like a scarf. The black looks like leather maybe? This has been paired with what looks like blue suede booties that come halfway up her calf. Naheim: a menswear look that is either a jumpsuit or matching top and pants, in I think dark denim. The pants are slim and don't seem to have a ton going on. The top has tab closures and long sleeves. There's just some buckles but it does seem to be tailored really well. Lré: a top and pants in a blue and black brocade with kind of a paisley pattern. The top has wide shoulders and no sleeves. Like putting two stiff pieces of fabric over the shoulder and letting it stick out. Then it's cropped with a narrow band just under her boobs. The pants are wide legged pants and some random straps. We get some close-up shots in a montage and it looks like the hems are unfinished.
Robby: short pink skirt, about mid-thigh, with a little volume. It's maybe got two layers, one three or four inches shorter than the other one. Then a black bodice with a halter neckline, and some shiny black buttons or studs. There's a rectangle hanging from the waist in the front, like a loincloth. Then two shiny black sleeves, starting around her biceps and gathered at the wrist into wide cuffs. The look is backless, although you can see some lacing to hold the top on. Kind of like a corset at her waist. Octavius: a menswear suit, but in a print with red flowers on a black background. The pants are straight-legged, not wide but they aren't tight either. Then a suit coat, I think, and a matching shirt and ascot in the same fabric. There's a black cummerbund, but it's wide enough that it looks like an obi. Aaron: long white dress, very loose, and a jacket in white with black ribbon along the edges. It's seriously a huge loose dress like a nightgown. The jacket is floor-length and there are more black stripes in a random rectangular pattern. At the top of the bodice of the dress, it's still white but it looks like there's maybe a mesh fabric there.
Jeffrey: a gold dress, off the shoulder with a high back. You know where your shoulders are bare but the back of the dress comes up behind your head. The skirt is slim and hits at the ankle, with a slit in the front. There are some pearls decorating the bottom of the skirt and the hem. On the bodice are more pearls, but imagine a string of pearls and crystals on a wire that you bend into a C shape. Then put the back of the C onto the bodice so the curled ends face outward. That's the front of the bodice. OK you have to remember this was a drag queen look, so originally there was a huge wig with more pearls, and probably a necklace or more jewelry. So without it doesn't read that well. Jude: gray double breasted coat, but cut short. It looks like a regular blazer or coat from the waist up, but at the waist are two layers of ruffles and then it ends. There's a button-down shirt under this, and just at the hem it looks like about an inch or two of the shirt sticks out below the coat. There's a mullet hem so her whole ass isn't hanging out.
Bi: red coat with a wide V and a rounded collar. The sleeves are wide but also stiff, so they hold their shape. They come back in at the cuffs, but the cuffs themselves are also not tight, so everything is just depending on the fabric holding it's shape. It looks like there's one button at the waist, and then he did send her in just the coat and nothing else. There are tall black boots that are taller than the bottom of the coat. Dani: so the olive-y color we saw in the workroom looks gold on the runway. The bodice is actually white, like a corset, but covered in silver studs. Attached to this are long satin sleeves in the gold, that are gathered along her arm so it's bunchy. Then a low-slung skirt in the gold, with more gathers and layers and an uneven hem. I mean it's uneven on purpose, but it does mean it's around ankle-length in front and slightly longer in back. There's a matching white belt with studs across her hips. And I think a necklace or some kind of chains with a pendant attached to the sleeves.
Plane: a gold catsuit that looks like gold fishnets over light gold lining. Long sleeves and long legs. There are gold spikes on each shoulder and her nipples, and a gold spiky collar. There's a chain belt and then more spikes, attached in the front and back and swagged over her hips, and then another one running between her legs. And that one seems tight so not comfortable. There is a matching bag which seems to be a gold spiky ball like a mace, on a chain. Law immediately knows this is a drag queen, and this would be a fierce drag look. Not sure why he didn't identify Jeffrey's as drag. Jennifer: so Jennifer does get her introduction here and I mention it because she says she was a model for the show. They show three looks and I don't remember any of them so I'm not sure how long ago it was. She says 10-11 years later so season 14 or maybe 15. Long green satin coat, with wide sleeves and a train. Under this is a dress that looks like it's sewn out of leaves, or maybe long stems with leaves. The cut of the dress is pretty basic, just a regular dress that is pretty short, but the skirt has illusion netting and there are more leaves here, arranged “organically” so they look natural.
R'Bonney: a miniskirt and a wrap top, in a dark blue denim. The top is cropped, but not right under her boobs. There's maybe a handswidth of skin between the top and the skirt. The collar of the top is a shawl collar but it stands up behind her head, and then wraps around and ties in front. Oh, no, it's a hood that is standing up without actually being on her head. R'Bonney reveals she is Miss Universe 2022. Elizabeth: a sheath dress with a halter top, that looks like crumpled paper. It's pink, and I'm sure it's fabric, but that's what the texture looks like. It hits at the knee, but there are a bunch of dangly ruffles hanging down randomly. When she turns around there is one strap close to her waist and the rest is just skin.
Anna: long floor length dress in black, it sort of looks like leather. The skirt is two pieces of the fabric in front and back, and then connected all down the sides with chains made out of soda can tabs. The chains are thick enough and close together enough that she actually isn't showing that much skin. The bodice is strapless and comes up into two points under each armpit. There's a choker made of more can tabs. It looks so heavy. Bryan: so this dress has long sleeves and is pretty short, like a miniskirt. It's all quilted, and in white, but you can see the textures. It's pear shaped, like it widens at her hips and then ends like a bubble skirt but it holds its shape. The sleeves are wide bell sleeves, but also hold the volume and are quilted in wide horizontal tubes from the elbow down. The rest of the quilting is much narrower, and makes vertical lines down the front of the dress. It is certainly very interesting.
Wait are we done? Thank God. That took like two hours of my life. It looks like what they're going to do is have the models walk out on the runway, and then if you see your look, you can go to the runway for judging. So six looks come out, and those six leave to go to the runway. Bryan's look is there, which I note because several other people have called it a comforter and shit on it, and I feel confident this is the top six. But there's only six looks, so I kind of wish they'd mixed it up because if it is the top six, there's no suspense. Once everyone's out there, Heidi says they didn't think the looks were very good. Immediate cut to everyone looking shocked and complaining in confessional, so you know she's about to say “they were amazing” or some shit. And she does.
So the top six, who all have immunity, are Bryan, Bobby, Elizabeth, Chloe, Jude, and Andriy. They love Bryan's look, and they do let Jude talk about how he's thrown, but Jude does tailoring, so he's able to spin it as “it's so far from my aesthetic” and it doesn't sound like he's an asshole. They love the shape and it makes them want to see more from him. Bobby's look is stunning, Nina says, and Bobby looks like she might cry. Maybe fewer accessories next time. Elizabeth had a great texture, but Law has to complain about the one strip in the back. Yeah, it would have been better, but I suspect without it, the back will gape weirdly and then they'd complain about that. Meanwhile everyone still in the workroom has to watch this go down. Oh, Law says you can put boning in the sides so it doesn't gape. OK. Tyra tells Chloe she doesn't understand the back, not in a “what are you doing” way but in a “how did you do it” way. Law again has the only criticism, and I wonder if that was just because he's like that, or if they only left in his critiques, or what. Nina for some reason is obsessed with Jude's shirt, the white shirt peeking out at the collar. It's just a shirt? I mean it's clean and the tailoring is amazing but it's a shirt. Andriy gets praise for being now, and Law names a celebrity who would love this. I don't recognize the name, but Andriy clearly knows who it is and is excited, which is what matters. He's got a clear look and it will only work for certain people, but if you can match up then it's perfect.
Back in the workroom there is the usual people talking about how they're glad to be safe and other people who don't get it, how is THAT safe, and then freaking out about who will be in the bottom. Then instead of showing designs, Heidi calls Dani, Lré, Jeffrey, R'Bonney, Plane, Jennifer, Robby, and Andrea. So eight people, for suspense. I see. Then they don't even bring the looks out. Like, Jennifer is up first and they just put her look on screen. Nina appreciates her look but she's looking to be surprised and inspired, and this look didn't do it. Then Heidi says they didn't like her look so she's out. Oh shit, that quick? I was afraid they'd do like last season and make us wait until next week. Plane is gagged. The greatest part of her goodbye is when she returns to the workroom Yangyang calls her Jessica.
Andrea's look had too much going on, and it looked like random stuff all piled on instead of interesting. Out. Lré gets the “we like what you have on so much more” which is dumb. Yesterday she was basically wearing the outfit she sent down the runway. And I didn't think her look was that bad. What she has on now isn't so much more amazing. Anyway, if this is her best look, then no one wants to see the rest. Out. Dani had too many things going on also, and it was messy. Dani is immediately upset and crying, but then Heidi reveals that they do want to see more from her so she's in. WAIT if Plane, Robby, and Jeffrey are all up there, then at least two of them are going to be eliminated, and I thought for sure they cast all of them for drama and ratings. But you're getting rid of them?
Tyra tells R'Bonney that she made a good outfit, but they are looking for great. It's not inspiring. Plane says he wore this look on Drag Race, which is sort of right because the only photos I could find were red carpet photos. Then he like, gasps and apologizes, like he wasn't supposed to mention other reality shows? Something? I don't know. Law just laughs because he knew it was a drag look. Nina did not like Robby's proportions or fabric. They like his own clothes, which, I can't tell what he's wearing exactly but it seems like a long black sleeveless wrap coat and a white shirt. Robby is immediately tearing up and wondering if he belongs in this competition. He's spiraling hard. Jeffrey can't believe Law hated his look. Like he seriously looks shocked. They let Law say “I couldn't imagine the woman who would wear this” and I'm not sure why he immediately clocked Plane's outfit as drag but not this. Jeffrey does not defend himself the way Plane did. Tyra says it's easier to pull back than push forward. Oh then we ARE doing cliffhangers because fuck you.
Next week: who knows? Not even a preview.
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