Next in Fashion Season 2 Episode 1 Review

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Next in Fashion is Really Back!

Finally, my favorite fashion design competition series – Next in Fashion – is back! I am so excited for season 2!

As you may recall, the first season of Next in Fashion premiered on Netflix in January 2020. It was a fresh take on fashion competition reality TV by requiring designers to work in pairs.

Along with high profile guest judges and a focus on creativity over time restraints, Next in Fashion delivered incredible fashions. And as a truly distinguishing factor, the hosts – Tan France and Alexa Chung – were sublime.

Tan and Alexa are accomplished, hilarious, stylish and charming. As a pair they were a perfect fashion duo! Considering their chemistry and all the other elements that made for a great show, I was ecstatic when a second season was announced.

I was sad to see Alexa Chung go. I found her knowledgable and a great TV partner with Tan France. I believe it was too early for her departure. And frankly, I didn’t have high hopes for her replacement – Gigi Hadid.

Tan France and Gigi Hadid Image courtesy of digitalspy.com

The New Season

First of all, no hate to Gigi Hadid. I just don’t think she filled Alexa Chung’s shoes in terms of hosting a fashion competition show. She simply doesn’t have the charm and fashion authority I recognize with Alexa.

Alexa had her own clothing brand for 4 years before the show as well as being in the industry for 2 decades. Gigi has been a model for a while, but I don’t consider that experience relevant to designing clothes.

Sidebar: I recognize Gigi did a collaboration with Tommy Hilfiger. I don’t believe that partnership is nearly the same as launching your own label in terms of creative control, vision and involvement – like Alexa has.

Fashion design experience aside, Gigi Hadid’s screen presence isn’t compelling. She’s a sweet-seeming person, but she doesn’t have the wow factor of her co-host, Tan France. I think she’s better suited as a guest judge on the show rather than one of its presenters.

However, this is my first experience with the new season so my opinion of Gigi may change.

Fashion Royalty

This was a great starting theme. Something extravagant to get the people excited about the themes to follow!

And it begs the question: what defines royalty in fashion? To me it’s about luxury: plush materials, gaudy elements and bold design. In terms of specific figures that represent royalty, they must be trendsetting and high profile.

You can make a solid argument for most celebrities as fashion royalty based on my definition. And these designers definitely made some reaches. (I’m looking at James choosing Harry Styles.) Overall though I think each designer honored the theme.

Of course, there were some great looks and some disappointing ones. Nevertheless, the range of designers allowed for a wide spectrum of fashions judged by familiar faces.

Exceptional Hollywood designer Jason Bolden was once again included in the judges panel. Along with our hosts Tan France and Gigi Hadid. Fashion royalty’s theme was reinforced by the episode’s guest judge – Donatella Versace.

Donatella versace — Donatella Versace Image courtesy of dailystar.co.uk

I’m glad Jason is back! His looks on the show and styled for clients, are everything. And his critiques are well-informed. He has the real-world expertise necessary to guide these designers. Plus his enthusiasm is infectious.

Two looks in particular inspired his awe as well as mine:

Amari’s mauve look inspired by Josephine Baker.

And James’ smoking jacket and trousers inspired by Harry Styles.

Model wears puffy smoking jacket and trousers

I found both looks inventive, extravagant and royal. They were also great representations of the designers’ specialties. Amari’s sensibility is one of flattering, sexy apparel while James’ sensibility is one of structure and clean lines.

Unfortunately, the worst look in my opinion was created by Qaysean – inspired by Nefertiti.

This piece looked sloppy and under-developed to me. I thought the tulle was a nonsensical addition to what otherwise looked like a sl*tty Halloween costume. I‘m excited to see more from Qaysean mostly to replace the image of this one from my mind.

Good and bad, I’m excited Next in Fashion is back! The designers are still dynamic, the creative processes are still compelling and the fashions are still cutting-edge. We can’t wait to see what else season 2 has in store.

What did you think of the season premiere? Tell us below!