**Warning: Spoilers ahead!**
Welcome Back to the Watch Party
Welcome to episode 2 of Style Files’ Next in Fashion reviews! I’ve been a fan of Next in Fashion since it premiered in 2020, and I’m excited to review the newest episodes shortly after they released earlier this month.
Episode 2’s theme was Wear the Earth which was cute! In this challenge, designers were required to make designs out of natural materials. These can include grass, flowers, leaves and moss. It reminded me of the unconventional materials challenges in Project Runway which are always fascinating.
The episode also started with hilarious banter between co-hosts Tan France and Gigi Hadid. Gigi was distracted, striking model poses and Tan had to remind her she had a “real job” to do hosting this show! Gigi seemed genuinely surprised by the comment that implied her career as a model wasn’t a “real job”. And that ish made me laugh.
It’s a Group Thing
The Wear the Earth challenge was different from the norm since the designers were split into 2 groups. Each group was expected to compose a cohesive collection of 4 looks centered on the theme.
I love group challenges because you’re able to see how the designers work when faced with the possibility of being outshined. There’s a balance they amust walk between sharing their vision and contributing to the collection, and getting drowned out by the other creative voices.
We’ve seen the whole spectrum of designers wrestling with this dynamic: feeling overshadowed and getting frustrated, one person leading the group with a confusing vision, two designers butting heads.
Luckily, there was minimal aggression during this episode. The only real conflicts for the designers was making sure their creative voices were heard in the midst of all the others.
In the end, one group was a clear winner for this challenge in terms of cohesion, creative excellence and execution.
The Looks
I loved this runway show because it was inventive. And Jason Bolden started us off right with this gorgeous cheetah print sweater. He is just the cutest!
Jason was joined by our co-hosts Tan France and Gigi Hadid as well as the guest judge – Helena Christensen.
My favorite look off the runway was created by Amari, Megan and Godoy. They made a printed orange corset top, these gorgeous matching bubble pants and a halo made of flowers and leaves. In the words of Jason Bolden: It was MAJOR.
My second favorite look was courtesy of Bao. Her signature of sexy women’s clothing was on display with this beautiful ensemble. She made a crop top out of moss and a perfectly layered, high-waisted skirt out of leaves and cleverly placed fabric.
Bao was originally going to make this skirt entirely of moss, but that fell through last minute. So she made this skirt in half the time technically required! Now that’s creative genius.
Bao’s look was so stunning, it had our co-host in shock upon arrival!
As a surprise to no one, the looks featured here were on the winning team! Unfortunately the other team was scattered in terms of vision, and the looks were hodge-podge as a result. The losing team also produced our next designer chosen to leave – Courtney.
I didn’t feel we saw what Courtney was capable of during her time on Next in Fashion. She is a celebrated designer for curvy women and I would have loved to see more of her glam fashions. Sadly, this is the nature of competition shows and this week just wasn’t her week.
What did you think of episode 2? Tell us below!