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Warning: Spoilers Ahead

Welcome Back to the Recaps!

If you’re just joining us, welcome to Style Files’ Next in Fashion reviews! Here we review the latest episodes from season 2 of one of our favorite fashion competition shows: Next in Fashion.

To catch up from the beginning, check out our Season 2 Episode 1 Review now.

To read our last recap, check out our Season 2 Episode 3 Review.

Now that you’re caught up, you’re ready for episode 4!

Who Were You Then?

On this episode of Next in Fashion, the theme was childhood reimagined. Childhood is assumed to be joyous simply because you’re young and ideally stress-free. This episode was a reminder that this is not always the case especially for LGBTQ+, gender-nonconforming and trans people as many Next in Fashion designers are.

This episode’s challenge was to model their runway look off a childhood photo. This spurred a lot of conversation on the memories associated with each photo and how each designer viewed them in hindsight. Intimate experiences with identity were discussed. For some contestants, simply sharing the photo was painful as it reminded them of a time when they weren’t able to be fully themselves.

James, Godoy and Desyreé specifically shared touching anecdotes. I was surprised to learn James is trans, and commended him for being brave enough to share his story with essentially millions of people. Godoy also told about the emotional turmoil surrounding their coming out.

It was an emotionally charged episode in general, but Godoy’s story left me in tears. When Godoy expressed an interest in drag, their mama gave them money to buy heeIs! What a powerful gesture of love and acceptance at Godoy’s young age. This episode even had Jason Bolden a self-proclaimed “not a cryer” tearing up a few times.

Amari provided us the comical respite we needed thanks to a Facetime with her parents. They were too happy to share their real opinions on her fashion sense. Calling it “risqué” and basically reading her on television. Of course, they wished her well and expressed their faith in her which was another tearful moment on what seems to be the world’s most emotional Next in Fashion episode.

Gigi Hadid’s odd little poses also made me smile this episode. Every time they cut to her she was in a weird position! Crouched on a counter, overly relaxed. Her little poses reminded me of a kid getting antsy from sitting for too long. It was a charming and random little joy that called back to our theme.

Asking about someone’s childhood can be a loaded question. Your formative years are a time when you’re most vulnerable and when you have the least amount of control over your own decisions. It can be a painful time to recount especially for people who faced fear, torment or worse for expressing their true identities.

I appreciated all the contestants for sharing their stories with us. I recognize how difficult that must have been.

The Show

Amari really had me stressing trying to get her dress together with ONE HOUR before runway. Tell me why this lady had a scrap of fabric with a bunch of barrettes she was frantically pinning just moments before her model walked! I’m glad she pulled it off since this was my favorite show to date.

I liked a lot of the looks from this show. I think in large part because the setting was perfection. The runway was multicolored, the models’ makeup and hair were playful, and the banter between models was adorable. It was like a high fashion playground!

Joining our staple guest judge Jason Bolden in the fun was the iconic Isabel Marant! I was delighted to see a heavyweight name in fashion back on the show. And she seemed impressed by the looks.

I was impressed by these ones:

Megan’s exaggerated sleeves dress

Desyrée’s asymmetrical blouse and trousers:

Nigel’s boilersuit

Amari’s sheer orange barrette dress:

Other than Jason crying and hugging Godoy for creating a wedding dress for his male model, I didn’t find this judging memorable. All the designers did well, but we know how the episode must end.

Sadly, it was Eliana’s turn to leave Next in Fashion. Eliana first started sewing 4 years before joining the show. An impressive accomplishment that I’m sure will guarantee her a bright future in fashion.

Share your thoughts on the episode in the comments below!