**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 most recent recap, check out our Season 2 Episode 7 Review.
Now that you’re caught up, you’re ready for episode 8!
Everything Old Anew
We got a hint at this challenge toward the end of the last episode. Each designer chose a decorated bag that represented a decade – between the 50’s and the 90’s. Now, each designer is tasked to re-create an iconic garment from that decade. Take something “old” and make it new.
The concept is interesting since every decade has iconic elements that would work for this challenge. And every designer’s aesthetic can align with their chosen decade.
My biggest concern was Desyreé and the 50s. While Desyreé makes great menswear, I don’t know which iconic 50s piece she can refresh to the point of it being recognized as her own creation. Thus the intrigue of Next in Fashion! I’m excited to see what she cooks up.
Everyone’s design plans seemed sound. Amari making a sexy/preppy 60s women’s set, Nigel’s 70s patchwork hoodie, Bao’s 80s elevated prom dress and Deontré’s 90s outerwear utility look. I’m curious to see which designer is most successful in executing their vision and reimagining an instantly recognizable piece without sacrificing their design aesthetic.
The Show
This show didn’t feature my dear Jason Bolden. In his stead we had the fabulous Gabriella Karefa-Johnson, stylist and Contributing Editor of Vogue. Miss Karefa-Johnson was also a guest judge for episode 5 where she gave great feedback on the collaboration challenge. Alongside her we had… Hailey Bieber. Why?!
I’m tired of pretending every Instagram influencer is qualified to be a guest judge on Next in Fashion. Hailey Bieber is not qualified to give valuable critique to highly trained, professional designers. She has no specific background in fashion, no technical skill/knowledge and is not a fashion scholar.
By bringing this kind of “judge” on the show, its credibility is brought into question altogether. I sure would be annoyed if I were a designer expecting feedback from another reputable designer or stylist or industry peer, and instead was given feedback from a 20-something Instagram celebrity. What does Hailey Bieber even know about vintage fashion?!
I’m not going to blame Gigi Hadid for this (like I did in the past), but someone is to blame. Maybe this is why Alexa Chung jumped ship.
Moving on to a more positive note: the looks! The fashion shows are getting shorter and shorter as more contestants leave. This was the first show I really felt it.
The show went by quickly but there were a couple designs that only needed a moment to be remembered forever.
Like Bao’s 80s prom dress
And Deontré’s 90s look:
Ultimately Bao’s look was considered the winner while Deontré and Amari got the most “constructive” critiques. This episode ended on a cliffhanger so we won’t learn who the eliminated contestant was until the next!
What did you think of the episode? Tell us below!