I’ll be honest, I’m new to fashion competition series as a category. Scripted dramas and the Real Housewives are more in my lane.
But, my man recently got me a sewing machine and that changed everything.
I try to make a habit of connecting my hobbies with my other pastimes; If I’m learning rebab, I watch Youtube videos by rebab players while I’m cooking. If I’m learning to play tennis, I binge Being Serena (Which was FANTASTIC by the way).
In this vein, I started watching shows/movies related to fashion design soon after I started sewing. I saw a handful of great documentaries and whatnot, but I knew I stumbled upon magic when I found Next in Fashion.
The Plot
I can’t say enough good things about this show! The premise is simple enough: 18 designers compete to win $250,000 and a debut luxe collection with Net-a-Porter.
What makes it exceptional is the elevated designers, the renowned judges and the charming hosts.
Alexa Chung and Tan France as co-hosts gave me Great British Baking Show energy except make it fashion; it was so fun to watch!
Plus you can’t deny those two know style. They’re both talented designers with a keen eye for fashion. Their every outfit on the show was drool-worthy.
I specifically remember Alexa in this electric blue metallic, pleated mini skirt that I LOVED.
The Designers
Never mind the hosts’ incredible fashions let’s talk about these designers! The show featured talented designers from all over the world: India, Scotland, Mexico, United States and more.
Each person was clearly a master in their craft. I believe every one of them had their own brands. If not at the time of filming, they all did during, before or after operate their own fashion houses.
Plus the majority of them each worked with and/or clothed countless celebrities!
My favorite designers were Angel Chen, Minju Kim and Julian Woodhouse, but truly every designer was talented. Every single episode had me frantically Googling whether any of these pieces were available to purchase.
(Let’s be real I probably couldn’t afford them anyway, but that’s neither here nor there.)
The designers were so skilled and their approaches to the challenges were so fresh. They elevated the genre of fashion competition reality shows. Truly inspiring stuff.
Versus Project Runway
In contrast: Project Runway. I was first introduced to PR after I was entranced by Next in Fashion. Basically, the former never really had a fair chance. When comparing it to the fashion dream that is Next in Fashion, Project Runway is underwhelming.
In my opinion, PR often has too many contestants and too many elements (Challenge then runway plus surprises? Too much!) All those distractions don’t allow for the designers to really shine in their craft.
It’s asking too much of them with too little time. It makes for good tv, but I don’t think it honors the art of fashion design.
So which format works better for a fashion competition series? The proof is in the products.
Now Next in Fashion has a deadline as well. But, it’s not bogged down by curveballs and stress in the same was as Project Runway. Instead, they keep it simple.
Each episode features a challenge designers take on in pairs or independently. They design either one outfit or a coordinated couple’s look, they construct it and they style it for the runway. Done!
So which format works better for a fashion competition series? Well, the proof is in the products. And I remember triple as many looks from one season of Next in Fashion than I do from three seasons of Project Runway.
In fact, these designs in particular are pretty spectacular:
A Friendly Competition
I don’t want to sound ungrateful to Project Runway. I acknowledge its importance and legacy. Without it, shows like Next in Fashion and Making the Cut probably wouldn’t exist. What I’m saying is times have changed.
Project Runway places too much stress on designers. It demands much more of them than should be necessary if the intent is to show their design acumen. Often times when I watch an episode, it seems like the priority is creating high-stress scenarios to test designers’ mental health more so than their craft.
I’m a still a fan of Project Runway as I am of Next in Fashion. But when it comes down to what I’d rather watch in my free time; it’s Next in Fashion all day. When it comes down to how many garments I’d gladly wear; it’s always going to be Next in Fashion!
As of the day this post was written, Next in Fashion is a one season show. I hope after seeing these designs (and hopefully watching the episodes!) you agree that we need more seasons.
I can’t wait until I get to salivate over more clothes I can’t afford!
*UPDATED (3/10/2022): It was announced that Next in Fashion is moving forward with another season! I can’t wait to see what another season of this inspiring show will bring.