For some viewers, including this author, just hearing the words “Project Runway” is enough towarm the heart and stimulate the mind, and it’s time to talk about the series' 21st installment, and how a twist is making the show less watchable. Yes,Project Runway’s back with a two-episode premiere. Those episodes have many highs and lows.
Aspiring designers who appear on the show may have tasted success in their off-screen lives, but onProject Runway, it’s a whole new ballgame.
OnProject Runwayseason 21, life can be tough. A designer has a vision - their idea of what beauty is. They try to bring that out, and convince the world that their definition of style is worth wearing. However, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. AProject Runwayjudge may not define beauty - or fit, or quality - the same way a designer does.
Tim Gunn Wasn’t Brought Back
Heidi’s Still Paired With Christian Siriano
TimGunn IS fashion - he lives it and breathes it. He knows the lingo, he knows who’s who - he’s like a walking, talking issue ofVoguemagazine. While designer Christian Siriano is very nice, helpful and stylish, with an appealingly minimalist vibe (think Depeche Mode industrial chic), Tim andhis stunning former co-host, Heidi, had the most amazing chemistry ever.
Gemini women really, really get along with Leo men, and when Gemini Heidi hangs out with Leo Tim, the antics are hilarious. They belong together, just like peanut butter and jelly.
Tim should be coaxed into reappearing. Christian’s awesome, but he doesn’t have that quirky “Gunn” charm - Tim, a delightfully buttoned-up dude with old school reserve and great manners,really loosened up around the zany Heidi, who loves to play.
The fact thatproducers can’t bring fashion’s Glimmer Twins back together is depressing, but maybe Tim wants to do different stuff now. Above, he’s promoting his podcast on Instagram.
In season 21, Heidi shines on her own, with Christian there to mentor the contestants. There’s a great panel of judges and an exciting cast. The judges are:
Two Designers Really Stood Out (The Challenges Were Amazing)
It Was All About Disney & Caffeine
The premiere episodes were amazing, and while this article contains information about the designers, it’s not a spoiler post. People who read this will learn about the challenges and participants, but not who won each challenge. Why?
Well, this show’s worth watching from start to finish. See the trailer above - it’s the perfect appetizer before an amazing meal. To get the full experience, checkProject Runwayout on the Freeform platform. It’s about supporting truly creative people who make things with their own two hands.
In the age of robots and AI, there’s a lot to be said for the human touch, andProject Runwayhas it.
Episode 1 features a fun challenge, where half the designers make Disney princess-inspired dresses, while the other camp creates Disney villain-inspired outfits. It’s campy, it’s fun - it’s a theme people can get excited about. While it seems simple enough, some cast members couldn’t rise to the challenge.
One designer who stood out was Yuchen, who is able to create a sense of sophistication and immaculate tailoring in a shockingly short amount of time. Offscreen, he runs a fashion brand that’s alien-inspired.
He’s one to watch onProject Runwayseason 21 - someone who can create the kinds of clothes that women want to wear.
During the Disney villain challenge, he made a sheer black dress that was really a poem - dark as night, his delicate creation was like a black orchid.
Another impressive participant is Ethan Mundt aka ‘Utica Queen.’ He makes clothes for drag queens and his creations have been featured onRuPaul’s Drag Race. On the show, he tones things down a bit, retaining a little over-the-top charm. The result of this minor shift in his aesthetic was dazzling in the second episode’s challenge, which was caffeine-inspired.
Ethan Could Win This Thing
He’s Really Got It
So, what didEthancreate? It was a gorgeous jumpsuit with a little jacket on top, as seen above. The pants didn’t fit well, ruining the look, but the fabric he chose to use is pretty, but very hard to work with. While the pants bunched around the model’s crotch, and the hems of the pants weren’t totally even, the outfit, from the shoulders up, was simply magnificent.
Thanks to structured shoulders and a collar that stands up so perfectly it’s almost unbelievable, Ethan offered elegance with a couture level of sophistication.
His jumpsuit and jacket had a low-key sheen, thanks to the subtle metallic fabric. The collar framed the model’s face so well, making her look like a goddess. Ethan understands how to dress people. He enhances their beauty. Ethan knows how to get that result.
He’s got X factor - Ethan’s one to watch in this competition.
His model looked Bond Girl exquisite in the design. The whole outfit was in a subtle cafe au lait shade, and the fabric was totally luxe. It was textured, thick and ultra-glam.
There’s a spark of genius here, and Ethan, who is also a very sweet person, without an off-putting ego, will hopefully continue to show what he can do in future episodes ofProject Runwayseason 21.
