Project Runway: The Ultimate Hard and Soft

Last week had my favorite episode on Project Runway teams.  "The Ultimate Hard and Soft Challenge" was a challenge in which the designers had to design using only materials from both a flower shop and a hardware store.  Of course, the teams each had to create a coherent collection, which caused a bit of trouble.  Some of the looks I was in love with, and others I wasn't so impressed. 

Dream Team:

Design by Tu Nakchat
Image Courtesy of Sewing in Style

Design by Stanley Hudson
Image Courtesy of Sewing in Style

Design by Samantha Black
Image Courtesy of Sewing in Style

Design by Matthew Arthur
Image Courtesy of Sewing in Style

Design by Layana Aguilar
Image Courtesy of Sewing in Style

Design by Benjamin Mach
Image Courtesy of Sewing in Style

Ultimately, I loved almost every design done by this team.  The dress done by Benjamin was probably my favorite, considering his colorful yet sophisticated pallet, and the hand woven material used asymmetrically in the shoulder.  My other favorite was done by Layana.  Her fun and whimsical design was made using only flowers, wire and string.  My favorite thing about her design was how well the hard and soft went together.  The only design this week that I wasn't in love with was probably done by Stanley.  In my opinion, the length looks uncomfortable, and the leaves used makes his model look like a bush.  This team was the winning team this week, and Samantha Black was nominated to be the winner.  Her silhouette was interesting and her use of leaves under the wire mesh was creative and interesting.

Team Keeping it Real:

Design by Patricia Micheals
Image Courtesy of Sewing in Style

Design by Michelle Franklin and Richard Hallmarq
Image Courtesy of Sewing in Style

Design by Kate Pankoke
Image Courtesy of Sewing in Style

Design by Joseph Segal
Image Courtesy of Sewing in Style

Design by Daniel Esquivel
Image Courtesy of Sewing in Style

Design by Amanda Valentine
Image Courtesy of Sewing in Style

Unfortunately, Team Keeping it Real was the losing team this week.  The thing that brought them down the most was lack of cohesion.  Every design looks like it was from a different planet than the others. However there were still a few that were pretty great designs.  Daniels design, as usual, was unbelievable.  Using white lambs ear to give texture to the dress gave the design something interesting without looking like a craft project.  His silhouette was incredible, however because of the materials used, they sort of look like moldy coconuts.  The other design that I really loved was made by Joseph.  His silhouette was very different, and the way he placed the flowers gave his funky silhouette a sophisticated twist.  His designs always give people a new perspective without looking distasteful.  Unfortunately, the judges did not like his design this week, and he was sent home.  My least favorite design of this team was definitely Patricia's.  Her idea of draping flowers was interesting, but the way she incorporate it into her design looked like a little kids homemade halloween costume.  However, the judges didn't think too badly about it, so she is still in the game.

This weeks episode was probably the most interesting of them yet.  The unconventionality of the whole thing was what made most of the designs.  So next Thursday, be sure to tune into Project Runway at eight o'clock on Lifetime!  You won't regret it.