Project Runway - Season 20 Premiere - Recap

 

Tonight it’s the premiere 20 years in the making. 14 former competing designers are back ready to show off their creativity or lack thereof on the runway.

Last night there was a special episode where the cast was introduced and ended in them receiving their first challenge, which is reinventing a look that got them eliminated previously, or the design of theirs that received the lowest score, I guess for the case of those who made the finale. 

We continue on the roof where mentor Christian Siriano has a twist. 

Christian then tells the designers that he’ll see them at Mood, and dips.

So is there a twist, or was he just messing with them? More on that later I guess

It’s now time for the designers to sketch. 

Prajjè’s design was from an unconventional challenge on his season. He joked that he had to go to therapy after his critiques. His design will be similar to his original but he’s excited to get to use real fabric this time around. 

Viktor’s original design came from a challenge where they had to create a look for stilt walkers, which he says he’s going to focus on with the challenge.

Bishme’s original design was from a challenge to present one of his looks for the final runway. At the time of the challenge, he was worried about his sister passing away, with his sister’s passing fresh in his mind, and he’s working on trying to not let it get to him. 

Following the sketching period, the gang heads off to Mood Designer Fabrics. Note that this is the first season not to feature Mood mascot Swatch(RIP). It was always a joy to see Swatch  lounging around the store and giving major side eye as the designers frantically picked out fabrics for their designs. He will be missed. 

Brittany is redesigning the avant garde look that  got her eliminated just before the finale in season 18. She’s using her look to show the judges how she’s evolved since then. 

Anna’s design that sent her home, was a challenge creating an outfit to be worn at a Real Housewives reunion show. She’s keeping the original shape, and is wanting to use floral print in her design. 

Next we hear from Kayne, whose worst design was a black and white cocktail outfit. He says he’s doing the black and white with adding pizzazz. 

Nina is back after 18 years, and is trying to challenge herself and reopening the book on fashion design. Her worst design was a wedding dress that got her eliminated all the way back in season 1. She’s trying to reinvent the dress so it could be worn for different occasions. 

The designers leave Mood and head to their work room in Brooklyn. 

Up next is a segment with OG’s Nora and Kara Saun and they immediately make themselves at home at a table in the back. 

While unpacking his fabrics, Kayne realizes he’s misplaced horsehair fabric  that he had purchased. Whoops! The fabric missing was supposedly a huge part of the dress. In the flashback, we see he left his missing fabric at Mood.

Next we have Fabio discussing his lowest scored design, two cohesive looks for fall. 

Laurence’s look(s) was her collection during fashion week. She’s remaking how it should’ve been, using leather, which is her signature.

Mia’s original design was from a challenge in season 7, making a circus inspired outfit. She’s going to make this new design, based on her own style. 

Kara Saun talks to Nora about her mom, and how much of an inspiration she is to her, and they switch models since she feels Nora’s model will work better for what she’s doing. 

Hester’s lowest scoring design came from a season 17 challenge where they had to design a look that embodied elegance.  Hester explains that  the look now is actually in style, so she’s making something new and weird, to go along with her modern aesthetic. 

I honestly think it’s a little too early to go for new and weird. But we’ll see. 

As day one ends, the designers leave the work room and head to their hotel for a night of relaxation. 

Of course talk turns to Kayne’s missing fabric.‘I have a feeling we’re gonna hear about this slot. Might be a good idea to pull out the bourbon to take a shot. We’d be drunk. 

The next day, the designers return to the studio to continue working on their outfits. 

Kara Saun discussed her delight of being able to bring fabrics from home. Something they weren’t allowed to do in season 1. Her lowest scoring design came from a challenge where they had to design a dress for Nancy O’Dell to wear to the Grammy awards. 

Christian shows up, and it’s time to give feedback. 

First up to get feedback is Brittany, who’s going in an activewear direction she’s go into. Christian feels it would be cool for her to show the judges her new aesthetic. Christian thinks she should show more sex appeal in her design, and tells her not to make him use his save on her again. Ha! 

Next Christian talks to Kara Saun. Christian doesn’t really offer much feedback, except tells her she shouldn’t completely throw away the pant part of the look. Christian, Kara Saun, and Nora then reminisce about the OG project runway days. 

Christian then talks to Nora. He likes how she’s sort of taking  the wedding part out of the dress, and focuses on the flowers petals.

Christian meets with fellow season 4 alum Rami. Rami says he’s not taking risks this time around, 

Bishme tells Christian he has a clear vision for a brand, and he’s doing it for his sister. 

And we have Christian revealing the twist he teased earlier in the season. There will be NO IMMUNITY given out to challenge winners. Instead, prizes and advantages will be awarded to challenge winners. I actually like this, because it makes the designers work harder and not use immunity as an opportunity to play it safe for the next challenge, 

Christian then reveals the winner of the first challenge will get $10,000.

Nora is struggling using a sewing machine, as it’s been 9 years since she has sewn anything. It will be interesting to see how her final product will turn out. 

Viktor is drawing inspiration from a personal trauma from his last. Him and his boyfriend were both attacked on the street in LA by a guy with a machete. He was unable to walk for a while, and he focused a lot on sewing during that time.

Christian then comes in and announces the arrival of the models. Probably the most useless part of the show is the designers fitting dresses for their models. There’s much more you can do with filler on this show, or better yet, take it back down to an hour runtime. 

Prajjè is having trouble with fitting his dress for his model. Her buttcheeks are hanging out, and Christian tells him it looks like she’s wearing a diaper. I won’t lie, I love when Christian throws shade like that. 

Bishme is having a rough time with doing the challenge, which is triggering grief from the recent death of his sister, with it being two months since her death. He consults producers on what to do about his situation, who remind him he came on to honor his sister. He decides to stay and turn his grief into strength to finish his design. 

As the designers prepare for their first show. Viktor is informed that his model is a no show, and he’s being sent an alternate, which means he’ll have to possibly re-fit his design for the new model. 

The models are back for final fitting, and Viktor is having to quickly alter the dress for his alternate model, who’s taller than his previous one. Next Christian sends the model to the makeup studio, and the (ugh product placement)Tresemmè hair salon.

The designers arrive on the runway to meet the judges, and it’s revealed that actress Alicia Silverstone will be this week’s guest judge. 

The judges score the designs as they walk down the runway. 

Following the show, the judges step on the runway. 

They announce they want to speak to Viktor, Nora, Bishme, Kayne, Fabio, and Kara Saun. 

This means the other eight, though they did not win, are safe. 

First in the Top Three is Bishme. He explains that the picture he was inspired by triggered him a lot, and discusses the loss of his sister. Elaine thinks he did a beautiful job on the outfit. Alicia says they he doesn’t need to rush getting over his loss. Nora tells Bishme that he delivered a fashion forward look. Elaine admires he turned a negative into a positive, and calls his look a true elevation. Brandon loved the details of the outfit, and thinks he’s refined those. 

Up next in the top 3 is Kayne Alicia calls the look elegant, sexy, and chic. Elaine loves the feminine softness of the bottom half and the edginess of the top. Brandon calls the styling fresh, calling it successful

Next is the first of the bottom looks, And no surprise it’s Nora’s. She explains she wanted to create something structural. Nina understand the problems she’s having, and says the model disappears in the fabric and wishes she was more more bold. 

Another bottom score tonight comes from Viktor. He explains that the original challenge he designed the outfit for was a team challenge, so he wanted the design  to fit him more as a designer. Elaine calls it creative but says the design didn’t translate. Brandon asks Viktor about how he put the leggings together, and wanted more of his idea. 

Next in the bottom is Kara Saun. She explained it was inspired by her mother. Nina said the design needed to be more subdued and less in your face, saying it needed editing. Elaine called it too formal, stiff, and outdated. 

The last top Look comes from Fabio. Alicia calls his outfit chic and creative. Nina loved the combination of textures, calling it a confident outfit. Elaine calls it her favorite look of the day. 

The judges then discuss the designs. Alicia thinks Kayne should win. The judges like they he showed restraint on his challenge, when previous designs were rather over the top.  Elaine says they have to give Bishme credit for completely reinventing his design. Nina loved Fabio, and Alicia loved his maturity. 

The judges then debate the bottom. Brandon says Kara Saun’s dress stressed him out. Elaine was surprised that it was a dress done by Kara Saun. Alicia thinks it’d be a good bridesmaid dress, and Nina and Brandon both thought it was poorly executed. Elaine adds that Nora may not have the “fins” to continue. Elaine appreciated Fabio’s skill level. 

The designers return to the runway for the final decision.

They announce the winner of the challenge is……Kayne!!!

Fabio and Bishme are also IN

Viktor is IN

Down to the two OGs. Either Kara Saun or Nora will be out.

Nora is OUT

Kara Saun is IN.

Nora takes defeat graciously and thanks the judges for the opportunity. 

Nora is happy  she was able to reconnect with Kara Saun and make new friends. 

So much to unpack from This premiere.

I would’ve never thought Kayne would survivor the first week, let alone win the first challenge. This either was a massive fluke, or Kayne legitimately has a shot to go deep in the competition.

Im glad Bishme overcame his grief to pull off a great design. Part of me wishes he would’ve won the challenge, but he’ll have more opportunities throughout the season.

The biggest shock I think for me tonight was Kara Saun almost being sent home. Definitely not a well executed design, delivering what looked like a rejected Little Mermaid costume. She did amazing in season 1, and was a front runner going in. I just hope she doesn’t turn out to be a giant flop on her return.

I saw Nora’s elimination coming from a mile away. Going into the season, she didn’t have much going for her. First off, she was rather mediocre in season 1 and didn’t last long in a season of several talented designers. Also she was open about being out of the design game for a while. It makes me wonder why they even bothered casting her, instead of others who made a bigger impact on their season. I really wanted her to do well, but I knew she wouldn’t last.

Stay tuned for my new rankings coming soon.

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