- Six recent college graduates stand ready to transition their lives into independent professionals-however, they need to look the part. Designers have thirty minutes to conference with mothers and daughters on the direction of their new look. However, the direction seems to be ambiguous as blood tandems clash in design aesthetic and style.
- Our designers prepare to sew another day. Suede laments his near exit last week and pledges to have a better showing this time around. Others, meanwhile, are in denial about their recent poor finishes.
Says Kenley: "I'm going to stay true to myself as a designer and not really worry about what the judges think." Um, you sure that's a good idea, hon?
We cut to the runway -- and you know what that means. "Hallo!" Heidi squeaks. "I have some special ladies to introduce." A group of mothers emerge -- and none of them are particularly well dressed. Thankfully, the contestants will not be designing clothes for them.
No, the designers will be creating masterpieces for the women's not-very-well-dressed daughters!
"All these little girls come marching out and I'm like 'Is this some sort of prom challenge?'" Jerell asks.
Not really. All the girls are recent college grads who will be getting head-to-toe makeovers ... with mom's supervision. Back at Parsons, Tim lays down the law. "I'm sending them in with their mothers, who will no doubt have opinions on the direction of this look," he says. "So, in a sense, they are both your clients."
The mothers and daughters enter. "If the mother likes it, the daughter isn't going to like it," Joe observes. Yes, this challenge could be a tough one, Joe. Kenley, meanwhile, gushes over her girl's vintage style. As a result, the designer will go for a 40s or 50s classic look. Korto must design for a 21 year old lab assistant. So, the designer sets her sights on a wrap dress that can be worn under the coat.
Jerell's little lady wants a more "androgynous" look. Leanne's girl is going to be an elementary school teacher. "She wants something comfortable," Leanne says. "It's definitely tricky because Holly seems to be a little more easygoing than her mother." Suede's charge is looking for something professional and comfortable. "She seems very interested in pants, which is not Suede's thing," Suede says about Suede.
One 30-minute shopping trip later, the designers return to Parsons and get to work. "I'm going to make the prettiest dress in the world!" Kenley says. As the work progresses, we see pictures of our beloved designers at their first jobs. Awww! But enough sentiment. Tim enters with news: The mother-daughter clients are coming in for a look.
Jerell's clients love the sleek black dress with an androgynous jacket. Suede's younger client seems just OK with the pants and jacket, but mom would like to jazz it up a little. Joe's girl doesn't really like his choice of pinstriped material. "I think I can make Laura very happy in the final look," Joe tells the camera. Good luck, bud.
Kenley, in the meantime, gushes over her fabric. "Kenley can make one hell of a 50s, 60s dress and that's all," Jerell tells the camera. "That's all she serves up." Leanne's older client doesn't like the way that the dark blue dress makes her daughter look "flat chested." She wants something more "flattering."
Fitting time ends. "I'm definitely set back time wise," Leanne says. "I have to come up with something that my clients are going to like. I'm going to scrap all that hard work."
Time keeps on ticking, ticking away. Suede is going to ditch the pants and go for a dress because its "so much more Suede." Kenley has unkind words for Joe's "80s business suit." His work is then compared to something Nancy Reagan would wear. Ouch.
The next day, the clients return for a second fitting ... without their mothers. The designers breathe a sigh of relief. The process seems to go much better. Holly, for example, loves the changes that Leanne has made to her dress. Suede's little lady has also agreed to scrap the pants. "Bonus!" Suede says.
Tim enters and introduces Jeanie Syfu, a hair stylist. She will be offering styling advice. Then Syfu drops a bomb: "The winning look is going in Elle Magazine." Gasps. Dropping jaws. Etc. Etc.
Now it's Tim's turn to inspect the creations. He like Suede's dress, but doesn't like the pockets. "They look a little sloppy," Tim says. Joe's look, meanwhile, says "lawyer, banker -- not graphic designer." Jerell's look is really "stunning." Tim suggests a seemingly minor change on Kenley's dress and vest.
"Tim doesn't really understand me as a designer," Kenley tells the camera. "I never really change anything for Tim." Oh boy.
The designers return to their flat and begin gossiping about who will be going home. Kenley, naturally, doesn't hold back in ripping on her fellow contestants. "I think Suede is a poseur," Kenley says. "I don't understand his aesthetic as a designer." It is just me, or is someone getting a little big for their bangs?
The next morning begins with a hair and makeup montage! One hair and makeup montage later, it's time to hit the runway. And if it's time to hit the runway, then it's time for Heidi to say: "As you know in fashion one day you're in and the next day you're out." Yes, we know.
Heidi introduces Michael Kors, Nina Garcia and Cynthia Rowley. Now it's time for the young ladies to strut their designers stuff on the runway. And while you may not believe me, the contestants simply ADORE their own creations! Seriously! But what about the judges?
Nina finds Kenley's dress to be "charming." Cynthia thinks it might be "a little fairy tale, but maybe that's OK." On the other hand, Joe's pinstriped jacket and skirt is ripped to shreds -- causing cocky Kenley to burst into giggles. "It's the total cliché of what a work outfit should be," Nina says.
Korto's green dress and jacket is "current," according to Michael. Cynthia finds the jacket quite cool. Leanne's creation meets with odd looks. Michael wonders why Leanne would try to hide the girl's cutie body with an awkward, authoritarian jacket. And Jerell's androgynous creation? "I love this look, I love the hair, you're hired," Heidi says. Suede's dress and jacket doesn't fare nearly as well. In fact, it's a bloodbath. "I say just change your clothes before you go out," Cynthia says. Yee-ouch!
The designers leave the runway. The judges bash Suede and Joe some more (why so catty, Michael? Did one or more of these contestants kick your dog?). The designers return to face their fates.
Korto is in and the winner is ... Jerell! "It feels amazing," he says. "The fact that its my second win? Hell yeah!" Meanwhile, Kenley and Leanne are also in -- which leaves Joe and Suede.
"Joe, Suede, one of you will be out," Heidi says. Helpful, ain't she? Heidi then insults the remaining contestants' designs one more time before pausing dramatically and sending Joe home.
"I don't think I deserved to leave," he says. "I think I've proven what I really wanted to prove for my daughter, which was to truly follow your dream."
Alas, this fashion fever dream has ended -- at least for another week.
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