Project Runway 20 - EPISODE 10: "Freedom"

 Date for Entry: (Sunday 20 August 2023)

Actual Date of Online Entry: (Sunday 20 August 2023)

** Identity Unlocked **

THE EPISODE

    This week the designers were met by the Christian in the backstage lounge of the runway venue to receive the new challenge which was a first. They were informed that the runway would be held at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedom State Park. Bishme was given the model cards from Christian to pick the first one. The challenge was to create anything they wanted with two days that comprised fifteen hours (ten the first day and six the second day.) He took a long time to pick one and gave a very beautiful speech about his choice.

    The next morning, they were taken to Mood. I was a bit shocked when Laurance took the purple fabric. It was a beautiful colour but we still didn’t see what she was going to do. I felt insecure for her. Prajje gave us another topic to research from his practice of Voodoo on the deity called Vambala (half snake and half person entity). There was a very weird occurrence of Brittany doing a similar top that he did in the last challenge. This gave him some concern. In addition, I did love Prajje’s screaming reaction and Brittany’s whine and dance reaction about the challenge for this week too.

    There was no Christian for the first model fitting segment. Korto made a quotation from Opera Winfrey about who gets a model. That was a nice surprise. Another funny surprise was when I saw Laurance hammering something into her garment. That was interesting to see. Usually on the show, you might see people sew something but I will keep that one in mind.

    The designers were sent home and brought back at 5o’ clock in the morning. Somehow that felt fake. I’m not sure anyone might ever be able to tell me if the designers walked out and then they filmed them walking right back in to make it look like designers came back from the hotel to the workroom. I loved Bishme and his trick on Christian about having nothing else for the runway. I also loved getting to see Ms Lacey Ready back in the show. I hope Mr “Quendy” too come back to do the models’ hair and make-up. I missed them both.

    Just as the make-up artists and hair stylers were doing the final bits they could before the presentation (at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedom State Park), the rain came down. Everyone ran under tents and models, judges and designers were all given plastic transparent umbrellas to sit out in the open. I wonder what some of the things were in their plan for in case rain fell? It was nice to see Christian join the judges. Since Season Eighteen that was a wish of mind to have the mentor and the other guests that were in the episode be invited to the final presentation that they would have contributed to aiding the designers.

 

MY DESIGN

    This design was done the evening after episode eleven in Scarborough of Tobago (Old Government Road). The challenge was the freedom to create anything we wanted. Everyone focussed on the word freedom and the garment that I saw was a top and skirt in green that mimicked the ‘Suhari’ leaves.

    The model I saw was Mimi and she was a plantation slave being given their emancipation. If this was to go down the runway, firstly, the ankle bands would be removed as a symbol of chains being removed. The slave would be set free. Secondly, the face mask would be removed to show the identity of the slave revealed and removal of the green skirt would be the removal of the slave clothing.

    This design made me feel like Rami at the end of episode eleven, where he was running out of time and some things were not working. I too decided that I would draw this the best I could and try hard to not make it look costumy.

 

SELECTIONS BY CATEGORIES

    Designers with HIGH scores tonight were Rami, Laurance & Bishme. These three designers’ designs were the last to appear on the runway. Rami and Bishme’s designers were given hearts and Laurance’s Design was given a tick. Rami’s design was chosen for Personal Selection. Laurane and Bishme’s designs were awarded the Challenge Selection.

    Designers with SAVED scores were Brittany & Korto. Brittany was given a tick and her piece was taken as the Personal Selection. Korto’s design was given a heart and she was awarded the Challenge Selection.

    Designers placed in the LOW scoring category were Prajje & Kara. Prajje’s piece was given a heart and it was awarded the Challenge Selection along with Kara but she was given a tick. Kara’s piece was also given the Personal Selection.

 

LINK(S):

• Images of the Challenge's Designs.

Daryl Zion M. Ali