Warning: Spoiler Alerts!
This season has been full of drama, from annoying twins, to runway blow ups, to Tim Gunn saves. As a devoted fan of the show, I couldn’t be happier, although emotionally drained after each episode. The latest of these rollercoaster ride episodes was the season finale part 1. Designers Kenya, Brandon, Margarita, Ayana, and Kentaro were thrown a curve ball last week when they were told that the five of them would be competing for only three guaranteed spot at New York Fashion Week.
Each designer returned home to create ten piece collections, knowing that they still had to convince the judges to send them to Fashion Week based on two outfits from their larger collections. After a difficult decision, the judges decided to eliminate Kenya, sending the other four on to show their collections on one of the world’s most prominent fashion stages.
While it was hard to watch Kenya go, I must say that I agreed with the judges’ decision. There is no doubt that Kenya is a talented designer whose ability to make stunning gowns, suits, and skirts continually blew me away. They were elegant, sophisticated, ready to wear, but just not right for Fashion Week. Kenya’s clothes have a commercial aesthetic and appeal where the other designers’ clothes have more fashion forward and boundary-pushing perspectives. This is not to say that one is better than the other, but that Fashion Week typically looks for the latter.
I’m honestly sad to see Kenya go, but I don’t doubt we’re all going to hear more from her. I’d even like to see the rest of the garments she had created for Fashion Week, because what she did show the judges were objectively beautiful garments. In the meantime, I’ll be anxiously waiting for the season finale where either Brandon, Kentaro, Margarita or Ayana will be crowned the Project Runway Season 16 winner.