Week 10: What Do You Care About?

This week's challenge is presented by Karlie and Elaine wearing cause-related statement t-shirts on the runway. The challenge has one question: what do you care about? As slogans tees are so popular, it is clear that expressing yourself through clothing is such a powerful platform. The challenge is to create a high-fashion interpretation of a cause that is to the heart. The judges want to be able to see the cause clearly in the look.

With Elaine marrying fashion and activism through her work at Teen Vogue, it is only right that she presents the challenge to the designers. Elaine stops by the workroom to help the designers as they sketch and gives them feedback on their ideas and sketches.

The designers are presented with a second element to their challenge which is to create a t-shirt for themselves to walk and wear on the runway for the judges that matches their statement look. The t-shirts will be sold and the proceeds will go to a charity that supports their cause.

This week's guest judge is Aurora James, who is a fashion designer that works to create sustainable jobs in Africa. After the runway show, the judges reveal that they are going to talk to everyone, even though they normally talk to 6 and there are 7 remaining.

THE RUNWAY

Middle/Safe:

Hester Sunshine

Hester's cause was gayness, gay rights, and gay equality. She wished she had more time to do her cause justice because it is something that she really cares about. The judges knew this look was hers immediately and thought it was such a good representation of her identity. Nina said, "I completely got the message. . .it's just full of positivity."

Tessa Clark

Tessa's inspiration this week was very deep, as she drew on an experience from when she was younger that she hoped she would not have to discuss on the runway. When asked to elaborate on her connection to the cause of women's rights, she revealed that she was molested. The judges thought it was so beautiful that she finally showed a bit of vulnerability. Elaine said, "You just showed us a piece of yourself on your own terms and that's beautiful."

Hits:

Jamall Osterholm

Jamall was inspired by his family, upbringing, and the first experience that he had when he realized that a women crossed the street to avoid him because she was afraid of him on account of his skin color. The judges loved this look because it very well represented beauty versus struggle. He took something that is in his wheelhouse and elevated it. While some judges don't completely know who he is as a designer, they liked infusion of streetwear into high fashion. Karlie said that he took, "a fabric that is not necessarily royal and you turned it into a gorgeous gown."

Sebastian Grey

Sebastian's cause was race equality, so he wanted to represent all skin tones in his piece. His t-shirt says that we all have the same DNA, so all humans should be treated in the same way. The judges thought his look was poetic and beautiful. Nina said the look was, "so beautiful, so impressive."

Winner: Bishme Cromartie!

Bishme was inspired by his work in his hometown and how he wants the youth of Baltimore to blossom. The judges could tell that he had an immediate idea when the challenge was given and followed through. They thought that his piece told its story the most within this challenge. Guest judge Aurora said, "I love everything about it; I would literally wear it tomorrow."

Misses:

Garo Sparo

Garo's cause was save the bees, since bees are so vital to the survival of human kind. Garo tried not to be too literal in his design, but even he revealed as it came down the runway that it looked like a bee costume. The judges have always loved Garo's technical ability, but think it's time to step it up with his designs. Brandon said. "The exaggerated shoulders and the hemline of the dress. . .it was costumey."

Out: Venny Etienne

Venny's cause was about breaking down stereotypes, which stems from an experience that he had with someone over the phone who assumed he was white because he was so proper, and was surprised at the color of his skin when they met him in person. His t-shirt said to, "ask me what my name is" because everyone is more than their race. The judges thought this look was very poorly made, unfinished, and not well-proportioned. Elaine said, "I think that your messaging got muddled in the delivery." As Venny got emotional during his critique on the runway, guest judge Aurora encouraged him to keep going saying, "You're gonna nail the jacket another time as long as you keep working from your heart."

So, was Season 17 Episode 10 in or out? I say in! Is it getting boring that I keep saying in? I really do think that Bravo is doing a fantastic job of reviving this show that has been on for so many seasons! This week's challenge was great. It was a great way to bring fashion into what's relevant today both socially and culturally.