Week 5: High Fashion to High Street

The designers meet Dapper Dan who revolutionized hip hop fashion and was a trailblazer for luxury streetwear. According to Dapper Dan, luxury streetwear is all about looking casual and luxe at the same time. For this challenge, the designers need to create a luxury streetwear look in one day with fabrics that are already in the work room.

Christian comes by to mentor the designers are they are working, and declares that the challenge is just too easy, so there will the added element of a flash sale this week. The flash sale makes perfect sense for this particular challenge because streetwear is supposed to be accessible. America will vote on the photos on Bravo's Instagram story and the winning look will be sold. The judges will also pick their favorite look that will be sold as well.

As Christian is checking up on the progress of all the designers, he becomes offended by the fact that some of the designers, especially Rakan, are relaxing and eating in the lounge instead of working on their pieces. He said to Rakan, "You're ready? You're done? It's gorgeous? You need nothing? I don't eat for 3 days when I'm making a collection!" 😆

This week has a guest judge, Brandice Daniel, who founded Harlem's fashion world and was recommended to be guest judge by Dapper Dan.

THE RUNWAY

Hits:

Venny Etienne

Venny was inspired by his upbringing in Brooklyn and his love of sneakers. Dapper Dan absolutely loved it when he was mentoring them all. Nina said that this look was, "the most authentic that we have seen in your work."

Garo Sparo

Garo was inspired by the East Village. The judges thought that this look spoke to the future of streetwear, as it showed her figure in the perfect way for streetwear. Guest judge Brandice Daniel said that this was, "one of my favorite looks."

Winner: Bishme Cromartie!

Bishme was inspired by the Baltimore girl who might not have all the money in the world but is flashy with her fashion. The judges loved this look because they thought it showed that streetwear can say something and mean something. Elaine said that the look, "paid homage to Dapper Dan's legacy better than everyone else."

Misses:

Rakan Shams Aldeen

Rakan was completely unfamiliar with the concept of American streetwear, so he was inspired by a woman in Syria who works as a farmer. The judges thought that he had poor styling choices, as he did not include pockets and put his model in heels instead of sneakers, which are both crucial streetwear elements. Brandon said it looked like a, "weird genie in a bottle."

Jamall Osterholm

Jamall was inspired by streetwear and hip hop culture and their connection to blackness, which led him to create a Victorian inspired garment. The judges thought that this look was unfinished, messy, and confused. Guest judge Brandice Daniel said, "I can't think of any young black lady wearing this down the street."

Out: Kovid Kapoor

Kovid was inspired by his adjustment to America and how the black, Latino, and Asian communities were the first to embrace him. Kovid, like Rakan, was not too familiar with the concept of streetwear, so the judges thought that the look was too suburban as opposed to urban. Karlie said, "It looks unfinished, and it's also not a good idea."

So, was Project Runway Season 17 Episode 5 in or out? This week, I say in! This week's challenge was fun and relevant to the fashion of today and tomorrow.