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Project Runway All Stars Season 6, Episode 1: Rookies vs Vets

All Stars is BACK and I’m excited to see some of my favorite personalities from past seasons of Project Runway.

photos courtesy of mylifetime.com.

My top 3 from the start (based on past performance) are:

1. Melissa Fleis

2. Amanda Valentine

3. Edmond Newton

For this first episode, the designers were separated into “veterans” and “rookies.” Veterans were those contestants who have been on All Stars previously. Even though Heather Valentine appeared on two seasons of Project Runway (season 11 & 13), she was still considered a rookie.

The first challenge was a team challenge between the two groups, and to start, they had to do a sewing relay on a football field to see who would get an advantage.

The veterans won, so they got to choose the season in which they’d create a 70s inspired cohesive collection. They chose spring and let the rookies have fall.

Anthony was the first to critique the rookie sewing construction, but let’s all remember how quickly he can construct a prom dress (and that every look he creates looks kinda like a prom dress…).

My favorite looks were also some of the judges favorites:

Ari’s flowy ombre dress with cutouts.

Merline’s structural sleeve dress

But I also liked these (which weren’t critiqued–just “safe”).

Stanley’s white suit

Amanda’s striking separates.

Candice’s crop top and flowy skirt.

Incidentally, all these looks (with exception to Ari’s) are from the rookie collection, which ended up winning the day.

Merlene took home the first win. Not sure I agree, as the shoulder seams were sticking out with thread tails showing. But the overall DESIGN concept was really cool and I guess that’s more important these days.

Casanova ended up going home for this look.

I actually didn’t hate it as much as the judges. I really thought Ken should have gone home for this look:

The zipper was slightly off causing the colorblocking to shift at the center-back seam, the waistband was too high on the pant and the top was just…awful. Despite the judges thinking the same thoughts, Casanova went home for his lack of taste. Hmmmm…interesting. Apparently this frock from Joshua was tasteful: