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INSPIRATION

This challenge is all about what drives the creativity of fashion designers: inspiration. Our seven remaining designers meet with Michael Kors in his studio (which is ample inspiration!) for a motivational talk and the details of the challenge. Michael presents each designer with an Olympus digital camera and tells them that they have an hour to take photographs anywhere in the city. When they return to Parsons, they will print their photographs and choose one as the source of inspiration for their design.

This is a tremendously exciting challenge. Without a specific client for the design, it's a perfect opportunity for each designer to demonstrate an uncompromised design philosophy and creative vision. Accordingly, I give them all a little tough love; that is, a cautionary heads-up for each.

With inspiration photographs in hand, we have 30 minutes and $100 to shop at MOOD. And we have until midnight, only, to finish the challenge...

DANIEL
Daniel WINS! The excitement that I felt upon seeing Daniel's design inspiration from the photograph of an orchid was sustained straight through to the end of this challenge. His simple but elegant stretch tweed skirt and sculptural silk organza top were breathtaking. Daniel's inspiration was intelligently and deftly applied to his design, which epitomized chic sophistication. Congratulations on your third win, Daniel!

ZULEMA
Zulema is OUT. I was concerned about Zulema from the moment I became aware of how literal she was being. The photograph of a woman in African dress was beautiful and surely inspiring, but the directions were to use the inspiration as a point of departure, not copy it. As has been too often the case with Zulema, I did not see her design fully realized until we were leaving the workroom for the runway judging. I stumbled and nearly fell when I saw the atrocious construction. Was this a joke? No. I believe she lost her bearings. And she lost her judgment. She was lost. Period.

ANDRAE
Andrae's design was stunning! He really pushed himself creatively and it showed, big time. From a photograph of filthy New York City gutter water (ugh! and yuck!) evolved a design ready to WOW the red carpet. His bias cut dress with a dramatic braided sash and beautifully articulated beading was a complete knockout. I advised Andrae to "be more ambitious," and, indeed, he was. He was Daniel's greatest competition in this challenge and a close call it was. Bravo Andrae!

CHLOE
Chloe stepped away from her comfort zone and had admirable outcomes. Inspired by curtain walls, her dress evoked a similar geometric grid. Her signature silhouette prevailed in this sexy strapless dress, and she introduced a panel of pleating, which was a first for her. I don't believe that the execution of the design was up to her regular standards, but she was pioneering new territory.

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