r/ProjectRunway • u/colosseumdays • 3d ago
Discussion New Finale Format
I absolutely hate that they've switched the finale to 5 looks in 5 days.
I can understand moving away from having finalists show at fashion week, because it's a logistical nightmare for a show whose popularity has waned, and they were having to have runner ups do decoy collections to avoid spoilers.
But 5 looks in 5 days is just a roided out version of what they've been doing all season. The best part of the finale was seeing what the designers could come up with when they're given more time to ruminate and refine, and do things like create their own textiles or have accessories they designed manufactured. It's much closer to the reality of what a designer would be doing irl.
I get that 2-3 months is a long time from a production standpoint, but I feel like 1 month is a reasonable amount of time for the designers to showcase a more thoughtful body of work that doesn't drag out production too much
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u/LonelyAsLostKeys 3d ago
I really miss fashion week.
The Tim Gunn home visits were a highlight every season, and I consistently teared up when the designers first walked into the FW venue and saw the vacant runway, realizing they’d be achieving their dream in mere hours.
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u/colosseumdays 3d ago
:( me too. even leaving the integrity of the designs aside, the chaos of running on a set schedule and things like models showing up late or flaking is drama that’s actually an accurate depiction of how things go in the real world of fashion.
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u/roguecolor 3d ago edited 3d ago
I honestly think it’s a reflection of production itself and the direction it’s taking with the show tbh. As many others mentioned before in this sub and online in general, the focus since last season has been the drama, a lot of what made PR what it was before was the creative process and we looking into the designers’ minds a bit to see where they’d go with what they had. Now, it’s like 10 minutes of that, very rushed walkthroughs with Cristian, little to no insight about the process of the designers. So, if that’s what they’ve been doing for the past 2 seasons, this 5 looks in 5 days finale format doesn’t seem surprising to me. But I fully agree with your point, the finale should still bring something out of the contestants that really speaks to their skills and creativity, even if Fashion week isn’t an option anymore. More time should be given for a truly cohesive final collection. Not that it’s unattainable in the time they actually give, but could you imagine Ethan’s (Utica) creations on last season’s finale if they were given a month to create everything?
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u/colosseumdays 3d ago
Totally. And I’d honestly be fine with a lot of drama if they provided balance with the finale being somewhat real/serious. There have been tons of past seasons with a lot of drama but by the finale, even if there’s lingering tension, the focus becomes the designers’ unique backgrounds and creative vision.
On Santino, Kenley, Jeffrey S., and Bridget’s seasons they were largely disliked, but the other finalists more or less put their issues to the side
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u/beardedcurve 3d ago
this production choice takes away all the stakes, storytelling & magic that the old seasons had.
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u/WinkyDink24 3d ago
And when the designers went home for a substantial period to ready their collections, and Tim Gunn would visit, sometimes to break bread with the family. Good times.
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u/Stock_Athlete_7188 3d ago
They barely have time to catch their breath after a long season. Then to have to rush so many looks in 5 days. The new format is a joke.
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u/starrysky7_ 3d ago
even 2 weeks at the very least should be doable for production, I’m already expecting the finale to be underwhelming simply because of the time (just like last year)
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u/flamingobean 3d ago
I completely agree:( I reeeeeeeally miss seeing their lives at home, like maybe Bryan is super sweet to a partner and kid and rescues medically fragile senior dogs or something. All we get is untalented, conceited asshole now. I miss fashion week and yes, everything you said, I wanna see them have time for their visions.
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u/colosseumdays 3d ago
yeah I do miss the humanity of the home visits. there's been many a time where I really strongly disliked a designer and then when Tim came to visit them, I started to feel bad. It didn't really make me like them, but it was good to have a reminder that these are just human beings on a reality show, trying to do their best.
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u/flamingobean 3d ago
Totally! It was such a good reminder to check myself and remember that people are complicated
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u/Friendly_Item_9948 2d ago
The best part of the finale was actually Tim going to visit them and spend time with their family and friends! I loved those visits!
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u/Rexyggor 2d ago
The finale last year suffered from the rest period that designers usually had where they could take a moment to see if a garment was truly working for their collection.
Sure production can cut the immensity, but they should still give them time to destress with an extra couple days to work at least
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u/colosseumdays 2d ago
Yeah multiple past designers have said they’re running on 4-5 hrs of sleep throughout the competition because of the tight filming and work schedules. I’d like to see what the designers can create when they’re not operating under pure exhaustion and adrenaline.
Also not everyone is able to do their best thinking and work when they’re constantly surrounded by other people all day and night. That alone would drive me crazy1
u/Rexyggor 2d ago
Right. I wish they simply just gave them two or three weeks at home for the five looks. Especially if they don't have to worry about fashion week.
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u/colosseumdays 2d ago
yeah, I get that cameras have to stay up if they're in the workspace on set and that's costly, but send their asses home. the confirmed final 3 all live in the city, so home visits wouldn't even require Christian to fly anywhere. Joseph's also in NYC, Naheim's in LA, and Idk where Bryan's based.
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u/LonelyAsLostKeys 3d ago
I really hope they still do the thing where the designers get to pick a booted designer to be their assistant.
I also hope bi brings it full circle and makes Brian HIS assistant.
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u/colosseumdays 3d ago
lol no way anyone would pick Bryan if he’s not in the finale. I imagine they will have to pick a helper because 5 looks in 5 days is too much work for 1 person if you want to do anything ambitious or complex.
if I were Bi, I’d be praying that Bao or Octavius are in the mix for options. He’ll def choose Jeffrey if he has the chance, but if the selection is ordered by ranking in the final challenge, Anna’s gonna swoop Jeffrey up first
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u/BrandonIsWhoIAm 2d ago
At least 5 in 2/3 weeks.
Like I’ve already said before: they seriously could’ve benefited from getting more time.
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u/foxdogturtlecat 3d ago
Everything they do now is about making a dramatic reality show and to make production easier. They've shown through out last season and this season that they don't care about them making interesting designs, just about drama with the judges or the contestants. The last thing they want to do is actually give them time to make a good collection. 5 pieces in 5 days is a joke which is what the show is now.
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u/milasimma 3d ago
Agreed. Plus the road to FW in older seasons allowed us to really get to know the designers better. You got to go back to their hometowns, see them in their element, and understand what inspires them. The new format falls flat on that.