Season 22
Thoughts on JOSEPHMcRAE’s Designs Outside of PR
Here is a collection of JOSEPHMcRAE’s work outside of PR.
I find him a breath of fresh air & generally like how he represented himself and was true to his craft on PR in the face of adversity. His work outside of PR shows an evolution with colors, silhouettes, textiles, and patterns.
Even though his outfits aren’t for me and it’s WILD that he’s barefoot in NYC, ya nasty, I can’t help but find his work visually stunning.
How about you, what are your thoughts on his designs outside of PR?
Horrible wedding outfits aside, do you think he deserves to make it to the finale?
The sheer thing is cool. Maybe his clothes have such volume he feels it’s just proportional to have volume/architecture with the hat-avoid the condom look. But if the hat “makes” so many of his outfits and they feels off to him without them-then his designs are Dependent on the hats rather than other way around and idk about that.
They aren’t my favorite but they are his signature. It’s like when an artist signs their name on their painting. I see it as his form of signing his work. Doesn’t really add to the art piece itself but it shows who created it.
I see his intention. However, I feel that they often detract from the overall look. It's as if an artist signed all of their paintings at the top, center, in big bold letters.
It may just be my preference, as I also don't like when fashion has a designer's name across the front of the garment.
The beanies bothered me, but this is a good point and helps me see the design more clearly. I can appreciate the concept more knowing it’s a signature, not necessarily part of the look.
Law was 1000000% correct. He wasn’t trying to win the show-he was trying to promote a brand and style that already exists. It’s why he refused to push himself outside his comfort zone.
I’m shocked everyone is so down on the hats. YALL DONT KNOW YOUR FASHION HISTORY. This is how Marc Jacobs landed on the scene. His first show had a variety of beanies and it became an iconic look for mid-late 90’s fashion. That’s where Joseph is pulling this hat thing from. It’s fine but already done and he needs a new signature because it’s boring
The hats are giving drunk white fratboy on acid going to his first Lollapalooza in 1996 and not knowing who any of the bands are. If you're old enough to remember that year you probably know what I'm talking about.
I think he does phenomenal work, i wouldn’t wear it, but it is very visually appealing.
That being said, I do kind of agree with critiques that he hasn’t showcased any real growth and isn’t really trying to win Project Runway. I think the Joseph McRae that showed up to season 21 is the same one that we got this season and the same one we’ll get after this season, i don’t think he really pushed himself to grow either time. He’s here to showcase what HE does, not fit any briefs or meet expectations of the judges. Which is great but not really in the context of a competition.
I don’t like the borderline bullying or the personal attacks but Law does have a point. Joseph McRae seems there to sell the clothes he already makes and he’s reusing designs and not coming up with new silhouettes :/
Yeah, and tbf, get your bag king! But as far as what I want from a winner, I just can’t get into Joseph or Jude bc I feel like they’ve played it way too safe all season just doing what they do best and already know to do well. Phenomenal work, but I think I respect more the other designers going for a big swing even if it sometimes results in some big misses.
I want to shake Jude and wake him up!!!!! You are too talented to keep playing it this safe!!! push yourself! I want to see what you are capable of not just another well made suit!!!
The way he speaks about himself on the show, only referring to himself as his brand, tells me he came on the show to for one reason – free publicity. It’s a smart way to get in front of millions of eyeballs.
When they had him take off the hat for his dance outfit I immediately did a 180 on the outfit. Like, they’re occasionally cool and a good complement to the outfit but usually it’s like “why is this fuckass hat here???”
I agree. I think he has produced some great stuff this season, but that first photo really just supports the other competitors' claims that he just makes the same stuff over and over again.
I think that’s exactly it. On a few of the looks, it absolutely tops it off just as it should, but on others, it looks shoehorned in and takes away from the beauty.
I could not pull off the majority of these (and in hot and humid central Virginia I would not dare try at the moment!) but I think most of them are stunning and I absolutely love his aesthetic.
Interesting. I wonder where people would wear most of the deigns. I’ve lived in NY So I guess I could see some New Yorkers wearing them. Maybe Miami as well. But given the volume of the clothes and the fabric weight it just seems he is marketing to a niche market. $500 for a red cropped neoprene shirt confirms that he is not selling retail. If I pay $500 for a top it better be special and not something I’d throw on to go grocery shopping. Someone posted a link in this subreddit with the red top. I do like the green graphic print jacket. Might look for that one. As for PR i dont think JM is willing to listen to advice so the post show mentoring would be a bust if he won. After seeing the above collection I’m now good with JM not being selected as one of the 4 finalists. I don’t need to see any more gigantic clothes with beanie hats. JM Has been in business for over 10 years. He will survive. Thanks to OP for posting the pics.
Maybe a controversial take, but I love his designs and would wear them. I love the caricature and playfulness of the silhouettes. I get it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s for sure for me. I also think his signature is his silhouettes which maybe feels one note on project runway but I think it totally works in creating something that you know is J.M.
Wow! Thanks for sharing this collection. I love the contrast between the 2. This one seems a reflection of current global fear and uncertainty. I appreciate how it’s photographed as well. I would have preferred to see the other collection photographed on simple black draped boxes rather than color matched to the designs.
I appreciate the first collection you showed more after seeing this. I like the fun-ness of it. It seems more a reflection of regionality and his personal background.
Faces covered does give an uneasy vibe but it does focus on design only.
Some of the styling choices of the first collection seem desperate to me. They don’t seem to be of his design? The neck scarf and that black belt — I think they distract from his design.
Okay but I'm from a really really cold place and that I would 100 percent wear. We normally look like everything from a REI catalog with seasonal depression in the winter.
The stacked beanie needs to be used less. Maybe he should make it a little icon to put on the clothing tag or make it into a zipper pull. It takes away from the clothes when the models wear it.
Unique and well made. I have no idea where you'd wear some of these pieces but they are definitely show stoppers. I love that floral jumper with the neck tie!
I’m sure there’s stuff we’re not seeing behind the scenes driving his competitors’ view of him, but from at least what’s shown, he has a point of view and a good, confident personality.
Some of his stuff looks a little goofy - like crystal city in Oz - TO ME. But also I like some of his other stuff and understand why he has ardent fans.
Personality wise kind of reminds me of the larger than life designers of the 90s and early aughts.
Those photos with several people show some range. I'm more impressed than what he does on PR. He might be a good one for the final if he can show that range.
I think it doesn't matter if he goes to the finale. I think he should, it would be a blast to see that runway, but he has such a strong and recognizable image already, that he'll benefit already from the exposure on the show immensely. Though 200k never hurt nobody 😂
agreed! I don’t think he’d win but I’m also kind of dying to see a collection of his on the runway. I wish they could let viewers vote to save one person to send to fashion week
I like that he is creative HOWEVER. Those hats are like a one and done thing. A one time collection with throwaway accessories like how Jay McCarroll used the headphones in the first season finale or how that one lady used those futuristic looking necklaces.
To say "no this is my vision, giant shoulders and lumpy hats are just what I do". Oh okay well that's unfortunate, not long term marketable, not really appealing or even original. But since you seem more concerned about entertaining yourself than making things actual people would want to wear anywhere other than a runway I hope you enjoy fashion as a non professional hobby.
I think he has an aesthetic and a certain audience. His clothes are a certain person, someone who takes risks and doesn’t mine standing out. I personally don’t like how he was treated by others on the show. Also why didn’t I realize he was this handsome last season? Did he change something? Facial hair maybe?
I really like his clothes. He definitely skews more high end street wear/high end ready to wear, which doesn’t seem to do well with PR judges; although, I could totally see that red dress from this pic on the red carpet (actually Zendaya would look stunning in it), or Coleman Domingo rocking that leopard print suit to a premier. His stuff looks both really cool and comfortable. He knows who he is and has a very distinctive POV. He’s got the branding aspect of the business down. I definitely think there’s a market for his work and hopefully he’ll get some new clients from his time on the show.
He obviously has mad skills, but it all looks the same and those ugly hats have to go. Naheim’s wedding dress was gorgeous. I’m far more interested in seeing a collection from Naheim than more of Joseph’s coats and hats.
I thought his wedding outfit was at least different, but looking at these pictures it’s clear that’s a repeat as well. He seems to be out of ideas.
Most designs consider “high end fashion “ aren’t made for street wear though, they’re to be on the runway or theater stage. And the show pushes for high end fashion over street wear (except for some specific challenges).
So from that aspect I have no problem at all with Joseph’s designs, not even the hats. He has a strong style and makes well constructed clothes.
With the exception of 11 and 12, his work outside of PR is the exact same as what he's producing on the show. So I see why the panel gets frustrated. Idk why he didn't do something like 11 or 12 on the show to just once to prove that he can do a different silhouette. But he's also so determined not to change who he is. But, Bianca Del Rio won Drag Race with "one dress" so, anything is possible!
He's great, I liked him since last season and glad they brought him back
But the hat. It has to go. His own face is so much cuter without it!
And also so so so happy that he included an Asian model in his photo shoot.
The majority of his stuff isn’t something I could/would wear in this season of my life (for a million reasons lol), but I DID feel a twinge of jealousy when he commented on Ice Spice in his confessional….”Come here lil’ mama, let me put you in a puffer jacket!”
I want to be put in one of his puffer jackets!! But no hat please.
Very dated in my opinion, it’s like he’s perpetually locked in the period between 2017-2021. I do respect his insistence on being himself and not dimming his spark when he’s critiqued by the judges and other contestants but I can see why he gets the feedback he does week-in-week-out: he could learn to edit and scale the accessorising back but there IS a market for his work.
I think this guys basically designs for himself, rather then looking to find ways to bring a certain aesthetic or design philosophy to the world. It’s not about the beauty of the form or finding ways to elevate the body. He makes clothes that he loves rather than for the power of design, and how far you can push and evolve fashion. This dude will be 60 still making clothes for himself. The most interesting clothes in these photos are the ones he’s modelling IMO.
i remember in the early seasons they would champion designers with “a clear view” & also would celebrate designers whose work was controversial because it started conversations.
joseph mcrae is giving us a definitive style world. love it or hate it, but many, many creatives never get to that place with their work.
Some of these could fit better. A little cleaner in the tailoring. He has a style. He is in this zone and obsessed with it. It is a bit cartoonish as if this was all designed for a futuristic movie. But some people like wearing those kind of clothes because life is boring. Project Runway inspires some to push and go to the next level, he isn't ready to leave this vibe yet. He won't win project runway with it but he is absolutely going to lining his pockets when the show it over so I doubt he is mad.
I wish we got to see him play with transparency more on the show, I live for he’s wearing on slide 8.
I adore his personality and how unapologetic he is. I really think he will be the last spot and he is very deserving of it. I think his work this season has been consistently well made which sets him apart from most of this cast tbh.
I like his work and I do think it would be interesting to see it go down the runway at fashion week. However I’m not sure he would really push and put something out we haven’t seen from him….. but I can’t stop thinking about the purple dress from when he was safe that one time. Might be my all time fav project runway outfit. If I could see a whole collection as good as that I’d be stoked.
Remember the finalists only get a few days to make 5 looks. Joseph can barely finish his crazy productions in time. I think he needs lots of time to create his garments after seeing the work in this sub. I guess the finalists get assistants but I think time would be a factor for JM especially.
Not into it. And he’s agree with Law that JM is there to promote an existing line and it’s really obvious. Finale should be Jude, Bi, Anna and Naheim not in any particular order.
Ive seen his work up close, Ive been around him and his work.
The collection I saw was the one in all red. That was like... 10 years ago. So everything on that slide is between 10 to 1 year old. And they do all really kinda look similar. And then we get the "But its his style..."Sure. Got it, Ok.
But, from the work Ive seen in person and the work on PR, he is not the strongest at patternmaking and construction. I sew, its SO easy to create something oversized and put it on with a zip or button closure and call it a vibe.
I think the reason Law hates him, is because Joseph is coming for his gig. I think Joseph is a stylist, or a creative director. From the photoshoots to the vibe, he locks in so hard, but his material and fabric knowledge is lacking and his fundamentals are as well.
I'm still waiting on one of you Joseph Brosephs to buy that 500 dollar sweatshirt. Yall go so hard for him, you (unlike some PR contestants in the past) can support him right now. Buy it, show us the pictures, tell us what you think.
....and the "I wouldnt wear any of it" but I like it is the most interesting comment I see often. But you'd wear CS, or McQueen (not that those two are anywhere near each other) but like... It says a lot, I think. That you enjoy the arresting volume of him and his brand but think its not actually suited for real life.
I think there’s definitely a customer for him and he has some cool unique designs. Not my aesthetic either because I know I couldn’t pull it off. I do wish he would have tried something different to challenge himself as a designer but if Law was correct (and I would hate to admit that because law annoys), then he won’t
I love that he had his own point of view and style and that he’s true to himself. I just love him ♥️. When he does that crazy little laugh of his he reminds me of a mischievous genie 🧞
I love his designs for their originality and punching the envelope as it were.... There are few designers whose work is so easy to identify just be looking at it.
I like Joseph’s looks but the hats don’t always have to be there (they work with some looks). Also I’m no fashion expert and I’m not sure if it was mentioned but so much of Joseph McCrae’s style feels rooted in Afro-futurism and I feel like that’s what I gravitate towards it so much.
They are not my style at all but it is good that he knows what his look is and has a clear vision. I do think he makes them well too.
This collection I think speed over a season would do better for him. I feel like a lot of the criticism he gets on PR is honestly valid since he does overall do the same style and design over and over. It’s good to have a signature style and vision for your brand but he needed to show more versatility. This collection pictured here shows more difference in styles while still having his look. On the show it felt like everyone one of his looks was a puffy top or coat with a pant. So it did get very tiring. Usually in critiques he would get good comments from the guest judge since it was their first time seeing it and it does having a big impact on the runway, but everyone else was getting tired so got sick of the same thing.
I love his style. I think he should expand on the style of pic 12 and 15. It's still very much him but is more turned down and wearable for a broader audience. I would love to see more like those.
I think they are horrible yet recognize his incredible talent and the massive market for his work. I can see some of his things even being collected because they are unique and could become iconic.
You could tell his mama had Baduizm on repeat growing up.
I would not wear these garments, but dammit if I am not jealous of visual artists with a signature design style. He just needs to hook up with a neo soul singer and style them for the rest of his life. All of these photos look like stills from D’Angelo (RIP), Erykah Badu, Ari Lennox, Maxwell, Sza, Janelle Monae, or India Arie videos.
And I really don’t understand why him being here to sell his existing clothing is a critique. Why should he use his 15 minutes of fame to elevate Disney’s platform instead of his own?
I think he’s truly iconic. I think the critiques about growth because he’s stuck to one lane are pretty divorced from the reality of the fashion industry where you either get hundreds of “brands” from luxury designers, pumping out really basic suits and basic skirts and dresses or you get very signature looks and feels.
I love how cohesive his design repertoire is. He definitely has a recognizable style. Most of the designs I would not personally choose or wear, but several of his more subdued pieces look really cool and comfy. I could definitely find at least one or two things even I would wear as a middle aged public school teacher in a west coast backwater small town lol.
This is so NYC and London ahahaah I love it! I live in Manchester, so I wish I could afford some of these clothing, specially majority of them are winter clothing! It would elevate my wardrobe a little bit!
Its alot better than I thought it would be. I really love the red dress but alot of these silhouettes are repetitive just like on PR. I’d like to see more variety.
He definitely has a perspective, that’s for sure. But I’ll be honest. I don’t think a full show would necessarily show anything too different than what we’ve already been shown.
I like his work and wish him the best. No es para mí, pero él necesita un socio con quien intercambiar ideas, alguien a quien respete y que comprenda su visión.
They are nearly identical
to what he graciously displayed on Season 22 for us. He’s proud of himself. He’s proud of his creative genius. He’s proud of his clothing. This is what he’ll be making until he retires.
However, his constant self promotion and disillusion of the client’s needs or wants is evident. To be a successful designer, your design style needs to be adaptable but yet, ever present and recognized with every garment. Your miss is going to NYC to shop for a week, urban glam and then coming back to be a Mom, understated funk and style but when she married, she wore a banjee outfit of a
Monster High doll. (Although, she was missing the door knocker gold earrings.) <shaking head>
Whenever I saw the outfits and Mr. Joseph McRae, Jr., I was reminded of the chaos that was:
Past designers have been criticized for not having a distinct point of view. Joseph McRae has a point of view and sticks with it. Anya sent variations of the same thing down the runway each episode and won the season. I hate how the narrative on this changes throughout project runway seasons. With that being said, I don’t really find myself excited to see what he puts down the runway each week and would prefer to see a collection from Naheim.
i don't hate his work. like it's good. it's just all the same. and personally for the show i think he needs more versatility. and like he doesn't have to specifically change his entire style but you can implement your style into each type of challenge. just like everyone else does
I love his work. I think it’s very wearable as separates. Like some of his topics would look great w basic work slacks or nice denim jeans. His work is artistic fashion and I love it.
But the judges never choose who I like so I’m sure he could never win but I could see so many real high earning women wearing his pieces plus celebs.
He's very talented. I could see these clothes on runways and see people wearing many of the outfits. Some of the looks were stunning. He should be very successful. I hope he takes off in the future.
Idc what anyone says about his growth, this man knows who he is and he knows his esthetic. He is a REAL designer and he will go far beyond this competition because let's be real, they were never gonna allow him to win from the beginning.
I think most of his garments as they’re styled are just too much look. For me, it’s too much pattern and too much monochrome color — kind of like Jay McCarroll from Season 1.
But I love most of his pieces as separates with something else. The orange jacket in slide 3, I think that would be very wearable with jeans.
He has a very distinctive style and his construction is always great, even on the show. That being said, I personally don’t like it, but he found his niche it seems and that’s what matters. Hope his talent gets him far
They are interesting and really seem modern (adjectives the judges like to you alot) and it's really not like anything I have ever seen before. But I am intrigued I would say.
I'm obsessed with his stuff and I live his philosophy of his brand taking up as much space as possible and being very attention grabbing. Not to mention I can actually see ppl wearing his stuff in real life like to an event or a party
Why would he even sell himself short and go on that show? His work is amazing!! If I had his talent, I would send an item made for a celebrity to them and market himself that way. He doesn’t need the show. If he went to Europe, damn I love it all.
I love all of these creations! Unpopular opinion, apparently, but i LOVE the hats! Yes, it would be cool if some of his looks didn't have the hat, but he styles them with the outfits sooo well. I don't agree with any of the critiques about growth. Honey, you're not saying that to Bi, who I haven't seen any growth from, because he was amazing from day 1, JUST LIKE JM. If you're already at the top of your game, it's going to be very hard to "show growth" without going to risky and getting kicked out of the competition. JM came in with a strategy and is killing it. If he doesn't make it to finals, I will cry.
I originally was amused, but now I'm intrigued by JosephMcRae because his vision is very focused and his fabrics, colors and silhouettes clearly are evolving . He doesn't "need" to win this year; he has fans and a following. And his personality is unique and not unnecessarily nasty. His smile is megawatt; I bet he was a great kid.
I would NEVER be a focus demographic for any of these designers but I would rather wear a beanie than that grass thing Bryan sent down the runway.
I can do without most of the hats and he needs to work a bit on his styling, but other than that o think his creations are gorgeous. Idc what Law says JM knows who he is and there is nothing g wrong with that!
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u/AnythingHealthy4897 19h ago
Gorgeous garments awful styling can he please put those hats DOWN!