Next In Fashion: The Blob

The Concept:
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Netflix’s answer to people who want more Project Runway and more Queer Eye. They are obviously trying to separate themselves from Project Runway but the basis premise is the same: grab some designers, give them some challenges, put on some fashion shows. Next In Fashion has its own light-hearted tone. Tan France, who is well known as the fashion guy of the Fab Five in Queer Eye, with his cohost Alexa Chung are very playful and keep the whole show fun. They keep talking about wanting to find the next big treads and fashionable ideas but either I’m very out of touch (which could be) or there wasn’t much boundary pushing with those design concepts. 

​The Good:
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• The hosts worked really well together and seemed to be having genuine fun.
• No drama between the designers. The focus was on the designs so no dumb infighting, everyone seemed to get along.
• So many different accents! The contestants are from all over the world.
• The set! The sound stage they used meant they created a new catwalk for each show. The use of projectors on the floor itself and different props really added a feel of theatre to it.
• The tongue in cheek use of pushing its bingeablity through end of show instructions from the hosts was fun

The Bad:
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• Please tell me 'extended sizes/models' isn't really a thing. I'm a fat girl and I wear plus size clothes. I'm not extended... who thought of this? 
• The first half of the show is all team challenges. The contestants are paired off and stay in the same pair until half the people are gone. There are some contestants who just don’t get to show what they can do.
• For a show that knows a majority of it viewers will be bingeing, it spends too much time going over the same background and showing the same pictures for some of the contestants.
• A cellphone brand is sponsoring this show but I’m not sure which one. There were really weird moments of the contestants using the phones to take pictures or when one guy’s phone had a low battery so another contestant showed him how to use the charge from his phone. I feel it would have been better to just have the brand name/logo randomly placed throughout the room.
• The fashion. At least 3 different designs included what looked like a plastic bag wrapped around the model, also is baggy in now? So many wide legged pants and oversized dresses and jackets. Not once was there a comment about enhancing a person’s shape. Seems next in fashion is to look like a blob.

To watch or not to watch:

Do you enjoy Project Runway? Do you enjoy Queer Eye? Then you’ll enjoy this. Best to watch with someone who can be judgy and have fun picking apart the judges opinions and the fashions on the show. Also be prepared for so much name dropping. Might be a fun drinking game: every time a celebrity is mentioned, take a drink! 

Last thought:

I like Project Runway better. I’m looking forward to Making the Cut which is Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn’s new show on Prime.

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