02x01 - Royalty

[bunniefuu]

["This Is My Time"
by Tristan Ivemy playing]

[Tan] Next in Fashion...

♪ This is my time
This is my time coming... ♪

-[steam hissing]
-I think the competition's started.

[Tan] ...is back.

-We demand cutting-edge design...
-[crowd cheering and applauding]

Oh my gosh!

[Tan] ...technical excellence...

Iconic. Agh!

[Tan] ...and artistic perfection.

I don't know what you're talking about,
Tan France. Fashion should be fun.

["Go Ahead Now" by Henry Richard playing]
♪ My, my, my oh my... ♪

[Tan] Oh, and she's here as well.

What on earth are you wearing?

[laughs] This way. This... Come on, G.

[Gigi] I just ripped my pants.

Come on in.

[Gigi] Twelve of the most talented
up-and-coming designers

from across the nation...

[Tan] ...will be put to the test...

Recycled fashion.

-Swimwear!
-Swimwear!

-[designer] Flowers and plants.
-I feel like Edward Scissorhands.

[Gigi] ...to create the next...

[Tan] ...iconic trends in fashion.

-I like everything about this outfit.
-Yeah.

♪ Wake up ♪

-[Gigi] All under the watchful eyes...
-[Tan] ...of fashion royalty.

It's everything. I love it.

I wanna wear this.

I want you to make all my clothes.

-[Gigi] And in the end...
-[Tan] ...one designer...

-[Gigi] ...will win a life-changing prize.
-[Jason] You blew my mind.

This is next in fashion.

♪ Don't go, don't go... ♪

Wow. Wow. Wow.

["Ain't Taking Prisoners"
by Lee Richardson playing]

♪ Nobody can stop this... ♪

Ooh! Wow.

-Look at this. This is crazy.
-[designers cheer and laugh]

[designer] Oh my gosh!

I'm Godoy. I'm from Inglewood, California.

I design for drag queens. I make it all.

Swimsuits to evening gowns.

They're all high fashion, next in fashion.

-[designers laughing]
-Oh my God! [laughs]

♪ Winning is my signature
Yeah, I ain't taking prisoners... ♪

[designer] Oh my God!

I'm Eliana Batsakis.

I am 24 years old,
and I'm from Cincinnati, Ohio.

I actually just started sewing
four years ago.

-I'm a little nervous, but that's okay.
-I'm a bit nervous, but I feel ready.

Looking around at the competition,
you know, it's kind of intimidating

because, like, so many people
have such amazing experience.

I just know that I have this talent
and this calling to be a fashion designer.

Oh, guys. Oh my gosh.

[energizing music playing]

[designer] Oh my God!

♪ You know I'm a star
You know I'm a star... ♪

That walk!

[designers cheering and applauding]

-Hi, guys!
-Hello, everyone! Hi, guys!

-[designers] Hi!
-Look how cute they are!

-You're all so cute.
-[designers laughing and cheering]

Welcome, designers!

Hi!

You are all here for one reason,
and one reason only,

to claim the title of Next in Fashion.

[laughs] Woop woop!

First up, I'd like to introduce you
to supermodel, style icon, designer,

and all-around fashion force,

you know who it is, it's Gigi Hadid!

[designers cheering]

I don't know about the rest,
but you got my name right, for sure,

and I'm so excited
to be here with you guys.

And if you don't know me,
my name is Tan France.

We have searched far and wide

for 12 of the most exciting,
innovative designers.

Together, you represent
the best and brightest

of the future of fashion.

We're not looking
for what was yesterday in fashion

or what is now in fashion.

Pay attention to the title, people.
Fashion moves fast, right?

-We're looking for the nextin fashion.
-Amen.

That's right. Some of you have attended
prestigious fashion schools,

and some of you
are completely self-taught.

The only thing that matters
is what you send down our gorgeous runway.

Courtney, tell us about yourself.

-So I am from the Bronx, New York.
-Okay!

And I am a plus-size womens-wear designer,

and I couldn't afford to go to school,
so I taught myself.

-Yay! We love self-taught!
-[Courtney laughs]

Okay, what's your story, Deontré?

I'm from the nation's capital,
Washington, DC.

I went to school
in San Francisco, California,

at the Academy of Art University.

Unfortunately, I didn't get to finish,
but I'm here to claim my prize.

-Yes! We love a confident one.
-[Gigi] I know.

[laughs]

-But to be honest...
-[Tan] Yes.

-...everything before doesn't matter.
-Mm-mm.

What happens here

is what's gonna determine
which of your lives changes dramatically.

But only one of you
will be next in fashion,

and that designer
will win something incredibly special.

-Ready for it?
-[designers] Yes.

Rent the Runway,
the premier fashion destination

serving up the hottest designs and trends
in a more sustainable, affordable way,

will award the winner
of Next in Fashion$200,000.

-[designers cheering]
-I know! Isn't that so impressive?

-[designer] Ah!
-[designer] Two hundred thousand dollars.

So I have a job in fashion,

but my bigger dreams
are to work for myself.

I don't be wanting to work for the man,
so I need the coins.

That's not all. The winning designer
will also be given the opportunity

where people everywhere will be able
to rent and buy your gorgeous designs.

I'm so ready. Are you guys ready?

-[all] Yes!
-[Gigi] You're ready. Okay.

Good! Because right through there
is your state-of-the-art workroom.

[exciting music playing]

[designers] Ooh!

[cheering]

Everything that you will need
is in that workroom.

You guys just need to bring
the show-stopping designs.

-[Tan] Yes.
-Are you ready for your first challenge?

-[all] Yes!
-[designers laughing]

This challenge is all about
one of the most noble fashion influences.

[rolling R] Royalty, darling.

-[designers cheering]
-[Tan laughing]

-Oh, you are ready.
-Yes, darling.

-[laughing] You were born ready!
-[designers laughing]

-Yes.
-[Tan] Born ready.

For this challenge, we want you all
to design your version of royalty.

Now, you might be inspired by lords,
emperors, pharaohs of the past, of course,

but there's hip-hop royalty,
drag royalty, Hollywood royalty,

from Princess Diana to Queen Bey.

It's all about who yourking and queen is.

[Tan] Helping us judge your royal looks

will be one of the most respected stylists
in the fashion world.

His clients include Angelina Jolie,
Serena Williams, Yara Shahidi.

The super-talented stylist, Jason Bolden.

What?!

-[designers oohing]
-I love him!

-Yes, Amari! I love that you love him.
-I love him.

-Special, right?
-He's great.

-And... [exhales]
-Yes?

For your very first challenge,
you will also be judged

by actual fashion royalty.

-Breathe. Just breathe. No, you can do it.
-[inhales] I can't.

A designer, a true icon.

-Donatella Versace, people!
-[designers gasp and cheer in awe]

[designer 1] Oh my God!

[designer 2] Get outta here!

From Milano.

-She's coming. Oh my God! Oh my God!
-[cheering]

It's insane.

Are you kidding me?

I never thought in a million years

that Donatella would see something
I created go down the runway.

The pressure is on,

but if you don't have pressure,
you can't make diamonds,

and I'm a diamond, baby,
so bring all the pressure. I'm ready.

[Gigi] For this first challenge,

you will each need to present
one royalty-inspired look.

We want to see you guys run regal
and conquer this challenge,

but you don't have long.

Just eight hours today
and a few more tomorrow,

right before your kings and queens
will walk down this very runway.

[designer 4] Holy sh*t.

I can't. That's not enough. Oh no!

Whoever creates the most impressive look
will be crowned the winner.

And whoever comes up short,

unfortunately, will be given the, uh...
The royal wave.

-[designers laugh]
-[Tan] Goodbye.

The winner of the first challenge
will earn themselves a big advantage

in the next one.

So bring your A-game.

Are you all ready?

-[all] Yes!
-♪ On your feet... ♪

Okay, your first
Next in Fashionchallenge starts...

♪ On your feet... ♪

-Now!
-Go!

[designers screaming]

Make us proud!

♪ Ready, set go!
Ready, set, go! Ready, set, go! ♪

♪ You know, you know we got the fire... ♪

-♪ I am here ♪[laughs]
-Oh, wow. I wanna make royalty fun.

-Gotta go big.
-[Megan] Yeah.

What are you doing?

I'm, like, stuck between,
like, hip-hop and rock, for sure.

♪ 'Cause we got the, we got the ♪

♪ We got the fire... ♪

-[designer] Oh.
-♪ Fire! ♪

-G, first challenge.
-I know.

-Excited?
-So I'm so excited. It's my first day.

-It is!
-It's my first day at my first job.

-Are you enjoying your...
-Not my first job.

My first day at my new job.
I think it's such a good first challenge.

A great first challenge. Royalty.

-Right?
-Yes, perfect.

[Bao] Yeah. That is royal.

I really hope that they each take
their choice of royalty

from something personal
and that they make something

that we can use to learn about them.

I wanna do something hip-hop.

-Yeah, totally.
-[Deontré] Um, I'm a streetwear designer.

I'm a little bit inspired
by Wu-Tang Clan, so...

I think I'mma do, uh, Bianca Jagger.

-RuPaul.
-[Nigel] Yo.

-[Godoy] Mother Almighty.
-You gotta show up.

What I'm hoping is that
no matter what their signature style is,

that they find a way to pump it up
and really make it look extra.

-It would shine so good on a runway.
-[Godoy] Do it.

Just from a glance,
I see, like, four golds.

[Desyrée] Right.

But I need Donatella gold. [laughs]

And the pressure's on
'cause Donatella's coming.

What are you thinking?

-When I heard the word "royalty"...
-Mm-hmm.

...I thought of my queen,
mother to us all, Beyoncé.

But not going the literal,

like, what she would perform in
or wear on the red carpet.

I'm thinking, like,
how her music makes me feel,

and what does that look like
in, like, garment form?

[James] Yeah.

[Courtney] My design is
a plunging-V dress.

My fabric is floral
in her signature yellow

with silver shimmer to it.

Beyoncé can't be looking dull.
She has to be bright and effervescent.

Hopefully.

So I have to do yellow.

That's her color.

-♪ You gotta feel it... ♪
-[Amari] I love this.

What would Nefertiti wear?

♪ You gotta feel it... ♪

I want extra. I want beauty. I want regal.
I want opulence. I want everything.

What do you want?

I want lunch.

For my design, I wanted to kind of play
on the form of a traditional royal gown,

but adding in some, like, 1970s elements

because I am doing disco royalty Abba.

So I wanna create
a lot of volume on the form,

insert some kind of '70s parts,
like a collar, some patchwork, ruffles.

I think I have enough time to get it done.
I believe in myself. I can do it. [laughs]

Vintage style definitely comes out
in my design.

The silhouettes, the fabrics.

My journey in fashion really started
when I was about ten years old.

You know, I started sewing
on my gram's machine.

I have so much fun designing.

But in school, I had a lot of crits

that made me feel like I didn't have
a place in the fashion industry,

that no one would ever buy my things.

There's no market. There's no customer.

I mean, I put out some crazy stuff,

but my style is what got me here
in the first place,

and I feel like that is Next in Fashion.

You know, Next in Fashion
is fun and a unique perspective.

I'm super curious. What are you doing?

It's Guanyin. Literally,
she was, like, my idol growing up.

I mean, she's so famous
in the Asian world,

and she's actually known
as the fertility goddess.

I'm also doing a goddess,
but Greek mythology.

I'm Greek, so I thought
it was, like, a fun way

to get in touch with my heritage,
and so I'm doing the goddess of the sea.

She is Poseidon's wife,
which nobody knows.

-Everyone knows Poseidon...
-Now they will.

They will. She's having her moment.

-Love our goddess energy here. [laughs]
-I know, right?

[laughs] This is the little goddess table.

-[Gigi] Deontré!
-Oh my God.

-[Tan] Hello, mate.
-What a pleasant surprise!

[Gigi] So different than everything else.

I definitely wanna stand out,
so that's why I chose hip-hop.

The look that I'm gonna be creating
is baggy pants, detailed and pleated,

and I wanna tie it more
into the royalty side

with, like, a lot of gold
and a black puffer coat.

[Gigi] I would love to see something
in this puffer jacket

where the proportions are very extreme,

whether that's, like,
the end of the sleeve, you know,

bringing it back to royal and...

-Yeah. Exaggerated.
-Gotcha.

Is this stuff you typically make?

Yeah. So I'm a streetwear designer,
and I've been doing this for 12 years.

My brand, Hoodlum,
specializes in menswear.

You can definitely find a lot of oversized
hoodies, sweatpants, and puffer coats.

-That's my signature thing.
-Yeah.

Menswear, streetwear,

a lot of oversized proportions
and stuff like that.

-That's what I love.
-[Gigi] I'm so excited you're going...

-Yes, that route.
-...your way.

-[laughs]
-♪ You go for it... ♪

My design is RuPaul in the future, now,
whenever she wants to wear it, honestly.

Just wear it, Ru.

A great portion of my clients
are drag queens, and...

[scoffs] ...it says it all
in the name, "queen."

RuPaul is thequeen.

So I'm making a corseted top,
full column gown.

The focal point are the shoulders
because that screams royalty.

I strive for perfection and drama,
and that's what I'm gonna give you.

I'm feeling good.
Actually, no, I'm scared as hell.

My vision for this challenge
is singer and dancer Josephine Baker.

She's glamour, she's luxe.

So I'm making a draped skirt,
a bra-bustier top dripped in rhinestones.

Right now, I am beading my top.

This is crucial.

The top is gonna
make or break me. [chuckles]

[Desyrée] So right now,
I'm working on a suit.

It's inspired by Bianca Jagger.

So I primarily focus on menswear.

So I'm going to construct a trouser.

I wanna have some type of flair
because I am playing off the rock aspect.

I'm thinking about playing with creams,

and I kind of wanna drape
this silk fabric.

Something that just gives
that pop that I need.

[peppy music playing]

When it comes to scissors,
threads, and fabric, I'm making magic.

Okay.

Dude, I'm too short for my mannequin.

Oh my gosh, what are you working on?

-I chose J.Lo.
-She's your muse.

-Yes, she's Latin American royalty.
-[Amari] Right.

[Usama] I'm going for a long-sleeve dress
with a straight-cut skirt,

and I'm gonna add a lot of zippers
to give it that luxe effect.

And also, I'm making,
like, strong shoulders

'cause that's what I usually do
for my brand.

-That's your aesthetic.
-So... That's my aesthetic.

I consider myself sexy,

so I show that in my designs.

[shutter clicking]

[Usama] I grew up
in a very strict household in Venezuela.

I was never really able to express myself,

so I decided to move
into the United States

to pursue my dream
of being a fashion designer.

Welcome to my space.

Now I love myself for who I am,

and I actually reflect that
in my design aesthetic.

Bold, modern, edgy.

I'm fearless.

I wanted some zipper, like, details,
and this is giving me zipper,

so I think this is looking
exactly how I wanted it.

[hip hop music playing]

Designers, you're halfway through day one!

-How do you feel?
-Not good.

We just need some music.

[upbeat music playing]

[sewing machine humming]

-[Eliana] Sorry.
-[Amari] Oh! Booty bumping!

[both laugh]

So my inspiration
is the one and only Harry Styles.

So I want to make something
that he would wear on tour.

I'm gonna go with a tuxedo jacket,

a satin belt that matches the collar,

and some high-waisted
pleated-front trousers.

I like my plan. It's pretty ambitious.

I figure if I only have one shot at this,

I'm gonna try to make a suit
right out of the gate.

My design style
is sort of like preppy sportswear,

but for suiting.

So I try to make suits
and make 'em fun again.

I feel I'm already behind.

I wanna start getting
at least the jacket started.

That's what I'm gonna start with,
the jacket and the front pieces.

I've had a pretty atypical journey
in fashion.

I grew up on job sites.
My dad had his own construction business.

I was like,
"I wanna learn welding and carpentry."

I worked as an engineer for four years.

I was good at it. I just...
I didn't wanna build buildings anymore.

I had a good eye for shape and texture,

so I started working in fashion.

I was obsessed with it.

Like, it just checked all the boxes.

I hope this pattern, like, connects
'cause I didn't measure anything.

[laughs]

-[Qaysean] There we go.
-Hi, Qaysean.

-[Tan] Hello, dear.
-Hello, Gigi. Hello, Tan.

So I'm definitely bringing gold,
so Nefertiti is my inspiration.

I'm obsessed with Egyptian culture.

Whenever I think about Nefertiti,
I immediately think of gold,

so I'm definitely gonna create
a futuristic silhouette

by creating what I call a caged look.

-So what are you making it out of?
-This is, like, a coated denim.

-It's a hard fabric if it's not...
-...ex*cuted well.

-Can I ask something?
-Yes.

I've noticed that you're using
only one hand to work.

When I was born, I had an injury at birth.

Growing up, I was always singled out
as the handicapped kid.

The disability that I have
is called Erb's palsy.

It's limited function in my left arm.

I'm unable to feel, really, in my fingers.

But I always had a bigger vision
for where I was at.

So during my high school years,

I started to work
for the Boys & Girls Club,

and we produced a fashion show
just to entertain the kids.

[empowering music playing]

It activated a sense of purpose.

For the first time ever,
I was recognized for me

and not because I was a guy
with a disability.

Now people call me
"the one-hand sewing man."

'Cause I literally create
all the fire pieces.

-Amazing.
-Gotta get it done.

We'll leave you to it,
so we don't bug you anymore.

-Thank you so much. Good luck.
-Thank you so much.

Right now, I'm feeling a little bit torn
because after talking with Tan and Gigi,

I realized that the material could
possibly not lay on the body perfectly.

This material is tough as hell.

This denim fabric is really hard to drape.

Things are crooked,
and things are just, like, moving,

and I can't pin it in place.

Don't get frustrated.

However, I just have to really
just trust my instinct right now

and drape it on the dress form

and hope and pray to God
that this lays nicely on the model.

Not going through this fabric
the way I want.

I think I'll be good.
I think, honestly, I'll be good.

-Um...
-♪ And I'm doing just fine ♪

♪ Had to do it for myself
I did that... ♪

[James] sh**t. I just broke a needle.

I don't have the sewing experience
the other folks have,

so this could be a huge barrier for me.

Thread the needle, James.
Thread the needle.

By the way, Donatella Versace
is gonna be taking a look at your work.

Donatella Versace has no business
looking at these seams. [chuckles]

No business.

But I am really good
at creative direction.

I think my designs are really fresh
and taken from a place of fun.

Guys, don't forget to have fun, okay?

-[designer] "Don't forget to have fun"?
-[laughs]

Don't... Don't forget to have fun!

-Hello, Usama.
-[Usama] Hi!

-[Gigi] How's it going?
-Hi! What's your reference point?

I chose Latin American royalty,
and my icon is J.Lo.

So I'm designing it see-through
with cutouts.

Uh, what are the elements you're adding
that are gonna make it look really royal?

So, for me, the royal touch
is actually the high shoulder pads...

-Okay.
-...the mix of, like, gold with black.

Is there something
that you can exaggerate more

or make it more...

-Regal!
-Okay.

I wanna add one thing.
Right now, it's a gorgeous dress.

-However, it's looking a little Balmain.
-[Usama] I will keep that in mind.

-[Gigi] I just wanna make sure we see you.
-Yeah.

-Thank you.
-We'll see you soon.

So after hearing this,
I feel a little bit torn and insecure.

So Tan and Gigi
said it looks like Balmain.

I definitely do not want Donatella,
or anyone, to tell me

that my design
looks like designed by another designer,

so I have to rethink the design now.

So I'm literally cutting off the sleeves,
like, the whole bolero top,

and then I'm gonna
reuse the sleeves as gloves.

[energizing music playing]
♪ Stickin' to the plan ♪

♪ Stickin' to the plan... ♪

-[music fades]
-[both mimicking funfair]

All hail the royal clock!

-You have one hour left of day one!
-Of day one!

[energizing music continues]

I just realized
that the bottom half of my girl

ain't got nothing on.

That's also very drag, you know?

But we're not gonna do that
for Mama Ru, okay.

We're gonna give her
somethin' on the bottom.

[Bao] This is chiffon,
so I'm hand-draping it on

to feel like water on her body

'cause that's, like, her whole vibe.

-G?
-[Gigi] Yeah?

Wanna tell me how you're feeling?
Should we start with...

[inhales]
...um, Deontré? Thoughts.

[Gigi] It's really cool.
I think the proportions are spot on.

-Does it feel royal?
-[Gigi] I think it does.

-I think it's hip-hop royalty for sure.
-[Tan] Agreed, agreed.

Okay, uh, Megan.

It's definitely bold.

I've got a feeling people
are gonna love it or hate it, but...

-That's what I want.
-That's what we want.

I love this jacket.
I think it's really cool.

So I'm gonna be happy
just if it gets done.

James, I hate to say, might be in trouble.

Royal is here, and James is here,
and his look is here,

and he needs to bring both of those here.

Okay. [breathes out]

[breathing heavily]
It's not as bad as I thought. Okay.

-[Tan] Qaysean.
-Difficult material.

And it could lean into trashy real easy.

-[Gigi] Like Egyptian Elvis.
-[Tan] Costume, no.

-Usama?
-Usama is in big trouble.

Big trouble. Even if you took away
that it's a copy of somebody else's dress,

Usama isn't giving us royalty.
He's giving us a lovely red-carpet dress.

But I think, overall,

we've got some fantastic, fantastic looks
Donatella's gonna be impressed by.

-She's gonna love them. I'm super excited.
-Yes.

-I wish I was a little further, honestly.
-[sighs]

-Ay-ay-ay.
-♪ I do what I do... ♪

♪ Yes, I be who I be ♪

♪ I live how I live ♪

♪ Because I see what I see ♪

♪ 'Cause I know, 'cause I know this song ♪

Okay, designers, it is the end of the day.
Tools down, everyone!

-[Bao] Oh my God!
-[Amari] We made it.

So get some rest. Tomorrow is
your very first Next in Fashionrunway.

Good night!

[designer 1 sighs] Bye!

-[designer 2] See ya.
-Bye, guys!

[Godoy laughs]

-Congratulations. Your first day's done!
-Thanks! First day!

[upbeat music playing]
♪ Move your feet like this, like this ♪

♪ Good night! ♪

[music fades]

[pop music playing]
♪ Baby, there's a new day ♪

♪ To pick up the pieces
And do it all over again... ♪

[Courtney] All right, let's go.
Let's do it.

[Deontré] Back to work, guys. [sighs]

[pop music continues]

♪ Oh oh oh oh... ♪

-Qay, what do you think?
-Ow! Yes!

[hip hop music playing]
♪ Tell me whatcha workin' with... ♪

[Megan] I'm making the sash
that's basically the neckline,

and I have the structure of the bow,
but it involves a lot of hand sewing,

so I'm gonna first do the sash
and then work on the big bow.

[Bao] There's a lot of hand sewing.

I'm adding sleeves
just to make it more royal.

[Deontré] What I have to do with this coat
is basically put poly-filling in it,

which is the time-consuming part,
so I wanna get it done first.

[Usama] Amari.
I think I'm gonna add a fur coat over.

Tan and Gigi said
my dress doesn't have a royal look.

-Do you like this?
-[Amari] Let me see.

-[Usama] Is it royal?
-It does look royal. I love it.

I can barely breathe right now.

I'm feeling nervous.

I only have four hours
to cut it, sew it, finish it properly

because I am not gonna show
something unfinished to Donatella Versace.

Does this mean I'm model size?

-[designers laugh]
-♪ What, should we go like this? ♪

Y'all can call my model off.
I'm just gonna wear it.

♪ What, should we go like this? ♪

[voice over PA]
Models to the workroom, please. Thank you.

-[Bao] Oh my God!
-[exciting music playing]

[model] I'm so excited!

[Nigel] You're, like, perfect
for what I'm going for.

So you're gonna have this cape on
because it's royalty.

[rap music playing]
♪ I rise no matter what... ♪

The baggy, oversized hip-hop era
is what I was aiming for.

♪ I shine no matter what... ♪

You look fire, my boy.

-[Qaysean] I think we have a panty.
-Oh, wait. Yeah, it's way too big.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yeah, that's so dance-y.

[laughing] Right here.

-We look like we could be siblings.
-[model] Right?

[both laughing]

[James] sh**t!

I'm looking at this jacket, and I see
that the collar is not laying right.

So we've got, like, some extra room here.

Like, it's just flat and sort of drab.

It's ugly. I don't like it.
I don't believe in it.

I don't wanna send it down the runway
like that. This thing has to look sleek.

It can't look sloppy.

I gotta come up
with something clever here.

Dang, James!

I'm nervous 'cause I'm telling you,

you throw in one wrong hem... [laughs]

...and you could go home for it.

-[clock ticking]
-[tense music plays]

[Nigel] It will be taken in a little bit,

but it's still gonna have a flare
at the bottom. Perfect.

[Qaysean] Ugh. Come on!
Don't be doing that to me.

I am a little nervous and on edge

just because some of the straps
are not laying the way that I want.

Working with that fabric
has been tougher than I thought.

So I am, right now,
just trying to contour the dress

and make it look as good as possible.

-[sewing machine whirring]
-[sighs] I need you to work for me.

-That's gonna be so fierce.
-[Godoy] Thank you.

[James] I'm not the best technical sewer,

but, boy, do I make up for it
in pure ambition!

I've been playing with the collar
all morning.

The more I looked at it,
the more I realized

it needed to be way more of a statement,
so I fill it with batting.

I need some more puff.

Bigger and bolder.

I think that'll make sense.

[sighs] Oh my God.

That is so heavy.

The puffer coat, to me,
is like my signature thing,

but I wanna take it to the next level.

So the size that I wanna create it in
is gonna be very massive.

Ugh, come on!

It's like making a sleeping bag.
It's gigantic.

Woo! I'm over here sweating.
Can you find me paper towels?

Can we get my friend some paper towels?

[Deontré] I hope I haven't bit off
more than I can chew.

Okay, now let's get this heavy thing
under the machine.

But I can't call myself
the king of streetwear in Washington, DC

and not show up and show out.

And I'm still struggling.

I'm gonna have some big muscles
after this.

[Usama] Stress, stress, stress.

[voice over PA] Designers,
please take all materials that you'll need

for the runway backstage.

[Qaysean] Ah!

[voice over PA]
Let's load the audience, please.

[exciting music playing]

[Bao] Oh my God!

[Usama] Trying not to freak out.

Still have to finish
all the hem of the cape,

so it's a lot of work left.

[designer] Here we go.

I want, like, a disco look,
a little hint of Twiggy.

We're doing some very bitchin' brows.
Just mad. You know, stamped.

-[laughs]
-Okay? I gotta go work. Bye.

-[Desyrée] You gotta be kidding me.
-[Courtney] Yes.

-Damn. Gotta fix this real quick.
-[Qaysean] Please fit. Make it work.

I just stitched that wrong.
Seam-ripper time.

[crowd cheering]

Hello! Hi!

Welcome to
the Next in Fashionrunway show.

[Tan] This is a huge night
for our designers.

It is the first time that they get to show
their amazing designs to the world,

and the theme
of tonight's runway show is royalty.

[voice over PA]
Five minutes until the runway.

-It's a little risqué.
-[Nigel] I'm gonna adjust some zippers.

[Tan] We're not judging
these looks alone.

No. We are excited to welcome

one of the top stylists
in the entire world today.

This man knows
how to make all of his clients

look and feel like kings and queens.

Jason Bolden.

-[crowd cheers]
-Welcome, J!

Tonight, I wanna see some magic
walk this runway.

[voice over PA] Two minutes
to the runway show, everyone.

I'm stressed.

For the first runway,
we had to get a very special guest judge.

She is more than a designer.
She is more than an icon.

She is undisputed fashion royalty.

Please welcome Donatella Versace!

[crowd cheering excitedly]

[Gigi squealing]

Are you ready for Donatella
to see your stuff?

[laughs] Yo, I'm nervous, but, yeah,
you know, I'm as ready as I can be.

I mean, it's Donatella Versace,
so I want it to be perfect.

Tell us what makes an iconic design.

Confidence.
When you have confidence, you can shine.

-Okay, girl!
-[Amari's model] Woo!

You look great. Go k*ll it.

If we do not start this runway soon,
heads are going to roll.

So without further ado,
let the runway begin.

-[crowd cheering]
-[Donatella] Absolutely.

[stage manager] Okay, guys, standing by.
Okay, let me know when to send.

[mysterious music playing]

[stage manager] Hold it there,
and own it as you walk out.

Everyone, look forward.

In two, one, and go.

Come on, girl!

[crowd oohing and aahing]

-Ooh, wow.
-Wow.

-[Eliana] Oh God! Oh!
-[Deontré] So dope.

I actually love the construction
of the dress.

I like the material.
It's kind of futuristic.

Looks more expensive
than I thought it would.

-[Donatella] Yep.
-[Tan] Yeah.

[gasps] Oh my God.

[Tan] What do you think
of the colors, Donatella?

[Donatella] Not my favorite colors.

-[Tan] But it does look royal.
-[Donatella] Yeah.

The craftsmanship, that's amazing.

I do love the way she draped.
It's well done, yeah.

[designers cheering]

[Jason] I feel like it's one
of those moments where you had ideas,

couldn't make a decision,
and put 'em all on.

I think it's too much,
and I don't know where to look first.

[Jason] Yeah.
Restraint is the hardest thing.

[stage manager] ...one, and go.

-[Tan] Ooh.
-[Donatella] Ooh.

-Oh, I'm getting chills.
-[Bao] I know.

[Gigi] I love the gold lining.

-I think it makes it really pop.
-Yeah.

[Gigi] And the shoulders are
a great royal shape.

-[Tan] Do you think it looks regal?
-[Gigi] Yeah.

-The whole thing works.
-You like that? Okay.

-Wow.
-Oh, wow.

-[James] Yay.
-Ooh!

I'm into this prince.
I feel like he's swaggy. He's chillin'.

-It also... It's very young. It's playful.
-I do like this very much.

I love the color. I love the shape.
The freedom to the pants, everything.

[Donatella and Gigi laugh]

-[designers cheer]
-[laughs]

It's impactful.

This is a gold denim.

[Tan] The fabric choice was wrong.

It doesn't hug the body
as well as I think it should.

I think, from the back...

-Not a dress you should wear. [laughs]
-Yes.

-[Gigi] Yeah. It's a bit costume.
-Yeah, it doesn't feel new.

[Amari] Guys, I'm about to cry!

I love this color. It's a pink,
but I like that it's more subdued.

It feels more rich and expensive to me.

I love the silhouette of the bra.
It feels very now.

-[designers cheer]
-[designer] Wow!

-[Gigi] Do you like it?
-Yes, I do. I think it works.

Handmade. So difficult to make.

I love the zippers. Amazing job.

-[designers cheer]
-Okay.

This is like a Saint-Tropez
easy dress, sandal flat type of vibe.

-It doesn't feel big enough.
-[Tan] No.

-[designers cheer]
-[designer] Yeah!

If you really look at the detail,
it's a great job.

[Donatella] Incredible.

[Jason] I would have preferred nothing on
and the jacket there.

-And a belt.
-[Jason] It would be iconic.

[Tan] Yeah.

-It feels like a knockoff of Balmain.
-[Jason] Yeah.

It's not fresh. It's not modern.
It doesn't feel new.

-[Gigi] Yeah.
-[Jason] Yeah.

[stage manager] And go.

I live. I live.

-[Gigi] I love it.
-Fabulous.

-[Deontré laughs]
-[designer] Yes!

This is... This is the shapes
that we are looking for.

Wow. Wow.

Oh. Iconic, and it's also...
It feels couture.

[Tan] Yeah, it does.

-I like everything about this outfit.
-Yeah.

I love the pants, the shape of the pants.
Really great.

[stage manager] And, Claudia, go.
Last model out.

-I'm just proud of myself. [cries]
-[designers] Oh!

This is giving me
Alice in Wonderlandroyalty,

which I gag for.

[Tan] I... I actually love the fabric.

The color of the chartreuse
with the plaid.

The bow's beautiful in the back.

This, I feel, is so Megan.

It speaks the language
of her as a designer.

[stage manager] ...two, one, and go finale.

[crowd cheering]

-[exciting music crescendos, then fades]
-[crowd applauding and cheering]

-[designer] Congratulations.
-[designer 2] We did it!

-[designer 3] We did well!
-[indistinct conversations]

-[James] Congratulations.
-Thank you.

[James] Freaking best!

♪ I'm on top of the world... ♪

[all] ...two, three, Next in Fashion!
[cheering]

♪ I'm on top of the world... ♪

-[man 1] Let's go.
-[man 2] Rolling. Here we go.

[man 3] Speed.

[upbeat music playing]

-[Tan] Hi.
-[Donatella] Hi, Megan.

-Hello. How are you?
-[Jason] Hi.

-Good. How are you?
-Nice to meet you.

Nice to meet you!

Megan, would you like to tell us
what your royal inspiration was, please?

My royal inspiration
was disco royalty Abba.

I think it's very playful.
I love the colors.

And I do love the hair and makeup.
It goes so well with the dress.

You just live in your design world.

Like, you're literally matching her today.

-Yeah.
-I love it. It's so you.

Your construction is gorgeous.
It's so well done and impressive.

I love the top shape. I love the sleeves.
It feels royal. I just think it's so fun.

Thank you.

The most important thing in fashion
is identity,

and you have an identity
that's so playful.

I think it's young, it's fresh.
And that keyhole back? Loved.

-Can you turn around?
-Love.

-That's so fun.
-[Jason] Super cool.

My only concern about the back
was it looks like shark's teeth.

That element wasn't for me,
but I love the pop in the bow.

-[Jason] Can you remove the bow?
-Sure.

-Once you untie it...
-[Donatella] Love it like this.

...you could wear it like that.

If this is your first piece,

it's clear that we're gonna see
a signature very quickly,

which is very nice to see.

-Thank you so much.
-Great job, Megan.

-Thank you.
-[judges] Thank you.

I think a lot of people can learn
from her because identity is very clear.

She's offering something
we don't really see.

No, it's good.

Hey, Deontré!

How's it going?

Can you tell us about your inspiration?

I wanted to go for royalty hip-hop.

I'm a '90s baby, so, like, I wanted
to bring drama to streetwear

and wow you guys
with something next level.

[Donatella] So this outfit,
when it came out on the runway,

we all said, "Wow."

Thank you.

[Donatella] The volume is incredible.
Everything about it, nothing wrong.

-This is a new royalty.
-I'm honored.

Can I see it without the puffer
just for a second?

And I wanna feel the puffer.

-Oh, that's nice.
-[Jason] It's insane.

-Oh, it's insane.
-[Tan] That's so nice.

I love this.

[Tan] Can we see
everything else underneath?

[Gigi] Those pants are awesome,

but the neckline,
it feels, like, a little bit wonk to me.

-Besides that, I love it so much.
-[Deontré] Thank you.

You blended avant-garde
with couture, and that...

-That was the goal.
-...my friend, magic.

Don't know if you can tell,
but we kinda liked it.

-Right! [laughs]
-Well done for your first challenge.

[Deontré] Thank you.
I'm honored to hear those kind words.

-[sighs] I'll never forget this moment.
-You deserve it.

-Thank you guys so much.
-[Gigi] Congratulations.

-[Deontré] Megan.
-[Megan] Hi!

Oh my gosh!

-[Megan] It sounded amazing! Congrats!
-Yes.

[both laugh]

What's interesting
is that if he didn't have that jacket,

it would've been a fine outfit,

but that made it.

-[Donatella] It gave it royalty.
-Yeah.

-Hello! Hi, everybody.
-[judges] Hi.

My inspiration is Queen Mother of us all,

Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter.

[all laugh]

Her music makes me feel so powerful,
so that was my inspiration for this look.

I love the volume.
It fits her in the back.

-I love the color, I have to say. Nice.
-Thank you.

The fabric is a pretty fabric.

I think you were smart to underlay it
with something that had shimmer

'cause it caught the light.

But you had said a really important word
describing why you wanted Beyoncé.

"It feels powerful."

-Mm-hmm.
-I didn't get power. I got sweet girl.

I wanted Beyoncé at Coachella,
like, her moment.

[Gigi] It needed more drama.

I appreciate all of your opinions.

[Tan] Thank you so much.

Donatella?

I mean, you can see
she had very little time to do it.

-But I really like this look, very much.
-[judges laugh]

I'm gonna pass out. Thank you. Oh my God.

It's a beautiful construction.
It's fun. I love the fabric.

Maybe it should be
a bit longer in the front,

but I love the cape.

Really good touch.

Can I shake your hand?
To, like, meet you? Thank you so much.

I'm gonna fly out of here. Thank you!

Those shoulders. It's distracting for me,
and it feels a little bit dated.

One thing that I would suggest,
take a lot of things away.

Yeah. It's better already. [chuckles]

-The corset wasn't necessary.
-[Jason] I live!

-[Tan] So much better.
-I'll do that next time.

I love that you went with a suit.
I don't know if we needed

as many buttons and pearls and ribbons.

I was really surprised
to see the sleeve and pant detail added.

Trust your first intuition.
Trust the simplicity.

-Be like, "It's okay to be done."
-Okay.

-I love the bra. I think it's amazing.
-[Amari] Thank you!

-[excitedly] Not from Donatella Versace!
-[judges laugh]

I cannot!

One thing I was not convinced about
is the skirt

because when you have a bra like this,
you should do something more simple.

For sure. Okay.

-I love the way she draped.
-[Gigi] It's gorgeous.

It was all hand done.

But I don't like the combination
of the two, one on top of the other one,

because it distracts a little bit.

I would do more draping,
more chiffon, and less gold under.

-Thank you.
-[Jason] Thank you.

-We love the pants! I was gonna say that!
-We lovethe pants!

When he starts to walk,
we were like, "Wow."

-Especially me. I was, "Wow."
-[laughs]

You're gonna see these
on Donatella's next runway.

-[Nigel] That's all I need to hear.
-"Nigel inspired me," I'll say it.

Hit me up. Give me a call.

-Thank you so much, Nigel.
-[Donatella] Thank you.

Yo. [laughs]

-[Gigi] Qaysean.
-Hi.

-How you feeling?
-Blessed. Donatella!

[judges laugh]

So my inspiration was Nefertiti.

She was one of the most powerful queens
from ancient Egyptian culture.

I love the nails. I love the bracelet.

But I want for more simple dress,

especially if you wanna
put that black tulle on.

-I think you didn't need it.
-Thank you, Miss Donatella.

You're creative. You thought
out of the box to use different fabric.

-[Qaysean] Yeah.
-[Jason] One thing I would suggest?

-Hold back a little bit.
-[Tan] I'm gonna give you the same note.

I loved the idea of the fabric,
but the amount of cutouts,

it was never gonna hit the body
the way you wanted it to

and it read on the runway.

It was a very difficult look
for her to even wear.

A challenge can be lost
at your fabric choice

if you're not making
the right decisions for it.

Yeah.

[Tan] Okay, Usama.

-[Usama] Tidying my royal moment here.
-[Tan laughs]

Tell us what your inspiration was.

I'm from Venezuela,

so my inspiration
is Latin American royalty

and specifically J.Lo.

The cape is everything.
That's the piece that really impressed us.

-Impressed me.
-We were like, "Keep the cape on!"

I don't mind the fabric,
but maybe the dress, be more simple under

because the cape with the dress
doesn't match.

I feel like I've seen this dress before.
I was just not excited by the dress.

The dress is very also like me,

so I gotta also stick
to myself as a fashion designer.

-You stick to it, but you gotta push it.
-For sure. I agree.

Every collection can't be the same.

If you would've stuck to the coat,
that's a sexy J.Lo type of thing.

-[Tan] Hello, James!
-[Gigi] Hey, James!

-Greetings.
-[Tan] Tell us about your inspiration.

My inspiration was pop royalty.

My North Star was Harry Styles.

[Tan] You were in a really bad way
before we left yesterday,

and we were worried that you wouldn't
send anything down the runway.

How did you pull it all together?

The collar was driving me crazy.
At the last second, I saw some batting.

-I do love that you padded... Yeah.
-[Gigi] I'm so happy you padded.

-It was so... It was playful.
-Yeah.

When I saw this outfit on the runway,
I said to everybody,

-"I love it. I love it. I love it."
-Wow.

[Donatella] I love the shape of the pants.

-He helped a lot.
-[James] Yup.

And that's important, to put
the right model with the right outfit.

I struggle all the time
because I've got... one ginger.

[judges laugh]

[Gigi] What we saw yesterday leaving,
and then what came down the carpet,

my mind was blown,
and you were rocking it.

I was like,
"This is that, like, bitchy prince,

chillin' by the pool,
doesn't have time to rule the kingdom."

-[James] Mm-mm. [laughs]
-I'mtrying to wear that.

The play of the pinks,
and the sash is tied like a tie.

Yes! Thank you for noticing!

My only negative, I would've wanted
the sleeves a little bit longer.

-[Gigi] Yes.
-Minus that, check. Loved it.

-Well done. Thank you.
-Congratulations.

-So proud of you, James.
-Thank you.

-[Donatella] Thank you.
-[Jason] Bye.

-[designers cheering and applauding]
-[James] All right! [laughs]

-[growls]
-[Jason] They're so cute.

Shall we talk about what we loved,
what we didn't love?

I think the decision's gonna be tough.

[designers] Yeah.

Everyone is so different and so talented.

It's daunting to be judged
up against so many amazing designers.

Who's going home?
Who had the weakest looks?

The judges have their work cut out
for them for the entire season.

It's crazy to send
one of these talented people home.

It could be more than one!

Well, it sounds
like we're all in agreement.

Donatella has to get on a plane.

Thank you so much.

-[Donatella] Thank you.
-[Tan smooches]

-We appreciate you visiting.
-Fly safe. Fly safe.

Thanks, Donatella.
So fab, she's gotta get on a flight.

Donatella! I'm meeting you! Love you guys.

-[Tan] Appreciate your help.
-[Jason] Gotta catch a jet.

-See you soon.
-[laughs] Bye.

-Well, Tanny...
-Mm-hmm.

-Now's the hard part.
-Shall we do this?

[energizing music playing]

[softly] Hey, guys.

Designers, we were all blown away
by your looks.

There were so many great looks
on the royal runway tonight.

However, as you know,
there can only be one winning designer.

That designer is...

[suspenseful music playing]

Deontré.

-[designers cheer and applaud]
-[lively music playing]

-[designer 1] Oh my God. Yes.
-[Deontré] Oh my God. Oh my God.

Ah. Words can't explain
how much this means to me.

[breathes in] Everything... Just...
This is everything to me.

-Well done.
-Thank you so much.

You should feel great

because with that win, you earn
an advantage in the next challenge.

-Ooh.
-And that advantage is...

We'll let you know when the time is right.

-[designers laugh]
-I'll be waiting.

And now for the hard part.

[tense music playing]

The competition is stiff,

and unfortunately, it is part of our job

to say goodbye and good luck
to one of you.

The first designer
to leave Next in Fashionis...

[tense music escalates, then fades]

["Dark Eye" by Ah2 playing]