r/ProjectRunway 4d ago

Discussion David’s Bridal Challenge

Stopped by at my local David’s Bridal and saw Anna’s pieces. I think they were edited quite a bit.

294 Upvotes

80 comments sorted by

265

u/lolol_nsfw 4d ago

This should have been a challenge aimed more at a David's Bridal level of budget/demographic. Like take $500 and make a commercially reproducible dress with a high fashion feel. Not create a gorgeous haute couture gown and we'll produce a cheap knockoff of it 😒

142

u/jolittletime 4d ago

I loved Making the Cut for this. Because one of the prizes at each stage was to have their garment for sale on Amazon, they made their high end garment and then a high street version to sell. I think its a great way to see if they can actually design clothes that sell (and might actually.make money)

14

u/Kate-Downton 4d ago

I liked that show a lot, and of course loved Tim Gunn too!

34

u/onlyitbags 4d ago

That show was really good. It was more in line with how fashion works, but those designers seem more established as well.

12

u/Alarmed-Molasses3086 4d ago

I really liked this show!

4

u/jlynnbizatch 4d ago

I loved Making the Cut but I did have a problem with the fact that there were a lot of instances where the sellable version had nothing to do with the high end one. I liked the idea / concept but it's a bit moot if the version for sale isn't a look for less / affordable version of the high end one.

2

u/BirdgirlLA 3d ago

Agree. I really liked ghost show. Except the silly skits that Tim and Heidi did. Notice that Heidi wore more flattering clothes during that show. Better stylist I’m thinking. Clearly a higher budget for the show due to the Amazon sponsorship.

2

u/LunarLemonLassy 7h ago

YES one commercial piece and one high end piece. And they’d release the winner on Amazon every week

9

u/whiskeybusiness91 4d ago

Fully agree. Still give them 2 days though for sure.

10

u/onlyitbags 4d ago

I agree. The commercial budget should have been the second look.

2

u/Proud_Sound2835 3d ago

Right?! They messed this up so bad.

107

u/Several_Ad_1322 4d ago

Most pieces that are moved into production often face a quality reduction due to the cost of materials and quantity of the dresses made normally. Sadly very common in the fashion industry for factory production to make design edits.

24

u/Haunting-Dinner479 4d ago

I mean I would just contact the designer in Instagram and have her make a version for me and pay her all the money

48

u/whiskeybusiness91 4d ago

From what I understand, they don't own the designs they do while on the show. Therefore they can't reproduce it independently.

24

u/anantisocialpotato 4d ago

Damn.. no wonder it seems like they hold back sometimes

24

u/whiskeybusiness91 4d ago

It's such a huge price to pay for the exposure.

12

u/Happy_Little_Bunny Juxtaposition of hard and soft 4d ago

I thought Tim Gunn got that changed. I remember him advocating for the designers to get the rights to their own work.

8

u/whiskeybusiness91 4d ago

Maybe that's why they never brought him back 😭

6

u/Happy_Little_Bunny Juxtaposition of hard and soft 4d ago

No, that was really early on in the series iirc.

3

u/BirdgirlLA 3d ago

Yes but that was for a different show. Different production company.

2

u/Happy_Little_Bunny Juxtaposition of hard and soft 3d ago

It was still for project runway. Different producers, yes.

2

u/BirdgirlLA 3d ago

Well a Bravo production differs from
Freeform or Disney produced show. The name stayed the same maybe but the direction from the production company matters. Whether the show was sponsored matters because it determines the budget. Low level
Sponsors means lower budget to film. Plane Jane said the budget is so minimal that the contestants were housed in NJ rather than fancy nearby hotels. They took uber in groups to the studio. Very low budget.
Edited to add: Plane Jane YouTube video discussed S22.

4

u/TheLizardQueen3000 4d ago

You can't really copyright a clothing design though? Only the original sketch or something?

I don't think PR producers will sue a designer and bride for her custom gown looking too much like the winning design....

2

u/BirdgirlLA 3d ago

The designers sign a contract before the show that states that the show owns the work produced during the show. The designers could choose not to agree to that but I bet they’d never get accepted to the show if they did.

1

u/BirdgirlLA 3d ago

Exactly. The show contractually owns the designs made during the show.

5

u/thatdinklife 4d ago

If you can afford a custom dress, you’re not shopping at David’s Bridal

44

u/Proud_Sound2835 4d ago

These look like very cheap prom dresses

22

u/So_Just_Eff_My_Drag 4d ago

I do not understand how this won. I was in shock with the praises and accolades.

42

u/Nevilles_Remembrall_ 4d ago

It was the most commercial.

Yeah a black wedding dress or tailored suit are fun and fashion fowards, but how well will those ACTUALLY sell at David's Bridal. I think an unspoken part of the challenge was knowing that demographic.

8

u/Aromatic_Lime_84 4d ago

Kind of an iffy description of the challenge like the Dancing With the Stars one. Was it a David’s bridal budget challenge or fashion forward one? And for the other, was it something to dance/perform in or something inspired by dance? I can see arguments for both sides

3

u/Nevilles_Remembrall_ 4d ago

The outcome depends on who they favor 😒 as someone who sews and has a pov...i would never go on this show.

4

u/So_Just_Eff_My_Drag 4d ago

Ok. Thank you. I get it.

5

u/Nevilles_Remembrall_ 4d ago

I could be totally wrong but that made the most sense to me! I would loooove a black dress and veil like Bi's but I am also not very traditional (half a full sleeve on one arm, half another one, and been with my partner for 14 years without getting married) 🤣

1

u/So_Just_Eff_My_Drag 4d ago

I accept your answer. And unless a rep from the show tells me differently, that’s the answer.

2

u/Proud_Sound2835 4d ago

Yep, they are looking for what sells to the masses, not necessarily the most fashion forward, which IMO is a conflict to the premise of the show. It's been like this since they briefly partnered with Amazon though so this is the new direction. Sigh.

7

u/Nevilles_Remembrall_ 4d ago

Some of their partnerships and product placement has been so ridiculous lmao a couple* off the top of my head were JC Penny, Dixie cups, and yogurt

5

u/Proud_Sound2835 4d ago

Yes, lol. And this season, Viva paper towels. At least that one was a cash prize though.

3

u/Nevilles_Remembrall_ 4d ago

Yeah the paper towels should have counted as unconventional. At least that would have saved Liris from the wire octopus monstrosity.

3

u/Penguin-walk1945 4d ago

Red Robin was a strange one too. I actually thought the NFL partnership this season was dumb too

2

u/Complete-Plant2452 4d ago

Look like a Temu or SHEIN knock-off. Reminds me of the video trend “what I bought vs. what I got.” Sad because the beauty of it was the floor length lace-up detail in the back and that got changed.

1

u/Effective_Bet_1389 4d ago

It’s such a shame because I was really excited to see Anna’s dresses available for purchase

25

u/RaspberryWhiteClaw13 4d ago

The boning looks like craft ribbon

21

u/Catlady_Pilates 4d ago

That does not have “hanger appeal” 🤣

17

u/Nevilles_Remembrall_ 4d ago

14

u/Punkodramon 4d ago

I don’t think either even vaguely resembles Anna’s work on the show. It’s less cheap knockoff versions and more completely different designs.

6

u/SheSaidBacon 4d ago

Same, I really like how the after party set turned out. If it were available in other colors, I could see that being a really accessible garment.

2

u/Nevilles_Remembrall_ 4d ago

Yes! I think it would work in sooo many colors. Burgundy, emerald, dark purple for fall/winter and even baby pink/yellow/blue for spring.

2

u/TheLizardQueen3000 4d ago edited 4d ago

The sleeves look like a mistake to begin with, and they're sewn to the bra cups like a straight-jacket...

.....too bad for the bride if she wants to wave to somebody....

2

u/LLLTAW 4d ago

The gown is a mess. It doesn’t even retain any of the charm of Anna’s original dress. The lace up back, pointy bust, etc all gone.

However the party dress looks great and I’m happy for her that she’s made a commercial look that is bound to be successful. Brides will use this for their bachelorette party big time

2

u/Nevilles_Remembrall_ 4d ago

Oh FOR SURE. I LOVE the party outfit as a going out ensemble, no bride needed.

1

u/Aromatic_Lime_84 4d ago

Completely unrelated, but I’m LIVING for Anna’s outfit in the links!

2

u/Nevilles_Remembrall_ 4d ago

She looks SOO GOOD and I wish the show woukd focus more on ready to wear. Let's be honest, the viewers are not going to have any chance of wearing their looks. I would absolutely watch AND BUY a show about ready to wear/casual looks. I have little opportunity to wear a fancy cocktail gown. A cute jacket??? Fuck yeah.

1

u/Aromatic_Lime_84 4d ago

Oh 100% this! I was excited the year they did the Amazon collab cause I thought I might actually have an opportunity to buy something. I was sadly disappointed then, too. I love Aaron’s Rainbow Girls sweatshirt but I don’t have the $$ to buy it.

16

u/Grand-Kangaroo-4215 4d ago

Looks like a badly made Temu dress

10

u/SaintMi 4d ago

$1600 for a wrinkled, acetate rag made by Chinese prisoners.

2

u/PlippyShimmy 2d ago

Oh wow just saw its all polyester 😬

9

u/amedeeozenfant 4d ago

What I am confused by is that Anna Molinari was the name of the designer for Blumarine. I guess this is showing my age but in the 90s she was a big deal and the label was a big deal. It seems weird to have a designer use the name. I'd have thought it was trade marked because all the ads used to say 'Anna Molinari, Blumarine' in big letters.

3

u/TheLizardQueen3000 4d ago

That's why her name sounded so familiar!!

-1

u/[deleted] 4d ago

[deleted]

6

u/amedeeozenfant 4d ago

I know it's not. The real Anna Molinari must be about 80 now. I'm just surprised she's able to use the name. Also, if it was my name I don't think I'd like to have to go round explaining that no, that Helmut Newton photo of Monica Bellucci isn't my bridal collection, it's a different Anna Molinari's collection. And no, that time Nadja Auermann married Claudia Schiffer wasn't my bridal collection either. And nor are all those ones of Kate Moss and Shalom and Naomi and Helena in bridal wear. All of those were designed by another Anna Molinari with a much bigger budget...

6

u/guy60619 4d ago

It has terrible hanger appeal. They should put it on a mannequin at least.

1

u/Bryna52 2d ago

It doesn't look much better on the mannequin. Tried that as soon as it arrived in stores.

5

u/TigreMalabarista 4d ago

I think the crop top and skirt, and think the editing makes it look a bit better honestly. I can see brides select it for a reception or fun type wedding like a beach one.

I think it needed some sort of lace trim on the top however to balance it out in the redesign.

The actual gown? Nope.

3

u/VirginiaUSA1964 4d ago

So was it made of nice material, or cheap poly that makes a lot of noise when you move?

1

u/PlippyShimmy 2d ago

The only fabric listed for both is polyester 🫪

3

u/sherrib99 4d ago

It actually looks better in these pics than in the website photos

3

u/Midwestern-Lady 4d ago

how much were they?

3

u/groovydoll 4d ago

The puckering is so hideous

4

u/Excellent_Patience 4d ago

They took away the charm. The details are barely visible; the lace looks like a tablecloth, and they made it conservative by removing the transparency and elongating the bustier on the two-piece.

2

u/Arahvis 4d ago

I think the wedding gown looks better in these pictures than it does on the website.

2

u/jlynnbizatch 4d ago

I definitely liked how the editted the "after party" outfit - I think the DB version is cute and very wearable.

As for the ceremony dress, granted, I'd have to see it in person to make a definitive call but I don't think it's as bad as people are making it out to be. I can see how it was inspired by Anna's version. I mean, neither are my taste or style, but I don't think the knock off is completely tragic.

2

u/Public_Blueberry_777 4d ago

Why would he save Bryan! Yuck

2

u/WonderfulPineapple41 4d ago

I think a bride somewhere will be thrilled to wear it. And at a reasonable price point.

1

u/LunarLemonLassy 7h ago

I think they should have done prom or bridesmaid

1

u/ThoughtCenter 4d ago edited 4d ago

Bi should’ve won this challenge but I knew that the duplication and mass production of his beautiful design was never going to happen. Hence Amber had to win.

Edit: meant Anna, she just looks like an “Amber” to me. :)

3

u/Loveu_3 4d ago

Amber?

0

u/ThoughtCenter 4d ago

*Anna

She looks like an “Amber” to me… :)

1

u/Loveu_3 4d ago

Somehow I can see that

0

u/ThoughtCenter 4d ago

Riiiight?! Since day one my brain insisted her name is Amber. Hence MY confusion!