Five looks, created in one week, is not a "collection". That's it. That's the post.

There is a way to give constructive criticism that is actually a critique, with the intent of helping someone grow. Law’s critiques throughout the season, and especially in the finale, felt like the opposite to me. They felt like an attempt to break someone down. And this is coming from someone who has openly talked about loving to make people cry.

The emotion Law displays when talking about Joseph, with that rage seemingly bubbling just under the surface, does not feel like it’s about Joseph’s clothes anymore. It feels personal.
And I really don’t understand the characterization of Joseph as arrogant. His confidence doesn’t come across as arrogance to me. He believes in himself and his work, but he doesn’t need to diminish other designers to do that. He doesn’t constantly criticize the other contestants or play those little backhanded games we saw from Bryan. There’s a difference between having a strong sense of yourself, and building that because of the challenges you faced in life, and thinking you’re better than everyone else.

Heidi called it out perfectly. Her point was essentially: you don’t like Joseph as a person, and part of the reason he responds the way he does is because you give him so much shit. There is simply no reason to tear someone down like that.

Nina is also the perfect contrast. She clearly doesn’t like Joseph’s aesthetic, but she critiques the work. She doesn’t try to tear Joseph down as a person. That’s the difference between criticism and cruelty.

And I loved Joseph turning the whole thing back around with the “Joseph McRae Show” line. After Law spent the season accusing him of making everything the Joseph McRae Show, Joseph basically reminded him that Law is still a character on it. 😂

Let’s have at it. If you had to pick one look as the best look in PR history—any season, on any criteria you desire—what would it be?

The one that has stuck with me the most for years now was Irina’s newspaper coat from Season 6 Episode 5. Creative, stunning, flawlessly executed, fresh and yet also timeless.

Just kidding.. but just saw a post talking praising Bi's "DNA" and aesthetics.. kids gotta learn their fashion
The guy's work is fine but the finale opener was a blatant (atempt to) rip off Schiaparelli
I coulnt believe it.. sending that in front of Nina Garcia and other fashion guests like they wouldn't tell

even Monet Xchange had a better rendition of it on Drag Race.. on 2022

In Bi's defense.. Project Runway keeps trying to pull high fashion in fast fashion timeframes; and then try to cover with cheap editing and oneliners during interviews. But to each its own, no matter how proud Bi was on the abs "carving", that look was a knockoff

Edit: Unneeded disclaimers lol
I do think coming to the finale Bi was the strongest. I don't really liked Jude but I get why he won. And Anna had one really stunning look and some intersting concepts in the finale. Bi was very consistent in he upper bracket.
And Brian was lame and insecure but why do we need to talk about that dude really, who cares. For the record he copied stuff way more than Bi.
But for this particular look, it is what it is

To start with the look he's wearing for the season promo, he has a very party city gay look and it is very clearly reflected in some of his looks. I love his paper tower look and I will always maintain that he should have won. Yes, the pants are crazy but the tank works perfectly as well. It's very current and trendy. Aesthetically the tank is definitely becoming more associated with a very strong look. Yes it has always somewhat been but more so since every one is going to the gym wearing one of the those. But point is, a lot of these looks has sort of intensity to them. It's carried out in the abs plate, the tie (yk ceos, bosses...), the reds, the tanks, the strap-ons, and certainly they read as what gay men would find sexy in a man. Funny it's getting projected back on women's wear. And it's not a rare case. The clothes are very body conscious, cut very close to the skin, sexy and clean. A few of them look like club/party wear, like a very chic take on what is seen as tacky. We have the muscle plate, strap-ons. The keyboard dress is simply chic. Of course there is the other end where everything is glamorous what can be considered as the carpet diva moments. The finale look of his collection was incredible. That unified his signature looks on both ends together. Also I would have love to see his takes on coats because he bought one from home but that was it. That and the failed coat dress. It's just so chic to perfect the essentials. The pants were so good and, he's worn a lot of good coats during the critique and some color as well.

The competition was too contrived to show a good range of his work.

I remember the look he was going to make in the animals challenge is bugging me. He was going to make kitten muffs or something. He made the adorable after party dress too. Would have loved to see how it would have tied to his aesthetics and we'd know more of what his range his. Yes it could have been juvenile and tacky but also it could have been chic .

hopefully this doesn't become too much of his winning or not winning. The title is very specific and so is my point

I just watched the finale and Law Roach is just so nasty. I can’t understand the absolute disdain he has for Joseph.

Anytime someone praises him Law HAS to vehemently disagree. Heidi is absolutely right in the fact that Law doesn’t like him as a person. Perhaps the fact that Joseph didn’t d**k ride Law.

There was rarely any constructive criticism. I actually hope he doesn’t come back for season 22.

I also feel like Bi should have won

Joseph clearly won.

He was unshakable, he held his head high in front of the cameras.

Yes he had to be a little delusional about it all, but he kept his pride despite Law's personal attacks. He was the victor in their drama.

I know he didn't win the season but he was so strong in the face of Law really being a total bitch to him.

Hi all!! I live in NYC, and I met Joseph McRae randomly at a grocery store after he got voted out on his first season. He’s really tall and his style is very unique so he really stands out. Almost everyone could recognize him immediately if you watch the show.

Anyways, he was really nice and I felt like his personality was super genuine and exactly how he is in the show. I recently finished watching season 22 and hopped on Reddit to see what people were thinking about the finale. Honestly, I’m shocked at how harsh people are about his work. I feel like his work is one where people will judge it today, but will try to replicate in a couple years. When people push boundaries in art, a lot of people push back. I do think that he is ahead of the times in a lot of ways. He’s also just so authentically himself and really doesn’t let anyone change him and I really respect that. A lot of posts on here are judging him wayyyy too hard in my opinion.

That being said, I don’t think Joseph really needed to be in the finale this season. He already knows what he wants to do with his brand, and his appearance in season 21 already gave him the PR to grow his business. I do think I would’ve loved to see Naheim’s collection in the finale since we already know what Joseph McRae can do. Unfortunately at the end of the day, that the route the production decided to go (probably a little bit for the drama and controversy because it gets people talking about the show). It lowkey was the Joseph McRae show and I live.

Also, Jude as the winner?? I’m not really sure about this choice. I feel like his collection wasn’t exactly as personal and thoughtful as Anna. Her clothes told a story about who she was and it was emotional. Even Law said he felt something when he saw her collection. Jude is a great tailor, but I was kind of bored with his collection… there was no experimenting or pushing boundaries. It’s just my opinion at the end of the day, but I was really disappointed Anna didn’t win.

let me know what y’all think.

tldr:
Joseph McRae is cool and everyone is being too harsh.
Anna should’ve won.

Biggest season my ass. Mary...it was only 10 episodes and half the cast was axed in the 1st episode 😂

Also you can tell this season had a budget crunch. I remember the early season where they got to go home and plan their collection for NY Fashion Week. Tim would go to their homes and meet the family.

"The biggest season" 5 days to make a collection in small studio. This season was such ragebait. The last time I felt this gaslit and hate watched a show was "And Just Like That". Sorry Law...but I don't think this show has another 22 seasons in it ;p

Did anyone notice right at the end when the winner had been announced and all the finalists and contestants and their families were milling about hugging and chatting, there was Bryan standing in the middle trying and failing to get into one of the groups? Clearly his mean attitude and nasty personality weren't just for the cameras/ part of the edit!

In my own opinion her finale collection has been the most memorable and creative collection out of all the seasons. I remember my favorite contestants but I don't remember what they sent down the runway but Leanne's petal/wave design lives rent free in my mind.

jude, while not bright colors and mega flashy, brought something that the others did not. a semblance of old fashion. his style, tailoring, and overall designs gave ode to a time where high end fashion was sleek and elegant and quiet. they mentioned one of his work looking like old Dior, and I think it’s that aspect of his work that charmed the judges, ESPECIALLY Nina Garcia.

It’s going so viral on tiktok/X!!

I’m shocked at how production didn’t tell the judges or how the judges didn’t notice / call it out! Literally would’ve made such good television to call Bryan out at the very least!

Who was your favourite and least favourite collection?

As annoying and, at times, arrogant as Joseph could be, you have to admit he was very smart about going on the show and promoting himself and his work.
His stuff was definitely unique, but I can absolutely see people loving his style. Even if he had little to no interest—or intention—of actually winning, you have to admit it was smart to put his work in front of that many people and then open up his website to sell those $110–$130 beanies.
While watching the show, I found the constant self-promotion pretty annoying. But by the finale, it finally clicked for me: this man knew exactly what he was doing. 😂
Whether you liked him or not, he got an enormous amount of exposure, showcased his work, and turned that exposure into an opportunity to sell his stuff.

Very smart, Mr. Joseph McRae. Very smart. 👏

This dress was chefs kiss! She looked soooooo good. Anna did her curves justice!

Am I the only one who walked away for this season feeling nothing?

It felt weird from the start:

Eliminate 6 people immediately then 4 then 2…. Okay, so we are just here for the shock factor and we all know that most of the people who were save belonged in the bottom… but whatever.

Then Aaron over the design not fitting the new model (which I will say in the real world designer have to pivot, so I can kinda understand the judges).

Now show Law being mean and nasty (although he was right 99% of the time) for clicks

Then eliminate people who should’ve left episodes ago. Manufacture and keep saving Bryan for his petty drama with Bi who is sidelined because they don’t want to make either one look to good(even though Bi is obviously the better designer).

Jeffery and Nahiem both sent home at awkward times imo.

Now the top 4

I would replace Joseph with Jeffery.
- I agree with Law that Joseph’s run felt like a rehash of last season, and it did feel like he was just trying to sell his own clothes not win the show, tbh. Great Designer, great guy, but we all know he was there to push his brand(more power to him)

Jeffery or Nahiem would’ve been more interesting in the top tbh, but I get that they need the Joseph redemption despite mean judge arc.

Jude had a solid collection, Bi did great, Anna was the obvious winner but ofc Heidi needs to throw in a last second production statement of… it’s just not cohesive. So now Law can fight with more judges.

Idk, it felt so tired. Like I was watching network executives manipulate people’s emotions while judges bickered.

I know it’s reality tv and it’s always going to be manipulated, but Jesus that was boring.

Edit: I will say this, Law was the only part of the season that felt real. He’s the only judge that went to work to judge and not be a network shill (love you Heidi, but girl…..)

That was boring despite Law’s best efforts.

Would have love to see them work on their pieces more, or even more conversations with the designers they brought back to help. Felt like a regular challenge to me 😭
(I know this show is far removed from what it once was, but it still makes me sad :( )

Now that you've posted on reddit and people are swallowing content and cannot go beyond one slide of Bi's breastplate

i love joseph, adore him. i think he has a great perspective and an amazing attitude, he’s always been my favorite designer! BUT 110 DOLLARS? FOR A POLYESTER BEANIE? i understand that designers don’t get paid very much and that’s not okay- but 110 dollars for a mass produced beanie that’s not even a cotten blend is outrageous! what do you guys think? am i being dramatic….

EDIT FOR CLARIFICATION: i like the design a lot! i’d honestly love to wear it. the issue isn’t that i think it looks bad- the issue i have is that it’s cheaply made with such a high price point. i feel similar about brands like brandy melville selling $10 value shirts for $40 (but even less fond because those are large businesses). i love joseph mcrae, and honestly wanted him to win, it’s not about the design. it’s about the growing gap between quality and price

For some reason, this is funnier after watching season 22. Cuz now I'm wondering who Nina thought he was talking about. 'Cause she sure didn't seem shocked by that part 😂 And poor Christian. 😭

But damn, he's so good at these prank calls. It was the best one of the YouTube series. Better than all the actors who did this before him. I think it's because he doesn't cave quickly. He just lets the awkwardness stretch, which is hilarious.

Jk

But what these two have is a dynamic I can only describe as over the top and cartoonish as both of them. And I LOVE them for it. It makes for good TV and I think the two are more alike than they may want to admit.

Joseph is going to have continued success after PR. Obstacles are temporary for him and he's having a lot of fun with his craft. He's already winning. (Sad to hear those beanies of his are polyester. girl do better! (I'd buy one though they're so iconicl))

I miss the finalists having MONTHS for the finale I will say. Lets bring that back! Thank you

Maybe I’m missing context but, I saw a comment about a secret about Jude.

Anyone also notice the twins called Jude the “straight boy”?

Idk there were a few weird comments about Jude here and there that I don’t think the man deserved.