The "Making the cut" is an Amazon Prime Video original that premiered on 27th March,2020. It has a stellar panel of judges(supermodel Naomi Campbell;multi-talented Nicole Richie; digital fashion entrepreneur Chiara Ferragini; Vogue Paris Former Editor Carine Roitfeld and fashion designer Joseph Alturazza) and immensely talented international designers(Johnny Cota, Esther Perbandt, Sander Bros, Megan Smith, Ji Won Choi, Rinat Brodach, Sabato Russo, Troy Arnold, Will Riddle, Joshua Hupper, Martha Gottwald, Jasmine Chong). The contestants go on a fashion journey all around the world with stops in New York, Paris and Tokyo) to compete to be the next "big fashion brand" and a chance to win 1 million dollars.
In the first episode, the designers face-off by preparing two looks for a runway show that will take place in front of the Eiffel Tower, and we see the competitors go from finding inspiration in the streets of Paris to sending models down the catwalk. There are trips to the fabric store, some almost-meltdowns, races against the clock, and Tim gazing at designs he doesn't like. It's all very positive, though, and the designers help each other out in a pinch, which is exactly the kind of heartwarming content I need at the moment.
Judged by an iconic panel: Naomi Campbell, Nicole Richie, fashion editor Carine Roitfeld, and designer Joseph Altuzarra joined Klum in the audience to judge the looks. Gunn watched backstage with the designers, lending the support we all love him for this guidance.
Favourite Looks:
Johnny's accessible look(tan colour sleeveless zipped vest) and Esther's edgy all-black looks.
Sadly, Jasmine Chong didn't make the cut.
The second episode was all about haute couture(highest end of fashion) in which the garments are constructed by hand from start to finish and are basically a way for designers to show off their skills. Contestants were tasked with creating two looks: a haute couture design and an accessible counterpart that could be sold on Amazon. At the end of the week, both looks will be part of a fashion show at the historic Musée Des Arts Décoratifs in Paris.
The challenge was judged by the dream team and Esther swept the competition—again.
My favourite looks: Rinat's accessible look(neon orange one-shoulder dress) and Megan's both accessible and couture-inspired looks(white kaftan style dress with feather neck cuff & the beautiful black & white criss-cross number). The couture-inspired look made me want to step into the screen and steal that ethereal dress.
The third challenge for the contestants to create a three-look mini collection for a runway show on the banks of the Seine. The collaborative collection consisting of three books: two runway (read: high fashion) and one accessible (aka what you'd see in a store). Right off the bat, it was clear that while these designers are happy to work around each other, they're decidedly less happy working with each other—after all, $1 million is on the line!
Sander and Sabato—the youngest and oldest contestants on Making the Cut—formed an immediate bond, complete with cute nicknames for each other, Bébé and Papi, and they eventually won with their coat dress, which has already sold out.
Favourite Looks: Johnny and Megan's runway look(white ruffled blazer with pants) and the winning look from Sander and Sabato.(full-length flowy black blazer dress)
Tim devises a plan to give the designers a kick in the butt and challenges them to design an accessible look in—wait for it—seven hours. Seven hours! The designers also don't get a seamstress to work with (so they have to sew the whole thing together themselves) and can only use fabric leftover from the other three challenges. It's definitely a huge task—especially considering that not all of the designers can sew!
Johnny’s winning look was a long dress in black-and-white vertical stripes, with oversized bishop sleeves and a hem ruffle.
My favourite looks: Ji won(Black jumpsuit with a belt), Esther's (black bodycon dress), Megan's (yellow,white & black draped crop top with black pants)and Sander's (black & beige asymmetrical dress with cutouts) look.
The week of opposing forces(the designers are tasked with creating two looks that represent the concept) the remaining contestants are still in Japan, and Tim Gunn and Heidi Klum kick off the assignment by meeting the designers at the oldest Buddhist temple in Tokyo.
The twist to this challenge, though, is that all of the designers will have a slightly different runway—the catwalk will be an immersive fashion show, and each contestant gets to choose a digital background. Plus, they only have one day to finish their looks.
Esther makes the cut along with Sander, who the judges are actually very impressed by Jonathan warns Sander not to make commercial the enemy of the artist.
Rinat has failed to impress with her created looks.
My favourite looks: Ji wonaccessible look(white & orange vibrant street-wear ensemble) and Johnny's accessible look(honeycomb patterned casual wear t-shirt with pants).
The five remaining designers are challenged to create a two-look collection and a digital marketing campaign. In addition to a fashion show, the designers will have to act as creative directors in a photo shoot with their models. In an epic and rainy fashion show, some of the designers shine, while others get washed out.
My favourite looks: Megan's runway look(clean white blazer & trousers with a shiny metallic belt) and Esther's runway look(black PVC see through dress).
The five remaining designers are challenged to create a two-look collection and a digital marketing campaign. In addition to a fashion show, the designers will have to act as creative directors in a photo shoot with their models. In an epic and rainy fashion show, some of the designers shine, while others get washed out.
The contestants are free to explore the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum in Tokyo.Sander decides to focus on menwear for the very first time, while Johnny chooses to lean to the feminine side of his brand. Megan makes her own pattern & Ji Won changes his go to.
My favourite looks: Megan's black & white feminine & foral print jumpsuit look and Sander's interchangable looks.
Tim and Heidi take the four remaining designers to a serene tea ceremony before revealing the next assignment. Now, the designers must create a two-to-four look mini-collection that embodies the evolution of their brands since the beginning of the competition.
My favourite looks : Esther's looks (black & white all-time specialty) ,Sander's looks (bold black & neon green in never seen before silhouettes) looks,Megan's looks (black & white sharp flowy dresses with statement belts)looks.
Esther's pop up shop:In a classic Esther specialty :all black collection with bold gold statement jewellery constructed by her hands
Sander's pop up shop:A splash of colours with eclectic designs
Johnny's pop up shop:A beautiful nature-inspired shop with the oldie brand of Johnny with a fresh feel & candles for the whole sensory experience as well as the addition of vogue dancers to spice up the atmosphere.
The finale between Esther & Johnny ,a difficult battle of fashion indeed with both finalists giving each other a tough fight.
Johnny's finale collection was a vibrant runway of variety, colour & clothes of various fits.With the quirky addition of neon yellow rubber gloves & boots gave the collection a standout.
Esther's collection was my favourite as it was a journey through her specialty "all black" but also patterned bold pieces with her beautiful aesthetic of draping,statement pieces and easy-going daily wear.
To my surprise, Johnny Cota won the series and was awarded 1 million dollars as well as 2020 was a even more memorable year for Johnny as he opened up his first store as well.