Contestants look to NYC streets for inspiration

Armonk-based designers Antonio and Jesus Estrada are back together in the latest episode of Project Runway after another tense round of eliminations, much to the disappointment of some of their fellow contestants.

Antonio Estrada found himself in the bottom three for the third time this season after some of the judges were unhappy with the runway complement to his avant-garde “unconventional materials” dress and jacket in episode 4.

Antonio’s twin brother Jesus, however, has had a much easier go of this season than his debut in 2010, where he was eliminated in the fourth episode.

With looks that knock even Law Roach’s socks off, Jesus has found himself in the top three for four episodes out of the six, including for the complimentary couture challenge.

Belania Daley and Madeline Malenfant were also in the bottom with Antonio as they struggled to find inspiration after larger-than-life contestant Joseph McCrae was voted off by group decision in Episode 5.

Some cast members expressed their eagerness to see the twins separated after saying they felt the brothers have an advantage with their continued collaboration, but Estrada remained safe to see another episode.

“Well designers, it seems like you still can’t separate Antonio and I, as much as you guys want to try” Jesus said when his brother was revealed to be safe.

Despite Daley and Roach getting into a minor scuffle over Daley’s reaction to criticism of her garment, she too was safe, leaving Madeline Malenfant to be eliminated with an outfit she said she was “not proud of.”

“I wish I had slightly more time here,” Malenfant said. “I do feel like I was a fish out of water but I’m proud of myself for showing up. “

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Time to ‘Hit the Streets’

After Malenfant’s departure, the seven remaining designers were tasked with making a streetwear outfit that speaks to their own individual brand as designers.

The contestants were left to their own devices to gather inspiration from the streets of New York City, where the male streetwear market is centered.

“My vision is to take them back to where streetwear really all began, you know, back in the day. Back in Harlem,” said Joan Madison, a New York native who owns a bridal shop in Columbus, Ohio.

Yuchen Han, of Xining, China, pushed himself to be bigger and better, as he already specializes in his own streetwear brand, ALIENANT, outside of the show.

Antonio was also pushed to get himself a challenge win to prove his haters wrong, including longtime judge and Elle Editor-in-Chief Nina Garcia, who questioned how he “even made it this long.”

“After Nina’s critique, I want to showcase my growth as an individual designer,” Estrada said. “I have to prove to the judges that I am here to stay, that I am here for a reason and set myself apart from my brother.”

With time down to the wire on another consecutive one-day challenge, all the designers rushed to perfect their looks and bring them from the streets of New York to the runway for judging.

Christian Cowan, renowned British designer and partner to music artist Sam Smith, was stealing hearts as a guest judge for the episode, along with supermodel Joan Smalls, who took over for Garcia.

Jesus, Veejay Floresca and Ethan Mundt all had passing scores to make it to the next round, but only two bottom and top looks were chosen from the seven designs this week.

Antonio and Belania were the judges’ favorites after both being in the bottom last week. However, Antonio’s strongest critic Garcia wasn’t there to see his positive progress in person.

Cowan said he enjoyed the choice of materials and the handmade bag resembling a stuffed animal to accompany his brightly-colored skinny bandeau top and palazzo pants.

Daley found her voice as a designer with the streetwear challenge and received acclaim for her “Breakfast at Belania’s” Audrey Hepburn-inspired outfit with a polka dot sequined print and tan cargo shorts.

However, her “resting rude face” was still a point of contention for Roach, who accused her of “getting in her feelings” about the criticism he provided.

At the end of it all, Daley came out the winner for a second time, making her the only designer in the season thus far to have won two challenges.

Han, the streetwear designer who had a lot to prove this week, said he was not surprised to be in the bottom with Madison.

“It’s supposed to be my challenge, but if I had time, I would change the whole thing,” Han said. “I feel like I let the pressure get to me and I think my idea was too big.”

However, Madison, who stood 10 toes down in her graffiti-inspired pantsuit, was surprised to return to the chopping block for another episode.

“I don’t think I should be in the bottom,” Madison said. “So it is what it is, but I stand by my look 100%.”

At stake for the winner of the competition is $200,000 in seed money, a coveted feature spread in Elle Magazine and a year-long mentorship with the Council of Fashion Designers of America.