Next in Fashion: Not Perfect, but a Definite Binge
Graphic by Agnes Lee. Image via Harper’s Bazaar
I’m a big reality show binge-watcher. From The Circle to Masterchef, I’ve seen, and sadly, binged it all. That’s why when I logged onto Netflix yesterday, the 31st of January, I gasped when I saw that Next in Fashion, a new fashion reality show competition, had just been released. It took me about two seconds to press “Watch.”
For those of you that have not started binging the show yourself, let me get started by introducing who’s in it and how it works. In the most reality show way to describe it, it’s a perfect blend between the iconic Project Runway and Netflix’s own The Final Table. In other words, it’s a competitive fashion reality show where designers from all over the world pair up to compete to win $250,000 and the release of their collection in Net-a-Porter. Overall, there are 18 contestants, ranging from Scotland, South Korea and Puerto Rico.
However, the international feel isn’t the only thing that differentiates Next in Fashion from the classic Project Runway. The first big difference is that Next in Fashion is on Netflix, meaning there are no commercial breaks and none of that week-to-week suspense. With Netflix, you can watch the first episode and the last all in one day. Sure, that’s not usually doable in a Northwestern student’s schedule, but it surely is relieving for a binge-watcher like me to know that whenever there’s time, I can click the “Next Episode” button.
I haven’t even gotten to my favorite part of this show: the hosts and special guests. Next in Fashion is hosted by none other than Netflix’s own Tan France and British model, designer and TV show host Alexa Chung. Safe to say that Chung and France never disappoint with stunning looks, charisma and fashion expertise. (Each episode also has cute quick tips segments by either France or Chung, like Tan’s “How to use print.”)
Image via Harper’s Bazaar
In addition, Chung and France are joined by incredible guest judges each week. Unlike Project Runway, where guest judges could be actors and models like Kate Upton or Kristen Bell, Next in Fashion surprises viewers and the contestants with world-renowned guest judges like Monique Lhuillier and Prabal Gurung.
With that being said, Next in Fashion isn’t perfect. Pairing the designers in teams, though it can be an advantage for some like the “Dragon Princess” team that includes Minju (from South Korea) and Angel (from China), where they play off of each other’s strengths, other pairs can also butt heads and impede each other from doing what they do best, like Julian (a gay army veteran from Brooklyn) and Hayley (a Scottish single mom of two adorable twins).
However, Next in Fashion is a definite binge for anyone interested in fashion, reality competition shows or just Tan France’s amazing gravity-defying hair.