Making the Cut (2020) s01e07 Episode Script

1
Previously, on Making the Cut
We want you to create two looks
of opposing forces.
Your fashion show will be
an immersive, digital fashion showcase.
At least one of your looks
must be accessible. Sander
They want garbage, and I'm just not
Ugh, I'm not with it.
It's stupid. I don't want
to make it wearable.
But I'm going to do it in my way.
Not only did you do color,
but you did metallics.
I like that.
I didn't think that any of the pieces
are very flattering.
Rinat, I'm sorry,
but you're not making the cut.
I feel like I haven't seen eveningwear
from you.
Okay.
Commercial isn't the enemy of artistic,
and these looks were really that.
You are the winner today.
# Hey #
# I never seen a dress like that
in my whole life #
# Hey #
# I never seen a mess like that
Look oh, so sly #
Sander, again, congratulations to you.
Thank you.
And we're getting so close
to that one million dollars!
Oh!
And as you know,
the winner will receive a mentorship
to help grow your business in all facets.
And the winner will get
to create a collection
that will be sold on Amazon.
We're looking for the designer who can build
the next great global brand.
Customers in 2020,
they want to be part of your brand.
They want to be part of your lifestyle.
To be successful in this industry,
you must be able to market your brand
in a clear and captivating manner.
So, for your next collection,
we want you to create two looks
for a digital marketing campaign.
Ooh! I love it!
Yes!
I think I can probably take this assignment.
This is like one of the other parts
of being a designer that I love,
is the creative branding part of it.
I've done this multiple times.
You will be the creative director
of your collection
and the marketing photo shoot.
You can have up to three photos
in your campaign.
The location for your photo shoot
is the Edo Architectural Museum.
You will be going there tomorrow
to scout locations for your photo shoot,
and there are a number
of different backdrops from which to choose.
Choose something that speaks to your brand.
I do art direct every single photo shoot
that I do for my brand,
and I have experience in it,
so, this assignment is my chance
to prove myself.
If I fail here, I deserve to go home.
The campaign and your looks should
both be a representation of your brand.
And because we love a fashion show,
we will be having one right there
at the Edo Museum.
And after the fashion show,
the judges will return here
to see your digital campaign.
- Alright?
- -I'm thrilled.
Ever since I got here, I was like,
"I hate sewing.
I'm not good at patternmaking."
Like, I'm an entrepreneur.
Like, I'm a businessman.
Like, I want to do all the other things
that creative directors have to do.
This campaign is really
the linchpin in this, isn't it?
The linchpin.
Yes, the linchpin.
- And as
- Whatever the linchpin is. What is it?
- I was like, what is that?
- Do you guys know what the linchpin is?
You know what the linchpin is?
- No, I don't know.
- -I don't know either.
If you pull the linchpin out,
everything else falls to pieces.
I mean, it's critically important here,
and I think will probably hold
the lion's share of the judging.
I love the linchpin.
I'm still at the linchpin.
As you know,
a look from the winning collection
will be immediately available on Amazon
in the Making the Cut store.
Remember, one of your looks
should be accessible.
But we always want fashion.
Accessible does not mean boring.
Alright, well, have fun tomorrow,
and remember, you're always selling yourself.
And I will see you back here
in the design studio.
And I'll see you at the fashion show.
- Okay?
- Good luck, everybody.
- Bye, thank you.
- Get some sleep. Heidi and I are.
# Yeah
I said my funk don't stop #
# Funk around the streets,
and I funk around the shops #
# Funk around the beaches,
funk around the block #
# Said I don't care about your funk, man
Funk is on the top #
Thank you so much.
You just made my day.
It is only five of us left.
We definitely are connecting more
on a personal level.
Can I get one more sake?
# Tonight is gonna end up in the gutter,
we know #
###
Someone get this man a fork.
We're all in that room every day together,
but it's also like it's very rare that
you're with people who understand the hustle
that we all do all the time.
So, there's a respect.
Even if I don't like you, I respect you.
Yeah, exactly.
We are all friends,
and we are all getting along,
but we are all here to win.
The competition is always
just one layer of skin below.
Can I get one more sake?
Two?
###
- This is pretty beautiful.
- This is gorgeous.
Wow!
I was expecting new architecture
when they said we are going
to an architectural museum.
But it's really nice, because
it's discovering the Japanese culture.
It's really diving into the tradition
and history of Japan.
Oh, wow.
Oh, it's just an old art store.
This is great.
This is perfect for my brand, you know?
I do art, so
It's also kind of funny, you know?
My favorite little spot is actually
this little kiosk here.
The secret kiosk.
The model, I don't know, standing here
watching or doing something, like, here
could be really cool.
My looks were inspired
by my location.
It's basically a train,
and it just, like, reminded me
of New York subways
and the type of girls that I would see
on the New York subway.
In the last assignment,
Naomi told me I have to try eveningwear.
I can't show up to the judging and be like,
"I didn't do something feminine."
So, I'm a bit nervous.
My first look is, like, a super-fitted dress.
I want to give more of a range
and stop doing,
like, such oversized silhouettes
and show that I can do
more fitted clothing also.
And my second look, I want the model to look
like she just came home from a rave,
like an afterparty or something.
Uhh!
I'm doing two looks.
One is going to be a pants and a jacket;
the other one is gonna be a skirt
and a chemise button-up shirt.
It's my first time doing menswear, um
ever.
It's fabulous that I won the last challenge,
but I like taking risks.
I really like this area right here.
I like the sharpness of the lines
in the umbrellas.
And I love the lines in the windows.
It's very linear and kind of structured,
and I think it will work well
with some of my more, like,
fluid, feminine pieces.
Shoots are something
that I take really personal,
because, you know, you're projecting
your image in a photo of your brand,
and it's really important.
And especially for social media,
and that's where most of my business
comes from.
This is cool.
I want greenery and
what I love about this is it's all greenery,
but it's all potted,
so, it's, like, thought-out.
It's like, um tended to.
It's different than the nature
that's around here.
And I love bonsais.
I'm obsessed with bonsais.
So, this is like bonsai alley.
I think it's just awesome inspiration
for what I can design.
I've always known my brand needs
more femininity, more lightness.
And it's one of my weak points as a designer.
And then the judges have been like,
"Where's your feminine side?"
After seeing that bonsai alley,
I'm like, "I'm doing floral."
I've never done floral in my life.
I'm gonna give these judges floral!
So, today, we're at
this virtual reality-type place,
like we're going to put these glasses on,
and we're gonna go into a different world.
- Hi!
- Welcome to VREX Cafe.
- How are you? Heidi.
- Hi.
- We're very excited to play this game.
- Yes.
- Cool. Let's get dressed.
- Oh, very spacey.
Heidi! It's a vital vest.
It's very Coeurage.?
It's very Jetson.
- Oh, hello!
- Try this.
- So, we're fighting each other?
- Yes.
What a classic matchup!
Heidi versus Tim!
Wow! This is amazing, Tim!
Wow!
# I'm going to kick Tim's booty #
Just remember when we were fencing, Tim.
Yeah. Heidi beat me in fencing in Paris,
and I'm not going down in Tokyo!
This will be one for the ages.
Okay. Okey-dokey.
# Life moves fast like a new rollercoaster #
Konichiwa!
# Make a splash, make the most of #
# New shoes, smooth moves #
# Move cool #
I'm doing my women's look first,
which is a skirt and a shirt.
And oh, my god, I'm a rapper.
And then I'm going to tape up my men's look,
which is a pants and a bomber jacket.
A bomb-bomb so I can bomb this challenge.
# Show 'em what you got,
show 'em what you got #
# Why not, show 'em what you got #
# Show it off for the catwalk #
I don't even want to use
the "F" word, "floral."
Um, but I'm trying to do
I'm trying to expand my horizons.
I picked this floral print.
which, now that I'm looking at it,
kind of looks like hospital bedsheets.
It's like a punk-rock denim vest
on top of it,
to, like, kind of grunge it up.
I just have to keep telling myself
I like this fabric.
Just if I keep saying it over and over,
I'll believe it.
I don't know if I believe it yet.
I had a little visitor
on my working place some days ago.
It's a mosquito.
I got really close,
and I took a lot of pictures,
and he just stayed.
And I really loved his wings.
And so, today, I decided that I will make
something which has, actually,
the structure of his wings.
This specific assignment, I will show
a lot of material mixes,
a lot of shiny materials
mixed with matte materials.
So, it's a lot of things happening
even in one outfit.
You're just, like, Tindering.
- No, I'm thinking.
- Oh, oops.
That's what the kids call it these days.
I have to do fitted on a plus-size girl,
and it's just, like, me up.
Fitting a plus-size model,
like, in the first place, is difficult,
and I just feel like the judges
want looks that cater to, like,
a wider range of audiences,
and, like, I'm not that.
Normally, I would do
like a really bold print,
but I don't want to show
what I've been doing.
So, I kind of want to show how my brand
has been evolving during the competition.
So, I didn't want to stick with
what I normally do and play it safe.
I wanted to show kind of the evolution.
The silhouettes will still be me,
with a little bit of a twist,
but I wanted to do, like, some cool way
or method of mimicking a print.
Megan? Do you have an extra rubber
you can borrow me?
- An extra what?
- A rubber?
- Eraser?
- What eraser? Oh, yeah, eraser.
Ahh!
I was like, "Wha what?"
# I'm gonna be successful #
# Gonna be great #
# When I look at their eyes #
# Uh
I can see that hate #
# But it's okay
It's alright #
# Uh, I said I'm on my way #
I'm making my more formal look
and I'm cutting out strips of fabric,
and I'm gonna make it
like shiny-matte-shiney-matte,
and it's gonna hang down and be all flowy,
and, like, it will look good
on a photo shoot,
because it indicates movement,
and it's going to be
I don't know how it's going to turn out,
but I'm just draping it right now.
Aren't you tired? I'm, like, dead.
Beyond tired.
That's why I keep making stupid mistakes
- and changing my mind and
- Right?
I was like, "Oh, hell no."
Leaving tonight, I am not feeling
the color block blazer at all.
Ugh.
Everything just looks
really cheap and forced,
and that's definitely not
what I want to convey to the judges,
and that's not very representative
of my brand.
- So, I'm gonna have to start over tomorrow.
I'm like, "Oh, sh."
Like, "What did you do, Megan?
You just wasted a whole day."
# Let's go ho-ome #
In the blue corner
Terrible Tim Gunn!
The competitor in me is coming out.
I'm ready for her!
And in the pink corner
Titillating Heidi Klum!
I'm gonna win this thing.
The first player
to knock out their opponent's four triangles
will be the victor.
Fight!
Tim blasts Heidi
with a double score right off the bat!
Heidi activates her shield and blasts Tim!
Heidi has to be careful.
She may be flagged for taunting.
Tim finally connects!
He's got three points. Whoa!
It's gettin' wild!
Tim scores! Tim with the win!
I won!
Game over.
- Winner!
- Winner!
I'm upset.
- Well, let's play again.
- No, I don't want to play it again.
Yeah, I didn't like that.
Heidi's very upset that I beat her
at this fireball game.
- You have on that pouty face.
- I don't.
I'm sorry, I happen to be
the better fireball thrower.
This was a dumb idea.
# I'm on the fast track, get back,
got another catalogue #
# Guess she's gettin' at me
Ooh #
# I got a backpack, thick stack,
got to get my study on #
# Guess she's gettin' at me
Ooh #
Our assignment is to create
a two-look collection
for a digital marketing campaign.
- Did she make it?
- Yeah, they made it.
- Kind of.
- She understood?
- Yeah. It's like I wanted it.
- Cool.
I mean, it's not the cutest dress
in the world, but
I will just, I guess, make it work.
Today, I'm struggling
to keep focused.
What do I do first?
So, you know, I've had
my brand SkinGraft for 15 years.
I've had ups and downs in my business,
and before I came onto this competition,
I closed my store of ten years.
When we closed that store,
I cried for a week.
I was so embarrassed, you know.
I felt like it was such a defeat.
I swore I'd never do retail again.
But a few months ago,
an opportunity presented itself
to open up a new space,
and I had to jump at it.
The timing's crazy, because, back in L.A.,
my family's been opening a brand-new store
for me in my absence.
And today is the opening party.
I'm not there to support it,
and it's stressing me out.
I'm just making the base of the dress,
and then
all of these ribbons are gonna go on top.
Now I can concentrate
on the patterns for my second look.
Today,
I'm going to finish my pieces up,
and then I'm just gonna do my jacket.
My first look was
a color block blazer,
but I decided I hate it.
So, I'm changing the whole kind of
vibe that I'm going for for my two looks,
but it will still be very much me.
I don't want to just do something safe just
'cause I'm scared I'm not gonna have time.
Go big or go home.
Exactly.
- The bitch is back.
- Finally.
- Were you missing me?
- Yeah.
No, you weren't.
You were enjoying the silence.
So, right now I'm working on
draping my formal look
that's a bit more feminine
than I'm used to doing.
But I'm liking it so far.
I'm glad they pushed me to do
something different.
I hope they like it.
# I want a new scene #
# You get where I've been #
# I want to taste something
that's so, so sweet #
# Yeah #
- Good morning, everyone.
- Good morning!
I'm here for our Tim talks
and to talk to you about
our next fashion show
and campaign presentation.
Alright, I'm eager to see what you're doing.
- Hello, Tim.
- Hi, Sander.
My original design was to put this shirt
was on top of this,
and the coat was on top of the menswear.
- But
- Wait, this is menswear?
This is menswear, yes.
- Are you using a male model?
- Yes.
Well, it feels very gender neutral to me.
Yeah. Originally, they were like this.
This one
- Let me ask you this question.
- Yes?
- What if they switched tops on the runway?
- Oh.
And it's an opportunity
no one's realized yet.
Don't tell nobody else.
And for your campaign,
be thinking about
whether you want to incorporate your logo
- Yeah.
- And/or any text into your photos too.
Yep.
This looks like Laura Ashley for SkinGraft.
It feels
a little hospital bedsheet, I know.
So, what's the second look?
I got this incredible, like,
traditional Japanese indigo cotton.
And I'm making a big, crazy jumpsuit
for the guy.
It's gonna have bone-colored leather pockets.
Okay. But this print is just perplexing.
Well, it's being balanced out
with this grey denim motorcycle vest.
Okay.
You cannot send this without the vest.
This is really underwhelming.
Tim, to be honest, I don't know
what I'm gonna do.
I mean, the challenge for you with this print
is to make it look cool.
Guess what? I returned to black.
I'm not even remotely surprised.
Okay. So, but I'm still
thinking about mixing different materials
Okay.
bringing in the light,
especially as it's now photo shooting.
- Yeah.
- I don't want that it's all matte.
I found my own inspiration,
and it was this mosquito.
- I really like the structure of the wings.
- Mm-hmm. It's very you.
Also, I had the idea last night
to add text to the picture.
It could be like "Believe in your dreams."
I'm very excited by what you're doing.
Thank you.
I found this beautiful print
that I'm in love with.
And what is this going with?
A skinny cigarette pant,
and then I wanted to make, like,
a really structured center belt.
I think it works really well
with the romanticness of this.
I agree with you.
So, tell me about your location.
I'm going to do the photoshoot
inside this Japanese house.
- Like a tea house? Or it's a residence?
- Yeah, like a tea house.
With the hair and makeup,
I think the simplicity of it will be good.
- That's very you.
- Very me, yeah.
For our digital marketing campaign,
the photo has to be impactful,
and it has to be really powerful,
so, I want something that's gonna complement
my brand and my aesthetic
rather than work against it.
- Be staging those photos starting now.
- Mm-hmm.
- Carry on. Thank you.
- Okay. Thank you.
So, I know from elimination
I have to do something more feminine,
and I haven't done anything,
like, body forming before,
and so, I wanted to bring in this.
Well, I have to tell you,
just stepping over here,
I wonder, "Whose work is this?"
But I feel like I really did challenge myself
to do something different that I
I understand, but you're
you are presenting a campaign
that epitomizes your brand.
But I think I can bring more elements
into the brand
that would speak to a wider audience,
not just people who want to dress masculine
and, you know, oversize
It is frustrating to hear from Tim
that he doesn't think it's me,
but I'm not planning on making any changes.
I believe in the dress, and I'm gonna
not let anyone else affect my decisions.
Alright, everyone.
Just keep being very thoughtful and strategic
in thinking about your campaign.
A ho-hum photo could do you in,
so, you need to be very thoughtful
when you're making the selection
about what is presented to the judges.
- See you tomorrow.
- See you.
I can't focus on what I'm doing,
because Tim had pause about my dress.
Right now, my new store is opening.
It's like the opening party's
happening in L.A.
My whole family pitched in
to open this shop.
I'm so excited that it's happening,
but I wish I was there.
- Hello?
- Hello?
- Are you there?
- Yeah. Hi!
Oh, my G
Hi.
- Look who I have.
- Hi, Mom!
Jonny! Look at you!
Jonny!
We miss you!
Hey, guys.
Dad and I know how to steam clothes.
For hours and hours and hours.
Oh, my God.
# You can call on me #
# Whenever you're in need #
We love you!
The place is awesome!
There's like a whole store set up.
There's a real store
Thank you, guys. I mean
pulling all together to do this,
it's, like, blowing my mind.
Like, I'm so
I miss you guys so much.
It's so weird not being there, but
I will make you proud, I promise.
We got this, you got that.
- Okay.
-We love you!
I love you guys so much.
- Bye.
-Bye!
# So safe to be here #
# Safe to be here 'til the end #
# 'Til the end #
# 'Cause I need someone #
# I need help, I need a friend #
The fact that I can sacrifice
my brand possibly falling apart
or, you know, my store, like, poorly opening,
just to be here,
I'm putting so much at stake here.
And I feel it every single day
while I'm here in this competition.
But, you know, this call reminded me
that I'm not just doing this for me.
I'm doing it for all the people
who've supported me these 15 years,
like, following my dreams,
like, that lights that fire in me.
That's gonna make me
make the impossible possible today.
I have a cool idea about this dress.
I'm gonna dye it.
Well, I don't have any dye.
But there's a coffee machine,
so, let's hope coffee saves this dress.
Guys, the models are here!
- Hey, you beauties.
- How are you?
- They kind of look cool baggy.
- Yeah, I like them like this.
We might have just stumbled upon something.
I wanted one pant to fit slimmer,
but it actually looked better
fitting kind of baggy.
Those are hot.
It looks very chic, and the model loved it.
I mean it looks like potential.
Oh, my God. I think it's gonna work.
It totally worked.
This baby needs to go for a swim.
# Drop it #
# So watch me while I work #
# So watch me while I work #
# Hey #
# So watch me while I work
Hey #
# Hey, hey
So watch me while I work #
# Hey
You better watch me #
Ohh, please work, please work,
please work, please work, please work
The coffee took down the white
just a little bit.
It makes the print look cooler.
But this thing is soaked to the bone,
so, I'm just trying to get this to a point
where I can try it on my model.
Okay. Looks beautiful. All good.
- We're good?
- Yeah.
I was thinking we could switch
the looks on the runway.
There's going to be a little photoshoot,
and I got to get like three really good shots
to use for a campaign.
I don't have much for the fitting.
You have a dress that is
in the dryer right now.
You're wearing a jumpsuit.
It's gonna look really cool.
- Just stand here.
- Ji, that's hot.
- Yeah, and it is me.
- It is you.
I was really happy
making this dress.
Like, I love how it turned out,
and I'm super happy
that Naomi pushed me to do it.
If they can't see me in it, then, like,
I mean, I don't know what else I can do,
because, like, I see myself
in there so clearly.
But my second look, it was just a mess.
Is it tight? Oh.
Okay, yeah, it's really too low.
She doesn't even, like, go into the pants,
and I don't have the time to remake this.
I have to win, so I am worried about that.
- Thank you, guys. I see you tomorrow.
- Thank you.
See you tomorrow.
I'm very used to
achieving what I want,
and it's not really happening here,
and, like, that's frustrating me.
I've never lost anything in my life.
It's dry, but it's stinky, so
Let's put you on Let's go in here.
There's less people.
What is that smell?
Is that the dress?
- It's Do you smell it?
- Gosh. Yes, it's horrid.
- Easy.
- Easy!
The dress is only cool if it's covered with
this, like, big, like, boyfriend denim vest.
And I am handing off my vest
to my seamstress tonight.
She only has three hours.
Like, that really has
to pull the look together, or I'm out.
- I'm going to make it an elastic waist.
- Yeah.
With my time left
at the end of the day,
I put in an elastic waistband on the pant,
and it always comes together in the end.
It's been a very concentrated day,
but it felt good.
###
Why does this world
hate me so much?
So, the seamstress barely touched
my denim vest.
She said the yarn that I gave was too thick
for her sewing machine,
so she couldn't do it.
I'm going into this workday with twice
as much work as I anticipated.
I have to spin all the belts,
all the hardware, the snaps.
I have an hour and a half to work
faster than the wind.
It's looking okay.
I still have last-minute things to do.
The dress I handed in to the seamstress
didn't come back finished,
so, there won't be time for the jacket.
I love my looks.
But I always love what I do.
# A bag of money and a champagne shower #
# I don't want to miss this #
# Gotta have it, gotta have it,
it's a wonderful thing #
# It's all the rage, it's all the craze
Oh, what a joy it will bring #
# I might go a little crazy #
# Because I dreamed it and I think it
and it's all I can see #
Hi, good morning.
Give me one second. I'm almost done.
The rest of my looks are pretty much done.
But I have to finish this vest.
It has to be a "wow" moment.
Right now, it's not.
# What you aiming for? #
# What you aiming for? #
Hi, gorgeous.
I'm really looking forward
to the photo shooting,
because I'm always the creative director
in my photo shootings for my brand.
So, I definitely think that my experience
will really help me today.
I'm almost in tears.
It all came together.
But, like, is it cool enough?
Did I push myself enough?
- This photoshoot is really gonna matter.
-Everybody, let's go!
- Come on, babes.
- Wooo!
I know in a photo,
I can turn something just okay
into something incredible.
I just need to make this count.
# Just shine like a diamond,
like a thousand jewels #
# Yeah, yeah, yeah #
So, then, you have to put your arm
on her shoulder.
And then one straight on
in front of the camera. There we go.
There, stay there. Yeah, that's perfect.
This is my one shot to show the judges
that I'm able to do a campaign,
so, I wanted it to be very strong.
Your right arm can you put up to your head?
I put a lot of effort and time into
making sure my brand is appealing online,
so I'm excited to get the chance
to show them that.
Oh, my goodness! I love it!
Keep moving around
so the straps are, like, swinging.
Yeah, that way.
That's really good.
My brand is for people that want to stand out
no matter what race they are,
what size they are,
so I need to capture that.
Yeah, that's great.
I love my first look,
but my second look is a bit meh.
I want you guys to be,
like, interacting with each other.
I mean, I hope the photoshoot can save me,
because I think the photos
actually are very good.
Oh, nice. I love these.
So, my fingers are crossed.
Like, we're, like, cool looking.
Watching.
I've been doing photo shootings a long time,
so it's easy for me to envision
what I want to communicate.
Turn a bit towards us,
so we see the dress better.
Do something else with your legs.
From what I see on his little screen,
I think I captured the style of my brand.
That's beautiful.
Now turn both of your bodies
more, like, to the outside. Yeah, like that.
And still do the lean.
Every collection, I do photoshoots.
So, I have no problem commanding people.
I need you to scream at each other,
like, as loud as you can.
Go. Aah!
The clothes really fit in well
with the location.
The color palette is right for it.
So, I'm excited to see how everything's
going to come together.
Relax a little bit.
Relax your face a little. Yeah.
How can I explain to them
that the campaign represents me,
represents my brand powerfully?
Put your hands on his shoulders.
Beautiful.
Those looks have to define us.
Open up. Bring your bodies
more this way. Yeah.
We're the top five, like,
this campaign needs to crush it,
or I'm gonna go home.
Woo! Let's do it.
Hello, everybody.
Welcome to our fashion show.
Marketing is a critical aspect
of the fashion industry.
Uh pants just popped,
so, I had to fix them.
Don't pull it up for any reason.
Our designers created two-look collections
for a digital marketing campaign.
And the winning look
will be immediately available on Amazon.
And the winning campaign will be featured
on Amazon Prime Video social handles.
Let me introduce you to our lovely judges.
Creative director of Altuzarra,
Joseph Altuzarra.
The most powerful fashion influencer
in the world,
Chiara Ferragni.
Contributing editor for British Vogue
and fashion icon,
Naomi Campbell.
Alright, everyone.
Let's start the show.
Beautiful.
Oh, wow.
It's very sexy for her.
Well, here goes Esther in her typical black,
but we know to expect that.
I like that the dress is a size
that's for all women's body types.
Maybe she's thinking really
about selling more.
This one I like more than the dress.
Me too, yeah. And that's her.
That is Esther.
I think that my campaign
reflects my brand.
It's a strong woman.
It stays in this like a wide universe,
and I'm extremely proud of myself.
# And I've been quiet for so long #
Hey. Here we go.
Oh, wow, I love this.
I mean, he really always
comes up with new shapes.
This is beautiful.
I always love the contrast
between, like, feminine and masculine.
Oh, wow. This looks so good.
# I've been crying for so long #
For the first time,
he's doing a male model.
Yeah, he's never done it
before, right?
Here we go. Dramatic moment.
Oh! Yes!
# And I've been quiet for so long #
Really clever this idea of gender neutrality
and gender fluidity.
My digital marketing campaign is
all about showing modern art impressions,
basically, through clothing.
It's very me, it's very conceptual,
so, I'm very proud of my work.
I love.
# And I've been quiet for so long #
- How are you?
- I'm good.
Good.
# Bounce #
# Bounce #
- Ooh! I love the dress.
- Oh!
Well, thank God you tea-dyed it.
She's probably dripping coffee
down the runway.
That's fine. We don't care.
I love that he's continuing
to really play with his feminine side.
- All the slitting is really beautiful.
- The slitting is good, yeah.
It's very sexy.
Very Japanese-inspired,
this blue
- Indigo dye.
- Indigo dye?
- Yeah.
- He's embracing the culture that he's in.
I think that this campaign
really reflects my brand,
the lifestyle that I create,
and it reflects the place
and the setting that I'm in, you know?
It's all the key points.
These are very fashion-forward,
very editorial.
But at the same time, also wearable.
Not something
- I would buy it.
- Yeah.
I love it.
- Ji. How are you feeling?
- Um, okay.
I'm not convinced.
# The lights flashing bright #
- Oh, gosh.
- Mm.
The pants are not flattering.
I'm not sold on this,
and I wouldn't want it in my closet.
I feel like I'm seeing
the same old-same old from her.
# The lights flashing by #
- How do you feel about this?
- I love this one.
- Okay, good.
- It's my favorite.
- Oh, the second look is definitely better.
- Yeah.
I actually think
this is not something we've seen
- No this is..,
- from her before.
My brand is all about
casual in the street
and bringing in these, like, sporty elements,
and my marketing campaign
exactly captures that.
- What are your thoughts?
- I like it.
I just had a few tweaks
that I needed to make, but I like it.
Ooh! I would buy that in a heartbeat.
It's a really nice move on
from what she normally does.
Yet she still kept her stamp.
We still know that this is Megan, right?
Ooh, she's giving us
some drama today.
I'm into the romantic skirt and top.
You could even wear it with sneakers,
if you wanted to.
Even though she has it with heels,
the skirt I would or boots.
I think the shots are authentic
to who I am and my brand.
I wanted it to be more of
an editorial photoshoot,
so I'm extremely proud of myself.
- Guys, that was a fabulous show.
- Good job.
- Yes. You guys were beautiful.
- Fabulous show. Fabulous.
Thank you so much for coming.
Stay dry, everyone.
Hi!
Hi, guys.
I'm feeling nervous but with
a sense of calm, also, over myself.
I know that I've definitely
not done the worst.
I hope I'm gonna make the cut.
We really enjoyed the fashion show today,
and we just looked at
your marketing campaigns.
The fashion show definitely was impressive,
and we love getting to know your brands
a little bit further.
We don't really want to see any of you go,
but we will never get to the end
otherwise, right?
And at that end, guess what's waiting there?
- A million dollars.
- One million dollars.
We discussed each of
your two-look collections
and your marketing campaigns.
As you know, we're here to find
the designer who can create
the next great global brand.
And the designer behind the brand
is just as important
as the clothes that you send
down the runway
and that appear
in your marketing campaigns.
And as you know, a conversation
can change everything.
One of the winner's looks will be available
immediately on Amazon
in the Making the Cut store.
Esther, we're going to talk to you.
Please tell us about your two looks
and your campaign.
My brand is about a new femininity.
A campaign for me is not only about
showing the complete outfit,
it's about creating an atmosphere, a vibe.
I like the marketing campaign.
I like that it was black and white.
I like that she looks very androgynous.
The campaign was really evocative.
With that one image, you really captured
what your brand is about.
Your campaign, you have a clear vision
of who you are and sense of who you are.
I don't like the slogan.
I wish your name could be
a little bit bigger.
'Cause that's when people
are flipping through.
They want to get you want to get
your name to be seen.
But, overall, I like your campaign picture.
Sander, tell us about your looks
and your campaign.
Well, for my three looks, I kind of went
with the idea of, like, reconstruction,
reinvention, and reshaping
of yourself in my brand.
My brand is basically
impressions of modern art.
I love especially the first image
of the campaign.
I think that was the strongest.
You could see the looks in a better way.
I loved the pieces.
My only note is, the campaign
the three images somehow felt
a little disconnected from each other.
I like the surprise that you get
each week from you. It's refreshing.
Yeah, then you give these "aha" moments,
even if it's as simple as them
swapping their jackets.
It's always great to see what you do next.
It's always great to see you guys.
- Ji. We're going to talk to you.
- Okay.
Tell us about your looks
and your marketing campaign.
At its core, my brand
is about celebrating individuality,
and it's about taking the differences
that people have
and really embracing it
and making clothes that allow them
to stand out even more.
How do you feel about your clothes
and your campaign?
The dress I love,
and the campaign I'm very happy with.
I think it really does capture my brand.
I like the dress with the stripes.
It's something that I would wear.
But, um, I feel like the pants
with the top
It was kind of too ordinary of a design.
It was too simple.
I always say,
"How do you cut through the noise?"
How do you stand out?
And I didn't think that the girls
complemented each other
the way they were modeling,
because I feel like they came
from two different parties
and just the way they were hanging there
I don't know, I just didn't think
that they looked great together.
I want to know, did you direct your models
with the photographer?
- Yes.
- Did you tell them
- how you wanted them to stand?
- Mm-hmm. I did.
And did you not see
that the way they were standing
was not complementary for your dress?
Mm.
I just wanted
very, like, playful movements.
I didn't see that it wasn't
it didn't make it flattering.
I don't feel, since you're saying
you directed your models,
that you chose to direct them in the way
that made your outfit lay in the nicest way.
I wanted to see more from you today.
There was nothing new,
and I thought you were going to come
with something new,
from our conversation.
I was really excited about it. I
I thought I put something different
that I haven't put on before.
I've never worked with silks before.
I've never done something so feminine before.
So, I thought I was hitting the mark
on the dress.
Um the second look,
I knew it wasn't there.
I'm not surprised you're not happy with it.
Ji, based on your fashion show
and marketing campaign
you are not making the cut.
So, how would you change our minds?
I mean like, I've had my brand
for two years. I'm only 26.
I've shown you what I could do, and I feel
like I just have so much more to show you.
And
that's all I can say.
Judges, have any of you changed your mind?
No.
Ji, I'm sorry, but you're not making the cut.
Mm-hmm.
Well, thank you so much.
This has been an incredible experience.
Give you a hug.
Thank you, Naomi.
I'm disappointed.
I wanted this my whole life.
Thank you, Joseph.
I talk about wanting to make
my parents proud all the time,
but I feel like they're proud
no matter what I do,
and it's just me that's, like,
the hardest person so
Thank you.
I'm a complete perfectionist,
and I wasn't today.
- This isn't the end of the road for you.
- No, it's not.
It's the end of a competition,
but, believe me,
- you're super talented
- Yes.
- And you're a baby. You're 26.
- And you're so young.
And you've achieved a lot.
Whoo!
- Bye-bye.
- Bye, Ji.
I would have seen Ji
to be in until the very end,
actually, because she's very strong.
But just this one look was not a look
to convince the judges.
No, she's very talented.
You guys were just stronger.
Jonny. Tell us about your campaign
and your looks.
Yes. I call it "Tokyo punks."
And that's what the writing was
underneath "SkinGraft."
And Tokyo punks is kind of capturing,
like, the rebellious, fiery heart
of loving music and late-night dance culture.
This is very much where my brand comes from.
- I have a question.
- Yep.
How attached are you to the name SkinGraft?
So, SkinGraft has been my brand for 15 years,
but I am using this opportunity to launch
a namesake label for myself, Jonny Cota.
So, why did you put "SkinGraft" on there?
Because, um
I mean, I love how bold and big it is
on your campaign.
It's just the word, to me,
and I have to be honest,
like, I don't know how positive it is.
I've kind of been hiding
behind that name for 15 years.
- Not anymore!
- Not anymore.
So, you want to keep SkinGraft by your name,
or you just want to go
Um, I think, you know, we just launched Cota,
and it's called
Well, you're going to kill me for this,
but it's called "Cota by SkinGraft."
You know?
So, it's like we need to connect them.
It will be beneficial to you
to put your full name.
Think about when you do your perfume
or your beauty licensing.
They need your name.
It doesn't work otherwise.
Yeah. But this is the chapter
that's kind of wrapping up.
Listen to us. We know a little bit.
I suggest you change that name.
- Think about it.
- I think you should think about it.
- I loved your campaign.
- Thank you.
I love the whole essence.
It captured Tokyo for me.
Only thing I don't like
is the name SkinGraft.
And the type is too big for me.
I thought the campaign was very strong.
I think it felt like
it was really telling a story
that I think people can relate to
and that people would want
to hear more about.
The campaign, I think, really tells a story.
You want to know more about these people.
The thing with your clothes is
they look nice,
but they were not as special
as all of the other pieces of you.
Mm-hmm.
Jonny
I'm going to have you stay here.
Okay. Here we go again.
- Megan.
- Mm.
- Come on up.
- Aw.
- Hi.
- Hi.
You did a fantastic job today as well.
- Oh, my God, thank you.
- You really did.
I mean, both looks that you sent
down the runway today
I absolutely loved.
- Thank you.
- Yeah.
So, tell us about your looks
and your campaign, please.
So, I've been inspired by seeing women
in the kimonos and the obis.
You know, queens and princesses,
they have a reign,
and it kind of played
on the words of the umbrella.
And I wanted the photos to be very editorial,
so I was really excited
about this assignment.
You know, as soon as that suit came out,
I think we're starting
to get to know you as the tailor.
It felt new, and it felt exciting,
and it felt emotional.
The campaign. That wasn't working.
Your model, she's sitting with her legs open.
Stand, because we can't see
from that picture what your outfit is.
If I hadn't seen the fashion show,
I would not understand what that outfit is.
- Yeah, it's true.
- Especially the one sitting up.
You're like, "What is that, a dress
or is it two-piece?"
You know, but, campaign not great,
but the clothes still stood for themselves.
- Clothes were still good.
- Good. Okay.
Yeah.
Okay, so here's where we are.
Megan, we loved your fashion show.
And, Jonny, we loved your campaign.
So, we have a little tie breaker here.
Your ability to fight for your brand
and yourself, right here,
will help us better understand
who will be able to fight for success
in the real world.
Throughout this competition,
I've been consistent every single time,
and I've never sent anything down the runway
that I'm not completely proud of.
And although Jonny does have
15 years' experience with his brand,
I just started my brand three years ago,
and I'm already here.
I really took on the assignment.
I've been showing consistently strong looks,
adding range more and more
with every assignment.
I really understand that to be
a strong global brand,
you really have to move beyond
just your apparel.
I should win today 'cause
I think I did a really strong job.
I'm really proud of what I did.
I hope you guys are too.
But I almost feel like if I put your looks
next to each other online,
I almost feel like Megan's would pop more.
Hmm. I agree. I really do.
- I was really
- What do you think, Jonny?
I think that hers would really pop
on the screen.
I think mine would sell more.
Wow. Jonny's looks are amazing.
I love them.
Like, and he's one of
my favorite people here.
I feel like the dress is kind of
been there, done that.
- And I kind of
- Are you talking about mine?
- Yeah.
- Oh, my God!
- Okay, keep going, keep going.
- No, but I love the jumpsuit and the jack
I'm just being honest.
And I just really was proud
of what I created.
I felt like it was a push for me,
but it was a new take on something, and
Yeah! Fight for it!
when I had the models do the fitting,
they loved everything,
- which to me was a good sign, so
- It is a good sign.
I did too.
- I think Can I jump in?
- Yes.
I think what was unique about this assignment
was the campaign.
And we also were supposed to give you
another snapshot of our brand, you know?
So, I wanted to give you
a darker, black palette,
but I'm, like, thinking,
"Okay, this photo they need to pop.
"There needs to be, like,
a dynamic color scheme.
They really need to come off the page,"
and so,
I shifted my designs really keeping
the assignment in mind
of doing a really strong campaign.
- I think my campaign was
- He's hooking us back in.
- visually stunning.
- I was just hooked over here.
I was totally picking up
what you were putting down.
Now you're starting again.
Now I'm on your side again.
I think my campaign was visually stunning.
I think it was relatable.
The things looked aspirational
but accessible.
And I think a lot of people
could see themselves
in these clothes
and wanted to be in that picture.
Alright.
Alright, judges, now I think
we are in the hot seat.
Now we have to decide
who is going to win this one today.
Judges, have any of you changed your mind?
No.
I agree with the other judges,
and now I have changed my mind.
I think both of you were very convincing
with what you just said.
- Also with what you sent down
- Mm-hmm.
in your fashion show today
with both of your looks,
- but really, the assignment
- Was the campaign. Yeah.
was to do this campaign,
on top of creating amazing clothes.
And, Jonny, you just nailed it.
Congratulations.
- Thank you.
- Congratulations.
I just want to say that there's nobody
I'd rather lose to here than him.
Seriously.
Jonny, you are today's winner.
Thank you.
Thank you.
And your jumpsuit will be
immediately available on Amazon,
in the Making the Cut store.
I'm so, so happy. I needed this.
Me being away has taken me away
from everything
my brand, the launching of my new store.
I've had to sacrifice so much.
But this is what makes it all worth it.
I've been waiting for an assignment
that let us showcase more
than just cutting, sewing,
and dressing models for the runway.
Like, I think the designer
these days has to be more.
You have to be the creative director.
You have to direct your campaigns.
This is what I came here for.
I'm passionate about this.
I love the big picture.
I love telling the story.
- Thank you, Jonny and Megan.
- Thank you.
Obviously, both of you are making the cut.
Yay!
I'm a little bummed about that,
'cause I know my clothes were better,
and my looks were better,
but what I'm going to do
to wow the judges moving forward
is to keep showing them, you know,
the depth of my brand and my range.
I think the most important thing
is for everybody to hit the sack.
Everyone should go to bed.
- But not with each other.
- Whoa-ho!
Why not?
###