Next in Fashion (2020) s01e09 Episode Script
Denim
[Alexa Chung] Oops, I did it again.
Oh, yeah, what's that?
Popped a button.
How's yours looking? Does it look right?
I think so.
I feel I could bring sexy back.
Okay. Well, then don't forget your hat.
Got it. Ooh! Hello.
What's the theme again today?
- Denim. Let's go.
- Hmm.
[Minju] It's only four of us.
- Flower Four.
- [Daniel] Flower Four?
- [Minju] Fun Four.
- [Daniel] Fun Four.
It's a little bit sad. The group now
becomes super small.
- It's so strange. Just four of us.
- Aww.
It's so quiet, too.
[Daniel] We started this with 18.
We had a full workroom.
Every station was packed.
And now, I can't believe that I am
in the semifinals.
- I'm happy that we're all here together.
- Yeah.
Being able to say that I was the winner
of Next in Fashion,
it would prove my worth.
I'm young. I've gone
into this straight out of college.
It would be absolutely huge for me.
I feel your power ♪
Don't be nervous. You've done really well.
I thought I'm going home
first challenge, honestly.
So, I'm very surprised I'm here.
We are so, so close to the finale.
Oh, my God.
I can't believe it.
This could change my life.
Everyone that is left
is massive competition.
But I came into this competition
wanting to know that I was better than all
of them.
[laughs]
Now, I'm in the top four.
I'm kind of just ready to prove it.
- Hi!
- Morning!
- Good morning!
- Hi!
- Look at all the space!
- [Angel] Yes.
- The final four.
- I know.
Congratulations on officially making it
to the semifinals of Next in Fashion.
This is the final challenge that you guys
are gonna need to survive
in order to make it to the grand finale.
Your final challenge will revolve
around a very versatile fabric.
I wonder if we've given away
in our outfits.
Don't look at us.
[laughing]
Yes, denim.
I know!
It is one of the most worn fabrics
in the world.
When talking about denim, obviously,
the first thing that comes to mind is
a great pair of jeans.
But it can also be used for jackets,
shirts, dresses, skirts, jumpsuits.
I guess its versatility
is what's made it so popular.
Ashton, tell me, what's your experience
of working with denim?
For Billboard Music Awards, I put
Ariana Grande in a full black denim look.
Beyoncé, we did a non-stretch body suit.
I've done Usher's tour in denim.
It's a medium
that I'm very comfortable with.
Minju, what's your experience
of working with denim?
Actually, I tried to use the denim
for my previous collection,
but it actually didn't work so well
with my style
because I'm more like really feminine.
Yeah, I'm a bit nervous.
So, tomorrow's your semifinal runway,
where your denim creations will walk
in front of us, Elizabeth Stewart
and a very special guest.
Joining us at the runway tomorrow
is a designer of many talents.
His work spans fashion genres
from red carpet to resorts
and, of course, denim.
He has made a very, very powerful impact
on the world of fashion.
We will be welcoming
drum roll, dear.
- Loud as you can.
- Don't leave me hanging!
They are so cute.
- Tommy Hilfiger is joining us! I know!
- Yeah!
Oh, my God!
[Minju] Tommy Hilfiger is one
of the most famous designers
When I think about Tommy,
I think about the font and logo
and all his clothes.
He's really a legend.
Alexa and I got our hands dirty,
once again this morning,
setting off a denim paradise.
Please feast your eyes
on our Next in Fashion closet.
Ooh!
- [hums]
- Oh!
[Tan France] In that, you will find stacks
upon stacks of denim.
You'll also find bleach, patches,
rivets, grommets and paint.
We want to see you go to town on this.
This is the Next In Fashion semifinals.
We're gonna ask each of you
to present two denim looks.
What? Two?
- Yes.
- Oh, my God.
The finale is so, so close,
and the stakes are higher than ever,
because four designers are all standing
here in the semifinals.
But in the finale,
only two designers
will be going head-to-head.
- Two.
- What?
[bleeps]
So only two people are going to the final.
I hope it could be me and Minju.
Since we've done this together,
I think we become like a true family.
And I hope I can end it up beautifully
with her.
Dragon Princess has to win.
You'll be working with one female model
and one male model.
Your time management is as important
as ever with this challenge.
Of course, your designs need to work
together and not against one another.
Show us why you really deserve
to be in this finale.
Are you all ready?
The Next in Fashion semifinal starts
[both] now!
[humming]
Okay, so it's the penultimate challenge.
Denim is an everyday staple,
but it's so complicated.
If you get the grain wrong,
if you get the rise wrong,
pockets in the wrong position
isn't flattering.
This is gonna be a difficult one
to really think outside the box.
[Tan] Yeah, because it's been done
in, literally,
thousands of different ways already.
If you want to get into the final,
you have to impress us with something
we've never seen before.
The denim challenge makes
me really nervous
because this last challenge goes up
to the final.
I'm really scared because I really want
to do something good.
I really love to watch movie.
So when I see all the blue,
I'm thinking about Ghost in the Shell
movie.
It's about a girl.
She's kind of a robot, really futuristic.
And she's always in a blue background.
I used blue denim last time. [laughs]
You know when we were in China,
we had the Tibetan horse racing festival.
Because they are horse racing,
so they need to wear denim.
But at the same time, it will be
lots of draping, big volume.
I think that would be really cool
for this concept.
When I look at the denim,
and, like, all the colors,
it really makes me think of icebergs
and the Arctic.
I think it would be really nice
to use everyone's denim scraps
to create Arctic scenes.
I kind of hate denim with stretching it
that means it's got elastane
it's not biodegradable.
The fashion industry, as a whole,
is a huge polluter.
In particular,
denim is quite bad for the environment.
Can I steal all your guys' scraps?
- [Ashton] Absolutely.
- What are scraps?
- Your off-cuts and bits off the floor
- Oh, of course.
For me, fashion is a platform
to talk about things I care about.
So I produced a collection about Brexit.
And instead of doing a catwalk show,
I gathered my friends,
and we wore the collection.
We stood outside the main fashion venue
with signs and placards
that read things like, "We want to stay".
And that was my plea
to the British public to say,
"Please, let's vote to remain."
I just think it's important
that if you've got a platform,
then you should use it
to do something positive.
[Ashton] My father is Japanese.
I have always been fascinated
by Japanese art and designers.
There is something cool to be able to tap
into my heritage
and make it still my aesthetic.
I'm going to use one denim
for each outfit.
A dark gray denim to create the pants.
And I will be using the reverse side
of that denim to create the top.
So I am going to steer away
from the 50 shades of blue.
It's been done a bunch of times.
Let's make something new.
[Tan] Hello, Minju. How are you?
- Hi.
- How are you doing?
- Are you okay?
- Yeah, I'm okay.
Ooh, you seem a little bit frazzled.
Two looks. I think this is too much,
honestly.
It's the semifinals.
Of course we're adding pressure.
Okay. [laughs]
[Tan] What are you making, my love?
Actually, I was inspired
from the movie Ghost in Shell.
It's about a woman robot.
She always wears a jumpsuit,
which looks like space.
- Oh, space suit.
- Space suit!
Yeah, space suit.
[Minju] So, for female,
I'm gonna make
a very futuristic jumpsuit.
I'm gonna mix all different denim colors.
And for the male model, I'm gonna
make a sleeveless top and white pants.
Your family, have they been very
supportive of your career in design?
Yeah, they are.
Like my sister,
she gave her life to me, you know?
Because she came to my business
and together to help me.
I'm taking the creative part,
and she takes the business part.
- Yeah.
- She's very bossy. She's the strong one.
But you know, in the business,
it always needs a strong person.
My sister is really critical
about my work sometimes.
She's always trying
to control my creativity
because she wants my design
really wearable to the costumer.
Like something functional.
But I see fashion as art.
And I put all heart and all time
and I sacrifice so many things, you know?
I was thinking that if I come here,
I could really design for myself.
I came here for me.
I'm putting bleach overlays on denim
to see what will happen.
Something I want to try in this challenge
will be different techniques of bleaching.
I never really tried bleach before.
So I have to do tons of tests to make sure
I understand it pretty well.
Yeah, I can smell the bleach.
- It smells like hospital.
- [laughs]
Here, patient.
[Angel] I'm trying not only
for the judges, it's also for myself.
I'm here to create new things.
And I'm also here to challenge myself.
If it works, it might turn out
like unexpectedly beautiful.
You never know.
[Daniel laughs] Guys,
I'm gonna need more fashion waste.
You have loads of scraps. So good!
Do you have anymore, Ashton?
- I do. Anything you can grab, grab it.
- Thank you.
Oh, maybe I'll take this little
sleeve here as well.
Perfect!
- [Alexa] Hello!
- [Daniel] Hi!
What's with the trash?
[Daniel] So, I've asked everyone
if I can have their scraps.
because I'm gonna use that to create
a scene that looks like ice caps melting.
I really want to talk
about climate change.
Fashion is a huge polluter,
and it's something we need to talk about.
As a young designer, I'm like,
"Okay, what can we do to combat this?"
For my men's look, I'm gonna make
a white denim coat with detachable hood
with a jersey polo-neck underneath.
And then for my women's look,
I'm gonna make a long denim dress
with patchwork Arctic landscape.
[Alexa] Oh, I see! Yeah!
Oh, yes. It does look mountainous.
[Daniel]
It's gonna take a lot of playing around.
- I love the idea. Best of luck, Daniel.
- [Alexa, Daniel] Bye.
[Alexa] Ashton!
- Hi, guys.
- Hello, sweetheart! How are you doing?
- [Alexa] How are you?
- Good.
So talk us through what your plans are
for this.
So yeah, I want to do something
that is bold and silhouette.
For the men's look,
I am going to create a three-quarter
length pleated wide leg trouser,
a harness button up shirt.
For the women's look, I'm gonna create
Japanese Hakama style pants.
Hakama pants are really wide-legged
pleated trousers.
I've done a similar version of that
because I love Japanese culture
and fashion
and being able to bring in my heritage
is always a wonderful thing.
Yeah, and we're so close now
to the prize, essentially.
If you won Next in Fashion,
what would it mean to you?
It'd be incredible, truthfully.
I really wanted to give portions
of money to smaller brands,
younger designers who don't have
the financial capacity
to do a show or buy fabrics
that they want.
I really want to help out the up
and coming next generation of designers.
I used to mentor inner-city kids,
and there's so many talented people
that don't get recognized,
and it's strictly because of money.
Without money, in this industry,
it's really hard to get anywhere.
I've been doing this for 16 years
and people helped me out along the way
when I was younger.
It's only right to give back
and give hope and inspire.
- Angel. Hello, dear.
- Yes. Hello!
What are you making?
So this time, I was inspired
by Tibetan horse racing festival.
- Oh.
- Really?
[Angel] The female look is going to
be a drapery gown.
The fabric will be hanging like a cape.
And the men's look is going to be a vest
jacket with a hood plus trousers.
You're the only one, I think,
who's actually treating your denim.
And I'm doing some test
I think is quite interesting.
I literally put the lace inside the bleach
and pulled it out and put it on
and then pressed it together.
Wow!
A little birdie tells me that Angel Chen
is already stocked in 70 stores.
Yeah, 70 stores.
[Tan] That's huge!
- How old are you again?
That's really impressive!
Do you need this?
When I was growing up,
it was a really difficult time.
My dad was starting his own company,
and I remember me and my dad had
to share the same bowl of noodle soup.
We were quite poor.
Before I went to Central Saint Martins,
my parents, literally, borrowed money
for me to apply.
They tried their best
to make my dream come true.
And now, they're old, retired,
so I have to earn more money
for my family.
They are the best parents in the world.
Mmm! ♪
I just won't ♪
Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! ♪
I just won't give it up
Do it, do it ♪
I just won't, ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! ♪
I just won't give it up, give it up
Do it ♪
I'm sewing the Arctic landscape scene
onto the front of my dress.
I kind of wish that I glued it all down
before I sewed it
because as I'm sewing it,
it's all moving about a bit.
But I think it kind of adds
to the charm of it.
Go find a soldier
Better on a shoulder ♪
Oh! [bleeps]
[Daniel] Are you okay, Ashton?
No, I don't have enough fabric
to finish my pants.
What I should have done is start
with the pant first.
The larger-scale piece to make
sure I had enough fabric.
Instead, I started with the top first
'cause I wanted to get the bulk
of that work done.
So now I'm eight to 12 inches short
to finish the entire pant
I've already cut the top out
of the same denim.
And the bottom is supposed to be
the same denim as well.
And it's just non-existent.
I'm really trying to stick to my guns
about creating each look head-to-toe
in one denim.
Oh, man!
But no matter how I lay the pattern
piece down for the Hakama pleats,
it's just not working.
[groans]
I don't want to compromise the design.
I don't know. I don't know. I don't know.
So I grabbed another denim that's similar.
A few shades different.
Oh, it's so blue!
It is what it is. You've got to just
change your designs and
wing it.
Just one hour left until the end
of the first day
of the semifinals challenge.
- All right, kiddo! Semifinal.
- Yes.
Minju, for the women's look, she's making
what appears to be an astronaut suit.
[Minju] This is last of things to do.
The man's look is my concern.
- We might end up seeing jeans and a top.
- [Alexa] Hmm.
If she only sends one complete look down
the runway, she will be going home.
Can we have one more hour, please?
[Tan] Ashton.
With this one, it's a new,
kind of evolved direction for him.
If he smashes this, this could see him
going to the final.
Daniel. He seems to be taking inspiration
from the Arctic
and the biodiversity in that region.
And his way of expressing that is
to create these two silhouettes
and then, add scraps, aka recycling
other people's off-shoots,
into a new design.
- Do you need scraps anymore?
- Nah.
- Okay.
- Thanks.
From what I've seen right now,
it feels gimmicky.
I just hope he executes it in a way
that makes it feel elevated.
- [Alexa] So Angel?
- I really liked the paint splashes.
I like the lace bleaching treatment
that she's done. It's really impressive.
[Alexa] But you can't say you haven't
seen it from denim brands before.
- [Tan] Of course.
- It's going to take a very nuanced hand
to create something that seems
really elevated and fresh.
[Angel] It's really stiff material
to work on.
Okay, Fab Four, tools down.
Your workday is over,
and tomorrow is your denim runway.
We'll be deciding which two of you
will be heading home
and who will be catapulted
to the Next in Fashion Grand Finale.
- [Tan] Go, get some rest.
- [Alexa] Good night.
[Tan] All right, let's talk denim.
If you really want to embrace denim,
maybe consider this.
Yup, it's a triple denim moment.
I know it seems bold.
But let me tell you this,
if you stick with tonal denims,
it's gonna look great.
So stick with similar shades.
Don't go for something super contrasting.
Don't go for a super dark with a super
light. It's not gonna work.
Keep it simple. Keep it tonal.
You're gonna feel great.
And if you really want to brave,
maybe try a little French tuck.
You know, I love a French tuck.
I can't do without it.
That's it. Simple.
[pop music playing]
It's the morning dance ♪
It's what we do ♪
- Does this look
- [laughs] You look great!
- Thanks.
- Is this Tommy Hilfiger?
- It is.
- Top of the class!
- Women's wear.
- Yeah, is it?
- [Tan] Yeah.
- [Alexa] Very nice.
- [Tan] I think it looks fantastic!
- [Alexa] I love the trousers.
- Thanks so much.
- Yeah.
- Hello, designers.
- Hi.
- Hi.
- Hi.
It's a huge day.
And tonight is gonna be even bigger
because it's not just another runway show.
It is the semifinals of Next in Fashion.
You've got three and a half hours left
to put the finishing touches
on your designs.
- The pressure's on.
- Ready? ♪
So just get to work.
[cheering]
- Good luck!
- Good luck, everyone.
[Daniel] What you have left to do, Angel?
I think the first thing I'm going to do is
the spray paint and also the bleach thing.
You're going to do that first
so they can dry?
- Yes, that's what I'm thinking.
- Good idea.
Each time of bleaching takes
around 20 to 35 minutes for drying.
And also, to show that bleach result,
the whole effect has to be matched
together.
I think that will be the biggest thing.
Daniel, how about you?
I need to make the top for the man.
It needs toggles. It needs a hood.
- It needs pockets.
- Oh.
And then, I need to fit the jeans
on him as well.
This is my last chance to make it
to the finale.
Half of us are being sent home
after this challenge.
Everyone who's left is really great.
So I'm gonna push these looks
to be the absolute best they can be.
[man] Designers, three hours to runway.
[Tan] Models!
Hi. Nice to meet you. I'm Angel.
So your two arms, one will be here.
Wow. That's really nice on you.
I've done these kinds of Arctic landscapes
because it's all about climate change.
- [woman] Ooh!
- You look great!
Right, let's try you.
I hope this is going to fit for you.
This is too small.
- [gasps] Or maybe big.
- We'll make it work.
It looks clean, very sharp
and very futuristic.
That point, I think I've really got it.
But I think I need
to make really the right length.
You see, here it's not
It has to look really perfect. Otherwise,
there's a possibility I can go home.
So I'm really nervous about the pants.
Yeah, okay. I think that length.
It's okay, right, for you?
- [man] Yeah.
- Okay.
I'm going to work on it now. Thank you.
You're basically good.
I'm actually super solid with the fit.
I got a lot of work to do on yours.
Whoo-wee!
I think I might take your sleeves off
completely.
I do really love the sleeves,
but I feel like the sleeves are
overpowering the entire garment
and the look.
And so, I'm fearful that
if I don't edit this,
this will be the decision
that sends me home.
Okay. I'm taking the sleeves off.
No, I like the sleeves.
[laughing]
No, Ashton! No, it looks good.
- Are you sure?
- Yeah. Why? I like it.
I don't know.
No. Don't do that.
You made a really nice sleeve here.
Ugh! It's frustrating because I don't know
if I'm making the right choice.
Are you sure?
- Yeah, I'm going to take the sleeve off.
- Okay.
I want to do it.
I love Minju, but my gut is saying,
"cut these damn sleeves off."
[laughs]
[woman] Ashton.
Well, too late now. Let's go.
Let's commit to this.
Bye!
Rock, rock, shorty rock
Crawl to the floor and make me hot ♪
You know you've got everything I need ♪
Stop my eyes
I'm starting to bleed ♪
- Have you cut the sleeves off?
- [Ashton] I cut the sleeves off my piece.
Nice. Bold.
I think everyone right now is
feeling the pressure
to make sure that this is the best runway
that we've done.
Ashton's cut the sleeves off his shirt.
Minju's on another planet right now,
just dancing around.
Angel is splashing bleach and paint
all over her looks.
Tommy Hilfiger's on his way,
and we're all going a bit crazy.
Rock, rock, shorty, rock
You know you can do it ♪
If you're good to go, then let it show
Then you know you can do it ♪
I think it's very risky,
the spray bleach technique.
I could just ruin all the fabric
and waste my time,
but this is Next in Fashion.
So, I think this is very worth it.
[man] Designers, you have one hour
to finish your outfits.
We have only one hour! [shouts]
Oh, so busy today.
[Daniel] If you think about all the people
who are left in the competition,
my brand is probably the closest
to Tommy Hilfiger out of all of them.
But actually, what I'm doing on this
is really different to what I do
in my normal brand.
I've never done something
so kind of hand done.
And I'm worried it might be
too avant-garde for Tommy Hilfiger.
I was in the bottom three last challenge.
And I'm the only one who was.
So you could say that I'm going into this
with a bit more
to prove than everyone else now.
[man] Hair and makeup rotation,
Please, hair and makeup rotation.
[Ashton] I want it off the shoulders.
I would love the buns, though.
Freshen that up. I want it to look like
she's just woke up like this.
Do you think you can
gel her hair like this?
Like five years younger.
I'm actually excited,
but I'm also nervous right now.
It's the last challenge to go up
to the final.
I really want to make it futuristic,
and I want to surprise Tommy.
The pants are okay, right?
I think it's okay.
For me as a designer,
we always have to think about something
beauty and something different
and make something fresh, you know?
The new idea.
See? New Minju. [laughs]
I like it!
[man] Ten minutes, designers. Ten minutes.
Just try this on. Go.
I think that the winner
is really gonna come down
to who shows the most innovative design.
The only sort of concern
I have is Angel's.
I just don't know if the splatter-painting
bleach is Next in Fashion.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah! ♪
- [applauding, cheering]
- Hey!
Good evening and welcome
to Next in Fashion.
[Alexa] It is the semifinals.
The theme for the show tonight is denim.
Look at me.
- Turn around for me.
- Mm-hmm.
We are delighted to welcome back
our Royal Stylist Elizabeth Stewart.
[cheering]
[man] Designers, you have five minutes.
I need to get you in your pants, babe.
So the walking, just everything,
is, like, really stiff and like a robot,
like, really cool.
- I'm getting excited.
- Good. I like when you get excited.
That makes me happy.
We will also be welcoming to the stage
a man who's had a massive impact
on the world of fashion.
Since launching his namesake brand
in 1985,
he's become a globally renowned pioneer
of classic, cool American style.
He is one of the biggest names in fashion.
- Please welcome Tommy Hilfiger.
- [laughs]
[cheering]
Wow!
- Tommy! How are you?
- Hello. How are you?
- Happy to see you. Thank you for coming.
- [Tommy Hilfiger] Great to see you.
So you've managed to build one of the most
recognizable brands on the planet.
What advice do you have for always
remaining ahead of the curve in fashion?
- Well, I started in denim in 1969.
- Ooh!
I knew what was missing
from my wardrobe
- [Alexa] Right.
- so I designed menswear for myself.
So I think you always have to think
of what is next.
I don't think you can be satisfied
doing what you did yesterday
or doing what someone else is doing.
[man] Models, 15 seconds.
[exclaiming]
[man] Ten seconds.
Okay, guys, good luck. Hang on.
Let me just take a picture before you go.
- [camera shutting clicking]
- Beautiful. Click.
One more. Amazing.
[man] Models to the runway, please.
- [Daniel, Minju] Angel!
- Only two people are going to the final.
Okay, guys, come on
I've given it everything I've got.
Aww.
This is a really emotional moment
in my life.
- [Ashton groans]
- Yes!
The $250,000 is now one challenge away.
Yo, yo, yo, do this.
[exclaiming]
[Daniel]
To think that half the group is leaving
at the end of this challenge is really sad
because we've grown so close as a four.
[shouting]
Let's start the show.
Let the Denim Runway begin.
- [woman] I'm ready with the models.
- [man] We're almost there.
Yeah. Okay, standby, you guys.
We're gonna run it.
[pop music playing]
Three, two, one, go!
- [cheering]
- Go, Minju!
[Tan] I love it.
I do too. I think it's graphic and strong.
[Tan] It reminds me a bit
of a high school or university project.
[Elizabeth Stewart] Yes, but her women's
look would be incredible on a red carpet.
Tommy, do you like it?
I do. I think the construction
looks superior.
- I like the metallic denim.
- [Alexa] Mm-hmm.
[Tommy Hilfiger] It has uniqueness.
[Alexa]
Yeah, it's really fresh. It's really new.
- These trousers are great.
- Yeah, they're lovely.
[Tommy Hilfiger]
You don't see another designer doing this.
[Alexa] Right.
Angel!
[gasps] This is fabulous.
I think it looks wearable,
and it would look great on the red carpet.
[Stewart] I love the cape. Angel loves
the cape. We know she loves the cape.
- I love the--
- Neon glow is so fun. It just works.
[Tan] I love the manipulation.
[Tommy Hilfiger]
I think it's very creative.
But there's some familiarity
with the paint splatter.
- I've seen it before.
- Okay.
Three, two, one, go!
[man] Oh, God.
This was based on the idea
of sustainability.
It was made using scraps
from the other designers' off-cuts.
- [Hilfiger] That's pretty cool. I like it.
- [Alexa] Yeah.
I also think the color palette's
really nice.
[Stewart] I applaud the approach to denim.
It has a bit of a Prada Miu Miu vibe
maybe. I love the appliqué.
It's very difficult to sew that
because you're not following
straight lines.
I think also the fit on the dress
looks really, really good.
- I think that's incredible.
- [Alexa] Yeah.
- [cheering]
- [laughs] I love it.
This is simple, sharp.
It's really well done.
I think the pant on the girl
is an incredible pant.
- [Tan] Yep.
- [Hilfiger] I think the blouse is nice.
- [Tan] Yes.
- [Alexa] The fit is perfect, isn't it?
The fit is very well done.
I think that the shirt on him is really,
really well done.
[Hilfiger]
The cut of the shirt is interesting,
but I've seen Prada do this
and other people.
I like the cut of the shirt.
[cheering]
[cheering]
[Angel] Congratulations!
[Daniel] Last runaway together.
- [Angel] Oh, my God!
- [Ashton] I'm not going to cry.
No, we can't. This is so happy
that we are all together. That's all.
Should we go and take a closer look?
And meet the designers?
[Hilfiger]
Great. Let's do that. After you.
[cheering]
You did a great job.
[Daniel] I was right. Oh!
[camera shutters click]
Daniel, can you explain, actually,
the overall vision?
Yeah, I'm really conscious
of sustainability.
So I wanted to use all of the scraps
to kind of create something.
that shown a light on climate change,
and I wanted it to look like
an Arctic landscape.
I'll be honest with you,
it was a risk because it could look
a little bit art school.
I think the fact
that you picked up the scraps
- was incredible.
- Thank you.
[Hilfiger] The fit looks great.
I think the function is there.
And I've never seen this before.
I mean, I've seen patchwork,
but not like this.
So my label in London is a menswear brand.
So this is actually
one of the first dresses
that I've really kind of done.
Congratulations. You did a great job.
- [Daniel] Thank you.
- [Stewart] I agree with Tommy.
I think you've made scraps look, not boho,
but couture-y.
It's amazing. Women would love this dress
because it would be incredibly flattering
for a lot of body types.
We're often looking for dresses that have
interest up at the top.
The whole dress could have been that
patchwork,
and that would've been incredible.
I really love the menswear look.
I think it's so kind of chic and elevated.
The balance is fantastic.
You've made it look very glamorous.
- [Stewart] No small feat, I would say.
- Thank you.
Excellent, Daniel. Congrats.
- Thanks so much.
- Thank you.
Angel, I really appreciate that you gave
us an interesting silhouette.
When she walked down the runway,
I could see
- a pop star in this on a red carpet.
- Yes!
They look very strong on the runway.
Very strong.
I compliment you because execution
has been an issue in the past.
And this is your best execution to date.
It's really well done.
Thank you so much.
I like the overlock stitch.
That's a cool stitch to use on denim.
And I think it would be very wearable.
- Great at the Met Ball.
- Yes!
- Yeah, it's a great red-carpet dress.
- Yes!
My only negative would be it has a little
bit of a denim brand feel
as opposed to designer.
I have the same sentiment,
because of the paint splatter.
Does it look similar to a denim brand?
The men's look, in particular,
I wish it felt more high end.
But you've done yourself very, very proud.
Thank you so much.
Hi, Ashton. I know how difficult it is
to make a woman's trouser.
Yeah.
And when they came on the runway,
the first thing I noticed was the pant.
The detail, fit, fabric.
I think they're epic.
That's incredible. I really appreciate it.
- Look at them! They're amazing!
- Thank you.
I wanted to do a play
on, like, a traditional Hakama,
but the back being much more
fitted, tailored, flattering.
And not so frumpy in the back.
- The fit was amazing.
- [Ashton] Thank you.
I love the waistband. I love the top.
I love the snaps.
I also had sleeves on this today,
and I cut them off.
- [Alexa] I think it's fresh.
- [Hilfiger] I like it without the sleeves.
Immediately, I thought, "We're doing it"
and just chopped them off.
- [Hilfiger] I think you nailed it.
- Thank you.
But I wish you had done a little more
- of the dark on this side.
- Yeah.
Maybe here or maybe here.
[Alexa]
I would agree. The only thing I would say,
- the harness shape does look familiar.
- Hmm.
Can I say, I would 100% use that look
on the red carpet.
These are just fantastic,
and they're restrained.
- And I think they're your best looks yet.
- Thank you so much.
Minju, do you think you did enough
to really entice us to want to see more?
Hmm.
I think I can bring out more than this,
for sure.
- Yeah.
- [Minju] I really tried to push myself
- to make it what I love.
- Yeah.
When I saw this look come down the runway,
I was impressed because you'd given us
a runway look.
- I love it! I really do.
- Really? [laughs]
I'm always looking for things that are
really striking on the red carpet.
And I think these absolutely
fit the bill for that.
Incredibly strong. I have a lot of clients
who would want to wear that.
Thank you so much.
I think the biggest thing
you have going for you
is that you have a uniqueness
that could always be yours.
Oh, my goodness.
And I think that if you look
at the stores in the world,
you're not going to see this.
Oh, my gosh! It's all goose bumps.
And down here, my leg is shaking.
The only thing I wonder is
how difficult it's going to be
to wear the pant.
You might be able to shorten it a little
bit, but I think, "How wearable is it?"
Minju, there are four very,
very strong designers here.
I wish you good luck.
- Thank you so much.
- Best of luck.
- Oh!
- [laughs]
There we have it! The semifinals!
It's a very difficult decision.
You've got a lot of talent here.
And I think at least every one of them had
one great look.
Yeah, totally.
Let's kickoff by talking about Minju.
[Hilfiger] I thought it was very modern.
I like the construction,
and I love the zippers at the back.
But I really believe it's an example
of something that's going to be
- Next in Fashion.
- Agreed.
Okay. Let's move on to Angel.
[Alexa] That bleached kind of paint effect
maybe looked a little familiar.
- [Tan] Mm-hmm.
- [Stewart] It had a great runaway presence
and it was her best execution today,
which is significant.
Yes.
Okay. So, let's talk about Daniel.
[Hilfiger] I liked the patching
of the scraps together.
I thought it looked well-made,
and I haven't really seen that
out there yet.
So I thought it was very good.
As a stylist, I often hear inspirations,
and they often have nothing to do
with the clothes that you're looking at.
- His always connects to what he's done.
- Yes.
- And I love what he did.
- Let's discuss Ashton.
He is a craftsman. He has never let us
down when it comes to construction.
The high-waisted trousers, I think,
were a home run.
I thought the men's looked too familiar.
I've seen the harness on Prada, on Gucci.
Okay, we have to send two designers home
and decide on which two designers
will move forward the finale.
We all agree on who should move
forward, I assume.
- Yes.
- Yeah.
Okay. Let's let them know.
Okay, guys, it's a bit of a big night.
Down to the wire here.
We are on the brink of the finale.
Nine challenges have gone by.
This was the hardest decision
we've ever made
because you are equally
all so darn skilled.
Angel, we thought your looks had
extraordinary runway presence.
We thought the gown would look at home
on the red carpet at the Met Gala.
[Alexa] Ashton.
They were cohesive together.
We loved the fabric choices.
The pants are getting a lot
of love from Tommy.
Very impressed.
So congratulations.
- Thank you, guys.
- [Tan] Minju.
You are a very, very smart designer.
We were really impressed
that you gave us a denim look
that we knew is Next in Fashion.
Daniel, I've been in the denim business
for 40-some years.
And every season,
I look for something new.
And today, what you were showing is
something I've never seen before,
using sustainability as the backbone.
So congratulations, all of you.
Four designers,
all spectacularly talented.
However
only two of you can go into the finale.
The first person taking that next step
into the finale of Next in Fashion
is
Daniel.
Thank you, guys.
There is one more place in the finale
The designer taking their place
in the Next in Fashion finale
is
Minju.
[Ashton laughing] Minju.
Minju! [laughs]
Angel and Ashton,
I need you to know
that you guys are formidable.
These challenges have not been easy
at any point.
You've achieved something
that most designers truly cannot do.
[Stewart]
Angel, it is really tough to criticize you
because I have loved watching you
in this competition.
You're always full of ideas.
But to be specific,
I would say that the treatment ended up
giving sort of a typical denim brand look.
Ashton, I was really impressed mostly
with your women's wear.
The pant caught me.
And the top you did without the sleeves
was amazing.
- Thank you.
- I think the men's came up short
because the harness looked
very familiar to all of us.
It looked like something that is
on the runways today in Europe.
But I did see the craftsmanship.
The finesse in the sewing.
And I saw the vision, so I commend you
on being incredible.
Thank you.
We adore you, but it's time to say
good night to you.
- [kisses] We love you both. Thank you.
- [Alexa] Thank you so much, guys.
- [kisses]
- Good night.
- Oh!
- [laughing]
I feel absolutely in love
with this whole journey,
although I complain a lot
about how tough it is.
I think I learned a lot from this.
And I feel like, now, I'm Superwoman now.
I can do anything.
And I think when I go back to China,
I can also tell them, they really respect
what Chinese designers are doing.
And I believe in the next
maybe five or ten years,
there will be not only me as a Chinese
designer. There will be a lot more.
I believe my country will also be proud
of me,
and I'm super, super glad.
I think there's been major moments
in my career
in the last 16 years that have just stuck
with me, and coming on here,
it is so challenging and so exhausting,
but also so beautiful.
I have worked and been creative next
to people that I've never met globally,
been inspired by them,
and that is priceless.
You can't really put this experience
on a level of anything else
'cause I'm leaving with inspiration,
friends, family and time for a nap.
- [laughs] Time for a nap.
- Time for a nap.
- [Ashton] Oh! Give me a hug.
- Oh!
[laughing]
[Tan] And then, there were two.
Daniel,
what's going through your mind, kiddo?
I can't believe it.
You know, the first pair of jeans
I ever owned were from Tommy Hilfiger.
And now I'm standing in front of you,
and you're telling me you love my jeans.
It's like
What's going on? [laughs]
I'm so grateful for all of the feedback
and so proud of myself.
For me, one of the highlights
of the competition.
Minju you seem shocked.
- Yes!
- Is this a surprise?
Yeah, I was really surprised, honestly.
I can't believe I'm in the finale.
How are you feeling
now that you do know it's you?
I'm really proud of myself
right now.
Are you excited to face Daniel
during the finale?
- I'm very excited because [growls]
- [laughing]
No, don't cover the line!
[Tan] You two are going to the final.
That is a huge achievement, you guys.
For the grand finale,
we're gonna ask both of you to present us
with a complete collection.
Ten different looks.
[sighs]
And you will be doing it
in three days.
[Daniel] Oh.
[sighs]
This is your chance to really show
the world your point of view
as a designer.
We want to see everything you've got.
Tommy, is there anything
that you'd like to say to these guys
before they head into this finale?
I would say good luck.
- Your first idea is your best idea.
- [Tan] Ahh.
- Great advice.
- Go for it. Don't look back.
Wow, wow, wow!
Can you believe it's finale time?
- I can. There's only one episode left.
- Mm-hmm.
Don't pretend you're not gonna watch
it. Just press the button now.
- Yeah, now. Go on.
- Now.
- [pop music playing]
- [woman vocalizing]
Oh, yeah, what's that?
Popped a button.
How's yours looking? Does it look right?
I think so.
I feel I could bring sexy back.
Okay. Well, then don't forget your hat.
Got it. Ooh! Hello.
What's the theme again today?
- Denim. Let's go.
- Hmm.
[Minju] It's only four of us.
- Flower Four.
- [Daniel] Flower Four?
- [Minju] Fun Four.
- [Daniel] Fun Four.
It's a little bit sad. The group now
becomes super small.
- It's so strange. Just four of us.
- Aww.
It's so quiet, too.
[Daniel] We started this with 18.
We had a full workroom.
Every station was packed.
And now, I can't believe that I am
in the semifinals.
- I'm happy that we're all here together.
- Yeah.
Being able to say that I was the winner
of Next in Fashion,
it would prove my worth.
I'm young. I've gone
into this straight out of college.
It would be absolutely huge for me.
I feel your power ♪
Don't be nervous. You've done really well.
I thought I'm going home
first challenge, honestly.
So, I'm very surprised I'm here.
We are so, so close to the finale.
Oh, my God.
I can't believe it.
This could change my life.
Everyone that is left
is massive competition.
But I came into this competition
wanting to know that I was better than all
of them.
[laughs]
Now, I'm in the top four.
I'm kind of just ready to prove it.
- Hi!
- Morning!
- Good morning!
- Hi!
- Look at all the space!
- [Angel] Yes.
- The final four.
- I know.
Congratulations on officially making it
to the semifinals of Next in Fashion.
This is the final challenge that you guys
are gonna need to survive
in order to make it to the grand finale.
Your final challenge will revolve
around a very versatile fabric.
I wonder if we've given away
in our outfits.
Don't look at us.
[laughing]
Yes, denim.
I know!
It is one of the most worn fabrics
in the world.
When talking about denim, obviously,
the first thing that comes to mind is
a great pair of jeans.
But it can also be used for jackets,
shirts, dresses, skirts, jumpsuits.
I guess its versatility
is what's made it so popular.
Ashton, tell me, what's your experience
of working with denim?
For Billboard Music Awards, I put
Ariana Grande in a full black denim look.
Beyoncé, we did a non-stretch body suit.
I've done Usher's tour in denim.
It's a medium
that I'm very comfortable with.
Minju, what's your experience
of working with denim?
Actually, I tried to use the denim
for my previous collection,
but it actually didn't work so well
with my style
because I'm more like really feminine.
Yeah, I'm a bit nervous.
So, tomorrow's your semifinal runway,
where your denim creations will walk
in front of us, Elizabeth Stewart
and a very special guest.
Joining us at the runway tomorrow
is a designer of many talents.
His work spans fashion genres
from red carpet to resorts
and, of course, denim.
He has made a very, very powerful impact
on the world of fashion.
We will be welcoming
drum roll, dear.
- Loud as you can.
- Don't leave me hanging!
They are so cute.
- Tommy Hilfiger is joining us! I know!
- Yeah!
Oh, my God!
[Minju] Tommy Hilfiger is one
of the most famous designers
When I think about Tommy,
I think about the font and logo
and all his clothes.
He's really a legend.
Alexa and I got our hands dirty,
once again this morning,
setting off a denim paradise.
Please feast your eyes
on our Next in Fashion closet.
Ooh!
- [hums]
- Oh!
[Tan France] In that, you will find stacks
upon stacks of denim.
You'll also find bleach, patches,
rivets, grommets and paint.
We want to see you go to town on this.
This is the Next In Fashion semifinals.
We're gonna ask each of you
to present two denim looks.
What? Two?
- Yes.
- Oh, my God.
The finale is so, so close,
and the stakes are higher than ever,
because four designers are all standing
here in the semifinals.
But in the finale,
only two designers
will be going head-to-head.
- Two.
- What?
[bleeps]
So only two people are going to the final.
I hope it could be me and Minju.
Since we've done this together,
I think we become like a true family.
And I hope I can end it up beautifully
with her.
Dragon Princess has to win.
You'll be working with one female model
and one male model.
Your time management is as important
as ever with this challenge.
Of course, your designs need to work
together and not against one another.
Show us why you really deserve
to be in this finale.
Are you all ready?
The Next in Fashion semifinal starts
[both] now!
[humming]
Okay, so it's the penultimate challenge.
Denim is an everyday staple,
but it's so complicated.
If you get the grain wrong,
if you get the rise wrong,
pockets in the wrong position
isn't flattering.
This is gonna be a difficult one
to really think outside the box.
[Tan] Yeah, because it's been done
in, literally,
thousands of different ways already.
If you want to get into the final,
you have to impress us with something
we've never seen before.
The denim challenge makes
me really nervous
because this last challenge goes up
to the final.
I'm really scared because I really want
to do something good.
I really love to watch movie.
So when I see all the blue,
I'm thinking about Ghost in the Shell
movie.
It's about a girl.
She's kind of a robot, really futuristic.
And she's always in a blue background.
I used blue denim last time. [laughs]
You know when we were in China,
we had the Tibetan horse racing festival.
Because they are horse racing,
so they need to wear denim.
But at the same time, it will be
lots of draping, big volume.
I think that would be really cool
for this concept.
When I look at the denim,
and, like, all the colors,
it really makes me think of icebergs
and the Arctic.
I think it would be really nice
to use everyone's denim scraps
to create Arctic scenes.
I kind of hate denim with stretching it
that means it's got elastane
it's not biodegradable.
The fashion industry, as a whole,
is a huge polluter.
In particular,
denim is quite bad for the environment.
Can I steal all your guys' scraps?
- [Ashton] Absolutely.
- What are scraps?
- Your off-cuts and bits off the floor
- Oh, of course.
For me, fashion is a platform
to talk about things I care about.
So I produced a collection about Brexit.
And instead of doing a catwalk show,
I gathered my friends,
and we wore the collection.
We stood outside the main fashion venue
with signs and placards
that read things like, "We want to stay".
And that was my plea
to the British public to say,
"Please, let's vote to remain."
I just think it's important
that if you've got a platform,
then you should use it
to do something positive.
[Ashton] My father is Japanese.
I have always been fascinated
by Japanese art and designers.
There is something cool to be able to tap
into my heritage
and make it still my aesthetic.
I'm going to use one denim
for each outfit.
A dark gray denim to create the pants.
And I will be using the reverse side
of that denim to create the top.
So I am going to steer away
from the 50 shades of blue.
It's been done a bunch of times.
Let's make something new.
[Tan] Hello, Minju. How are you?
- Hi.
- How are you doing?
- Are you okay?
- Yeah, I'm okay.
Ooh, you seem a little bit frazzled.
Two looks. I think this is too much,
honestly.
It's the semifinals.
Of course we're adding pressure.
Okay. [laughs]
[Tan] What are you making, my love?
Actually, I was inspired
from the movie Ghost in Shell.
It's about a woman robot.
She always wears a jumpsuit,
which looks like space.
- Oh, space suit.
- Space suit!
Yeah, space suit.
[Minju] So, for female,
I'm gonna make
a very futuristic jumpsuit.
I'm gonna mix all different denim colors.
And for the male model, I'm gonna
make a sleeveless top and white pants.
Your family, have they been very
supportive of your career in design?
Yeah, they are.
Like my sister,
she gave her life to me, you know?
Because she came to my business
and together to help me.
I'm taking the creative part,
and she takes the business part.
- Yeah.
- She's very bossy. She's the strong one.
But you know, in the business,
it always needs a strong person.
My sister is really critical
about my work sometimes.
She's always trying
to control my creativity
because she wants my design
really wearable to the costumer.
Like something functional.
But I see fashion as art.
And I put all heart and all time
and I sacrifice so many things, you know?
I was thinking that if I come here,
I could really design for myself.
I came here for me.
I'm putting bleach overlays on denim
to see what will happen.
Something I want to try in this challenge
will be different techniques of bleaching.
I never really tried bleach before.
So I have to do tons of tests to make sure
I understand it pretty well.
Yeah, I can smell the bleach.
- It smells like hospital.
- [laughs]
Here, patient.
[Angel] I'm trying not only
for the judges, it's also for myself.
I'm here to create new things.
And I'm also here to challenge myself.
If it works, it might turn out
like unexpectedly beautiful.
You never know.
[Daniel laughs] Guys,
I'm gonna need more fashion waste.
You have loads of scraps. So good!
Do you have anymore, Ashton?
- I do. Anything you can grab, grab it.
- Thank you.
Oh, maybe I'll take this little
sleeve here as well.
Perfect!
- [Alexa] Hello!
- [Daniel] Hi!
What's with the trash?
[Daniel] So, I've asked everyone
if I can have their scraps.
because I'm gonna use that to create
a scene that looks like ice caps melting.
I really want to talk
about climate change.
Fashion is a huge polluter,
and it's something we need to talk about.
As a young designer, I'm like,
"Okay, what can we do to combat this?"
For my men's look, I'm gonna make
a white denim coat with detachable hood
with a jersey polo-neck underneath.
And then for my women's look,
I'm gonna make a long denim dress
with patchwork Arctic landscape.
[Alexa] Oh, I see! Yeah!
Oh, yes. It does look mountainous.
[Daniel]
It's gonna take a lot of playing around.
- I love the idea. Best of luck, Daniel.
- [Alexa, Daniel] Bye.
[Alexa] Ashton!
- Hi, guys.
- Hello, sweetheart! How are you doing?
- [Alexa] How are you?
- Good.
So talk us through what your plans are
for this.
So yeah, I want to do something
that is bold and silhouette.
For the men's look,
I am going to create a three-quarter
length pleated wide leg trouser,
a harness button up shirt.
For the women's look, I'm gonna create
Japanese Hakama style pants.
Hakama pants are really wide-legged
pleated trousers.
I've done a similar version of that
because I love Japanese culture
and fashion
and being able to bring in my heritage
is always a wonderful thing.
Yeah, and we're so close now
to the prize, essentially.
If you won Next in Fashion,
what would it mean to you?
It'd be incredible, truthfully.
I really wanted to give portions
of money to smaller brands,
younger designers who don't have
the financial capacity
to do a show or buy fabrics
that they want.
I really want to help out the up
and coming next generation of designers.
I used to mentor inner-city kids,
and there's so many talented people
that don't get recognized,
and it's strictly because of money.
Without money, in this industry,
it's really hard to get anywhere.
I've been doing this for 16 years
and people helped me out along the way
when I was younger.
It's only right to give back
and give hope and inspire.
- Angel. Hello, dear.
- Yes. Hello!
What are you making?
So this time, I was inspired
by Tibetan horse racing festival.
- Oh.
- Really?
[Angel] The female look is going to
be a drapery gown.
The fabric will be hanging like a cape.
And the men's look is going to be a vest
jacket with a hood plus trousers.
You're the only one, I think,
who's actually treating your denim.
And I'm doing some test
I think is quite interesting.
I literally put the lace inside the bleach
and pulled it out and put it on
and then pressed it together.
Wow!
A little birdie tells me that Angel Chen
is already stocked in 70 stores.
Yeah, 70 stores.
[Tan] That's huge!
- How old are you again?
That's really impressive!
Do you need this?
When I was growing up,
it was a really difficult time.
My dad was starting his own company,
and I remember me and my dad had
to share the same bowl of noodle soup.
We were quite poor.
Before I went to Central Saint Martins,
my parents, literally, borrowed money
for me to apply.
They tried their best
to make my dream come true.
And now, they're old, retired,
so I have to earn more money
for my family.
They are the best parents in the world.
Mmm! ♪
I just won't ♪
Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! ♪
I just won't give it up
Do it, do it ♪
I just won't, ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! ♪
I just won't give it up, give it up
Do it ♪
I'm sewing the Arctic landscape scene
onto the front of my dress.
I kind of wish that I glued it all down
before I sewed it
because as I'm sewing it,
it's all moving about a bit.
But I think it kind of adds
to the charm of it.
Go find a soldier
Better on a shoulder ♪
Oh! [bleeps]
[Daniel] Are you okay, Ashton?
No, I don't have enough fabric
to finish my pants.
What I should have done is start
with the pant first.
The larger-scale piece to make
sure I had enough fabric.
Instead, I started with the top first
'cause I wanted to get the bulk
of that work done.
So now I'm eight to 12 inches short
to finish the entire pant
I've already cut the top out
of the same denim.
And the bottom is supposed to be
the same denim as well.
And it's just non-existent.
I'm really trying to stick to my guns
about creating each look head-to-toe
in one denim.
Oh, man!
But no matter how I lay the pattern
piece down for the Hakama pleats,
it's just not working.
[groans]
I don't want to compromise the design.
I don't know. I don't know. I don't know.
So I grabbed another denim that's similar.
A few shades different.
Oh, it's so blue!
It is what it is. You've got to just
change your designs and
wing it.
Just one hour left until the end
of the first day
of the semifinals challenge.
- All right, kiddo! Semifinal.
- Yes.
Minju, for the women's look, she's making
what appears to be an astronaut suit.
[Minju] This is last of things to do.
The man's look is my concern.
- We might end up seeing jeans and a top.
- [Alexa] Hmm.
If she only sends one complete look down
the runway, she will be going home.
Can we have one more hour, please?
[Tan] Ashton.
With this one, it's a new,
kind of evolved direction for him.
If he smashes this, this could see him
going to the final.
Daniel. He seems to be taking inspiration
from the Arctic
and the biodiversity in that region.
And his way of expressing that is
to create these two silhouettes
and then, add scraps, aka recycling
other people's off-shoots,
into a new design.
- Do you need scraps anymore?
- Nah.
- Okay.
- Thanks.
From what I've seen right now,
it feels gimmicky.
I just hope he executes it in a way
that makes it feel elevated.
- [Alexa] So Angel?
- I really liked the paint splashes.
I like the lace bleaching treatment
that she's done. It's really impressive.
[Alexa] But you can't say you haven't
seen it from denim brands before.
- [Tan] Of course.
- It's going to take a very nuanced hand
to create something that seems
really elevated and fresh.
[Angel] It's really stiff material
to work on.
Okay, Fab Four, tools down.
Your workday is over,
and tomorrow is your denim runway.
We'll be deciding which two of you
will be heading home
and who will be catapulted
to the Next in Fashion Grand Finale.
- [Tan] Go, get some rest.
- [Alexa] Good night.
[Tan] All right, let's talk denim.
If you really want to embrace denim,
maybe consider this.
Yup, it's a triple denim moment.
I know it seems bold.
But let me tell you this,
if you stick with tonal denims,
it's gonna look great.
So stick with similar shades.
Don't go for something super contrasting.
Don't go for a super dark with a super
light. It's not gonna work.
Keep it simple. Keep it tonal.
You're gonna feel great.
And if you really want to brave,
maybe try a little French tuck.
You know, I love a French tuck.
I can't do without it.
That's it. Simple.
[pop music playing]
It's the morning dance ♪
It's what we do ♪
- Does this look
- [laughs] You look great!
- Thanks.
- Is this Tommy Hilfiger?
- It is.
- Top of the class!
- Women's wear.
- Yeah, is it?
- [Tan] Yeah.
- [Alexa] Very nice.
- [Tan] I think it looks fantastic!
- [Alexa] I love the trousers.
- Thanks so much.
- Yeah.
- Hello, designers.
- Hi.
- Hi.
- Hi.
It's a huge day.
And tonight is gonna be even bigger
because it's not just another runway show.
It is the semifinals of Next in Fashion.
You've got three and a half hours left
to put the finishing touches
on your designs.
- The pressure's on.
- Ready? ♪
So just get to work.
[cheering]
- Good luck!
- Good luck, everyone.
[Daniel] What you have left to do, Angel?
I think the first thing I'm going to do is
the spray paint and also the bleach thing.
You're going to do that first
so they can dry?
- Yes, that's what I'm thinking.
- Good idea.
Each time of bleaching takes
around 20 to 35 minutes for drying.
And also, to show that bleach result,
the whole effect has to be matched
together.
I think that will be the biggest thing.
Daniel, how about you?
I need to make the top for the man.
It needs toggles. It needs a hood.
- It needs pockets.
- Oh.
And then, I need to fit the jeans
on him as well.
This is my last chance to make it
to the finale.
Half of us are being sent home
after this challenge.
Everyone who's left is really great.
So I'm gonna push these looks
to be the absolute best they can be.
[man] Designers, three hours to runway.
[Tan] Models!
Hi. Nice to meet you. I'm Angel.
So your two arms, one will be here.
Wow. That's really nice on you.
I've done these kinds of Arctic landscapes
because it's all about climate change.
- [woman] Ooh!
- You look great!
Right, let's try you.
I hope this is going to fit for you.
This is too small.
- [gasps] Or maybe big.
- We'll make it work.
It looks clean, very sharp
and very futuristic.
That point, I think I've really got it.
But I think I need
to make really the right length.
You see, here it's not
It has to look really perfect. Otherwise,
there's a possibility I can go home.
So I'm really nervous about the pants.
Yeah, okay. I think that length.
It's okay, right, for you?
- [man] Yeah.
- Okay.
I'm going to work on it now. Thank you.
You're basically good.
I'm actually super solid with the fit.
I got a lot of work to do on yours.
Whoo-wee!
I think I might take your sleeves off
completely.
I do really love the sleeves,
but I feel like the sleeves are
overpowering the entire garment
and the look.
And so, I'm fearful that
if I don't edit this,
this will be the decision
that sends me home.
Okay. I'm taking the sleeves off.
No, I like the sleeves.
[laughing]
No, Ashton! No, it looks good.
- Are you sure?
- Yeah. Why? I like it.
I don't know.
No. Don't do that.
You made a really nice sleeve here.
Ugh! It's frustrating because I don't know
if I'm making the right choice.
Are you sure?
- Yeah, I'm going to take the sleeve off.
- Okay.
I want to do it.
I love Minju, but my gut is saying,
"cut these damn sleeves off."
[laughs]
[woman] Ashton.
Well, too late now. Let's go.
Let's commit to this.
Bye!
Rock, rock, shorty rock
Crawl to the floor and make me hot ♪
You know you've got everything I need ♪
Stop my eyes
I'm starting to bleed ♪
- Have you cut the sleeves off?
- [Ashton] I cut the sleeves off my piece.
Nice. Bold.
I think everyone right now is
feeling the pressure
to make sure that this is the best runway
that we've done.
Ashton's cut the sleeves off his shirt.
Minju's on another planet right now,
just dancing around.
Angel is splashing bleach and paint
all over her looks.
Tommy Hilfiger's on his way,
and we're all going a bit crazy.
Rock, rock, shorty, rock
You know you can do it ♪
If you're good to go, then let it show
Then you know you can do it ♪
I think it's very risky,
the spray bleach technique.
I could just ruin all the fabric
and waste my time,
but this is Next in Fashion.
So, I think this is very worth it.
[man] Designers, you have one hour
to finish your outfits.
We have only one hour! [shouts]
Oh, so busy today.
[Daniel] If you think about all the people
who are left in the competition,
my brand is probably the closest
to Tommy Hilfiger out of all of them.
But actually, what I'm doing on this
is really different to what I do
in my normal brand.
I've never done something
so kind of hand done.
And I'm worried it might be
too avant-garde for Tommy Hilfiger.
I was in the bottom three last challenge.
And I'm the only one who was.
So you could say that I'm going into this
with a bit more
to prove than everyone else now.
[man] Hair and makeup rotation,
Please, hair and makeup rotation.
[Ashton] I want it off the shoulders.
I would love the buns, though.
Freshen that up. I want it to look like
she's just woke up like this.
Do you think you can
gel her hair like this?
Like five years younger.
I'm actually excited,
but I'm also nervous right now.
It's the last challenge to go up
to the final.
I really want to make it futuristic,
and I want to surprise Tommy.
The pants are okay, right?
I think it's okay.
For me as a designer,
we always have to think about something
beauty and something different
and make something fresh, you know?
The new idea.
See? New Minju. [laughs]
I like it!
[man] Ten minutes, designers. Ten minutes.
Just try this on. Go.
I think that the winner
is really gonna come down
to who shows the most innovative design.
The only sort of concern
I have is Angel's.
I just don't know if the splatter-painting
bleach is Next in Fashion.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah! ♪
- [applauding, cheering]
- Hey!
Good evening and welcome
to Next in Fashion.
[Alexa] It is the semifinals.
The theme for the show tonight is denim.
Look at me.
- Turn around for me.
- Mm-hmm.
We are delighted to welcome back
our Royal Stylist Elizabeth Stewart.
[cheering]
[man] Designers, you have five minutes.
I need to get you in your pants, babe.
So the walking, just everything,
is, like, really stiff and like a robot,
like, really cool.
- I'm getting excited.
- Good. I like when you get excited.
That makes me happy.
We will also be welcoming to the stage
a man who's had a massive impact
on the world of fashion.
Since launching his namesake brand
in 1985,
he's become a globally renowned pioneer
of classic, cool American style.
He is one of the biggest names in fashion.
- Please welcome Tommy Hilfiger.
- [laughs]
[cheering]
Wow!
- Tommy! How are you?
- Hello. How are you?
- Happy to see you. Thank you for coming.
- [Tommy Hilfiger] Great to see you.
So you've managed to build one of the most
recognizable brands on the planet.
What advice do you have for always
remaining ahead of the curve in fashion?
- Well, I started in denim in 1969.
- Ooh!
I knew what was missing
from my wardrobe
- [Alexa] Right.
- so I designed menswear for myself.
So I think you always have to think
of what is next.
I don't think you can be satisfied
doing what you did yesterday
or doing what someone else is doing.
[man] Models, 15 seconds.
[exclaiming]
[man] Ten seconds.
Okay, guys, good luck. Hang on.
Let me just take a picture before you go.
- [camera shutting clicking]
- Beautiful. Click.
One more. Amazing.
[man] Models to the runway, please.
- [Daniel, Minju] Angel!
- Only two people are going to the final.
Okay, guys, come on
I've given it everything I've got.
Aww.
This is a really emotional moment
in my life.
- [Ashton groans]
- Yes!
The $250,000 is now one challenge away.
Yo, yo, yo, do this.
[exclaiming]
[Daniel]
To think that half the group is leaving
at the end of this challenge is really sad
because we've grown so close as a four.
[shouting]
Let's start the show.
Let the Denim Runway begin.
- [woman] I'm ready with the models.
- [man] We're almost there.
Yeah. Okay, standby, you guys.
We're gonna run it.
[pop music playing]
Three, two, one, go!
- [cheering]
- Go, Minju!
[Tan] I love it.
I do too. I think it's graphic and strong.
[Tan] It reminds me a bit
of a high school or university project.
[Elizabeth Stewart] Yes, but her women's
look would be incredible on a red carpet.
Tommy, do you like it?
I do. I think the construction
looks superior.
- I like the metallic denim.
- [Alexa] Mm-hmm.
[Tommy Hilfiger] It has uniqueness.
[Alexa]
Yeah, it's really fresh. It's really new.
- These trousers are great.
- Yeah, they're lovely.
[Tommy Hilfiger]
You don't see another designer doing this.
[Alexa] Right.
Angel!
[gasps] This is fabulous.
I think it looks wearable,
and it would look great on the red carpet.
[Stewart] I love the cape. Angel loves
the cape. We know she loves the cape.
- I love the--
- Neon glow is so fun. It just works.
[Tan] I love the manipulation.
[Tommy Hilfiger]
I think it's very creative.
But there's some familiarity
with the paint splatter.
- I've seen it before.
- Okay.
Three, two, one, go!
[man] Oh, God.
This was based on the idea
of sustainability.
It was made using scraps
from the other designers' off-cuts.
- [Hilfiger] That's pretty cool. I like it.
- [Alexa] Yeah.
I also think the color palette's
really nice.
[Stewart] I applaud the approach to denim.
It has a bit of a Prada Miu Miu vibe
maybe. I love the appliqué.
It's very difficult to sew that
because you're not following
straight lines.
I think also the fit on the dress
looks really, really good.
- I think that's incredible.
- [Alexa] Yeah.
- [cheering]
- [laughs] I love it.
This is simple, sharp.
It's really well done.
I think the pant on the girl
is an incredible pant.
- [Tan] Yep.
- [Hilfiger] I think the blouse is nice.
- [Tan] Yes.
- [Alexa] The fit is perfect, isn't it?
The fit is very well done.
I think that the shirt on him is really,
really well done.
[Hilfiger]
The cut of the shirt is interesting,
but I've seen Prada do this
and other people.
I like the cut of the shirt.
[cheering]
[cheering]
[Angel] Congratulations!
[Daniel] Last runaway together.
- [Angel] Oh, my God!
- [Ashton] I'm not going to cry.
No, we can't. This is so happy
that we are all together. That's all.
Should we go and take a closer look?
And meet the designers?
[Hilfiger]
Great. Let's do that. After you.
[cheering]
You did a great job.
[Daniel] I was right. Oh!
[camera shutters click]
Daniel, can you explain, actually,
the overall vision?
Yeah, I'm really conscious
of sustainability.
So I wanted to use all of the scraps
to kind of create something.
that shown a light on climate change,
and I wanted it to look like
an Arctic landscape.
I'll be honest with you,
it was a risk because it could look
a little bit art school.
I think the fact
that you picked up the scraps
- was incredible.
- Thank you.
[Hilfiger] The fit looks great.
I think the function is there.
And I've never seen this before.
I mean, I've seen patchwork,
but not like this.
So my label in London is a menswear brand.
So this is actually
one of the first dresses
that I've really kind of done.
Congratulations. You did a great job.
- [Daniel] Thank you.
- [Stewart] I agree with Tommy.
I think you've made scraps look, not boho,
but couture-y.
It's amazing. Women would love this dress
because it would be incredibly flattering
for a lot of body types.
We're often looking for dresses that have
interest up at the top.
The whole dress could have been that
patchwork,
and that would've been incredible.
I really love the menswear look.
I think it's so kind of chic and elevated.
The balance is fantastic.
You've made it look very glamorous.
- [Stewart] No small feat, I would say.
- Thank you.
Excellent, Daniel. Congrats.
- Thanks so much.
- Thank you.
Angel, I really appreciate that you gave
us an interesting silhouette.
When she walked down the runway,
I could see
- a pop star in this on a red carpet.
- Yes!
They look very strong on the runway.
Very strong.
I compliment you because execution
has been an issue in the past.
And this is your best execution to date.
It's really well done.
Thank you so much.
I like the overlock stitch.
That's a cool stitch to use on denim.
And I think it would be very wearable.
- Great at the Met Ball.
- Yes!
- Yeah, it's a great red-carpet dress.
- Yes!
My only negative would be it has a little
bit of a denim brand feel
as opposed to designer.
I have the same sentiment,
because of the paint splatter.
Does it look similar to a denim brand?
The men's look, in particular,
I wish it felt more high end.
But you've done yourself very, very proud.
Thank you so much.
Hi, Ashton. I know how difficult it is
to make a woman's trouser.
Yeah.
And when they came on the runway,
the first thing I noticed was the pant.
The detail, fit, fabric.
I think they're epic.
That's incredible. I really appreciate it.
- Look at them! They're amazing!
- Thank you.
I wanted to do a play
on, like, a traditional Hakama,
but the back being much more
fitted, tailored, flattering.
And not so frumpy in the back.
- The fit was amazing.
- [Ashton] Thank you.
I love the waistband. I love the top.
I love the snaps.
I also had sleeves on this today,
and I cut them off.
- [Alexa] I think it's fresh.
- [Hilfiger] I like it without the sleeves.
Immediately, I thought, "We're doing it"
and just chopped them off.
- [Hilfiger] I think you nailed it.
- Thank you.
But I wish you had done a little more
- of the dark on this side.
- Yeah.
Maybe here or maybe here.
[Alexa]
I would agree. The only thing I would say,
- the harness shape does look familiar.
- Hmm.
Can I say, I would 100% use that look
on the red carpet.
These are just fantastic,
and they're restrained.
- And I think they're your best looks yet.
- Thank you so much.
Minju, do you think you did enough
to really entice us to want to see more?
Hmm.
I think I can bring out more than this,
for sure.
- Yeah.
- [Minju] I really tried to push myself
- to make it what I love.
- Yeah.
When I saw this look come down the runway,
I was impressed because you'd given us
a runway look.
- I love it! I really do.
- Really? [laughs]
I'm always looking for things that are
really striking on the red carpet.
And I think these absolutely
fit the bill for that.
Incredibly strong. I have a lot of clients
who would want to wear that.
Thank you so much.
I think the biggest thing
you have going for you
is that you have a uniqueness
that could always be yours.
Oh, my goodness.
And I think that if you look
at the stores in the world,
you're not going to see this.
Oh, my gosh! It's all goose bumps.
And down here, my leg is shaking.
The only thing I wonder is
how difficult it's going to be
to wear the pant.
You might be able to shorten it a little
bit, but I think, "How wearable is it?"
Minju, there are four very,
very strong designers here.
I wish you good luck.
- Thank you so much.
- Best of luck.
- Oh!
- [laughs]
There we have it! The semifinals!
It's a very difficult decision.
You've got a lot of talent here.
And I think at least every one of them had
one great look.
Yeah, totally.
Let's kickoff by talking about Minju.
[Hilfiger] I thought it was very modern.
I like the construction,
and I love the zippers at the back.
But I really believe it's an example
of something that's going to be
- Next in Fashion.
- Agreed.
Okay. Let's move on to Angel.
[Alexa] That bleached kind of paint effect
maybe looked a little familiar.
- [Tan] Mm-hmm.
- [Stewart] It had a great runaway presence
and it was her best execution today,
which is significant.
Yes.
Okay. So, let's talk about Daniel.
[Hilfiger] I liked the patching
of the scraps together.
I thought it looked well-made,
and I haven't really seen that
out there yet.
So I thought it was very good.
As a stylist, I often hear inspirations,
and they often have nothing to do
with the clothes that you're looking at.
- His always connects to what he's done.
- Yes.
- And I love what he did.
- Let's discuss Ashton.
He is a craftsman. He has never let us
down when it comes to construction.
The high-waisted trousers, I think,
were a home run.
I thought the men's looked too familiar.
I've seen the harness on Prada, on Gucci.
Okay, we have to send two designers home
and decide on which two designers
will move forward the finale.
We all agree on who should move
forward, I assume.
- Yes.
- Yeah.
Okay. Let's let them know.
Okay, guys, it's a bit of a big night.
Down to the wire here.
We are on the brink of the finale.
Nine challenges have gone by.
This was the hardest decision
we've ever made
because you are equally
all so darn skilled.
Angel, we thought your looks had
extraordinary runway presence.
We thought the gown would look at home
on the red carpet at the Met Gala.
[Alexa] Ashton.
They were cohesive together.
We loved the fabric choices.
The pants are getting a lot
of love from Tommy.
Very impressed.
So congratulations.
- Thank you, guys.
- [Tan] Minju.
You are a very, very smart designer.
We were really impressed
that you gave us a denim look
that we knew is Next in Fashion.
Daniel, I've been in the denim business
for 40-some years.
And every season,
I look for something new.
And today, what you were showing is
something I've never seen before,
using sustainability as the backbone.
So congratulations, all of you.
Four designers,
all spectacularly talented.
However
only two of you can go into the finale.
The first person taking that next step
into the finale of Next in Fashion
is
Daniel.
Thank you, guys.
There is one more place in the finale
The designer taking their place
in the Next in Fashion finale
is
Minju.
[Ashton laughing] Minju.
Minju! [laughs]
Angel and Ashton,
I need you to know
that you guys are formidable.
These challenges have not been easy
at any point.
You've achieved something
that most designers truly cannot do.
[Stewart]
Angel, it is really tough to criticize you
because I have loved watching you
in this competition.
You're always full of ideas.
But to be specific,
I would say that the treatment ended up
giving sort of a typical denim brand look.
Ashton, I was really impressed mostly
with your women's wear.
The pant caught me.
And the top you did without the sleeves
was amazing.
- Thank you.
- I think the men's came up short
because the harness looked
very familiar to all of us.
It looked like something that is
on the runways today in Europe.
But I did see the craftsmanship.
The finesse in the sewing.
And I saw the vision, so I commend you
on being incredible.
Thank you.
We adore you, but it's time to say
good night to you.
- [kisses] We love you both. Thank you.
- [Alexa] Thank you so much, guys.
- [kisses]
- Good night.
- Oh!
- [laughing]
I feel absolutely in love
with this whole journey,
although I complain a lot
about how tough it is.
I think I learned a lot from this.
And I feel like, now, I'm Superwoman now.
I can do anything.
And I think when I go back to China,
I can also tell them, they really respect
what Chinese designers are doing.
And I believe in the next
maybe five or ten years,
there will be not only me as a Chinese
designer. There will be a lot more.
I believe my country will also be proud
of me,
and I'm super, super glad.
I think there's been major moments
in my career
in the last 16 years that have just stuck
with me, and coming on here,
it is so challenging and so exhausting,
but also so beautiful.
I have worked and been creative next
to people that I've never met globally,
been inspired by them,
and that is priceless.
You can't really put this experience
on a level of anything else
'cause I'm leaving with inspiration,
friends, family and time for a nap.
- [laughs] Time for a nap.
- Time for a nap.
- [Ashton] Oh! Give me a hug.
- Oh!
[laughing]
[Tan] And then, there were two.
Daniel,
what's going through your mind, kiddo?
I can't believe it.
You know, the first pair of jeans
I ever owned were from Tommy Hilfiger.
And now I'm standing in front of you,
and you're telling me you love my jeans.
It's like
What's going on? [laughs]
I'm so grateful for all of the feedback
and so proud of myself.
For me, one of the highlights
of the competition.
Minju you seem shocked.
- Yes!
- Is this a surprise?
Yeah, I was really surprised, honestly.
I can't believe I'm in the finale.
How are you feeling
now that you do know it's you?
I'm really proud of myself
right now.
Are you excited to face Daniel
during the finale?
- I'm very excited because [growls]
- [laughing]
No, don't cover the line!
[Tan] You two are going to the final.
That is a huge achievement, you guys.
For the grand finale,
we're gonna ask both of you to present us
with a complete collection.
Ten different looks.
[sighs]
And you will be doing it
in three days.
[Daniel] Oh.
[sighs]
This is your chance to really show
the world your point of view
as a designer.
We want to see everything you've got.
Tommy, is there anything
that you'd like to say to these guys
before they head into this finale?
I would say good luck.
- Your first idea is your best idea.
- [Tan] Ahh.
- Great advice.
- Go for it. Don't look back.
Wow, wow, wow!
Can you believe it's finale time?
- I can. There's only one episode left.
- Mm-hmm.
Don't pretend you're not gonna watch
it. Just press the button now.
- Yeah, now. Go on.
- Now.
- [pop music playing]
- [woman vocalizing]