The Next in Fashion Season 2 review shows how the Netflix competitive reality show is a great continuation and evolution from its last season. This series is hosted by the legendary fashion designer Tan France and the model Gigi Hadid. There are 12 contestants in this competition, Megan, Deontré, Courtney, Eliana, Godoy, Desyrée, Amari, Bao, Nigel, Qaysean, Usama and James. These handpicked fashion designers will compete against each other in a series of challenges leading to the finale, setting a winning prize of $200,000 and a chance to debut their collection on Rent the Runway, an online company where people can rent designer clothing.
-The Next in Fashion Season 2 Review Does Not Contain Spoilers-
After watching the last season of Next in Fashion, this writer didn’t expect the format to change so much. However, the creators and the hosts have clearly put effort into making the show elevated from last time and including a diverse group of voices, especially when it comes to the designers. This time, the list of contestants did not contain a single white cisgender heterosexual man; it was refreshing to see a group of people that didn’t come from conventionally represented groups.
It was also refreshing to see the clean set, painted white and set up professionally without any colour distractions. For all the kinds of fabric designers have to use during these challenges, the production set completely allowed the audience to see the colours and textures against a blank background. Apart from the visual treat these designers have given viewers, the hosts have also managed to make the show interesting and appealing. All the looks are more modern and relatively wearable than last time.
Last season, contestants were expected to be loud and different in the kind of clothes they made. This time, the episodes were all thematic. If they had to make a suit last time, this time, the challenge was to make a statement using cultural elements from the current social media landscape. The show heavily relied on pop culture tropes and figures in order to make the show more marketable and commercial than last time. Adding Gigi Hadid to the mix was a masterstroke in making the show accessible to all kinds of viewers, not just those who like fashion.
There is less competition for this reality TV series from others because there is nothing like this. The only thing we can compare this show to is itself from the past. Last time, it felt like the show was still finding its voice and choosing its tone, but this time, it has really set the scene well. Drama is high, and tears are flowing too freely for this writer to get behind, but the rest of the show has been really catchy and interesting.
Reality television can get tacky and cringy, which this does get sometimes, but it does thread the needle really well between being understandably emotional and commercially empathetic. Although there are some choices that this writer doesn’t agree with when it comes to elimination and wins – but if reality TV is not polarising, what is? Meanwhile, Tan France and Gigi Hadid are exceedingly appealing as judges in this show. They are harsh critics, choosing to focus on multiple aspects instead of just going for the most visually dazzling piece.
Next in Fashion is a great opportunity for designers working as underdogs to get their bump up in the industry. Each designer has a clear voice and a style of creating clothes, and there is an opportunity for all of them to coexist and work within the same space. They are judged based on their technical acumen rather than the voice that they choose to exhibit in front of the judges.
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Next in Fashion Season 2 Review: Final Thoughts
This writer thoroughly enjoyed watching this show, and fashion is so much more interesting when it is based on recent trends that you can understand instead of avant-garde adventurous fashion that would not be wearable anywhere. The last season was also enjoyable to watch, but the pop culture references and the young energy that came from this group of designers were truly fascinating to see.
Additionally, inviting guests within the normal range of knowability was what made the show relatable for a wide range of audiences. There may be many reality TV series, but at least this one doesn’t rely on some kind of over-exaggerated emotional crutch that took over the fundamental purpose of the show. The hosts also exhibited some iffy and teary messages in the show, but they didn’t overdo it too much to throw people off.
It is great for people who are looking for a quick and easy binge while also learning some interesting things about fashion. Additionally, the artistic taste and range from the competitors make it a fascinating watch.
Next in Fashion Season 2 is currently streaming on Netflix. Whom did you expect to win this season of the reality competition show? Let us know in the comments below.
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This season was terrible. It was a plummeting departure from last season. The guest judges were embarrassingly basic and utterly unqualified. The fashion this season was acceptable but not quite cutting edge and certainly not the next in fashion.
Tan is just so pathetic it’s hideous. Each episode spends way too much time following around boring Tan in his desperate tinkerbell outfits that are so try-hard it makes the viewer physically cringe. He swans around like a prince, but he looks a clown. The cameras fawn over a constantly cross-eyed and giggling Gigi – only interspersed by a crew of contestants who seem to sob at every childhood memory. It’s a phoney, snowflake academy that’s hosted by a couple of dullards in sequins, Send them to the trenches.