'More red carpet than royalty': Usama Ishtay's Balmain rip-off leads to his downfall in 'Next in Fashion' Season 2
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The high-stakes design competition 'Next in Fashion' is back for Season 2. Twelve aspiring designers from all over the country will compete for the chance to become the next big name in fashion. One of the talented designers who tried to blow the judge's minds with his creation was Usama Ishtay.
Usama is a budding couture designer whose creations have graced the red carpet, but this might have led to his downfall in the show. 'Next in Fashion' host Tan France warned Usama in the beginning that his design was missing the royal factor, which was the whole theme of the challenge, a royalty-inspired look. His gown was giving-off more red carpet vibe and felt like a "knock-off." This made Usama rethink his whole approach as he wasn't going to present just anything subpar to the guest judge Donatella Versace.
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Tam France's 'Balmain' comment sends Usama back to design board
Usama revealed that he was choosing Latin Royalty as his inspiration, and no one exudes royalty like Jennifer Lopez. Usama kept his dress design minimal with a straight-cut skirt and long sleeves but to add that 'luxe factor' he was using lots of zippers and strong shoulders. Usama wants to show himself in his designs so he kept them sexy.
After taking a look at Usama's work in progress, Tan questioned him "What elements was he adding to make his design royal?" His answer didn't impress the two hosts so Gigi advised him to add something more to make it regal. Tan then added, "Right now it's a gorgeous dress, however, it's looking a little Balmain."
This comment made Usama "nervous: and insecure and he literally had to rethink his whole design as he didn't "want anybody to tell him his designs look like other designers' work."
Last-minute changes didn't save Usama Ishtay
Adhering to Tan and Gigi's advice, Usama decided to rework his design and scrapped off the whole sleeves and was inspired to use them as gloves. Tan and Gigi feel like Usama is in big trouble even if they forget that it's a copy, it doesn't have that royal vibe. With the deadline approaching Usama decided to add a cape to his dress to give that royal look but was stressed because he only had four hours to finish it properly.
But unfortunately, Tam still felt that the dress was a "knock-off of Balmain," and Jason agreed while adding, "It's not fresh, it's not modern, it doesn't feel new." Gigi shared she was just not "excited" with the dress and Donatella thought the dress didn't go with the cape. Ultimately this sealed Usama's fate and he was the first contestant to get eliminated.
You can stream 'Next in Fashion' on Netflix.