As competitors rose through the ranks of Next in Fashion’s second season on Netflix, the audience was in for a surprise. While viewers expected to be given a look into a breakout new trend in the fashion world, they were given a predictable ride through the typical tropes of reality fashion TV. The Harvard Crimson takes a dive into the show’s second season and looks at how it fulfilled—and failed to fulfill—its ambitious expectations.
1. “Next in Fashion”–Say Goodbye to Originality
Shopping for clothes these days is harder than ever. With the never-ending list of challenges – from matching the same color and fashion trends with friends, to looking for unique pieces that no one else has – it’s easy to feel muddled and overwhelmed. To make matters worse, inconspicuous brands are popping up left and right, claiming to offer genuine, stylish designs; however, these brands offer duplicate designs of those found in stores and online.
The trend of next in fashion is changing the game, making it easy to find pieces that will turn heads and generate conversations. But the wear-once culture that has evolved has also led to insincere, temporary buying trends. Instead of settling for indistinguishable pieces, try investing in timeless designs, go for classic cuts and fits, and build a collection of items that won’t be out of style in a few weeks.
In today’s world, the goal should be to look timeless and classic:
- Mix the classics with subtle touches of texture and detail.
- Choose quality pieces over trendy items.
- Incorporate statement pieces from time to time, but don’t focus entirely on them.
- Go for timeless fashion trends, such as denim, tailored trousers, and classic cuts.
By taking these simple steps, you can say goodbye to fleeting trends and give your wardrobe a makeover that lasts in the long run.
2. A Run-of-the-Mill Fashion Competition Series
In the world of fashion, competitions have become a cornerstone for budding designers, buyers and entrepreneurs. The more popular among them are the run-of-the-mill fashion competition series. They offer a platform for those who want to put their skills and ideas in front of the world and get that much coveted reward.
At such competitions, a panel of expert judges set agendas of challenges and the competitors have to meet the mark within the set timeframe. It could be anything ranging from designing the best look in a given season or deciding a collection with zero wastage or working together with a certain fabric type or designing philosophy. The criteria used here are quite stringent and the end result are often breathtaking and highly original.
- The competitors need to be very creative in order to come up with something that can meet the critieria.
- Judges are looking for innovation, originality and legitimacy of concept.
3. The “Next in Fashion” Reboot: Doomed From the Start?
The Netflix original series, Next in Fashion, is an enjoyable show for the fashion enthusiast. With its clever format, new contestants, and high stakes challenges, the show certainly has an interesting premise. However, its recent reboot could be seen as doomed from the start.
First, it’s important to understand what differentiates this reboot. Whereas the original series followed 18 contestants on the journey to becoming a fashion designer, the new season focuses on 24 contestants competing to become design partners. This new dynamic has been the major shift, attempting to break the barriers between traditional fashion houses and the emerging streetwear industry.
- The structure was unfamiliar and confusing.
- Contestants were not motivated by the prize.
- The challenges dulled the innovative fashion elements.
Unfortunately, this ambitious idea failed to gain traction. Viewers clashed with the unusual rules, stories, and selection of contestants. There were also issues with energy levels and engagement among competitors, who were not adequately motivated by the prize. Furthermore, the fashion challenges became increasingly generic and predictable, dampening any potential creative achievements.
4. Time to Say Goodbye: Onward and Upward With Netflix’s Future Projects
Netflix’s success as a streaming giant is only solidifying with time, and as its reach grows, so do its projects. With future projects announced and more to come, it’s time to bid farewell to the more iconic titles that have revolutionized our streaming experience.
Starting with Stranger Things, this beloved series has not only captured the hearts of many viewers, but also the attention of the industry. The collaboration between Netflix and Duffer Brothers has tackled the genres of horror, sci-fi and mystery with finesse and paved the way for Netflix originals to come. Netflix’s other notable projects have been:
- Narcos
- The Crown
- Extraction
- The Witcher
Creative geniuses of the industry have blossomed and their work has been instrumental in pushing Netflix towards their proverbial high. As their projects gained traction and story-telling captivated its audiences, the future of streaming services took its shape.
Overall, ‘Next In Fashion’s second season stirred mixed reviews as viewers felt the show to be a bit formulaic. While there were some impressive fashion presentations and some unlikely contenders, the layout and conclusion of the show seemed to have been wrapped up in a very typical Netflix package, giving viewers very similar results.
