# Too fast, too fly, too flirty #
# Too bad, too high, and we on it #
- Oh, hi, Tim. - Heidi, you are breathtaking.
A local Japanese designer gave this to me.
I'm overwhelmed.
- It's stunning. - I mean, it took 45 minutes to get into it.
- It was worth every single minute. - I love it.
- Arigatou. -Arigatou.
When I think of the kimono, it has centuries and centuries of history.
- This looks so modern. - I love it too.
It makes you stand up just a little bit taller.
- I'm sure. - Look at my socks.
I love it. It's ready for a flip flop.
Oh, look at his little feet!
- Wow. - This is gorgeous.
Come on in, guys. Good morning, everybody.
- Welcome to Ryotei teahouse, everybody. - Yes.
No elbows on the table. No hands on the table.
Heidi and I learned all the protocols.
Do I need to take off my hat?
Oh, yeah, the hats off.
Now we finally know what's under there.
It feels really amazing to be in the top four,
but it's becoming so much more intense now.
All of you have worked so hard to get to this point,
but not everyone will make it into our final runway show.
So, we wanted you to have a moment to feel your Zen
and to reflect upon your journey.
Yeah. So, enjoy.
Please take a bowl by your right hand,
and please make a slurping sound like...
That sound tells me you enjoyed it, you completed it.
Apologies. I haven't mastered my slurping.
- Everyone relaxed? - Yes.
Well, good.
Because you are facing the most important and pivotal assignment
you've yet to have.
This last assignment will determine which three of you four
will make it to the big finale.
To be honest, I didn't imagine myself getting here.
And now that I'm here, it feels totally earned.
I have hustled my butt off, and I deserve a place in the finals.
Weeks ago, your very first assignment was a brand snapshot.
So, we want to take the experiences that you've had here on Making the Cut
and infuse them into your next collection.
You need to show the judges how you've grown and how you've evolved.
You need at least two looks. You can have as many as four.
Okay.
As a reminder, at least one of your looks must be accessible.
One of the winning designer's looks will be available on Amazon
in the Making the Cut store.
I do sort of feel like I'm the underdog,
because I haven't won any assignments yet.
I feel like this is my time.
A very important aspect of being a successful brand is managing a team.
So, you will each be overseeing two seamstresses.
- Oh, my goodness! - In the design studio.
- Oh, they're there with us? - They will be with you.
Working with the seamstresses, it's a teamwork, and it's how I usually work.
So, I really appreciate that.
So, you have a fashion show in two days.
And it will be at night, in the harbor, on a boat.
- Wow. - So, give no less than a thousand percent.
- This is not a time to hold back. - Yeah.
Alright, enough of this Zen-ness.
Work hard, everyone.
- Thank you, guys. - Good luck.
So, we don't have to be inspired by the turtles or something?
We have to create a two to four-look collection
that shows how we've evolved from the beginning until now.
My aesthetic's very different than the other designers.
It's kind of how it is also for me in normal life.
It was really difficult sometimes,
because nobody really understood my design aesthetic or where I come from.
I've always paved my own way in things,
and I think it's important to have that in fashion.
For this assignment, I am planning to do three looks,
with the idea of past, present, and future...
where I've been, where I'm at, and where I'm going.
Balancing between accessibility and art definitely for me was the hardest obstacle,
but it also was one of the funnest things I've ever done in my life.
Oooh!
I feel like I had a lot to say when I came here, design-wise.
I wanted people to think of my looks as modern art
expressed through fashion.
I've never seen anything like this.
- I'm on the fantasy side of fashion. - So, you're gonna go there.
Bitch, clearly.
- Well, what do we call this? - There is no name for it.
We did love your looks, but they were not really accessible.
First t-shirt I've ever made.
It's a Sander t-shirt.
What has really emerged
is that commercial and artistic can come together, in your way.
You are the winner today.
I could definitely see you doing your show in Paris.
For somebody to tell you, you are what you want to be,
that's something that I will remember for the rest of my life.
# I can feel it #
# Goin' for it, nothin's gonna stop me now #
I think the assignment is really great,
to really go back to your brand but include everything we learned.
For this assignment, I will do three looks, mixing a lot of materials together.
Go really wild with shapes and forms.
Being here and discovering my creativity, I also discovered my femininity.
So, I would love to go a bit more fluid,
having something which can float in the wind.
# Feel it comin' #
# Got me runnin' #
# No, I can't stop now #
I can see how much I've grown since the first assignment,
and I want to show the new sense of femininity in those collections.
So, I'm going to reference my very first assignment,
which didn't get commented on, which didn't get any critique.
So, I'm going to challenge myself to totally transform them.
I'm planning to do three looks.
The womenswear look is my reference, that first assignment.
The other womenswear look is something totally new.
And then I'm gonna do a menswear look.
For them to say, "You're going to the finals,"
like, that's... that's my goal.
# 'Cause I've got dreams to reach #
# Got no time for fear to take control #
I am so hungry for this opportunity.
At home, I was still designing for other, larger companies,
and I would love to not have to do that.
There's that saying, like, you don't want to spend your life
building somebody else's dream; you want to build your own dream.
So, I'm gonna do three looks to show more refinement within the brand,
and, you know, a little bit of that edginess that I've been adding here and there.
In order to win this, I think I really need to push it.
- Four. - Four.
I'm looking for a bunch of different materials...
shiny leather,
flat wool, chiffon...
Ah, it comes in pieces. Ah, okay.
Not only black, but maybe a little bit of white...
For this assignment, we just have to give everything
to be in the final three.
The pink, the green, and the black.
It is a little bit Halloween, but I like it.
I think I'm definitely pushing myself again
because now I'm using black, which I never use.
Look at that poor man fighting that black felt.
Poor soul.
Hello.
Sander. Nice to meet you.
- Asta. - Asta?
So, for this assignment, we have two seamstresses,
and they don't speak English, so we need a translator.
He's cutting it right now...
I've never had to manage a team.
Never been tested on that level.
But I think I'm definitely up for the job.
So, you can start maybe the pants.
If you have questions, I'm there.
Okay? High five?
Hi! Hi! Go!
Ooh, that's amazing.
This is my last opportunity to prove to the judges that
I deserve to be in the final three.
So, I want to make sure that the fabrics that I choose look very lux and very expensive
but also edgy and cool.
Ooh, I love this!
I'm so excited!
Something I haven't used before is crocodile leather!
I was drawn to it.
Let's hope I have enough.
The driving force behind my looks is
my desire to show the judges how much I've grown in this competition.
In the beginning, I struggled with, "Will my designs be enough?
Will my aesthetic be enough?"
So, I would tend to overdesign.
I don't want to overdo it. I'd probably put a beautiful leather thing up here.
Okay.
The collaboration with Jonny really pushed me.
And having that masculinity and that edge brings you to a whole different level.
You know what I'm learning here? That less is more.
You had me at Fly Girl. I love that top.
This is so fresh
and invigorating.
That's very nice.
She stepped up.
I feel like the growth in me and my brand is not small steps.
Those looks today I absolutely loved.
Thank you.
It's been giant steps, big.
Big. Clear distinction from the start to finish.
The silk?
I don't know why I can't get my mind off of, like, sheer silk material,
which is the hardest to cut and the hardest to sew.
But I keep on seeing these angelic, ethereal shapes,
with these, like, big, heavy coats on it, and so, I'm gonna do it.
Oh, that's it.
I think this is gonna represent how I can do the feminine,
and I can still do the bad-ass,
and it can come together into something that's super marketable.
So, I'm doing a sheer pink silk dress.
Like, where did that come from?
# Go #
Hey!
# Somethin's growing thick in the air #
- Hello, hi. - Hello.
Hi, I'm Jonny.
- Nice to meet you. - Nice to meet you.
So, I just want to have a little talk.
I will start cutting something really easy,
so that they can quickly start doing something.
I feel really good with the seamstresses.
I like to work in a team.
It's two layers.
Treat them as one.
Having the connection is very important to me.
- Thank you. - Thank you so much.
Are you doing color, Esther?
- White. - Oh, I love!
Just a tiny touch.
I'm really happy with the journey I've done here
in the past few weeks.
I was actually not imagining how intense that journey would be.
Esther, you are the winner.
Thank you, universe!
This is a new way of couture.
You are today's winner... again!
I work only with black.
You've been black on black on black on black on black.
I wish you would have branched out into color just a little bit.
- Wow! - Good heavens!
You have a color!
I love the black dress. The gold one I'm not in love with.
Black will stay the center of my collection.
I respect that you stick to who you are.
I actually think that's what makes you a strong brand.
The judges saying, "This is exactly the right thing for you to do,"
that was the biggest milestone in my career.
So, I'll have something in maybe, like, maybe 20, 30 minutes
to start sewing.
So, I'll bring it. I'm cutting now.
I'm gonna have the seamstresses do all the hard, tedious work for me,
like zippers and buttons, and have them sew the main parts of the garment,
and then all the other fashion details I'll come back in and do.
# I just want the funk #
# They just want the funk #
# We just want the funk #
# Give us the funk, the funk Give us the funk, the funk #
That alligator leather's cute!
I was, like, so excited when I saw it.
I was like, "Where is this? I want all of it."
So, this collection definitely is showing an evolution of my brand,
especially with the crocodile leather,
'cause that's something that I haven't really played with.
It kind of works well against the feminine aesthetic.
I haven't won anything yet, so I really want to wow them.
I do want to win.
Okay, that coffee's kickin' in...
I am going to rush to cut something right away.
I plan on making two dresses for the girl models.
And for the guy, I'm gonna make real leather jogging pants
with a draped wool blazer.
And that is one, two, three, four, five, six, seven pieces.
Why? Oh, I'd never thought it was seven pieces until now.
That seems extreme.
So, I'm gonna do three looks.
But I booked four models... two girls and two boys.
Whoever doesn't look good in the fitting, I'll let that person go.
Can I do a whole entire dress out of this, or does it look weird to have the pleats...
- Did you try to get rid of it? - No, but I should try.
My approach to design has always been, like, fashion is armor.
But that was connected to an older version of me
that needed more protection.
And I was defending myself against the elements.
I came here expecting to design, expecting to compete,
expecting to be challenged.
I think you don't understand the word "couture."
Maybe it is time for you to depart from that leather jacket
that you've been doing for so long.
The judges kind of pointed out some things that helped me realize
that my design aesthetic is protecting something vulnerable and soft
that I wasn't prepared to show.
I feel like there's more inside of you that you have to bring out.
I grabbed this print. I want to show some range.
This is the feminine version of who you are.
It really was so gratifying to see how much you've evolved.
- Awesome. - You are the winner today.
I wasn't just catering to the judges. I was really discovering new colors.
I love the print, because it kind of made it sweet.
- ...new femininity... - -Jonny, you just nailed it.
- You are today's winner. - Thank you.
I'm proud of the designer I've become.
I'm proud of the man I've become after this journey,
which I did not anticipate having such a spiritual change, and I have,
and I'm proud of it.
Thank you.
The top of the material... is shiny.
We have so much work to do tomorrow.
But the energy between me and my seamstresses feels good.
We have a camaraderie between us.
Go team Jonny!
I quite like this open-edged thing.
Esther thinks wearing it like that is really cool.
Dress still needs to be done... the top still needs to be done...
the skirt still needs to get a fitting... Tim Talk...
winning... million dollars... rich... husband... mansion.
Done.
Hello?
Uh-huh.
Okay.
I will call you back. Bye.
My plan was to do three looks... two girls and a guy,
but my model, the girl I'm most excited about,
is not available.
- What happened? - My model's not available.
- Which one? - Amani, the one I really wanted.
- Uh-oh. - So, does anyone have an extra model?
- You need just one girl? - Yeah.
Do you want the fussy one that I have?
- No! - Sorry.
No, she's so fussy, but thank you for offering.
No!
I've learned that in fashion, we always have to pivot.
I do it all the time.
You have to keep going. You have to move forward.
You know what I'll do?
I will put the skinny Japanese boy in a dress.
That could be so cool.
I'm gonna own this situation.
Hi, this is Jonny. I still have three models booked.
Two of them are boys, and then we have the one girl.
I'll just keep these three. Okay. Thank you. Bye.
I'd already overbooked models. I'd booked four.
So, now I'm doing two boys and one girl.
And I have this idea of just keeping my outfits the exact same.
I'm just gonna dress the boy in a dress.
I think that will look really, really cool.
I'm talking about my femininity, I'm talking about gender doesn't matter...
Well, prove it. Show it on the runway.
I'm making this boy a sheer, silk, pleated Victorian dress.
What the hell am I doing right now?
It's a make or break moment.
It's either gonna seal the deal, or I'm going home.
So adorbs.
Well, this is a Tokyo we haven't seen yet.
This is quite phenomenal.
- Sake! - We should have some sake. Yeah.
- Also, have you ever had sparkling sake? - No, I've never heard of it.
I think we should go here, and I think we should try all the sake.
Let's try it.
- Thank you. Here's to Tokyo. - Mmm.
- Have you learned any Japanese? - I've learned some Japanese.
- What? - Can you count?
No.
- You? - Not even "one"?
I don't know what it is. What is it?
- Ichi... -Ichi...
- Like itchy? - Like itchy...
- Ichi... -Ni, san, shi, go...
- Rocko. -Rocko...
- Shishi, hachi, kyu... -Kyu...
- Ju. -Ju.
You're getting more sake. Kanpai.
What about... "My name is Heidi"?
Watashi no namae wa Heidi desu.
Watashi no... my won na....
- Nai ma wasu. -Nai ma wasu. I'm bad.
- No... - I can barely speak English.
I think we need a top-up.
The more we drink, the better we get at this.
How do I say "making the cut"?
Oh, yeah, "making the cut."
- Sin ba tu. -Semba tu.
Semba zu!
- Cheers to the million dollars. - Here's... Cheers to the million dollars.
I'm getting bombed.
Kanpai.
# I'm wakin' up every day with my head in the clouds #
Morning! Yes!
Another day at the office!
So, two times stitch... zz zz...
For this week's assignment, we can make two to four looks...
...to really show our evolution from the beginning until now.
This is a big deal.
It's nerve-wracking being this close to the finish line.
You can almost touch it but not quite.
- So, the back... - Up 'til here?
Yeah. The back is very similar, so...
... the shape.
The pattern is kind of small, so make it a little bit...
Sew it bigger.
The model is a boy.
Boy?
I'm putting a boy in a silk dress. It just has to be impeccably done.
It really has to work.
- Okay? - Okay.
# Put it on, hold me tight #
# Tryin' to get a little more me time #
# I might come back to you #
Okay, I told them yesterday, but you can say it again,
that I'm really happy with the quality of their work...
...but we have little time here.
So I want to get them into my boat somehow and maybe, like, have a chat always,
like, what they think, how much time they might need,
because then they know they are part of the process.
Building the team spirit is as important as having someone doing a good job.
You were working on the jacket? What do you think?
Do you think, like, one hour...?
Twenty minutes.
Really? I love to hear that.
Let's rock it! Okay.
Arigatou gozaimasu.
- Hello, everyone. - Good morning, Tim.
- How are you all doing? - Good.
So, Esther, how's it been having a team, having the seamstresses?
Oh, that's wonderful.
- It's been good? - Yeah, it's really good, so...
You're managing your team well. Very well.
- Talk to me about what you're doing. - Um, so, I will do three looks.
The first one is my accessible look.
And this goes with the white blouse over there.
- Oh, this is going to be white? - It's, uh...
a sleeveless shirt underneath,
and then you have these top layers floating like this.
This is accessible. At the same time, it says fashion.
Uh, second look will be...
finally, my James Dean...
...t-shirt.
Sorry.
- What?! Is that funny? - Yes.
- Well, it's a bit... - "Top three."
- I like it. - It's hilarious.
- So, it's a bit... - "Top three."
I'm so fed up to make myself smaller and hold back all the time.
There is so much more inside of me,
and when, if not now, I can let it out and show it?
So, I'm mixing a lot of different materials.
I'm putting in a lot of femininity.
Everything you just said to me is exactly what you should say to the judges.
- Okay. - Exactly.
And with the same amount of emotion and passion.
Well, I just have to make sure that I don't start crying.
You know, it may work in your favor.
Okay.
Hi, Sander. What are you doing?
Well, I chose to do three looks,
and I kind of wanted to present the past, the present, and the future.
Okay.
The first look is a little bit dramatic dress in a neon green.
Drama, sculpture, where I came from.
And then the present is a skirt that's twisted,
in a pattern to kind of get the idea of, like, me trying to figure out
how to do more accessible looks.
And then for my future look, it's kind of simplicity,
but there's still the cuts in there to kind of...
Oh, this is the... This is the accessible look?
Yeah.
- I'm just perplexed by... Can I...? - Yeah.
- ...pick up one of these? - Sure.
- This color and this. - You don't like it together?
This is bold and strong. It makes a statement.
This is... the word I would use to describe this is "insipid."
- Sweet and weak. - Oh.
I'm just perplexed by it.
- And you know how much I love your work. - Yeah.
Introducing this color just seems so bizarre to me.
He didn't like the pink.
Clearly. But he doesn't need to wear it.
Hi.
- Are you doing three looks? - I'm doing three looks.
I'm taking my very first assignment,
and I'm taking the same dress concept and the boy in like a long motorcycle vest,
and I'm redoing them to show my progression, my evolution.
So, I think that this is a really elevated version of what I did.
- So, then where are you going? - So, I decided to book a boy
and put him in this sheer dress.
So, I just started getting cold feet, but, uh...
Why?
I feel like this can make them go, "Wow!" or it can make them go, "Eeeh."
That's where you want them to be.
You don't want to play it safe, and you don't want to go crazy.
- Right. - You want to be on that precipice.
If I go for it with all my heart, and I don't make it to the finals,
- at least I went to it with all my heart. - Yes.
- You just have to execute all this. - I know.
- So, go, go, go. - Okay, thanks, Tim.
How's Megan doing?
I wanted to, like, keep it really clean but play on shapes.
Okay.
So, this actually is the peplum that's going to go on a blazer.
- On the blazer? - Yeah.
The seamstresses are sewing the blazer now, and it has...
I found this crocodile leather that I love.
So, the lapel is this.
Where else are you using the croc-embossed...
- Leather? - Leather.
I was going to make a...
belt out of this.
Why the croc?
I thought it added depth, and I liked the contrast.
- You don't like...? - It just seems so...
Arbitrary.
This says to me "hard," "tough,"
and the rest of this says... "ethereal."
But you may want to have that yin and yang.
- I do, sort of. - But then I would say, do more with this.
I think you either bite it off and chew it...
- Mm-hmm. - ...or you don't bite it.
- Got it. - You've got to go big.
And I thought about that last night, but I wasn't sure if...
Tell me about your doubts.
The peplum, the sleeve, this bodice... I wanted that to all be croc.
Megan! Go for it. It's not a time to hold back.
You are the only designer in this room who doesn't have a winning look.
I know.
- Why the tears? - Um...
- You're struggling, I know. - Yeah.
I am definitely feeling the pressure to work my ass off to win this one.
It will prove to the judges why I deserve to be in the final three.
I'm going to leave you.
Okay.
- Thank you. - Do it!
And here I thought the designer with the weakest work
will be the one who goes home.
None of you have weak work.
You're really...
wowing me.
It's a sensational body of collections.
I'm incredibly impressed.
I'm tremendously eager to see your fashion show.
It's going to be smashing. I will see you tomorrow.
- Thank you so much, Tim. - Thank you.
We love you, Tim!
I think the question about my color choice that Tim asked me is definitely relevant.
So, I might just kick out the pink.
I kind of want to see it just with two colors.
And I think that's more of a clear concept for the judges.
# More, more, more #
# I want more, give it to me #
I think it's good that Tim said I need to push it.
This definitely isn't the time to be safe.
I'm pushing it by adding crocodile leather into all three looks.
If I'm gonna use it, I need to use it all the way.
# I can't get enough, yeah #
# I like it, I love it #
# It's true It's true #
My Tim Talk went really well, but I'm super far behind timewise,
where one and a half piece is completed,
and we have... five more to do.
So, it's a lot. A lot.
# More, more, more #
Whoo!
Yeah.
# Baby boom, baby boom #
Can you both stay... stay with me?
- Stay here? - Okay.
I want the seamstresses to be next to me during the model fitting
so that they really see what they did before,
what we need to change.
We need to take something out here.
Sometimes I don't know in the beginning how the result will be.
A lot of things happen in the process.
You know what I'm thinking?
It was supposed to be like here...
and I saw it hanging like this...
and I much more like it.
Maybe the seamstress makes a mistake, and all of a sudden,
you think like, "Oh no!" but, actually, this is much better than I thought.
It's beautiful.
This is quite big on you.
Blazer... I put it on the model, and the kid's swimming in it.
To be honest, like, he looks terrible in it.
My other two, I have nothing for them.
And I'm really, for the first time, kind of freaking out.
Yeah, I'm freaking out.
It's done. I'm so happy.
I basically finished all the three looks today.
I'm a bit surprised, because I was always the last.
That's the difference for me working with seamstresses in a team.
Good job. Good job.
I can now show the experience I have to build a team
and to make everybody be really happy working in that team.
- Thank you. - Thank you.
Mmm.
- Are you going to see the show? - Yeah.
- Yeah? - Tomorrow.
Oh, cool!
I feel like I'm in the position where I should be.
I have wonderful people, skilled people,
and the result is, for me, amazing.
Thanks again. Arigatou gozaimasu.
Time is not my friend today.
The clock is just like...
It's going to be really difficult to finish in time.
I have to cut and sew a leather pant,
design, cut, and sew a silk top,
design, cut, and sew a silk dress.
It's a terrifying amount to get done in one day.
I think I'm going down to two looks.
Can't do it. I can't make three.
I'd rather send two awesome-looking models down the runway
than three barely-clothed ones.
But I definitely think that if I'm the only one that didn't do three looks,
it will stand out against me.
This is the decision I have to make.
If I don't deliver, I could go home.
Aaaahh!
###
The morning of the show. I have two hours, no seamstress help.
I've been going back and forth between three looks, two looks.
If I go down to two,
I know the judges are going to say something about it,
because everyone else pushed themselves further.
So, I've decided I'm doing three looks.
I just need to finish a million things...
before the runway.
You can sew it on like that, and I can trim the excess,
or you can just go around the edge.
No, then I go around, because it's like double.
Esther is finished with her collection and is ready and willing to help me.
- Yeah. - Thank you.
You're welcome. Okay. I mean, don't blame me, you know?
I'm not a seamstress, but...
You are a seamstress. Oh, my God. Angels do wear black.
The fact that Jonny has Esther helping him...
This is a competition. We're not here to help each other.
Because when we get to the judges, they don't see that struggle that he has,
and I just don't think it's fair
that I work that hard and...
he doesn't.
Angels in heaven rooting for me!
Okay. Let's get you in this dress right here.
- # Dark hair # - Cute, I like it.
# Red lips #
# Somebody call the cops, I'm dangerous #
Hello, Sander.
It's time for make-up.
Keep it like this. It's the Rising Sun.
I kind of want to do like the Japanese influence,
like the dot on the flag represents the Rising Sun.
But I thought maybe if it was too big, that they would lose the eyes.
Then it goes like, the past, the present, and the future.
Like, it rises. The Sun, as the Japanese flag.
- No, but it's cool like this. - Okay, thank you, guys.
Thank you.
It's time to rumble!
Come on, guys.
I think my looks will stand out.
I would love that the judges say, like,
"Okay, we are really curious what you could do for the finale."
It's the happiest I've been at this stage.
I'm extremely proud of the looks that I created.
I think they show a lot of range and growth.
I worked hard here, and I know I deserve this spot.
Today, I could have been stronger.
If they don't like what I'm presenting, I could be going home.
But I've been consistently strong, so I hope that they can look at our body of work
and if that's the consideration tonight,
I think I have a strong chance.
The expression of my brand has become more clear
after, like, I did my changes.
I think it's definitely something that nobody's gonna see coming what I did.
And I can't wait for it to strut down that runway
and show it to the judges.
It's a big night.
We have four designers standing.
After tonight's show, we'll have three.
I couldn't possibly be prouder of the designers,
and I hope they're prouder than I am.
Because they really should be.
Incredible achievements.
I'm very emotional.
Sorry. If I'm getting choked up now, what am I gonna be like later?
- Hi, everybody. - Greetings.
Welcome, everyone.
- What an exciting journey it has been. - It has been, Heidi.
We're down to our final four,
and we are extremely proud of every one of them.
For this fashion show, we wanted the designers
to show us what they've learned from this incredible experience.
They created collections showing how this global adventure
and competition has evolved their brands.
The winning look will be immediately available on Amazon
in the Making the Cut store.
Let me introduce you to our lovely judges.
Creative director of Altuzarra, Joseph Altuzarra.
Digital entrepreneur Chiara Ferragni.
Supermodel and contributing editor for British Vogue, Naomi Campbell.
Let's start the show.
- How are you feeling? - Oh, I'm super nervous.
# Try to resist it if you like #
# You're gonna give in It's just a matter of time #
The movement on this is beautiful.
And this is Esther. Wow. She had a white top.
She's showing us that she has versatility.
I really like the new take on the black pants and white shirt.
- Oh, wow, I like this shoe. - I love that too!
# Why should you hide what's underneath? #
"Top three."
Well, I just love that she has the confidence to write that on there,
- and she really wants it. - Yeah.
# Take what you, take what you want #
Bilevel accented waist.
I love it.
Wow. Beautiful.
# Alright, alright #
Oh, my God. Look what you did.
It looks like a dress on top of a dress.
I'm not into the zipper.
- Oh, this is interesting. - This feels really nice.
I love that he gives you that surprise in the back.
Yeah.
I think he did a lot of great pieces in that short amount of time.
Oh, this is so much better in the green. Beautiful.
I feel like Sander's grown from experimental to more...
Commercial.
Congrats.
- Thank you, babe. - Good job.
Thank you.
Hi, Tim.
# Simple as can be #
# I got your hands in mine #
So, you did do the crocodile. Excellent.
# You don't have to listen carefully #
# I'll tell you a thousand times #
I love that she's doing tailoring a new way.
It's almost like she's been looking a little bit at what Esther is making.
Yeah.
# Anything you feel, put it all on me #
# All of your thoughts I want everything #
To me, this looks messy.
There's too much going on. It looks like leftover fabric.
Yeah, I find it kind of complicated too.
# I'll lift you when you're feeling low #
# I'll hold you when the night gets cold #
# You'll never have to be alone #
# And that's all you need to know #
This one I like better.
Kind of makes the whole look if we could cut a bit of that fabric off.
But I still like the dress regardless.
Alright, Jonny.
# And that's all you need to know #
What do you think about this jacket?
It doesn't fit right.
I mean, I've seen jackets that are kind of ill-fitting like that,
and maybe that is a trend when they hang off the shoulder.
I'm personally not a fan of that.
# You'll never have to be alone #
# And that's all you need to know #
The execution on this is really good.
I mean, that's a beautiful jacket, but I have that one.
- You have that jacket? - I do too. - I have it too.
I feel like it's something that we've all been wearing for years now.
- He's not showing us something new today. - Yeah.
But he's showing us what he's good at.
# You don't have to listen carefully #
# I'll tell you a thousand times #
# And that's all you need to know #
Beautiful.
- I do love this. - Yeah.
- Oh. I like this dress on this boy. - Yeah. This one is my favorite from there.
- You like the bag with the dress? - I don't love the bag with the dress.
It doesn't need it. The dress stands on its own.
I'm just...
A tiny bit disappointed, right?
# You'll never, ever be alone #
# And that's all you need to know #
Fabulous show, everyone.
Fabulous.
- Tim, get in here. - Yeah, come on.
Yeah.
# And that's all you need to know #
- Hello, hello, hello, hello! - Hey, guys.
Hi.
I'm extremely nervous to go into this elimination,
but it's not gonna help me to stand up there and shake like a feather.
I don't think that shows that you're worthy of a million dollars.
You look tired.
I'm fresh as a daisy. I don't know what...
Designers, that was a fantastic fashion show today.
Thank you.
Three of you will move forward to the final assignment.
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 fashion that you send down the runway.
We discussed each of your collections, and we made some decisions
based on the fashion show we just saw.
But as you know, those decisions aren't necessarily final,
because you can change our minds.
We are looking for a fashion designer and an entrepreneur.
So, I have some thoughts and questions for all of you.
Esther, we want to talk to you.
Esther, how do you think this collection reflects the growth of your brand?
It was an essential moment to really stand up for my black universe,
and I've really grown out of that,
and maybe this t-shirt I was showing you tonight
symbolizes leaving behind the Esther who's always stepping back,
who is always giving the space to others but finds like a...
No! I'm here, and I want to be part of the final three.
I loved everything that you sent down.
I mean, I've seen a lot of blouses. I have not seen one like that.
I mean, it was so beautiful, and this was not a wind machine.
I mean, being on the boat, it could have not been more perfect.
Then, second look, this jacket.
You give them a beautiful shape. I love what you wrote on the t-shirt.
And then this amazing dress in the end.
They look like they came out of a store.
- Absolutely. - Thank you.
So, how was it managing the seamstresses for you?
I told them what we have to do during the whole day
and said we need to work together.
I also had them with me for the model fitting.
And then we had the changes, and then they could just take it and go back...
- Yeah. - ...and knew exactly...
- Smart. - ...right away what to do.
- And it's also team-building. - I mean, it shows.
- It was really beautiful. - Thank you.
Bravo. I see strength, I see integrity, daring, risk-taking.
Very modern and very chic.
The t-shirt, it's very evocative,
like you really wanted to be among the top three,
so you were brave enough to not make it such a subtle message,
but you really put it out there.
It was actually very emotional.
It felt like this whole process
has really solidified your belief in yourself.
And I do want to address the way that you worked with the seamstresses,
because you can be a great designer,
but if you don't know how to manage people,
you're just sort of making clothes.
You're not actually, like, building a business
and building a brand.
Esther, tell us what sets your brand apart from the others.
I have the feeling I am like a dormant volcano,
and I'm about to erupt right now,
and hopefully you are just really curious what will happen next.
- I'm definitely curious. - Mm-hmm, me too. -We all will be.
Judges, have any of you changed your mind?
No.
Esther...
you are the winner.
- Thank you. - Esther, your white top and your black pants
will be immediately available on Amazon in the Making the Cut store.
You're making the cut. Congratulations.
- Congratulations. - I can wear it now.
You visualized it.
It's great to be in the final three. I wanted it really so badly.
And I really pushed myself to get there.
Sander, we want to talk to you next.
Hi, guys.
- Hi. - Hello, Sander.
Sander, tell us how your collection reflected the growth of your brand.
Kind of wanted to show the past, the present, and the future.
The past is how I came in,
which was the first look, which was a little dramatic,
and then to the present,
which was a look that looks very wearable from the front
but then it has like the huge bows in the back.
That's still me trying to figure out how to make those...
And then we have the future look, which was then the very, like, sleek blazer
and then the pants, but then with the little cuts in it
to kind of still have that boldness that will always be part of my brand.
I really, really empathize with the journey that you've been through,
because when I started, you know, I was doing leather catsuits
with, like, cone cups and, like, you know...
- Really? - I would wear it.
Yeah. Really, really pushed.
But what I think is so wonderful is this evolution
from that kind of raw creativity to something really wearable
and sellable.
That's what I like to hear.
I really loved the hair and makeup as well. That was, like, very clever.
Very Japan-inspired.
- Yeah, the Rising Sun. - Yeah.
Your humor has to stay, 'cause that's your signature,
and you get that from your clothes.
You know, the cheekiness of the back exposed
and that pencil skirt is so elegant.
I don't know if it was like a cut in a bias in the front.
The idea was to take a regular skirt and then, like, twist the entire pattern...
That's not an easy thing to do.
We manage it.
Your imagination is amazing.
Yeah. I feel like you really are full of new ideas.
- Yes. - But how would you describe your brand?
I've taken the creativity and turned it into accessibility.
It's something new, something fresh.
And I think that's why I don't represent the now, but I represent the future.
- Wow. - You do.
Like that.
- Well said! - That's good.
Sander, congratulations.
You're moving on to the final three. You're making the cut.
Yes! It feels great to be final three.
Europe!
Whew. That was intense.
Alrighty, then. Johnny and Megan.
We want to speak to each of you before we decide who's making the cut.
- Megan, we're going to talk to you first. - Alrighty.
So, how does tonight's collection reflect the growth of your brand?
Because I've designed for so many different retailers,
I already knew what women like and what they want to wear,
and that's why I've been so successful in my brand.
But I was walking this fine line between going all the way
and not going all the way.
It was me but it wasn't all of me,
and now, I've, like, put all of this depth and this refinement into my brand.
I love what I created.
I thought the presentation was a moment of growth.
And I especially felt that way about the first look.
And I know this is going to sound a little bit harsh.
But part of the reason why I think I liked the first look the most
was because it was much edgier,
and it reminded me of some of Esther's work, for instance.
- Or Jonny's work. - Mm.
I don't think it felt as authentic to who you are.
I agree.
- I don't. I disagree. - I saw that. I had that same feeling.
I'm so sorry. I disagree. I don't think that's fair.
For the first look, I had the same feeling, I have to admit. I did.
Just because it's black?
- No, it was... No, it was like... - Why?
- I normally do do suits. - I had the same emotion.
- It was a suit. - And I love your suits.
Today, it almost looks like you experimented too much,
- that it looks messy. - Oh.
I have to say, like, I agree with Heidi.
The capri leather pants, I think they didn't fit super well on the crotch.
And I think I would have loved to see either that or the skirt,
because all together was
too similar to what we saw before, but messier.
To be honest with you, I really wanted to go for it.
I wanted to show the growth and the depth that I have.
And I do feel like you've pushed yourself in every assignment.
Mm-hmm.
What is missing for me is that central idea
of what your brand is about.
- You put that in such good words. - Yeah.
- You do appeal to that everyday woman. - Mm-hmm.
- And you cover a big age group. - Yeah.
Megan, why do you deserve to be in the final three?
This is my time.
I feel like this competition was created for designers like me
that don't have all these resources to take you to the next level,
and if you guys put me in the final three, you won't be disappointed, for sure.
- Thank you, Megan. - Thank you.
Well said.
Jonny, we're going to talk to you now.
- Let's do it, guys. - Let's do it.
Tell us how this collection reflects the growth of your brand.
As a queer person, I've built up a lot of armor
to make it through my day-to-day,
and it's reflected into these silhouettes that I always deem as fierce
and strong and bold, and those things are.
But what I've discovered on this journey
is how softness can be just as strong as armor.
And so, my three looks were color, softness, pleats, you know?
When I look back on it, I'm like,
"Wow, I would have never ventured this way."
- I didn't get that. - Mm-hmm.
On the first look, the pants... seen 'em. The tunic... I've seen it.
The jacket... seen it.
All consumers would want that jacket, pants... all relatable.
But, for me, I needed something else. Sorry.
- No, thank you. - And I loved the dress.
It's so feminine, so chic. I don't like the bag on the dress.
- Okay. - -You don't need to.
The dress stands on its own.
- It was powerful. - Okay.
I didn't dislike the belt. I love that you have a different brand.
So, not SkinGraft anymore.
That was, like, I think we all agreed on that part.
But was it exciting today? For me, it was not.
Second look, this jacket, I literally bought it two years ago.
Chiara has it, Naomi has it.
Its your guys' job to come up with new things that we don't have in our closet.
- Mm-hmm. - So, for me, the excitement was missing.
You know? Because that's why we love fashion.
I hear you.
The pieces are easy to relate to, because you've seen them before.
- I agree. - And that's not always a bad thing.
Yeah, but he has to have his twist on it.
And you have had those moments, where you put your own twist on it.
We know that you make relatable clothes to the masses.
- We're all saying that, right? - Mm-hmm.
So, now, with that, you then put your swag on it.
I hear you all.
Jonny, why should you be one of the final three?
I came in kind of as an underdog.
Like, I don't really sew, I have never really pattern-made before,
and at the beginning, I had a slow start.
But not only did I survive this competition, I thrived.
So, if I can take on the things that I don't think I could even do,
and I can actually thrive and do them well,
I am so ready to show you what I'm great at, which is the big picture.
Give me the opportunity, and I know I'll make you proud to say
you believed in Jonny before the rest of the world knew who he was.
- Thank you, Jonny. - Thank you.
- Megan and Jonny... - Mm-hmm.
...one of you will be making the cut, and one of you will not.
We don't normally do this, but because this is such a big decision,
I think we should talk amongst ourselves.
- Mm-hmm. - Okay.
So, designers, I would love for you to step out for a little bit.
Thank you.
I feel pretty conflicted here, because I think Jonny is definitely
more of a brand,
and I recognize who he is,
- but he didn't have a great night. - -No.
Megan has a lot of experience. She's worked with bigger brands.
She's had to, like, follow merchandising plans...
I think she really has had to hustle.
- She's had to hustle. - Yeah, for sure.
- She's going through this journey. She's... - Totally.
...gone to Paris, gone to Tokyo, I mean...
It's like she's gotten out of the headmaster's rule.
- Yeah. - And she's now been set free.
But Jonny, I thought, was store-ready.
- Yeah, for sure. - No, he was...
- No, sorry, no. - Yeah, I agree.
- The dress, the jacket... - No...
- Yeah. - No.
Didn't flatter the guys. How's he going to flatter a woman?
- The bottom of the shirt... - Compared to hers?
It's really... For me, it's 50/50.
But at the end of the day, you have to go with your gut,
- and my gut tells me... - Well, listen to this.
This is horrible.
Waiting for them to decide the rest of my life,
I'm like sweating from places I didn't even know existed.
Alright. Tim and designers, you can come back in.
Oh, my God, is there gonna be tears!
- Alright, let's go. - Godspeed.
Jonny and Megan, having to say goodbye to one of you is not going to be easy.
Tim, how do you feel?
To be honest, I'm a wreck. I don't envy all of you.
I'd rather be sitting there today.
Megan and Jonny, would you step up here?
Well, before I say anything else, I want you to know that this was not easy.
Mm-hmm.
One of you will be making the cut,
and one of you will not.
Jonny...
you're making the cut.
Thank you.
Megan, I'm sorry, but you're not making the cut.
Okay.
Well, thank you. Thank you.
Keep believing in yourself.
You're gonna do super well.
# There's no easy way #
# To find the words to say #
# When it's time to let go #
Don't cry.
You're gonna do so well. You are.
You are.
Me leaving, um...
I don't want to cry.
Whoo!
We've all come close to things that we want and not quite get them.
- Bye, Tim. - We're going to hear a lot more from you,
and we're going to miss you terribly.
Bye, darlin'.
L.A. girls forever!
- # I'm so sorry that your heart is broken # - Bye, guys.
All the best to you. - Bye, Megan!
Bye!
# And I'm sorry that you're not the one I'm sorry #
I feel really bad for Megan.
She has, to me, one of the biggest growths of the season.
And I would have liked to see how she would have slam-dunked that runway.
- Well, congratulations, Jonny. - Thank you.
- Join the bunch. - # Come on over #
It feels so incredible to be in the final three with Esther and Sander.
From day one, I was like, "She's a shoo-in. He's a shoo-in.
I'm fighting for that third spot."
The final three.
Congratulations to all of you.
- Thank you so much. - Thank you.
Why don't you guys meet Tim and I in the lounge in 15 minutes?
- Good. - Alright.
- Thank you. - We'll see you soon.
- Thank you. See you soon. - Bye, guys.
Bye, guys. See you soon. Congratulations.
- I'm kind of excited for the next part. - I am too.
Do you think these designers know what's coming next?
- No! I don't think they have a clue. - I love surprising them!
- Should we do it? - Let's do it.
Let's.
Next time on Making the Cut...
Our final three. Pack your bags. This is the biggest assignment yet.
You're going to create a pop-up shop.
How is this gonna work?
And you need to create a 12 to 14-look collection
for a fashion show.
The final assignment is more massive than I could ever imagine.
This one was supposed to be higher.
The pressure is so intense.
There's gonna be an elimination, determined by the pop-up shops.
So, only two of you will have a final fashion show here.
The stakes have never been this high.
# It's time to go #
# Time to jump this ship but you say no #
# 'Cause you want to blow this ship out of bounds #
# Feeling safe even if I'm scared #
# 'Cause I know #
# That you're always here #
# You always said that if we get attacked #
# You would be the one I'd be wishing for #
# You said if we ever get attacked #
# You'd be the one I could count on... #