Next in Fashion

Next in Fashion, a Netflix original series, presents an enlightening and engaging glimpse into the world of competitive fashion design. The series is hosted by Tan France, best known for his role as a fashion expert on the hit show Queer Eye, and Alexa Chung, a renowned fashion designer and former model. The show was initially aired in 2020, and its popularity continued to grow through 2023, gaining a solid following of viewers dedicated to fashion, creativity and design.

The premise of the show is as simple as it is compelling. Eighteen experienced designers from around the world are given the opportunity to compete against each other for a $250,000 prize and the chance to debut their collection with luxury fashion retailer, Net-a-Porter. The show is international in every sense of the word, featuring contestants from different countries, each with their own diverse backgrounds and unique design styles, which adds an interesting cultural dimension to the show.

A striking element of Next in Fashion is the heightened level of expertise of its contestants. Unlike other fashion design competition shows, this series focuses on designers who have already shown promise in the fashion industry and garnered some degree of success. Many of the competitors have worked with high-profile celebrities and major fashion brands, but are looking for an opportunity to evolve their careers and step into the limelight in their own right.

The show’s hosts, Tan France and Alexa Chung, bring a lively and fun dynamic that holds audiences’ attention episode after episode. With their knowledgeable backgrounds in fashion, they provide both expert critique and thoughtful encouragement, offering an advantage that aspiring designers can hardly find anywhere else. These industry insiders generously share their knowledge, making the show just as much an educational experience as it is entertainment.

Next in Fashion is structured around different challenges each episode, in which contestants are tasked with creating an original design that fits a specific theme or concept. The themes vary widely, allowing the designers to showcase their artistic versatility, including red carpet wear, sportswear, denim, lingerie, streetwear and more. These episodes culminate in inspiring and dramatic fashion shows featuring each designer’s creation. The stakes are high as each design is judged by France and Chung, alongside a panel of esteemed guest judges drawn from the highest echelons of the fashion world.

Adding a fascinating social dynamic, the contestants are initially paired into teams of two, and they must work together to conceptualize and execute their designs. The teamwork element adds another layer of complexity to the show, emphasizing not only the importance of individual talent, but also communication, collaboration, and shared vision in the highly competitive world of fashion.

Next in Fashion excels in its in-depth coverage of the design process. It peels back the curtain on the often-overlooked aspects of fashion design, from brainstorming and sketching initial ideas, to pattern making, draping, and stitching. The series does a commendable job of shedding light on the physical, intellectual, and emotional labor that goes into each piece. The show doesn’t hide the pressure and struggles that can accompany the creative process, creating an emotional connection between the contestants and viewers that can be both heartrending and uplifting.

The show has been applauded for its meticulous attention to the sustainable and ethical aspects of fashion. Through conscious fabric choices and techniques used by the designers, the show turns an eye towards the future of fashion with sustainability in mind.

In Conclusion, Next in Fashion is not just for the fashion fans or reality show enthusiasts. It’s a docuseries that encapsulates creativity, struggle, competition, and triumph. It’s a testament to the transformative power of fashion and the stories that can be told through fabric and thread. Whether you’re an aspiring designer or just a casual viewer, this show feeds you a platter of inspiration, glamour, and education, garnished with emotional narratives that will surely keep you watching.