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task 6
nobel prize fashion
 


Welcome to the sixth panel of LidlTerm season 4! After this panel, there's only 3 more tasks before the grand final, meaning only 3 more opportunities for the designers to collect keys.

This week the designers were asked to design an outfit inspired by a Nobel prize winner, or rather the thing that granted them their Nobel prize. One aspect of this task was to make a choice, and then create something that was either avant garde or highly experimental.

Let's take a look at the Nobel prize winners of the past that the designers had to choose from.

 

1. ALFRED NOBEL


It's only logical to include the man that the prize is named after. Alfred Nobel was a struggling Swedish man who invented dynamite in 1867, which at the time was a huge step for the western industrialization and Alfred believed the invention would serve as an invention that would promote peace, as it would ''show mankind how much destruction he can achieve''. A beautiful thought that never caught on. Mr. Nobel became rich of his invention and spent his last years living a lush life in Italy, iconic. In Mr. Nobel's will, he stated that he wanted his fortune to be distributed every year to those who ''conferred the greatest benenfit of mankind'' - which is how the Nobel Prize came about. Annually, the Nobel Prize is handed out in five categories: Physics, Chemistry, Physiology/Medicine, Literature and Peace.


 

2. Harold urey


American physical chemist Harold Urey conducted experiments on isotopes, leading to his discovery of heavy hydrogen (also nicknamed heavy water), which led to him receiving the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1934. Urey's discovery has an incredibly dark undertone to it: today heavy water is used for generating energy through nuclear power plants. During the 1930's and the 1940's, Nazi Germany and the allied West had a quiet race between the two, regarding who would be the first to succesfully build a nuclear bomb, in which heavy hydrogen served as the main key component. This is one of the main reasons Nazi Germany invaded Norway in 1940: they wanted the Norwegians heavy hydrogen-factories. Had Nazi Germany cracked the code regarding how much hydrogen was necessary for a nuclear bomb, World War II would most likely have ended in Nazi Germany's favour. Instead, the United States were the first country to figure it out, and they used the nuclear bomb to commit crimes against humanity on the citizens of Nagasaki and Hiroshima in 1945.


 

3. Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet


The Jasmine Revolution in 2011 (also part of the Arabic Spring) meant that the people of Tunisia were tired of decades of dictatorship and the lack of free spech as well as other liberties. Dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was overthrown and the world nervously asked what would happen next: overthrowing a dictator doesn't always mean democracy follows. In 2015, the Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet were rewerarded with the Nobel Peace Prize due to ''its decisive contribution to the building of a pluralistic democracy in Tunisia ... it established an alternative peaceful political process at a time when the country was on the brink of civil war''. 


 

4. emmanuelle charpentier & jennifer a. doudna


French researcher Emmanuelle Charpentier (pictured right) and American researcher Jennifer Doudna (pictured left) were awarded with the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry due to their discoveries on genetic scissors (CRISPR/Cas9), also regarded as a tool for rewriting the code of life. Their discovery means that researches can change the DNA of animals, plants and microorganisms with extremely high precision (oh the conservatives must hate them). Thanks to this, the technology of life sciences has seen a revolutionary impact and it has contributed to new cancer therapies. In the future, other various cures may be found to some inherited diseases thanks to their research and discovery.


 

LET'S EAT!!!

 


antheia-ceres x alfred nobel





Filip

You forgot to tell me which inspiration you chose, however, looking at your outfit I assumed you chose Alfred Nobel and his dynamite invention. I absolutely love the pants, it's a both cute and stylish reference to the dynamite that at the same time isn't too obvious or on the nose. I'd usually find that green and yellow print a bit of an eyesore, however with the red checkered print it looks really nice: I love mix-and-mismatch when it's done right. The orange shoes are cool as well and they have that dark, western American feeling to them that is hard to descirbe. I just find the composition on the top so uninteresting and so been-there-done-that. Something I will tell a lot of designers this week: less is more. I think the head styling works quite well in relation to the set, however I believe that specific accessory combination should be put on the shelf for good. 


 



harry

This is cute, the little point towards asymmetry is nice, would have liked to see that have been pushed further. Not the most impactful, but still pleasing.



 


peyton125 x HAROLD UREY





Filip

Without a doubt your best work so far in this competition. Avant garde is at times mistaken to exclusively be about huge, almost clown-like fashion. This is avant garde in the details rather than the silhouette, which happens to be more of a commercial one. It looks like water is bleeding through the jacket: water normally doesn’t bleed, however it’s a perfect idea for the unsettling ”heavy water” concept. It also looks like your model is originally wearing a jumpsuit or a short dress that now has holes in it, another clever idea, it depicts the nuclear power/warfare idea in a subtle, yet high fashion way. It’s a thrilling design to look at, it comes across as your model is standing still for just a second. In other words, it’s a look charged with energy.

 



harry

You have successfully managed to ace this task by going more wearable, and not packing on unneeded details. It's incredibly marketable & stylish.


 


nicrobbo95 x HAROLD UREY





Filip

That jumpsuit is absolutely fabulous: it's a pretty basic clothing piece that's rendered from an avant garde angle. I love that there's both an actual hole in it as well as what looks like a black hole close to the necklace, which makes its silver material only more impactful. It's a play on soft fabrics with hard metals which connects with Harold Urey's discovery quite well: it's a discovery with potential for both a utopia and a dystopia. Love the blue accent and the almost invisible red heels. You lose me on the accessorizing a little bit, the headpiece and face-piece is cool but I rarely enjoy seeing crowns utilized in Project Runway. I'd like to see more of this style of fashion from you: the modern side of you that mixes experimental elements with commerciality.

 



harry

I actually think you are one of the more fashionable submission this week, it screams high fashion to me. You were able to keep your outfit fully functional, artsy, and make it still feel like clothing all at the same time. Great combination and pairing of the mask/top, and the necklace/belt.

 


cassandra.goth x HAROLD UREY





Filip

The more I look at it the more amazed I am by the plaid you created. Without a doubt one of the best things I've seen this season. It's a very heavy composition with slightly aquatic features. The fact that it looks heavy is a nice wink to Urey's discovery of heavy hydrogen, which also has the nickname of heavy water. It's avant garde for sure. Just like I told Antheia, less is more, the head composition is so unnecessary. It's a cool creation and it would do itself more justice had it been paired with a more minimalistic dress: the headpiece is just trying to steal a bit of the plaid's thunder and I just want to rip it off. Having said that, this is perhaps the most artistic and creative I've seen you so far and I am impressed by the speed of which you're growing as a designer. 

 



harry

Your plaid is extremely impactful this week. The whole outfit feels heavy. Maybe a tad too heavy, like.. too much? This is also an incredibly artsy outfit, I think this specific outfit leans on the edge of not being clothing. Posing can help this!

 


buyartpop x HAROLD UREY





Filip

I've been nagging you to challenge yourself a bit more and show other sides of you, and this week, you did! It's a softer, brighter and more optimistic side of BUYARTPOP we are treated to this week. I like the two-sided angel theme, as it is a very two-sided discovery that Harold Urey did. The styling is perhaps my favorite part of this, it reminds me of that Katy Perry candy wonderland thing she had going for a little while and this is a look that is just refreshing to rest your eyes on. I also like that you combined items and colors in a way to make it look like a dress that has a slightly striped pattern to it. Great work!
 


motormickeynew x HAROLD UREY


harry

You probably have the biggest outfit this week, but it doesn't feel that way, as you didn't cramp your outfit with as many details as possible, you kept it laid back, stylish, and fresh. And extremely editorial. Which is what you do best. I enjoyed your take this week.


 




harry

This feels bold and impactful, just as you always do, a bold statement for the runway. I love how your outfit could literally be worn under water. Nothing to fault here, it's a nice, decent submission!
 





Filip

Lots of water-related looks this week! This is you flexing your muscles a little bit, I could look at this and tell that you made it. It's a design with a really fresh and cool aura to it. The best aspect is without a doubt the many ways it looks like water is seeping down your model, very cool. I also appreciate the more retro 60's/70's horizontally striped print shirt underneath the jacket, it's a side of you I wish you explored more. I find that your technical skills are at a 10, yet stylistically there's a journey you could make: who is the new mickey compared to 2 years ago? I find the pink shoes a bit hard to digest, they just don't work for me. I also believe the skirt was a bit of a cop out, I think you could've chosen something more impactful. Nonetheless, a very artistic and neat design.
 


LC22 x HAROLD UREY





Filip

I love this. Few things are more beautiful than that bright/almost acid combination of lime and olive green. It's a dress with many layers to it, all being revealed at the same time. Sure, perhaps the batwings wasn't the most high-fashion idea, yet it fills a purpose regarding the silhouette. The tiny dots of blue, especially around the shoulders, is a pleasant addition. My favorite avant garde aspect is that the dark wings connect to the headpiece in a way I've never seen before and in a way that doesn't feel to desperate or overly designed: there's a perfect balance throughout the look while there's also a lot to look at. A beautiful, harmonious design. I find that the dark legacy of Harold Urey is present in the styling, while the bright side of his discovery is more present in the dress. 
 




harry

I'm not quite sure what happened to your other beautiful skirt this week, BUT even so this is still SO incredibly beautiful to me. It feels sexy almost. The sheer fabric is a great addition contrasting to your harsh wings. Wings are hard to work with but you almost managed to make them not even feel like wings. I would have perhaps liked to have seen a little different styling on the head, but you definitely have yourself a hard job with styling your incredible dress.


lidl-wayne x tunisian national dialogue quartet
 


Nobody chose this inspiration for this week, so I created a design for it myself.

 


HERBYMAINSTED x emmanuelle & jennifer





Filip

This is textbook avant garde. It's a fantasy, an artwork, more than it is clothes. I'd give you a standing ovation for your achievement of perfectly portraying the genetic scissor thing. Absolutely brilliant and done in a chic way. The silhouette is neat, there's a play on volume here as the bottom white base looks almost tight on the model's body, only for it to erupt at the top. It almost looks like some of it is flying in the wind. I could look at this for half an hour, there's just so many neat details. Despite the fact that it it crammed with various design elements, I still don't find it overdesigned, although it's near.

 



harry

You always manage to produce museum worthy designs, I can say that every week. I actually feel you could have elevated this by having the face showing, and making it more fashion than an art piece? But such great details.
 


ellie x emmanuelle & jennifer





Filip

An invigorating artwork. The purple accents mixed with the metallics was a fantastic idea and perhaps one of the best things you've come up with. I remember telling you that you had to challenge yourself more when it came to your coloring process and you've exceeded my expectations by far. This is an exciting design that only came alive even more when I applied it onto the model set. The hat just doesn't mesh that well with the brutalistic metallic suit that you've constructed. I'd say this is an outfit in which I'm in love with the colors and the details rather than the entire look in itself, which is a bit of a problem. I will say though that for many tasks I've been itching to see you go more experimental and you finally did and it was so worth the wait. You should keep your head up high over this one Ellie.

 



harry

Your posing really helps here, it keeps your model feeling alive, whilst you have this super restricting and absorbing outfit. It fits your theme pretty nicely! I can definitely see all the inspiration you have taken this week. I'm not sure if I'm a fan of the hat and shoes, but good job :)


fierce.needles x emmanuelle & jennifer





Filip

It's acidic, it's cool and it's fun. There's an attitude and a fashionable carefree thing going on here, which I find connects to your well established British glam punk aesthetic. What I love the most about this is that it's not just one unit or one full, big piece on display here, it rather looks like the most hip artist of London went out and put together an outfit through second hand shopping: it's a mixture of elements in which each part of your look has it's own identity and yet it all is tied together fantastically without it being matchy matchy. The head styling made me drop my jaw a little, it resembles artwork you see at Burning Man or an art exhibition in Clapham. Does it tie into the gene scissor concept? I'd say so, it does look like a couple of outfits were cut up with a scissor and then sewed into one. You could summarize this look with the saying that it's art that expresses disconnect while there's still a red thread throughout.
 




harry

Sexy alien raver. Welcome back! The more I look into this the more I understand every part, I feel like you've literally taken scissors, cut up someone's genes & jeans, and made a look from all the cuts of material! Love it.


sealchowderr x emmanuelle & jennifer





Filip

You were seconds away from being disqualified: I was going to press ''publish'' on the panel just the second I got your submission on Discord, 2 hours late. We as hosts spend many hours on a longterm, more hours than one might think, so I find it a bit disrespectful. I know you made a mistake and perhaps you're getting all the heat right now as two others didn't submit as well, but I wanted to express this. You will automatically be ranked last this week and won't get a comment from Harry unless you ask him personally. Now, to your look: I find that you match the set really nicely and although it is a black suit, it's presented in a very high-end, editorial way. I'd like to see a bit more of your experimental side: your problem is that you don't see the nobody gets eliminated-format as an opportunity: go crazy and wild! Experiment! Throw whatever on the wall and see what sticks and voila, you have a few keys. This is a bit safe for an avant garde/experimental task. You are always great at styling though and this is one of the rare times I find that headpiece to look incredible. Overall, a nice look. I hope next week will be your triumph.
 




11 designers
3 will receive keys
 


Before I hand out the keys for this week there are two things I have to say.

First of all, Cinthia and lobsterbiscc have unfortunately been eliminated due to not submitting in time. It hurts my stomach to have to do it but I find that it is the best thing for the integrity of this longterm and the fairness towards the other competitors. I thank the two of you for coming up with designs that have contributed to this season and for bringing your best in the panels you were part of. I am a big fan of the two of you and hope to see you in the miniterms and the shortterms. 

Second of all, I am greatly impressed and excited about all 11 looks that we saw in this panel and it is painful that I can only hand out keys to 3 designers. Know that regardless of which 3 designers have the most keys by the end of the semi-final (task 9), all 11 of you have a chance to reach the final if you get chosen by Harry (Uhu), regardless of your amount of keys. Don't abandon your aesthetic, your creative side and your artistic integrity if you don't have as many keys as you'd like: keep doing your thing and trust the proocess


In 3rd place
LC22 - congratulations, you've received 1 key






In 2nd place
Fierce.Needles - congratulations, you've received 1 key







The winner of this task
Peyton125

Perhaps not the most avant garde design of this week, although experimental it is, as well as the most refreshing design to look at this week. You simply stood out and impressed us by the way you managed to create something so intriguing and good looking through being more subtle and smart with your choices, rather than going for the large and loud design items. You earned this one, congratulations. You've now received 2 keys. 

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