Next in Fashion is back for season two with new co-host Gigi Hadid replacing Alexa Chung as co-host, pitting 18 designers against each other to compete for cash prizes and listing on NET-A-PORTER.
From an American former Army sergeant to an English guy dressed like Harry Styles, our contestants are both diverse and charming – creating compelling television, if not revolutionary reality changes.
Daniel Fletcher
Daniel Fletcher may only be 31, but this Central Saint Martins graduate has already won over critics and fashion enthusiasts alike. His eponymous label made its mark after Opening Ceremony acquired its graduate collection, and since then it has presented collections at London Fashion Week and Fiorucci as well as being involved with charity initiatives that offer fabrics to people during lockdown periods for quilted cushion projects – tapping into an increasing trend for handicraft, DIY projects and self-referencing which have long been linked with improved mental wellbeing.
Fletcher has worked with such iconic clients as Rihanna and Harry Styles – testament to his abilities. More importantly, however, is his approachable and welcoming demeanor which offers much needed relief from fashion’s celebrity-centric environment.
Next in Fashion is unlikely to revolutionise the fashion industry as its tagline promises, but it offers hope of an alternative reality show formula. Season two’s cast reflects this desire for change – from an American Army sergeant to a British guy who designed for Harry – is diverse with each designer having unique backstories and taking each challenge with gusto while sharing emotional significance of designs created for Harry. This authenticity — rare among reality shows — makes for an engaging watch despite neon aesthetic and nonstop hip-hop and pop backing tracks which occasionally tire us out!
Carli Pearson
Netflix’s inaugural season of Next In Fashion was an overwhelming success for their streaming service. This show sees 18 cutting edge designers compete for a prize pool of $250,000 and to release their collection through Net-a-Porter, with hosts and judges Tan France (Queer Eye) and Alexa Chung serving as judges and hosts for this competition.
Each designer brings with them their own distinct journey and background that helps shape their brand. Ranging from someone who styles celebrities to a graduate from Central Saint Martins in London, all contestants are highly talented and inspiring; moreover, each has different personalities and back stories which makes this show a fun watch!
Carli Pearson is an East London designer specializing in custom, inclusive clothing designs. She has collaborated with notable brands like Stella McCartney, Alexander Wang and Pucci while having her own label called CIMONE. Carli recently contributed several pieces for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination exhibition.
Hayley Scanlan is a Scottish designer who was taught her craft by her grandmother. Since then she has earned various design awards and gained a following for her colorful yet bold designs, garnering her the title of Scotland’s Coolest Young Designer as well as working alongside celebrities like Tyra Banks and Carrie Underwood.
Angel Chen
At 17, she left Shenzhen for London’s Central Saint Martins college, earning a spot on i-D’s designer to watch list after interning at Marchesa and Vera Wang. A year later she launched her eponymous label and has shown at both London and Milan Fashion Weeks while being honored as both a Business of Fashion 500 finalist and Woolmark prize nominee.
Chen is an expert at fusing culture with creativity; her streetwear meets demi-couture sensibility is a combination of Eastern and Western aesthetics that is ultra-covetable. Dubbed as a “modern version of Mulan”, her collections encapsulate Chinese culture’s bold energy as she showcases Chinese mythology and history through bold designs that celebrate the vibrant hues found throughout Chinese society and history.
There is something remarkably satisfying in witnessing someone else’s struggle against something so massive and formidable as cancer – watching that incredible journey towards recovery unfold is something else altogether! Her unique ability to blend traditional with modern, global and future-facing design is testament to her talent, earning her an invitation from Canada Goose in 2021 to guest design parkas for them that combined functionality with fashion in adaptable outerwear designed to reflect the Chinese zodiac. Women and men jackets, vests and coats from this range can be worn as dresses, or inside-out to create new looks. With its vibrant pops of colour and unconventional silhouettes, the 13-piece exclusive collection celebrates Lunar New Year in style – where 2019 represents transformation through Rabbit energy! Johnnie Walker King George V bottle, available for purchase starting April 20, features rare whiskies from irreplaceable casks at Port Ellen distillery to produce an elegant rich and creamy whisky with notes of orange, raisins and figs.
Ashton Michael
Ashton Michael, star of Netflix’s reality competition show Next in Fashion and renowned designer with an impressive resume. Michael has designed stage outfits for Lizzo, Post Malone and Ariana Grande while curating collections at boutiques such as Patricia Field and Fred Segal. Michael boasts a contemporary yet edgy style perfect for high fashion challenges as seen on Next in Fashion; LuxeLab hair stylists complete his looks to complete his looks.
He hails from the United States and established his company in 2005. Known for celebrity wardrobe styling and one-of-a-kind designs, he was selected for Season Two because of his interesting background story and impressive fashion credentials – adding character and fun to the competition!
The initial season of Next in Fashion received mixed reviews. While some lauded its diverse cast and talented designers, others criticized its treatment of Black women and its obsession with Asian contestants. But its second season, which premiered March 3, is much-improved over its predecessor – it features more relatable characters, less infuriating challenges than reality shows such as Project Runway, and it is hard not to appreciate this season!
Minju Kim
Minju Kim made waves when she entered Netflix’s 2020 season of Next in Fashion, instantly garnering industry professionals and fashion enthusiasts alike. Not only did she impress judges Alexa Chung and Tan France with her elegant structural silhouettes and unique approach to color and pattern combinations; she also won over viewers with her warm character and genuine sweetness and humility.
Kim graduated from both Samsung Art & Design Institute in Seoul and Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp with an eye for avant-garde haute couture design, and her unique signature style blends youthful playfulness with avant-garde haute couture. Since establishing her namesake brand in 2012 and releasing annual collections since, as well as designing stage costumes for K-pop bands like BTS and Red Velvet. Most recently she collaborated with H&M Group-affiliated company & Other Stories on an immensely popular line that sold out worldwide within hours!
Although she initially desired attending art school and becoming a cartoonist, her parents encouraged her to focus on fashion instead. These wise advice has proved successful as South Korean designer Jang has emerged as an impressive force in fashion: winning Next in Fashion competition and signing a $250,000 contract with Net-a-Porter to launch a collection there has since followed! Furthermore, her womenswear designs boasting bold prints have caused quite an uproar within fashion circles! Keep an eye out for Jang’s forthcoming collection!
James Ford
James Ford has made his mark as part of Simian Mobile Disco as both an artist and record producer, producing albums by Arctic Monkeys, Foals, Depeche Mode and Last Shadow Puppets while simultaneously playing drums on each. Furthermore he produced A Fever Dream by Everything Everything as well as co-producing their sixth studio album; also co-producing one from Gorillaz is due soon!
Next in Fashion is Netflix’s latest reality series addition and while it may not have the same impact as some of their more established productions, it still manages to provide an entertaining viewing experience that’s less infuriating. Next in Fashion features talented fashion designers who face timed design challenges during each episode of the show – something viewers of Next in Fashion will no doubt find fascinating!
Queer Eye’s hosts, Gigi Hadid and Tan France, are warmly engaging hosts; though not quite as captivating as Mel Giedroyc or Sue Perkins from The Great British Bake Off, they remain engaging. Additionally, each designer brings his or her unique stories and perspectives into play when featured.
Next in Fashion is already shaping up to become an unforgettable classic despite only two seasons on air. The design challenges are diverse and engaging, the work produced by each designer always stunning, and notable guest judges such as fashion icon Donatella Versace and model Hailey Bieber bring added credibility to this competition.
