Top 10 Worst Looks on Project Runway

Note to all future “Project Runway” designers: if you’re going to add a slit to the back of a dress, make sure it stops when it reaches the models derrière. On seven season, Ping Wu made the mistake of letting hers run a little too high; exposing way too much of her models behind. The challenge here was to create a fun party dress using a burlap potato sack. Unfortunately, Ping’s design was shapely in all the wrong ways; with the lower portion looking like a cardboard box she’d tacked on at the last second. Ultimately though, it was the butt flap that broke the design.

50% risqué girl scout, 50% Peter Pan, 100% wrong. Kara Saun may have finished as season one’s runner up, but we have a hard time believing it had anything to do with this bizarre creation. The task in episode two was to create a garment using a plain cotton jersey to evoke a feeling of envy. When we look at this creation, we definitely feel something, we’re just not sure it’s anything close to envy. You may be surprised to learn that Kara actually won this challenge, which hopefully says more about her competition than it does about her design!

Season eleven differed from its predecessors in that the designers were forced to compete in teams for each challenge. In the end, this didn’t make much of a difference for Emily Pollard, who was eliminated in week one thanks to this underwhelming look. The poorly constructed design can be blamed on Emily’s lack of initiative in the early stages of the competition. She failed to get much done on the first day, which had her playing catch-up for the rest of the challenge. The result was a top and skirt that just looks . . . well, bad. Seriously, what IS that thing hanging off her shoulders?

For this season nine challenge, the designers were tasked with creating a look based on a painting they did with an art student. The ensuing design was meant to be more of a homage to the painting, and not a literal recreation. Unfortunately for Bert Keeter, he must have missed that part of the instructions, because he literally took portions of the painting and made them the focal point of his entire design. The result is something that looks like it belongs on the pages of a children’s book, rather than on the runway.

For this season nine challenge, contestants were split into two teams and asked to design outfits for The Sheepdogs. The goal was to create something that would establish the band as trend setters. Laura Kathleen Planck was responsible for designing guitarist Leot Hanson’s outfit. While Laura seemed proud of her creation, we’re . . . not so enthusiastic about it. Hanson looks less like a rock god and more like he barely escaped with his life after being involved in some kind of 70s era massacre. The shabby jacket, blood-soaked T-shirt and bell bottoms just don’t do it for us; and we’re pretty shocked that it didn’t land Laura on the chopping block.

To kick off season eight, the designers were asked to remove an article of clothing from their luggage to be sewn into their final design. But there was a catch. Instead of using their own item, they had to use the item of the person standing to their left. This resulted in some truly inspired creations. Unfortunately for Carlos Casanova, his was not one of them. His dress was, uh, lacking, in a number of areas. The risqué look proved too much for the judges and he found himself facing elimination. Michael Kors called it “odd” and Nina Garcia said that it was “questionable in taste”. So yeah, not good.

How Santino didn’t get eliminated after turning in these bizarre creations we will never know! During season two, the designers were tasked with creating a lingerie line consisting of three similar looks. Santino apparently took inspiration from Heidi Klum’s homeland, trotting out these lederhosen-inspired looks. The designs failed to impress the judges, with one going so far as to quip, “I think Santino embellished to the point where it wasn’t delicate and sexy any longer, it was vaudeville.” While he ultimately managed to stave off elimination, our dreams will forever be haunted by these inexplicable looks.

Season twelve’s first challenge took the contestants out of the design room and onto the tarmac. The task was to create a look using parachute materials. While most of the designers played it safe and used the unique material to create long, flowing dresses, Sandro went in a different direction. He decided to make a skin-tight body suit … with predictable results. The finished product leaves little to the imagination, with the models most intimate areas on full display. Sandro didn’t get eliminated, but he also didn’t last much longer in the competition.

For this season five challenge, Blayne Walsh was teamed up with Stella Zotis. Their goal was to create an avant-garde outfit inspired by one of the teammate’s astrological signs; and what the two came up with was interesting to say the least. There’s a lot to unpack with this design. The colourful fabrics scream “magicians’ handkerchiefs” and the black leather straps conjure up images of a BDSM dungeon. The outfit has no flow, no meaning and frankly, no proper way to describe it. In the end, it cost Blayne and Stella a seat at the table, as they were both eliminated for their fashion faux pas.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few dishonorable mentions:

Emilio’s Bikini

Christopher’s Wrapper

Blayne’s Scarves

Shirin’s Black Dress

Becky’s Colorful Mess

This design remains one of “Project Runway’s” most memorable…just not for a good reason. Trotted out all the way back in the season one premiere, the candy-inspired look was part of a challenge that required the designers to create something using materials found at a grocery store. With $50 to spend and one day to work, this was what Wendy came up with. The finished product is a mess and looks less like the work of an aspiring designer and more like the inside of a piñata. It’s unflattering, unwearable and truly unforgettable.