The Zoe Report Recaps: Amazon's Making The Cut, Season 2 Episodes 5 & 6, Plus How To Shop The Winning Looks

Spoilers for Making the Cut, season 2 ahead! With just two episodes to go until next week’s finale, the stakes are higher than ever on Amazon Prime’s Making the Cut — and this week’s episodes see some of this season’s most impressive looks thus far. Here’s what to expect from the thrilling runway shows, and how to buy the winning pieces on Amazon Fashion’s Making the Cut store.

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Episode 5: “Avant-Garde”

Recap

Last week, Jeremy Scott left the remaining contestants with a rallying cry demanding that they drop their excuses at the workroom door and start demonstrating some real passion, urgency, and emotion in their work. Perhaps Scott’s comments reverberated in the producers’ heads as much as they did mine (where can I get that motivational poster to hang over my desk?), because Episode Five’s challenge is the perfect proving ground for his invocation. The designers will “co-brand” with Levi’s to create two looks that utilize denim in boundary-pushing ways, with a high-fashion, avant-garde design as the marquee look. (Karyn Hillman, SVP and Chief Product Officer for Levi’s, steps in as a guest judge.)

Another nudge to the designers to go as over-the-top as possible, given the tight two-day turnaround: The runway show will be carnival-themed. And another, courtesy of Heidi Klum: “This week, we want you to go big. Really big. Show us what you can do.”

Show us, the designers certainly do — this runway show is arguably the most exciting of the season so far.

Gary is inspired by the creepy side of carnival, namely “carnies, time travel, and H.G. Wells,” as he recounts to the judges. For the avant-garde look, he creates a long, cyberpunk-y denim coat, screen-printed in a quilted design and intercepted with sheer inserts. “Hallelujah,” Klum exclaims when the combat-booted model stalks down the runway. His accessible look is equally successful. It centers on an A-line denim dress in a bespoke abstract print, reminiscent of the well-worn props dotting the carnival grounds. But especially exciting is his take on Levi’s iconic denim jacket: A genderless, one-size-fits-all cocoon coat that can be worn upside down. It’s innovative, versatile, wearable, and incredibly special — the perfect blend between fashion and commerce.

Fellow frontrunner Andrea P. also puts on an impressive show. Inspired by the primary-colored puffer coats of her ’80s childhood, she designs a show-stopping denim jacket with dramatic bubble sleeves and collar, equipped with a built-in backpack (for snacks!). To go with it, there’s a simple bralette, plus a long skirt with a bubble train and sheer-paneled cutouts at the hip bones. Altogether, it’s a look that literally makes Winnie Harlow’s jaw drop. The judges also love her accessible jumpsuit, an off-the-shoulder, wide-legged number, though the construction isn’t quite perfect.

Despite his promising sources of inspiration (London punks and the Notting Hill Festival — nothing not to love), Joshua falters in this challenge. The judges are especially confused by his bleached, red denim trench coat affixed with a fanning of white tulle that arcs over the model’s head like a frilled lizard. Although Joshua defends his efforts, he can’t convince the judges to make the cut. More successful in her argument is Andrea S., whom the judges initially place on the chopping block for a pair of looks that lack innovation. But after expressing wholeheartedly her passion and dedication to her brand, they change their minds and let her stay. And, honestly, hoards of us would wear her bleached, cropped denim shacket with a Nehru collar and stud detailing in an instant.

Based largely off the sheer brilliance of that convertible coat, Gary ultimately wins the day, and I couldn’t possibly hit that Add to Cart button any faster. (Though I am dreaming of swathing myself in that goth avant-garde coat and a pair of Dr. Martens Jadon boots come wintertime.)

The Winning Looks

Whether you wear them separately or together, here are some accessories that would look so good with Gary’s winning dress and the brilliant denim jacket he designed for Levi’s:

If you’re wearing Gary’s dress to the office or for a day running errands, bring this tote bag with you. The roomy interior is big enough to hold all your essentials, plus a few extras you might pick up over the course of the day; and with its faux-leather material, chic little tassel, and quality construction, no one would ever guess that it only costs $12. The Aquamarine shade pictured here brings out the blue and green tones in Gary’s dress, but it’s also available in every color of the rainbow (and then some).

Lean into Gary’s history-inspired sensibility with these Victorian-style lace-up boots. A chunky heel gives you some height without sacrificing comfort, while also grounding the dress’s floaty A-line skirt and the jacket’s drapey fit.

These Swarovski crawlers beautifully complement the rust and gold tones in Gary’s dress, while the mixed-cut crystals add a fun, modern edge to the outfit. And just like Gary’s dress, they’re surprisingly wearable for daytime, but certainly dramatic enough to wear to dinner or drinks after work.

Episode 6: “Video Campaign”

Recap

Lest you forget the contestants are competing to be global fashion entrepreneurs, Episode Six serves as your reminder: For this challenge, the designers must create two looks to be featured in a video ad campaign for their brands. It’s an opportunity for the designers to demonstrate their understanding of their target audiences, plus how to sell to a very online consumer base; and with so many fashion shows on hold (perhaps indefinitely) due to the pandemic, digital marketing techniques are absolutely integral to the business of fashion. It’s fashion marketing 101, COVID-era, albeit with the potential to win $1 million in lieu of a final grade.

The designers have one day to create their looks and come up with a campaign concept, and a second day to work with a videographer on the shoot. The culminating fashion show will take place at a drive-in theater, with celebrity costume designer and stylist Shiona Turini joining as a guest judge.

The challenge also offers us, as consumers, a glimpse into how we might interact with each brand in the real world. With his tonal, genderless aesthetic and “tender” sensibilities (put on beautiful display in a moody spot filmed at the beach, scored to emotional orchestral music), I could easily see Raf’s relaxed trousers and oversized button-downs stationed right next to Eckhaus Latta at Dover Street Market. And Andrea S.’s rocker-chick offerings — today, that’s four mix-and-match separates in leopard print and a glittery black feathered fabric, including a to-die-for, teeny-tiny miniskirt — could easily be sold at a luxury department store, tucked right between The Kooples and Maje.

Unfortunately, the judges aren’t as besotted with Raf’s showing today as I am. His understated campaign and collection’s lack of textural contrast gets him the boot — though I’m still heading right to the R.Swiader website to stock up on his cool, crisp cotton shirts.

Lucie, too, doesn’t make a strong enough impression on the judges. They can’t read any semblance of a brand concept in her too-short ad, which displays more of the natural landscape at Calamigos Ranch than the clothes themselves. She’s sent home, as well.

Which leaves us with Gary and Andrea P., both of whom have been the strongest contenders from the start (in my opinion) — and in a surprising, truly heart-warming turn of events, they’re both deemed winners. Gary’s brand is all about “how we relate to the past,” he says. He has his model write and narrate a powerful poem to her younger self, while the designer himself paints a freestyle print onto the models’ white canvas tops. A stop-motion video tracks the progress. As guest judge Turini says, it’s an ad that will make people “stop and pay attention” when they’re scrolling on Instagram — the ultimate test of a successful video campaign.

Andrea P.’s brand ethos centers on inclusivity and sisterhood, and the judges love her narrative-style video shoot in which her models admire each other’s outfits, without a hint of dated cattiness. Her camel coats with black-and-white leather stripe detailing are flawless, too.

Veering from tradition, the judges decide to have Gary’s runway look available on the Making the Cut store, rather than his accessible look. You can shop his painted puff-shouldered bodice and pleated maxi skirt, as well as Andrea P.’s wardrobe-staple camel coat and LBD, through the links below.

The Winning Looks

Gary’s Winning Look:

Here are some pieces to accent Gary’s painted linen-and-cotton top and skirt:

These streamlined block-heel mules from The Drop will look so fresh with Gary’s outfit, and they won’t overpower the abstract design. The white shade pictured here makes for an especially cool, graphic ensemble, though you can also opt for black, if you prefer.

For an eclectic take on the look, consider pairing Gary’s outfit with these white wingtip Oxfords. The classic broguing mimics the top’s eyelet collar, and that strip of graphic black around the platform sole ties in perfectly with the ensemble’s painterly print. Don’t love the white? The black leather or black patent styles would look cool, too.

Andrea P.’s Winning Look:

And here, find some styling inspiration for Andrea P.’s coat and dress:

Once the weather gets cool enough for wool, it’s easy to imagine wearing Andrea P.’s camel coat and sleek, tea-length black dress to an upscale dinner or evening event — and these black leather gloves would be a chic (and functional) complement. They’re lined with cashmere for extra coziness, and their touchscreen capability means you can scroll on your phone without needing to slip them off.

The only thing that could possibly make Andrea P.’s ensemble chicer? A bold red lip. This Maybelline liquid lipstick is a drugstore classic (it’s garnered an unheard-of 35,000+ perfect ratings on Amazon), and boasts incredible staying power and intense pigmentation. You have several red shades to choose from, including Innovator, pictured above, a balanced red that looks beautiful on every skin tone.