One Project Runway contestant’s return to the workroom wasn’t exactly a fashion hit.
During the Thursday, July 31, season 21 premiere of Freeform’s reality show, fans were reintroduced to designer Caycee Black.
After being eliminated in week one of Project Runway season 19, the Texas resident wanted to come back and prove she has what it takes to impress the judges.
“Being eliminated in the first challenge, I didn’t get to show who I was as a person, as a designer, as an artist,” Caycee, 44, explained. “I’m just hoping to prove who I am.”
In the first challenge, inspired by Disney Princesses and Disney Villains, contestants were divided into two fashion houses or teams. Each house was tasked with creating a cohesive collection for the first runway show at the United Palace in New York City.
Caycee quickly got to work on her dress and completed her vision during the one-day challenge. Unfortunately, the judges — including Heidi Klum, Law Roach and Nina Garcia — were not impressed with the returning designer’s looks.
“It’s very lackluster in terms of shape and everything,” Heidi, 52, explained. “I want to see more design. It’s not inspiring.”
Law, 47, added, “I just think it was a miss because you had everything to make something so beautiful and so fairytale-like and you kind of missed it.”
Antonio Estrada, Caycee Black, Madeline Malenfant, Joseph McRae and Belania Daley Spencer Pazer/Disney
After hearing feedback from the judges, Caycee expressed to her costars how surprised she was to hear such negative reviews.
“I’m just in shock a bit right now. I actually really loved my dress,” she explained in her confessional while holding back tears. “Being in this position again, I never thought I’d be in the bottom three at this stage in the competition again. After being eliminated on episode one of another season, it just feels like a bad joke. I don’t want to go home. I can’t go home. I didn’t get to show who I was as a designer.”
Following careful deliberations, the judges decided to send Caycee home after Nina, 60, called her dress “a complete mess.”
“I’m beyond shocked to be eliminated for this look,” Caycee said in her confessional interview. “It feels harsh to leave at this stage of the competition again. Project Runway is an experience I will never forget and I’m probably finished with as of now.”
Before packing up her bags and saying goodbye to the cast, mentor Christian Siriano — who won Project Runway in season 4 before becoming a mentor for the show — had a final message of support to the designer.
“You’re so talented,” he shared. “That’s why you’re here. That’s why you came back. Hold that strong.”
Project Runway airs on Freeform Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET. Stream old episodes on Hulu and Disney+.
