Recently in Project Runway Category

kathygriffin2.jpgLast night I hit up the taping of the Bravo A-List Awards, hosted by Kathy Griffin, with my lovely coworker, Beauty & Style producer, Ysolt.

Considering this is the first A-List Awards, we had no idea what to expect. Would it be like the Oscars or the MTV Awards? (Two totally different events!) Turns out it was right in the middle - in terms of the atmosphere it was very MTV-ish, but when it came to the outfits, it was Oscars all the way.

When Ysolt and I arrived, we assumed we'd be ushered in and directed to our seats immediately. Not so. Instead there was a massive mingle fest, filled with current and past Top Chef and Project Runway contestants, the ladies of The Real Housewives of NYC and Orange County, plus some other reality folks. Dana Delaney of Desperate Housewives was one of the only "real" actresses there.

Immediately Ysolt and I turned from journalists into fans. Once we saw all our Bravo reality show favorites, we got a bit camera happy. Lucky for you, you get to see all the ridiculous photos we snapped.

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Here's me with my massive Top Chef crush, season one winner, Harold. Love him!

alex-and-simon1.jpgAlex McCord and Simon van Kempen from Real Housewives of NYC. Look at how shiny Simon's jacket is! Ysolt kept saying he looked like he was dressed as a magician.
timgunn.jpgYesterday I spent my afternoon at the NBC Universal Experience. It was AMAZING. I did over 25 interviews for you folks, with everyone from Christian Slater to Molly Shannon to Donald Trump, and oh yeah, the cast of Heroes, plus many others!

Stay tuned for more scoop on my convos with the stars throughout the week.

But, in the meantime, I have to explain the headline of this entry.

You see, I have an obsession with Old Navy shoes. I knew I'd be standing for hours at the NBC red carpet, so without thinking twice, I threw on my Old Navy flats. No heels for the red carpet! What I didn't realize was that I would be interviewing Tim Gunn of Project Runway and Tim Gunn's Guide to Style.

Well, when my buddy at TV Guide asked Tim what the "it" accessory is for summer, he started to say:

"Summer is a time to be relaxed, to not take yourself too seriously. Have a wonderful ballet flat that you love. It could be metallic. It could be some crazy wonderful stripe. It could be embellished with something..." and then he looked down at our shoes and noticed we were both wearing flats.

And he said our shoes were cute!!!

So what did I do? No, I didn't just say thank you. I told him they were Old Navy shoes. Not many people would admit the brand of their shoes to a fashion guru unless it was Prada or Gucci or something crazy expensive. But, Tim Gunn, bless his heart, said, "You don't have to spend a lot of money for fashion!"

So today, here I am back in the office, sporting another pair of my Old Navy flats, with great pride. Because, hey, Tim Gunn approved!

You know how Heidi Klum always refers to Project Runway judge Nina Garcia as the "fashion director for Elle magazine"? Well, that will no longer be the case.

According to TMZ, Nina was given her walking papers from Elle today.

If Nina returns to Runway, how will Heidi introduce her?

Any ideas?

According to the NY Times, Project Runway is moving to the Lifetime network.

NBC Universal, which owns Bravo (the network Project Runway currently runs on), is filing a lawsuit against the Weinstein Company, which produces the reality show.

NBC released the following statement: "NBC Universal has continuing rights related to Project Runway, including a right of first refusal to future cycles of the series, which the Weinstein Company unfortunately has refused to honor."

Project Runway is now scheduled to debut on Lifetime in November, though Andrea Wong, President of Lifetime, said that the show will have to air one more cycle on Bravo before it begins on Lifetime.

Will you watch Project Runway on Lifetime?

  • Of course
  • Maybe
  • No way
Vote Results
(Disclaimer: NBC owns iVillage.)
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Can't wait until next season of Project Runway to get your fill of Nina Garcia and winner Christian Siriano?

Never fear, Ugly Betty is here!

Nina and Christian will be heading on over to Mode magazine during May sweeps. Though it's unknown what the episode will be about, we can only imagine what will happen when Christian lays eyes on Betty. One thing's for sure—he won't think she's fierce!

Ugly Betty returns to primetime Thursday, April 24 at 8 p.m. on ABC.

I think we all knew this was coming. Even though he has only been alive for 21 years (and, ahem, there's nothing wrong with that), he sure has more talent than any of the other contestants. Christian took the title of winner of Project Runway Season 4 last night, and I sure was not surprised.

His collection was simply stronger than Jillian and Rami's, which was the case in almost every episode. Lesson to be learned: big things come in small... very small packages.

 

As we all know, the clock is ticking down to Fashion Week in Bryant Park. Last week was quite a turn of events when the judges decided to give Rami and Chris both a shot at Fashion week. They were instructed to create a line, but only show their three top designs. They would be judged on those three designs, and the judges would then make a decision based on the top three outfits.

"You will be showing to the largest and most influential in the industry- the world will be watching," Tim warned the designers about Fashion Week. This was no joke. Tim traveled around America to each designer’s abode in order to see how far they’d come with their collections. First stop: Christian.

“I'm 21 years old - that's fierce,” Christian bragged before Tim came into his awfully tiny New York City apartment.

Christian’s look was a romantic gothic kind of look, and he strived to make every piece a really strong look. Though Christian was clearly proud of his collection, Tim was fairly indifferent.

Last night's Project Runway reunion had its fair share of awkward and fun moments, but the part that had me talking?

Nina Garcia.

At first I was convinced she had a face lift -- a bad one. Not one wrinkle, but something looked really off. Her face looked strange.

When I told one of my co-workers, she said it was just Nina's new bangs, which totally do not fit her face! (Heidi Klum pulled off bangs just fine, but that's because it's Heidi Klum. She can pull off anything.)

So this morning I decided to compare pictures -- one of Nina Garcia from the reunion, and one of her judging in previous episodes.

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I think I was wrong - the woman is lucky and blessed to barely have any wrinkles. She most likely didn’t have a face lift. But those bangs? We've all had bad haircuts, but this one made Nina look plain old scary.

What did you think? Did you notice the difference?

At the last challenge before Fashion Week the designers are feeling the pressure to create the their best piece yet and really “wow” the judges. With only five contestants left after Ricky being voted off last week, their fingers are geared up for sewing.

Tim was waiting for them outside the Metropolitan Museum of Art, one of the largest museums in the world with over 5,000 years of art inside.

“The first thing I notice walking in—it’s huge,” Rami said.

The museum was vacant; only the designers were allowed to roam the halls of the colossal museum

Tim told them that art has served as a critical and inspirational design for fashion, and their challenge this week was to choose a work of art for the inspiration to make the look of their choice.

This is every designer’s dream.

With Kit gone, the designers are starting to realize that this competition is no longer fun and games.

After taking a special field trip to Brooklyn on the water, the designers stood in front of a big garage with something hidden behind it.

That something was the raw material for their challenge; which was 500 pairs of Levis jeans and one yard of cotton on clothing lines.

They were instructed to create an iconic denim captures the spirit of originality and creativity that has lived in the heart of the Levis brand.

The designers had three minutes to run around and grab whatever jeans and cotton they could. Rami immediately went for the dark wash, and Jillian went for light.

Talk about a challenge, this week’s Project Runway was feisty, suspenseful and difficult, to say the least.

Since the models weren’t used last week, two were voted off this week. But there was something different about the models this week – and it was obvious as soon as they walked out. Each one had an avant-garde hairstyle.

What was unfair was that the models were chosen based on their hairstyle as opposed to their talent, but hey, nobody said Project Runway was in any way fair.

“This challenge couldn’t be better” Chris said as he gleamed at the camera.

They were instructed to create something artistic and conceptual, an avant-garde look that doesn’t even have to be wearable or practical. It just has to be ambitious, by definition.

It’s prom night for Project Runway! What a fun episode. With each week, the competition is getting tougher and the stakes are going of who will be named winner of Project Runway.

For this week’s challenge, the designers helped their New Jersey student models prepare and get ready for their prom night. As we all know, prom night for high school girls is one of the most important nights in her life, says Heidi.

Here’s the catch: the student models had a little extra baggage; their mothers.

With Jack and Stephen gone, Kevin is all alone with no roommates, and is not happy about it.

"It just sucks they're dropping like flies at this point," he sadly said. Project Runway is clearly not fun and games anymore. Was it ever?

This week's episode sure seemed like fun and games, however. The challenge was exciting, unique, and definitely didn't lack creativity.

Tim woke up the designers (surprise surprise!) and told them to quickly get dressed and meet him in the lobby. It was time for an adventure.

They arrived at their destination: The Hershey's Store in Times Square.

Their challenge was to use items from The Hershey's Store as the raw materials for the outfits of their choices.In addition, there was no budget for this challenge, but they have only five minutes to grab whatever they could get their hands on in the entire store.

They ran like madmen.

Chris is back in the game, but how long will he last? This week the contestants go on an early morning field trip, which leads them to their next challenge. Who will survive and who will be sent packing?

Project Runway ChristianWell, Jack is gone. He was a great asset to the project runway team, and it's really unfortunate that this is the way he had to go. An infection on his face was only getting worse, and his doctor said he needed to come in right away for medical treatment. These are the times when life is unfair. We'll miss you, Jack!

This week's challenge was fun and different. First, the models are brought out. From her shadow, the first model was immediately mind-boggling. Some designers thought she looked like a monster. But as the models came out, everyone realized it was just a middle-aged everyday woman wearing her wedding dress.

Here's the catch: all the women (the models) had recently lost a significant amount of weight, up to 160 lbs. Each woman was wearing her favorite outfit from before she lost the weight. The designers were instructed to create a new look for these women using their old clothes as the material.

Project Runway just keeps getting better and better. It’s especially fantastic when they work in groups, bring on the drama!

Jack got to pick his model first because he is last week’s winner, and he stole Ricky’s model. Tough luck.

They were told to pick one image from a collection of photographs of outdated fashion. The pictures included neon, cut outs, pleather, overalls, fringe, a zoot suit, and many other incredibly out of style-styles.

Their challenge was interesting, they had to re-create the trend. Basically, bring it back to 2007, but in a cool, fashionable, trendy way of today.

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Who knew that men’s clothing could be so difficult? It seems so simple! Pants, a shirt, a jacket, and maybe a tie. But after watching this episode, we can all confidently say that this was a classic example of “it’s easier said than done.”

A first for Project Runway, this week’s challenge was also apparently a first for the designers. The designers headed down to 10 Rockefeller Plaza to meet Tim who would tell them their first challenge.

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Tim led them into a room where the one and only Tiki Barber, once one of the best running backs for the Giants football team, now a Today Show correspondent, was waiting to meet and greet them.

He told them their challenge: to design an outfit for him that he would wear on the Today Show. He warned them about his intricate body, his wide shoulders, small waist yet large behind. Clothes just don’t fit him right. He said he likes dark colors, patterns, textures, and depth. He wanted personality in his outfit, he didn’t want dull. Comfort was key, as well.

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Sex and the City. Sarah Jessica Parker. Could an episode get any better?!

This week’s challenge was simply marvelous: to design a fall/winter two-piece outfit for Sarah Jessica Parker’s new clothing line called Bitten. The idea behind Bitten is creating high-end American sportswear at affordable prices, hence giving every woman what she wants.

With the designers having the privilege of picking their own models, this challenge was going to be top notch stuff.

When Sarah Jessica entered the design room to surprise the designers, there was clapping, laughter, and tears from designer Chris March. Sarah Jessica just has that affect on people (or should I say fashion designers who would give their lives to be able to design for someone like her).

The designers had only 30 minutes to create a design idea, and then pitch the idea to Sarah Jessica, who would then choose 7 designers to move forward with their designs. Those 7 would pick from the remaining designers to form teams of two in order to carry out the designers’ visions.

Finally! The premiere has arrived! And we can all agree that it was far from disappointing.

From Jerusalem, to LA, to New York, the fourth season of Project Runway looks eclectic, dramatic, and action-packed.

“I’d rather buy clothes than buy a bed,” Christian from Maryland blurted out when he first met his roommates. He’s clearly got nothing to hide, which includes his hair style.

The designers this season all have backgrounds of courage and independence, and are definitely not lacking in the experience department. There are designers of all sorts; marionettes, jeans, lingerie, and one even designs clothes out of his flower shop.

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“Life is too short to have on a bad outfit,” cracked a designer when asked about her values in life.

E_RunwayWin_136.jpgTMZ is reporting that Project Runway winner Jeffrey Sebellia has decided his relationship with girlfriend Melanie is "out." Classic case of someone getting famous and dumping the mother of his child.

Man, I hate this guy, his stupid tatoos and lame designs so much. I never wanted him to win. Uli, I still love you forever.

E_ProjectRunway3_136.jpgWho wants to be the next winner of Project Runway? When here's your chance. Bravo has announced their upcoming auditions for this season.

Check out the schedule to see if they'll be holding auditions in a city near you. I won't be going because there is no way I'm "in." I’m out, so out, I’m still wearing overalls and construction boots, just kidding, I’m not that bad. But all my friends would say I’m a fashion don’t

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Remember Project Runway alum and fan favorite Mychael Knight? Well, he's teamed up with Starbucks to design free t-shirts based on your favorite coffee drink. Um, we can't turn down cute, free tees, and apparently neither can celebrities, like Jessica Biel, who has been spotted sporting her Grande Cappuccino shirt creation.

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Here's how it works: Go to Starbucks.com anytime between now and February 28. Fill out the form with the name of your favorite bevvie and get your free t-shirt. Easy-peasy, huh?

I'm just pysched I won't have to say "tall, skim, sugar-free, hazelnut latte" every time I nip out for a coffee break!

Plus, if you're feeling philanthropic, check out ClothesOffOurBack.org, which is auctioning off the tees autographed by your favorite stars, like Courteney Cox.

--Lindsey

E_ProjectRunway3_136.jpgMy favorite Project Runway judge has just landed himself a sweet new gig. Last evening he was named as the new Chief Creative Officer for Liz Claiborne Inc. He'll also be starring in his own T.V. show on Bravo called Tim Gunn's Guide to Style based on his forthcoming book.

He'll naturally have to leave his job as head of the department of fashion design at the Parson's School of Design, but no word yet on whether or not he'll be returning to the upcoming season of Project Runway. Ugh, I'm totally starting to stress out about this, I mean I love Heidi and all, but TIm makes the show.

E_ProjectRunway3_136.jpgProject Runway's Kara Janx, known to you and me as the gal who brought us the jersey kimono-style dress, married her longtime boyfriend, Sharone Sohayegh on Jan. 14, People.com is reporting.

If Project Runway ever has an all-star season, I hope they put Kara is on it because I loved her. I wonder if she designed her own wedding dress. See, these are the wedding details I want to know, who cares about where she got married, I want to know if the bride and the bridesmaids wore a Kara Janx original.

E_ProjectRunway3_136.jpgPeople.com is reporting that Project Runway's gruff yet lovable judge, Tim Gunn, might not be on the upcoming new season of Bravo's hit show. Apparently his responsibilities as chair of the fashion design department at New York City's Parsons school make him unavailabe to shoot the show during the school year.

Don't worry folks, this is TV 101, Tim's obviously not going anywhere. Here's how it works: Tim Gunn, clearly a fan favorite, is just angling for a bigger pay day, so he puts out information he's not returning so Bravo will see fans all upset and then they'll shell out the big bucks. Frankly, I think it's a genius move because he is beloved and not just by me.

Would Project Runway be the same without Tim? Would you still watch if he doesn't "make it work?" Talk back below.

E_RunwayWin_136.jpgSorry about the late day entry, I’m suffering from an Anger-Hangover and if you watched the finale of Project Runway, you probably have one too. How could they pick Jeffrey as the winner? Jeffrey? Really? Come on. His collection was the worst. The. Worst.

And that doesn’t even take into account that he’s a total cheater! He was accused of outsourcing some of the work on one of his pieces and Laura was none too pleased about that possibility. How great is Laura by the way? I loved watching her with her 25 kids, so cute. Tim announces that he’s confident Jeffrey did all the work on the leather shorts, but breaks the news he has to lose the shorts because there is no receipt for them and also he went over the budget by over $200 so he has to lose another part of his collection. I think if he goes over budget, he should get kicked off! This is ridiculous, who’s making the rules? I should be.

So we start the Bryant Park fashion show and it’s all so exciting for the designers, what with it being their first show and all. Brandy is in the audience, by the way, I hear she’s dating one of the finalists Michael Knight, which is great but then how come when she was asked which collection she liked the most she said Uli’s? Not a very supportive girlfriend, is she?

So Jeffrey’s collection goes first and his models are lame and they seem like they’ve never modeled before which is distracting, but not as distracting as the terrible pieces of fabric hanging off their skeleton frames. Jeffrey’s collection looks like a red and white checked table-cloth I would take to a picnic in the park. Out of all the pieces, I like one, which was a green and silver striped dress, I’ll give him credit for that. Laura follows with her collection and I’m really digging her evening wear. I know the judges said they didn’t think she branched out enough, but who cares if the collection is killer and sophisticated. Then comes Uli, whose designs are simply breathtaking. She made thes