Hitting the Runway!

'Tis the season......


Season 8 of Project Runway, that is! This show is very near and dear to my heart......so I wanted to include all of you in the info and share the Challenge Love!

This season kicks off on July 29th at 9pm eastern/pacific....with a surprising 17 designers. The filming has either wrapped up already, or will very shortly. The designers who make it to the end will be showing their final challenge collections at Fashion Week running September 9 through 16th in New York. The winner, as usual, gets a boat load of goodies that include some stunning opportunities: $100,000 from L’Oréal Paris to start an independent clothing line, a technology suite from HP and Intel that is valued at $50,000, and a deal to sell the new line on Piperlime.com. There is also a spread in Marie Claire that goes along with winning for both the winning designer and his/her model. You can see the article with Season 7 winner, Seth Aaron Henderson, online --> HERE!

Let's start off with my initial impressions of the designers - highlights style

• AJ Thouvenot: He's from and lives in Missouri, and does design work for TrashBiscuit. His influence and style is very Club wear - and an inspiration of his is Cyndi Lauper. I like that he is not a typical designer that focuses on women or bridal stuff - but club wear can grate on your nerves after mere moments.....modern disco can only go so far, you know. I am interested to see what he does, and how he evolves with the challenges.
• Andy South: A young kid from Hawaii with some passion. He states his style icon is Audrey Hepburn, but nothing of his work even hints and the the great Ms. Audrey. His portfolio shows some examples that range from off-the-rack wearable to costumey. It looks like that he has great construction skills, but I am not really WOWed by what I see. My initial opinion is that he needs to step it up, and fast.
• April Johnston: Not just young but practically a BABY from Savannah, GA. Maybe she is hoping for some great Carol Hannah luck! But my first gut reaction is that this girl worries me. Her photos for the show don't show off a single garment that she has made - and her portfolio is more snapshots and sketches than actual finished work. Being so young on a show like this is tough and risky....
• Casanova: OK...at least this guy is an adult. And he has been working as a designer already, so he has a good idea of the demands that face him. Without much in the way of photos for his work, I can't get a good sense of his aesthetic....but with only a first name, I am hoping that he is not driving to the competition in the pretentiousness Porche.
• Christopher Collins: The first West Coast designer on my list. He draws his inspiration from big names, but also from his mother and grandmother - and I am a mom, so I think this is just sweet. The photos of his past work show what look like, to me, very off-the-rack-I-could-find-it-today-at-Dillards sort of stuff.....hope he has the gestational fortitude to push the envelope.
• Gretchen Jones: Whoever did the publicity photos this year should seriously apologize to Gretchen - I thought she was in her 40s and was STUNNED to see she is only 28! Her portfolio shows some very nice pieces, but nothing really intriguing. Here's hoping she figures out how color works....
• Ivy Higa: The second designer to be from Hawaii! How great is that! Her past work is nothing earth-shattering, but it is a very wearable style. I think that she has a good editing eye - which can be good, but risks getting boring.
• Jason Triosi: The first entry I have seen who is NOT working in fashion to pay the bills.....he is a landscaper. And my first impression is that he is one of my favorites. His style is more edgy and a little quirky, but still wearable. I also like that he has some menswear shown in his portfolio. Definitely keeping my eye on him!
• Kristin Haskins Simms: This lovely lady hails from the City of Brotherly love and has some good experience in design (fashion and graphic) as well as teaching. Her style is appealingly urban, but my concern in looking at some of the photos is about fit and proportion. If the models change around much, this might be a struggle for her.
• McKell Maddox: I initially have a soft spot for this gal....because she hails from near where I grew up in Utah. ROOT FOR THE HOME TEAM! Her work pre-Runway has a very nice aesthetic, and seems to walk the perfect line of wearable and edgy where the right accessories make the decision - but not the whole outfit. My only wonder is if she can do menswear....or if that will even be a challenge this time around!
• Michael Costello: I will be honest and say that all I can see or repeat when I think of Michael is CLEAVAGE! Every dress that was shown in his photos or portfolio was all about the boobs....and that is risky on the fit if you don't have time to make it perfect. His work is nice....but knowing how these challenges usually go, makes me fear for his model.
• Michael Drummond: Nice to see a Knitwear designer join in the competition (right, Ravelers?) but I have to agree with bloggers Tom and Lorenzo and ask: how well will a knitwear designer do in a competition that rarely uses knits? Maybe he will make a showing a-la Irina.
• Mondo Guerra: I was initally turned off by the press photo of this gentleman on the Project Runway site. But once I looked at his portfolio all I can say is "THANK YOU FOR USING COLOR!!"
• Nicholas D'Aurizio: Nicholas is currently a handbag designer, which gives him the potential to have a different view from other designers - he is coming from a different place. However, the photos released of his past work shows his stuff to be B-L-A-H and more like what I made in high school than anything.
• Peach Carr: How cute is the name Peach? Especially for a woman who is very put together, and not a 20-something still figuring out her college major. Her previous work is very simple, but not boring. There are lots of examples of baby-doll dresses, so I hope she is not a one-trick pony.....but each dress was a bit different and I personally love them.
• Sarah Trost: Having spent many years in theatre, I have a soft spot for a costume designer like Sarah. Her drawings show influence from what seems like old-school Hollywood, but there is also a disturbing high number of sketches using masks.....a little comi-con?
• Valerie Mayen: This is my girl to watch. She has the most clear, cohesive, and wearable point of view in my opinion. From her sample pictures, she has a great instinct and what looks like terrific craftsmanship.

There has been some terrific press for this season....including an interview on Good Morning America that I found very interesting. Check it out ---> HERE!

As always, Heidi, Michael, and Nina will be judging...and some special guest judges will also join in the catty goodness. Selma Blair is guest judging the first challenge....so the pressure starts early! Also heard around the water cooler that Betsy Johnson is slated as a guest judge.....so you KNOW that has to be fun!

Blogging for the show this season are Nick Verreos who was STELLAR in season 2 (I don't care what Michael Kors said about the fish-tail gowns); the ever amazing Laura Bennett; and the can't-help-but-love-her Carol Hannah Whitfield. Everyone's favorite dashing man, Tim Gunn, will also be blogging his candid view again this season.

My goal for this season (since there is no Fantasy Game to work on) will be to put up my own blog post for each episode. Please add you comments as we go....and let's let everyone at Project Runway know how the real-world-folks view all the wackiness!