November 14th

Season 4 of Project Runway starts on November 14th!!!

FINALLY!!!!

(BPR)

The Tragedy of Bravo's Near-Fame

A great article from the New Yorker talks about the Near-Fame Experience, and how some have thrived off the reality fame while others are still trying to make ends meet.

For the contestants, the implicit promise of these shows is that they’re time machines, compressing the brutal urban mechanics of getting ahead—the political maneuvering, the grinding incremental labor—from a matter of years to months. The problem is that reality-show success is no substitute for real-world experience. “There is something a little bit cruel about all the attention,” says Ted Allen, the dignified cooking guru of Bravo’s Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and a recurring judge on Top Chef. “Because during the season you’re in one of the shows, you are famous for a while, and you get to enjoy all the fun of that. But you’re not someone who has any sort of expertise that’s going to keep you on television. There’s no certain road map for translating that kind of ephemeral success into a life of yachts and bling.”

The talented reality stars on Bravo's hits like Project Runway and Top Chef look like they have it made. They compete, they win, they get the hook up to set up their own fashion line or internship or whatever-the-hell it is. But looks can be deceiving.

People like Jay McCarroll (winner of Season 1, Project Runway) is practically homeless, living out of his tiny NY studio where he produces his designs. No bathroom, no kitchen. How is that possible after being the winner of this huge TV competition? Jay turned down the Banana Republic deal. Do you blame him? Well, according to Jay, it went something like this:

“A week after I won the show, I met with two ladies from Banana Republic at the top of the Soho House, which is like, big time,” he says. “And they were like, ‘Oh, we can give you numbers for factories to get your clothes produced.’ But that was totally not anything like what I needed. What I needed was someone to sit down with me and say, Here’s how you start a fashion label.”

also..."After he won the first season of Project Runway, he discovered that the Weinstein Company would forever own a 10 percent stake in his brand—and he didn’t yet even have a brand—if he chose to take their $100,000 prize. He turned it down."

So, no, I don't blame him. All he knows is the design aspect. What good would it be to find a sweatshop to produce his clothing if he didn't have the know-how to market and get his stuff in the stores?

And what are his other choices if he can't run his own business? Pretty much put the designing aside and live up the reality fame by hosting parties and gigs where his name will bring people in. Sure that works for some people, but when he signed up to become "Americans Next Great Designer" he actually wanted to design.

“You get everything you’re promised from the show,” says Andrae Gonzalo (Season 2, Project Runway). “I am now a famous fashion designer. But that is so different from a successful fashion designer.”

Note - the New Yorker article is very long - but it takes an interesting deep look into the before (casting), during (taping) and after (the reality fame) of running a show on Bravo. Plus a little more about past contestants, hosts and executives of the network.

Eleven Minutes

There is a new documentary coming out about Jay McCarroll from the same people who brought us Project: Jay.

From the website:

"It’s been two long years since the sharp-witted Jay McCarroll was dubbed “the next great American designer” on season one of reality TV’s Project Runway, and he’s anxious to finally show his first line of clothing. The feature documentary, “Eleven Minutes,” chronicles his year-long journey preparing his first independent runway show for New York’s Fashion Week in Bryant Park and the subsequent selling of his line to stores. The result is an in-depth, painfully raw and humorous exploration of the creative process and the constant conflict of balancing commerce with art, fame with talent, and reality-TV with actual reality."

Oh I LOVE JAY! I hope this gets some type of general release where I can actually get to see it. It should be interesting to see the fashion industry in the world of Jay. You know he thinks all the industry people are nuts (including himself) and he has that whole art v. commercialism struggle going on inside. Should be interesting!

(From Project Rungay)


***UPDATE***

Eleven Minutes is playing in Miami on Saturday April 26 at 4:30pm at the Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. (Playing at Regal Cinemas 17, 1100 Lincoln Road, South Beach). Go to the website to buy tickets and to get more information.

After the film there will be a fashion show at the Dorset Rooftop (at 7pm). (You need a separate ticket to get into the fashion show and tickets are limited.)

There is an open casting call for models for this fashion show -
CASTING DATE: Saturday, April 19, from 12-5 PM
LOCATION: Lobby of the Maxine Hotel, 1756 Collins Ave., Miami Beach

(Check out Dan Renzi's blog for more information)

Kara Janx or Madonna?

This kimono dress in the "M by Madonna" line being sold at H&M reminds me a lot of the kimono/wrap style dresses from Kara Janx of Season 2, Project Runway.

Here is an example of Kara's kimono style dress from her Olympus Fashion Week line:

You could see her newer adaptations on this wrap dress on her website. I really love Kara's designs and wish I could get my hands on one of those dresses.

So, is Madonna a copycat? I guess the kimono dress isn't something brand new that only Kara has done - but I guess it shows that those Project Runway folks really know style!

Top Design

Bravo has a new reality show that aired last night after the finale of Top Chef. It's called Top Design hosted by Todd Oldham.

The wonderful people at Blogging Project Runway have launched a new website just for Top Design - go check out Blogging Top Design. They are experts at this realty show blogging so make sure to check them out for all the inside information.

I haven't seen the show yet but I will attempt at catching the repeats this weekend. Anyone get to see it? Thoughts?

Go Vote - 2007 Weblog Awards

The 2007 Weblog Award nominations are out and because of my love for blogs I must urge you to go vote for the best blogs of 2007.

Some of the best on my list:

Blogging Project Runway is the go to blog for all things Project Runway. Not only do they constantly keep their site updated (seriously go check it out - there isn't even a new season right now and they update every single day!) but they are the nicest bloggers out there! They are all about showing love and bringing together a community.

I need to also show love for Postsecret. As you know we pick postcards each week from that site in hopes of inspiring you to go check out more. Postsecret never disappoints and really makes you think about your own secrets and how you see other people. Really amazing and worthy of all awards!

Also nominated - Pitchfork, Cute Overload, Boing Boing, Digg, Pink is the New Blog, Perez Hilton, Oh No They Didn't, Project Rungay, Overheard in NY and Fark. All very worthy of the nominations and hopeful winners!

So please go VOTE for all the Bloggies and get Blogging Project Runway the Best Entertainment Weblog of the year Award!

Winners will be announced Monday, March 12.

Project Runway - Some Thoughts

You know how throughout the season the Judges would complain when a designer would go over the top or too far. (For example - see Kayne.) Why did this bother the Judges? Because, as a matter of taste, the outfit is supposed to make you think about style in a forward thinking way and not in an "oh my god what were they thinking" way.

Now the producers of the show should start listening to the Judges. Project Runway went too far this season. They edited too much in some areas and threw so many things in that were beyond a good level of taste. For example, last season we saw the designers interacting with each other and having fun in the workroom. We BARELY saw that this season (besides a little glimpse of exchanges between Kayne and Robert). And then the producers threw in things like bringing back Angela and Vincent just to mix it up a bit. That probably pissed off more people and made a lot of long time fans really see the show differently (in a bad way).



And of course the producers would respond and say - We had the highest ratings this season than any other season. That may be true but you probably turned off so many fans by fabricating drama in an obvious way.

So my advice to Project Runway - bring the focus back to the designing. Stop trying to create drama. We all loved the designers last season not because they were fighting with each other, but because they were each unique, artistic and fun people. OK so Santino caused a bit of drama, but in the end we remember his "timpressions" fondly. I think if Project Runway stepped back and allowed the designers to shine, without stirring the pot on their own, they would have had a better season.

Click here to look back at Season 2 and Season 3. (all recaps and random other posts)

Project Runway - Season 3 - Episode 14 - Finale Part 2

The fabulous final four are showing at fashion week - but not before one last dramatic twist concludes.

Jeffrey starts calling Tim wanting to know what he needs to do to stay in. Tim tells him one receipt is missing and one of the shorts that was pleated may not make it in because there isn't a receipt for the pleating work. Jeffrey immediately gets to work making a skirt to replace the shorts just in case that piece cannot come in.

So did Jeffrey cheat? According to the receipts he did not. But he was missing a receipt for the shorts being pleated and he did go over budget by about $200. The solution? The shorts are out and get rid of some items so he isn't over budget anymore. So what did he get rid of? The wigs:

Bye Bye Blondie

Everyone seems happy with the outcome - even Laura. She has to admit this is an even playing field - well, if you call a workroom the size of a department store an even playing field. But hey that is all besides the point now...

The one thing I loved about this episode is how they got to the action quickly. They didn't drag out the Jeffrey drama past the first commercial. The designers were quickly taken to Bryant Park, getting the models ready for the runway, and even doing a little pre-runway interviews. Quickly the "Wowness turned to work" and the designers were frantically getting their collections ready for the runway.

So let me just say the first second I saw Jeffrey's line come down the runway I immediately said "Jeffrey won!!" I don't know why I would know it so quickly, but there was so much cohesion and a clear vision - I just knew he was the winner. And I have been rooting for Uli all season!

As the lines were coming down the runway you should have heard me cheering and clapping for each designer. And I am always amazed how much better the outfits look on television - when you can see the fabric move around and actually see layers and details. (I think this applied the most for Jeffrey).

Oh, and the music is great too! Each designer picked music that fit their personality - I think I enjoyed Michael's music the most.

And the Judges tonight were Nina Garcia, Heidi Klum, Michael Kors and Fern Mallis.

And the moment you have all been waiting for....All 4 lines at Olympus Fashion Week

Jeffrey's Family

The judges really loved Jeffrey's line. The only dress that confused them was the blue Uli type dress (see 3rd from last above). They said clearly his strong point is his sporty edge. The judges felt that Jeffrey dressed the same girl for every occasion in her life - parties, movies, even work. He tried hard not to look schizophrenic and he pulled it off. There was plenty of variety but somehow it all fit together. Honestly, I did not like Jeffrey's line before I saw it all come together on the runway. I couldn't see myself in anything he made - but I see how the Judge's would love how he had a clear unique point of view.

Uli's Family

The Judges were also very impressed by Uli. Apparently after the show everyone wanted to know how to get Uli to design for them. She was a winner no matter what. The only downfall to Uli's line is that the Judges didn't feel that there was a story connecting all of the pieces. Would one woman wear all of these outfits? Who is this woman? Either way, everything was beautiful and she deserved all the praise.

Laura's Family

Laura clearly intended to pull off an elegant evening gown collection. The only problem - where is the "wow" factor that makes the Judges see she is more than a designer for her own closet? She said the feathers were supposed to shake things up a bit. I don't really see the difference - but the outfits were still beautiful.

Michael's Family

Michael was the fan favorite. When he came out to introduce his line the tent started cheering. The crowd loves him. Unfortunately, his outfits didn't really live up to the hype. Michael Kors felt Michael turned the volume up too high. It was clear he made an amateur mistake and went beyond a good taste level to try and wow the audience. Sadly, he went too far. Although, the judges did admit there was an outfit for every type of day - bathingsuits, evening gown, casual daytime - he got it covered. Too bad he didn't edit himself a little more. I am sure he has plenty of people looking for him to give him a job. Let's hope he is ready for it.

So who is the winner? If you didn't already know....

The final two came down to Uli and Jeffrey...and the winner was...

JEFFREY!!!

Congratulations Jeffrey and Marilinda!!

Many times throughout the season the contestant who stresses the most during the episode ends up winning - and this time it was the same. Jeffrey said this entire experience was very intense - so of course he would end up with the title of winner. And I think he deserved it. The line just made sense and he has his own point of view. There is no question he can create thought provoking outfits - I just wonder, who is going to buy it? Well, that really doesn't matter considering most high fashion designers aren't everyday clothing designers.

So Project Runway, I am going to miss you. My week really is going to be lacking something now. I guess I will just have to keep on checking in with Blogging Project Runway for my fix until the next season starts.

p. s. - over at Amber's blog (my aim is true) she has some great pictures from the runway in high resolution. And of course her recap is great too! Check it out.