If you want to score some real pop culture cred, the only reality show worth watching is Bravo’s cult
phenomenon Project Runway, returning
for a third stylish season July 12 at 9 p.m. As before, a dozen or so aspiring seamsters compete for the title of America’s next great fashion
designer. The contestants demonstrate their couture visions via challenges (redesign the Postal Service’s uniforms; make a party
dress entirely out of flowers) with brutal time constraints. One by one, the
clothes horses get cut by the judges until three remain to show their full
collections at New York’s
Fashion Week.
An interest in fashion isn’t required to enjoy the show, or
to gab about it around the watercooler. You only need
the ability to determine whether something’s pretty, articulate why you hate
what the models are wearing, and vent about which designers get your Calvins in a bunch. On that note, below
find completely uninformed, biased opinions on a handful of this season’s 15
contestants.For more information
(and Tim Gunn’s excellent blog) check out
www.bravotv.com.
Alison Kelly Alison
studied fashion design in Florence, got a degree in the subject from
Massachusetts College of Arts, collaborated with Fred Segal, and started her own
line, Dahl, which features “origami” apparel created out of a single swath of
fabric folded into one-of-a-kind frocks (talk about Runway ready…). And she’s only 25. I’m pegging her as the new
Chloe/Kara Saun.
KayneGillaspie Possibly the second coming of Austin Scarlett, Kayne
graduated magna cum laude from the Fashion Institute of Technology, and won the
Critics Choice Award for evening wear. Since then he’s gone on to become the
king of beauty-pageant couture, having dressed the top five contestants in the
2005 Miss Oklahoma USA competition. Inspirations include Bob Mackie and
Madonna, so expect oodles of flair.
Michael Knight A
possible contender for the Wendy Pepper/Santino Rice Asshat Milliner Award, Atlanta-based Knight entered Runway “to win the competition and take
over the world.” Not a subtle one, this Michael. Will the clothes back up the
mouth?
Laura Bennett Laura
fills the Wendy/Marla slot of untrained 40something mom still clinging to the
dream of becoming a high-fashion designer. Unlike her predecessors, however,
Bennett apparently focuses on jewelry design more than clothes. This does not
bode well. Also, Laura looks like she’d cut a bitch. I am concerned.
Malan BretonHere’s an odd career track: from model
to Paula Abdul backup dancer to the voice of ESPN to aspiring fashion designer.
Women’s Wear Daily named Malan one of
its new designers to watch in 2005. I think his stuff is 80 percent hideous.
Plus, he considers noted legging lover Sienna Miller to be the height of modern
fashion, and thus is dead to me.
This article appears in Jul 12-18, 2006.
