Project Runway

Project Runway
Host Heidi Klum of Project Runway. </small>
Genre	Reality, competition
Running time	60 minutes (including commercials)
Creator(s)	Eli Holzman
Starring	Heidi Klum
Country of origin	United States
Original channel	Bravo
Original run	December 1, 2004–present
No. of episodes	38 (as of October 18, 2006)

Project Runway is an American reality television series on the Bravo network that focuses on fashion design. Its contestants compete with each other to create the best clothes and are usually restricted in their time, materials, and theme. Their designs are judged and one or more designers are eliminated each week. The show's winner receives prizes of cash, a new Saturn vehicle, a fashion spread in ELLE magazine and professional opportunities (such as an internship with an established fashion house) to jump-start a career in the world of fashion.

Format

Project Runway is hosted by supermodel Heidi Klum, and judged by a panel that usually includes Klum, American designer Michael Kors, ELLE magazine fashion director Nina Garcia, and a fourth judge - typically a fashion designer (e.g. Diane von Furstenberg, Vera Wang), critic (Teri Agins of the Wall Street Journal) or model (e.g. Iman), a celebrity (Nicky Hilton, Nancy O'Dell) , or a professional from a related industry. Tim Gunn, Fashion Chair at Parsons The New School for Design, acts as mentor to the designers (Mr. Gunn has proved to be so popular that his role has been expanded.) Project Runway takes place in New York City (and a short stop in Paris in Season 3) with designers using a workroom at Parsons, shopping for materials at a large fabrics store in New York's Garment District (Mood Designer Fabrics on W. 37th Street — unless the challenge calls for an unusual material or the fabric is provided, as in the Banana Republic challenge from Season 1), and living together in Atlas New York a nearby apartment building.

At the beginning of each challenge, the designers are given the outlines of their assignment, usually to create a garment from non-traditional materials, such as recycled materials (Season 3) or items from a grocery store (Season 1) , or to design for a certain person (such as figure skater Sasha Cohen or Miss USA Tara Conner), corporate fashion line (Banana Republic or Macy's INC), or specialized theme (such as a "cocktail party"). The designers are given a stipend and limited amount of time to finish each garment. Often the designers work independently, although on some challenges contestants must work in teams. Once the deadline is reached, the designers must dress their models and select their hair, make-up and accessories. Then, each model is judged by the panel as they walk the runway. Judges then interview the designers and again review the models before conferring as a group and selecting winning and losing designers. Generally, the loser of each challenge is eliminated from the competition.

Episodes featuring challenges, winners and eliminations continue until only a small number of designers remain. These finalists are then given 12 weeks and $8,000 to complete an all-new, 12-piece fashion collection to present for judging at New York's Olympus Fashion Week at Bryant Park. Again the judges, including Klum, Kors, Garcia and a guest judge rate the collections and select a winner.

Fashion models who work with the designers throughout the season are also in the competition. Each week as the number of designers dwindles, the number of models also is reduced, with one model remaining at the end. Included in the prize package for the winning model is coverage in the American edition of ELLE magazine, featuring the winning designer's designs as part of his or her prize.

Season 1

Further information: Project Runway (season 1)

In its first season, Project Runway received critical acclaim including an Emmy nomination for outstanding competitive reality series. Growth in audience popularity was also dramatic from its debut to the season finale, making it a sleeper hit. Project Runway gave Bravo one of its most successful series since Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.

The winning designer of the first season was Pennsylvania-based designer Jay McCarroll. As his prize for winning the competition among 12 designers, McCarroll won $100,000, a mentorship with Banana Republic to aid in developing his own fashion label (which he turned down), and display of his work in the American edition of ELLE magazine. The winning model of the first season, selected by McCarroll, was Julia Beynon, who beat out models Jenny Toth (for Kara Saun) and Melissa Haro (for Wendy Pepper).

Season 2

Further information: Project Runway (season 2)

The series' second season began on December 7, 2005. Following a nationwide search earlier in the year, sixteen designers were chosen as semi-finalists and brought to New York City in June, 2005. After the first challenge, called Road To The Runway, fourteen went on to compete as finalists. The winning designer, Chloe Dao, received $100,000 in seed money to help launch her own line, a one year contract with Designers Management Agency, a 2007 Saturn Sky roadster, a spread in ELLE magazine, and a mentorship with the Banana Republic Design Team. Michael Kors and Nina Garcia returned as judges for the second season. The third judging seat rotated each week, based on the challenge. Tim Gunn, fashion chair at Parsons The New School for Design, returned as a mentor for the designers. The winning model paired with designer Chloe Dao was Grace Kelsey, besting out models Rebecca (for Daniel Vosovic) and Heather (for Santino Rice), and landed the spread in ELLE Magazine.

Season 3

Main article: Project Runway (season 3)

Klum, Gunn, Garcia, and Kors returned for season three, which began airing on July 12, 2006. Guest judges included Vera Wang, Kate Spade, and Richard Tyler. Season 3 also introduced a new set of sponsors, notably Macy's replacing Banana Republic, in advance of Macy's conversion of former May Company department stores. The episode Road to Runway Season 3 featured casting auditions at Macy's stores.

In this season, designer Keith Michael became the first designer to be asked to leave the show for multiple rule violations. He was found in possession of prohibited pattern-making books, and left the production for several hours during which time he used the Internet. Also, for the first time, all four designers were selected as finalists (Jeffrey Sebelia, Laura Bennett, Ulrike "Uli" Herzner, and Michael Knight), with no decoy collection to serve as a distraction before the finale aired, and allowed to compete at Olympus Fashion Week.

In a "Reunion" episode that aired on October 4, viewers voted Michael Knight as their favorite designer, earning him a $10,000 prize. Contestants and winners from the previous seasons discussed events that occurred throughout the season, watched outtake reels, interviewed the judges about their procedures and decisions, and expressed who they thought would or should win this season.

The season finale aired on October 18, 2006 with Jeffrey Sebelia voted winner by the judges. Winning alongside with designer Sebelia was his model, Marilinda, edging out models Nazri (for Ulrike "Uli" Herzner), Camilla (for Laura Bennett), and Clarissa (for Michael Knight), to take the coveted ELLE fashion spread.

The winner of project runway season 3 Jeffrey Sebelia was a self taught designer. He was allowed to continue to fashion week despite the accusations that he had outside help finishing his garments. The issue was investigated and it was determined that he had followed the guidelines and did not violate any that would prevent him from continuing in the competition.

International Versions

• Britain - Project Catwalk
• Canada - Project Runway (announced)

External links

• Project Runway official web site
• Project Runway at the Internet Movie Database
• Barefoot Music
• Project Runway on TV Squad

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