In case you missed last night’s episode of Ugly Betty, Christian Siriano — the reigning Ms. Project Runway — worked it out like he owned the set. His over-the-top campy performance is one to be remembered, for sure. You could tell he was having a great time, and it really worked. The show even featured a cameo appearance by Nina Garcia, which also was quite a hoot.
In a first for a reality series, Project Runway was announced today as one of the winners of the much-respected Peabody Awards.
Presented by the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, 35 awards will be given out as part of the 67th Annual Peabody Awards. Aside from Runway, other winners include 30 Rock, Mad Men and Dexter. The presentation of awards, hosted by Brian Williams, will be June 16.
The awards are decided on by the 16-member Peabody Board, which includes TV critics, industry executives and arts experts. UGA students, faculty and staff also are part of the process, serving on special screening committees prior to the selection.
The Peabody Awards are the oldest honor in electronic media, and they honor TV shows, documentaries and individuals without placing restrictions on categories or by pre-determining a certain number of awards for specific areas of focus.
If you haven’t been to Houston lately — and you probably haven’t — you may not know what Project Runway Season 2 winner Chloe Dao is doing.
During a recent trip to the city, I took a trip by Dao’s boutique, Lot 8, which is in the midst of one of the city’s many shopping districts. The shop was buzzing with women trying on the latest designs from Dao’s multiple collections, which include a variety of purples and whites for the current seasons.
Dao wasn’t at the store when I was there, but at least one of her sisters was running around helping get customers in fitting rooms to try on their finds. Lot 8 opened in 2000, and it continues to be a favorite spot for Dao fans and those just looking for something to wear to some of Houston’s hottest nightspots.
After winning Runway, Dao continued to grow her fashion collections, and she even recently sold some styles as a special collection on QVC. But buying something online can’t compare to walking into the Houston boutique and salon — after all, there were a few talking Tim Gunn dolls for sale behind the counter. And Runway-related magazine clippings are framed and decorate the walls. It’s clear Dao hasn’t forgotten what really got her career moving.
In case you’ve been hiding under a rock, you already know the always fierce Christian Siriano won this season of Project Runway. If you ask me, there’s no question the designer will be able to turn his talent — and personality — into a successful career.
We could argue for weeks — and we probably will — about whether Christian should have won the show. The truth of the matter is this: He was amazing. His collection was incredible, and there’s no doubt he’s held his own and made a name for himself throughout the season. And he’s 21. So, what did you expect?
But enough about that week-old news. Today Bravo released the winner of the “It’s Sew Not Over” contest, where fans of the show could vote on special collections to help determine a $10,000 winner. And that winner was not Christian, who also took home the fan favorite prize a few weeks ago.
This time around, though, the fans voted on Jillian’s collection, earning her the cash prize. You can check out Jillian’s special collection at the Bravo Web site.
Chris March used human hair — as in human hair — in his wacky design collection to compete for his chance at a spot on the Project Runway catwalks at New York Fashion Week. Rami Kashou used a little draping — as in a little — to win the third spot up against Christian Siriano and Jillian Lewis.
The judges seemed a little creeped out by the use of human hair as a new kind of “fur” for Christian’s goth-inspired designs. I, too, have to admit it was a little strange. But the innovative idea really did look pretty incredible, especially considering it was hair. You know, the stuff from your head. Sorry, I can’t get over it.
One of the skirts Chris showed on the runway for his fashion-off against Rami also was made from safety pins, another unusual material. As a collection, it turned out a lot better than I think much of his earlier work from the season. While I think Chris has a lot of talent, I also believe a couple of other contestants were let go a little too early this season.
As far as Rami’s collection, the three-piece preview shown to the judges seemed to be a lot more expansive than the drape dress after drape dress he created throughout the season. Clearly, the judges saw something in Rami I did not see from my couch. The blue coat he put together as part of his final collection seemed a little too crazy — and not in a good way. The thing had poofy sleeves and extra fabric at just about every turn. The cuffs, the collar, you name it.
So, for those of you who haven’t been checking out the pictures online, what are your thoughts on how things are going to turn out? Will Christian, the fan favorite, have the best collection? Or Jillian? Maybe Rami? Someone else who maybe doesn’t get mentioned in this post?
I’m excited to see how it all plays out next week when Victoria Beckham sits with the judges to help critic the final shows. It’s going to be “maja,” as she would say.
Project Runway, Christian Siriano, Jillian Lewis, Rami Kashou, Chris March, Victoria Beckham
Project Runway alumni Daniel Vosovic has been one of the show’s favorite contestants. And why wouldn’t he be?
The up-and-coming designer is featured with some of his latest work in a feature as part of the online magazine BonfireMagazine.com. If you’re a fan of Lipstick Jungle, the new hit NBC series, you know the magazine is part of the show’s developing plotline. One of the characters, Nico Reilly, works at Bonfire on the show.
The current issue of Bonfire features some 1980s-inspired designs as part of the cover story, which is where Daniel V. comes into the picture. Check out the magazine to read the complete fashion scoop.
Project Runway contestant Jack Mackenroth attends a fashion show in New York.
After this week’s reunion show on Project Runway, I’m convinced Jack Mackenroth will be back next season.
Jack, who was open about his HIV-positive status on the show, chose to leave the show earlier this season, after he got an infection. He felt it was best if he left, sought out treatment and took care of himself. It turned out to be the best decision, he said at the reunion show. It turned out he spent a week in the hospital before recovering from the infection.
Before Runway, Jack had a successful career. He attended Parsons School of Design after earning a dual degree from University of California at Berkeley. He then opened his own shop, Jack, in New York and later worked for Tommy Hilfiger and designed for Slates, a division of Levis.
When the question came up about Jack returning in a future season, he didn’t give a definite answer. But, being a favorite earlier on this season — some even said he was one of the obvious top designers and a possible winner — he definitely has some fan support. Not as much as that wacky Christian, though. That kid has more attitude than anyone I’ve seen in a long time.
In case you’ve been a reader of this blog before, let me catch you up on a few things:
1. I’m new to realityonbravo.com. But I’m old to watchingamericanidol.com.
2. I know far too much about reality TV, because I watch far too much reality TV. This should be my claim to shame.
3. At this site, you can expect to read all kinds of things about all kinds of reality shows that appear on Bravo. I guess that’s pretty obvious, considering the title of the blog.
Anyway, I have plenty to say about Project Runway, Make Me a Supermodel and Real Housewives of NYC. Plus, I’ll be sure to say a few things about the other shows on Bravo, too. It’s all coming soon, I promise. So, stay tuned.
Oh, I also have a really good story or three about my failed attempts to interview that crazy Kathy Griffin. She’s amazing, and so not D-list. Otherwise, I would have interviewed her. That’s my theory, anyway.
Bravo, Project Runway, Make Me a Supermodel, Real Housewives of NYC
Let’s dish on Project Runway a bit for a moment, shall we? This week, the contestants were asked to make complete outfits in one day from items they gathered in five minutes from a Hershey’s Chocolate store.
Really? I mean…REALLY?
I know the Project Runway is a challenge…but this episode grated on my nerves a bit. What, exactly, did this tell us about the designers? I felt like it was, in part, a challenge about luck and fast-thinking, two traits that, frankly, you don’t need to be a great designer. I was uninspired.
Plus, my main concern is that few of the outfits created were wearable in an everyday setting. Sure, designing fanciful outfits is sometimes needed, but overall, I always want to know what their designs mean to me. How will the winning designer contribute to the fashion world? How will he or she influence what I buy? I need more than a point of view. I need a real understand of the business world, even if that world is crazed by fashion.
This brings me back to the genius that was Chloe Dao. Other contestants *cough*Santino*cough* called her a pattern maker, but what she understood was that HIGH fashion isn’t the only kind of fashion in the world. The rest of us don’t want weird fabric choices and strange colors. We want to look good.
And you can’t look good wearing candy. You just can’t. Not a single one of those models was wearing something that actually will be mass-produced so that someone like me can buy it.
In the end, Rami was the winner…and I called that after watching the first few moments of the show. his construction was flawless, and even I have to admit that good construction is commendable. Our dear Elisa bit the dust….and oh, Bravo, I wish you’d lay up on the foreshadowing a bit.
We all know that TV stars - even reality show TV stars - have some money to throw around. Do I? Nope. So, I’m bringing your Friday’s Fashion Finds! I’ll take a picture of a favorite Bravo star and show you where to find similar fashion for an affordable price. See an outfit you’d love replicate? Email me today, and I’ll feature you on an upcoming week!
Today’s Fashion Inspiration: Heidi Klum, the host of Bravo’s Project Runway
Who doesn’t want to look like Heidi Klum. Sure, she may be a bit bigger than “size 0″ these days, but give a girl a break. She’s been playing mommy after all! Anyone who can have kids and still participate in a Victoria’s Secret fashion show as one of their lead angels has GOT to have a kick-ass body.
I mean, really…Anyone who doesn’t think that Heidi looks fabulous can immediately leave this blog. She’s stunning.
But not all of us have a supermodel pocketbook…or Seal footing bills for that matter!
No, the rest of us need more affordable options. Don’t worry! You can still pull off that hot as hell Heidi Klum look. Here’s how to affordable get a recent Runway look for a fraction of the cost!
The Shirt
Notice in this picture Heidi Klum is simply wearing a basic black top. Nothing fancy - but she (or her wardrobe people) did put thought into it. Notice how the scoop neck shows off her long, lean model-y neck? Notice how the sleeve length plays up her toned arms beautifully? And open neck and fitted arms will do the same for you, even if you don’t have model-esque features. The shirt pictured to the right is from Eddie Bauer, and it will run you just $34.50…even less if you shop Eddie Bauer during sales days, like I do!
The Skirt
This skirt is what really makes the outfit interesting. She’s wearing black and white, so the visual interest has to come from neat patterns. Don’t forget to add visual interest to your outfit, either using a color or a pattern. The skirt pictured to the right is from Sears, and although it isn’t like the one Heidi is wearing in the picture, it uses the same principles - a sleek, structured cut, with visual interest created by the red color and the pattern. If you look for it, finding the black and white version of Heidi’s skirt should be fairly easy. The red one from Sears will set you back under $20.
Finish off your look with a great belt and some pumps and people will be mistaking you for Heidi Klum! Ok, maybe not…but you will look fierce!
On this week’s episode of Project Runway, the designers had one of the best challenges I think we’ve seen in a long, long time - create an outfit for a woman who’s lost a significant amount of weight, using her favorite 
outfit from BEFORE losing the weight as inspiration for the new outfit.
But that wasn’t the big news of the night. This was the episode we had been warned was coming, way back in October. Contestant Jack Mackenroth left the show. Yes, the rumors were true. Well, some of them.
True:
FALSE: Bravo kicked the designer off of the show.
Now, I know you guys didn’t believe that, did you? Staff is gross and contagious and really f’ing dangerous. So yet, it is good that he left for his own health and the health of the other contestants. But that was Jack’s decision. I’m not saying that the producers didn’t encourage it. Wouldn’t you? If someone has a potentially deadly skin infection, wouldn’t you tell them to screw a silly contest and seek medical help? No one held a gun to his head, though. Unless they did some REALLY creative editing and Jack is being totally cool everything.
Everyone, including myself and other PR fans, was sad to see someone go due to a medical problem. But you know what that means, don’t you?
I lurve Chris. Even if he does create wacky designers…I just think he’s the bee’s knees. Lol.
(To see pictures of outfits, click on the links below, after the break)
The gang got together for an awesome Project Runway event, featuring designers and judges from all three seasons. Check out the pictures below (more after the break):
One thing that I love about Bravo that you don’t get with many other channels is it’s high level of interactive features so that fans can be a part of the programming. Their website includes blogs from all of the major stars, and you can even vote on Bravo quizzes during the shows via your cell phone. The real-time results appear on screen at the end of the show - it’s like American Idol, but better, because you see instant results. Bravo really tries to connect with fans, which is why it is so easy to get sucked into their programming.
Well, Bravo is about to get even more interactive, at least for some viewers.
Bravo has just cut deals with four major cable supplies - Cox, Charter, Comcast, and Time Warner Cable - to enable customer interaction. Customers can use their remote control to interact with Project Runway, answering trivia questions and voting on designs. This feature is sponsored by Brother International, the same company who sponsors the sewing machines for the show, as well as has a deal with Project Runway for ad placement.
It’s a pretty neat concept. While the show is airing, you can use your remote control to click on options, allowing you to vote and play along with the trivia challenges. As far as I know, this feature will be free for viewers. Woo hoo!
right now, Bravo and the cable companies are just testing this to make sure the bugs are worked out before it is offered to viewers everywhere. Currently, the following areas can play around with this feature during Project Runway:
Cox users:
Phoeniz, AZ
Tucson, AZ
San Diego, CA
Las Vegas, NV
Charter users:
Los Angeles, CA
Comcast users:
West Palm Beach, FL
Palm Beach, FL
Time Warner Cable:
Greensboro, NC
Sigh. Wilkes-Barre, PA is not on the list. So, I guess I won’t get to try out this fun new Project Runway feature. If you live in any of these areas, tune in on Wednesday night - let me know how you live the new Bravo interactive features!
As part of the NaBloPoMo celebration, I’m posting my list of top 30 Most Fabulous Bravo Personalities. The points of qualification? Only one: be utterly fabulous. “Fabulous can mean intriguing, funny, hot, crazy…or all of the above. Stop back every day during November to see if you favorite star has made the list!
Today’s Fabulous #8 is Heidi ,the host of Project Runway and #9 is Padma Lakshmi, the host of Top Chef.
Why are Heidi and Padma fabulous? Talk about some serious girl power! Heidi Klum and Padma Lakshmi are the perfect picks for hosts of the two most popular Bravo TV shows - Project Runway and Top Chef. They’re so different, too. Heidi is the cool, intimidating super model that contestants feel honored to meet and scared to displease until the very end. Padma is the girl-next-door type, on the other hand. By the end of the competitions, the players are her bffs.
I admire both women equally, however. To me, it’s perfect to have them judge, not just act as pretty faces on the show. Two very different women - both super fabulous!
Check back tomorrow for #7!
(Don’t forget to leave a comment here for your chance to win a cookbook with Project Blog!)
Here’s the list of my 30 Fabulous Bravo Personalities so far:
8. Heidi Klum, Project Runway
9. Padma Lakshmi, Top Chef
10. Harold Dieterle, Top Chef
11. Brian Peeler, Work Out
12. James Lipton, The Actor’s Studio
13. Jai Rodriguez, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy
14. Kara Keough, the Real Housewives of Orange County
15. Rebecca Cardon, Work Out
16 - 17. Zoila and Monkey, Flipping Out
18. Jo De La Rosa, The Real Housewives of Orange County
19 - 20. The Griffins, My Life on the D-List
21. Goil Amornvivat, Top Design
22. Steven Asprinio, Top Chef Season One
23. Andy Cohen, Bravo Exec
24. Marcel Vigneron, Top Chef Season Two
25. Kelly Wearstler, Top Design
26. Chloe Dao, Project Runway Season Two
27. Vicki Gunvalson, The Real Housewives of Orange County
28. Dale Levitski, Top Chef Season Three
29. Carson Kressley, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy
30. Jeff Lewis, Flipping Out
Have someone you’d like to nominate? Feel free to email me at allison.boyer - at - yahoo - dot - com today or leave a comment telling us why your nominee is Bravo-fabulous!
Project Runway has started with a bang! It’s difficult to remember all of the names and personalities when there are 15 designers, but let’s take a moment to discuss all of the contestants we met during this first episode. Project Runway season four really does have a super talented group of designers!
Christian: Ok, Christian is a bit of a diva. I do think that it is kind of an act, though. Which may be smart. We’ll see. In any case, I was impressed. Christian is only 21 and he’s kicking the asses of some of the more experienced designers.
Jack: I love this. LOVE. It’s so cute and really different. I was surprised that it wasn’t in the top three or that it wasn’t at least featured more. Maybe the judges thought it was too safe…but at the end of the day, if you want to sell clothing, it has to be wearable. This dress is really wearable.
Kevin: I’m really not a fan. It’s ok, but would have been better if it didn’t have that weird silver-colored piece. It looks like a piece of armor. I think another color would have worked better.
Chris: This was my favorite. I love rich colors like that purple and the top of the dress was stunning in both the front and the back. Plus, Chris is hilarious. I was surprised that this one wasn’t in the top. I would totally buy this dress.
Marion: It’s innovative, but a bit too much going on for my taste. I’m interested in seeing what else Marion will put forward.
Kit: Yuck. I really hated this dress. It looks like she ran out of red fabric or something. The print is horrible too. This is easily in the bottom three for me.
Who will pack their knives and go this week? Will Jackie Warner ever break up with Mimi? Who is in and who is "auf"? Is Lauri Waring fighting with Jo Del La Rosa? Will James Lipton interview your favorite star next?
Find the answers to all of these questions and more at Reality on Bravo. Polls, pictures, and only the juiciest gossip grace this webpage, and if you still can't get enough of the Fab Five or Andy Cohen, you can subscribe to the RoB monthly newsletter.
Reality on Bravo: Read what's happening!
Reality on Bravo Author(s)
» Reed-Dunn
CHECK OUT OUR PROJECT BLOG SPONSORS:
Ecoist
Food History
Astrology Explored
Solay Natural Salt Lamps
BCS Frenzy
Between the Sheets
Intricate Art
Sky Sport and Spa
StressLess.com
Jonathan Kayne
Jonathan Adler
24
ABC Soaps
American Idol
Battlestar Galatica
Big Brother Craze
Bones
Brothers & Sisters
CBS Soaps
Crime Drama TV
Criminal Minds
CSI
Desperate Housewives
Doctor Who
ER
Family Guy
Food TV
Gilmore Girls
Greys Anatomy
Grid Effect
Heroes
House
Jericho
Lost
Prison Break
Rachael Ray
Reality on Bravo
Reality TV
Studio 60
Survivor
The Office
The Simpsons
The View
Tot TV Watch
TV Bloggin
Ugly Betty
Watching CW
Watching MTV
Watching Showtime
Watching Sitcoms
Watching Stargate
Watching VH1