Project Runway Online

Project Runway is not your usual "reality" television program. Unlike most shows today, where the characters are either straight out of the local Wal Mart or straight out of acting school, the Project Runway cast comes off polished, but not fake. Funny, but not forced. Combine that with the excellent editing by the producers, you get entertainment that you eagerly look forward to week after week. The "challenges" for each week are not nearly as interesting as the comedic outbursts and bizarre dialogue that goes on between the contestants. You couldn't write a script this funny! Often times, watching an episode again and again will allow the viewer to pick up on things that you miss the first time around. The panel of judges are rather non-professional, which makes this show even more hilarious, as the comments they make about each designer's outfit that week are the topic of much conversation. The show also includes guest judges each week who often don't know any more about fashion than the man in the moon. This combined with over sensitive designers makes for one side splitting show. If you've never watched this show, or if you have no interest whatsoever in the fashion industry, you may want to take a look and see what all the flap is about.

This is NOT America's Next Top Model! Whereas that show focuses on finding the next hot model, Project Runway is in search of the fashion industry's next hot DESIGNER. Here we are given twelve designers. The ultimate winner wins a $100,000 prize to start their own line and a mentorship with Banana Republic. Each week they are given a task....There is a winner and a loser ("You're een or your oute" as host Heidi Klum says). The winner wins immunity for the next challenge and the loser is sent packing. The thing that sets this show apart from other reality shows is we are given a glimpse of the ACTUAL design process. Its thrilling to see a garment made completely from scratch, and we are shown that. We have judges such as Michael Kors (worldly famous designer). We get to know the designers and we love them or love to hate them. There's the "king" of glamour designer Austin Scarlett. Mr. Rock N Roll Jay. The most consistent designer Kara Saun. Newcomer Nora. Mr Charming Robert Plotkin. Fashionista Vanessa Riley. Finishes in the last minute Kevin. Some others who were cut early on. Is there a star? Maybe Austin or Kara Saun or Jay........or the show's villianness Wendy Pepper who came in as the underdog and ranted and raved about the other designers but still has managed to make it the final 3. The show is so addictive and takes you in you actually feel as you have an investment in the show. The show is also proof that word of mouth can save a show. The show suffered low ratings early on but slowly and surely has acquired a huge following and is now Bravo's #1 show. Project Runway 2? Soon I am sure...

I just ordered the first season on Netflix and I'm totally addicted. This show is fun and interesting. Somehow the producers got this just right. The challenges are different and well thought out, the designers are creative, and the judges are professional and give constructive and intelligent criticism. The show is not annoying and clumsy like Top Model, but actually is well executed. I like Heidi Klum as the host, she doesn't need to be the center of attention like Tyra seems to have to be. Instead Heidi moves things along nicely and is likable without coming across as a diva. The contestants are fantastic and talented, frantic and chaotic. The show is segmented well, without dwelling too much on any one area. I love it - I recommend getting it on DVD and watching it like a marathon.

I love this show - got hooked on it last year, and this year it's even more fun, what with the challenges being even more, well, challenging. If you ignore all the overblown ego crap - and there's a lot of it (not naming names, but you know who you are, Santino) and just watch it for the creativity factor, it's very inspiring.

My favorite challenge so far was when the designers had to design outfits for each other - that was particularly creative, especially when they had to model them on the runway.

This year, I especially admire Chloe, who never participates in any of the cattiness or ego games, she just stays high-minded, focused and sticks to her work, turning out brilliant outfits week after week. I think she deserves to win, hands down.

8/10/08: So Chloe won, then Jeffrey Sebelia the next year and Christian "Fierce" Siriano last year, and we're well into the new season now, the fifth. Some contenders shaping up, looks like it's going to be a lot of fun.

This show is a fantastic addition to the reality genre. It has continued now for 10 years and gives aspiring designers a chance to raise their profile while fighting it out for a variety of prizes.

By far the best thing about this show is Tim Gunn. He is one of the sweetest most lovely people and when it comes to fashion he knows what he is talking about. On the other hand the worst thing about this show is Heidi Klum. When this show started she was the perfect "still relevant" host but as the seasons have past there is one very noticeable fact. Just because you are a model, that does not mean you have good fashion sense. In fact Heidi regularly graces the worst dressed lists as she becomes more trashy and continues to cling onto her youth. Some panels you know she has overridden the other judges as her season favourite continues to cling on for dear life with the little talent they have.

Aside from that the show is very entertaining and gives you an insight into the process involved with constructing an outfit. I do question the time limits allocated though as even the top designers are not continually pumping out looks within 24 hours. It hinders their creativity and allows for some to fail when they should have succeeded and for some to succeed when they should have failed in comparison. It promotes a sweat shop environment.

But seriously if you love fashion and drama with a little reality then this if the show for you.

Victoria Secret supermodel, Heidi Klum hosts this unique and fabulous reality show. The show is about a bunch of designers, whether seasoned, professional, or amateur. They compete to go to Olympus Fashion Week and to win $100,000 to start their own line, a mentor ship at a fashion company, and a new car. Each week, designers design. Each week, one person wins a challenge. Each week, a designer is voted off until only three are left to attend Olympus fashion week. Three designers show off their designs at Olympus fashion week. And only one can be the winner. This is Project Runway. An awesome reality show which shows off unknown designers' designs. Watch what happens!

Although reality TV starts to get to me after awhile, BRAVO has done an excellent job with "Project Runway." By cleverly combining creativity with the standard rapid elimination proceedings so familiar to reality TV, a slew of 12 amateur fashion designers compete for their chance to win big with a fashion contract and a place at New York's infamous Olympus Fashion Week. What makes this show so interesting is how creative some of the designers can be and how their personalities are conveyed through their designs. You'll pick a favorite and root for them each week. Although this show has been criticized in the media for being a rip-off of UPN's successful "America's Next Top Model," it combines artistic bravado with competition, as opposed to looks and luck. It's an interesting concept and it works well here. Unfortunately, the future doesn't bode well for "Project Runway." According to several industry publications recounting ratings numbers, the show has been doing very bad in the ratings and there isn't plans for a second season unless things take a turn for the better.

Project Runway Season 2 bested the first season by bringing us a compelling cast of characters/contestants this time around. First of all, the "recurring characters" of Project Runway are attractive and articulate fashion experts whose own careers are well-established enough that they don't need to star in a reality TV show. Host and executive producer Heidi Klum, the supermodel nicknamed "The Body", comes across as intelligent and authoritative, even as she tosses each week's loser with a curt "You're out; auf wiedersehn" and a kiss on each cheek. Contestants' mentor Tim Gunn, head of Parsons Design School, has the amazing ability of providing feedback to works-in-progress with his wide vocabulary and catch phrases "Carry on" and "Make it work." Judges Michael Kors, fashion designer, and Nina Garcia, Elle fashion editor, return from last season to cross-examine the contestants. Kors in particular has a biting yet matter-of-fact way of condemning a design.

Sixteen designers dwindle down to a lucky final three who each get the chance to present a collection at Olympus Fashion Week in New York, the climax of the series. The designers compete in a weekly challenge, usually the task of designing a dress around a particular theme or using specific materials under an extremely tight deadline. Each designer has a model who wears the dress on the runway before the judges.

Klum presents each challenge and announces the modest amount of money they have to work with. Gunn checks in on the contestants as they frantically design, sew, and fit the dresses. Contestants also speak directly into the camera in interviews where they discuss their inner thoughts and external conflicts. The completed dresses are modeled on the runway before Klum, Kors, Garcia, and a guest judge (this season's celebrity judges include Badgeley & Mischka, Nicky Hilton, and Iman). The designers with the best and worst designs remain on the runway for questioning by the judges. One by one, designers are asked to leave the runway until the winning and losing designers of that challenge are announced. This selection and elimination process is always handled somewhat differently from one episode to the next, keeping the suspense high for the viewer.

What makes this reality show effectively better than most others is that the contestants MUST have talent and skill to get cast! In Season 2, the designers vary from fresh fashion school graduates Daniel Vosovic and Diana to the older Marla, who already owns her own business. The cast of this season is particularly memorable. My favorite designer to watch is Andrae, a 30-something designer from L.A. with an affected accent, who famously breaks down and cries on the runway.

This season the "villain" role played in the first season by Wendy Pepper is the ever-watchable Santino. From his intimidating height to his rude remarks and outlandish designs, Santino elicited gut reactions from the other contestants and had no qualms getting into verbal tussles with the judges.

Some of the challenges from the first season were also re-introduced this time around, such as making a dress from plants and flowers. Some of the challenges were complicated and yet made for great television. For instance, designers were taken off guard when told to design a dress using only the clothes off their back. Another time, designers were given a digital camera and instructed to take pictures, select a single photo, and use it as inspiration for a dress design.

For a reality show in its second season, an element of gimmickry seeped in. Designers were asked to design a dress for My Scene Barbie. They also had to design a dress suitable for the racks of Banana Republic AND design a window display using their live model. Nevertheless each challenge was always rooted in fashion and always fun to watch.

Another attribute of this wonderful series are the strategic decisions made in editing and sound. The original music for the show is catchy and viewers learn to anticipate the cues: this bit of clanging music when we hold our breath before Heidi Klum announces the winner, that bit of sad music when the losing designer walks off the runway with the camera relentlessly following their silhouette as it disappears from view.

Sophisticated reality show viewers now know that behind-the-scenes producer decisions and crafty editing can mislead those trying to guess the winner of an episode or of the series. Project Runway is no exception to these practices. But we don't feel manipulated. At each episode's conclusion, viewers see the winning dress, hear what the designers and judges have to say, and either agree or disagree with the outcome. That's the power of fashion. Someone else may decide what's in or out, but everyone is entitled to keep their own opinion.

I love this show as well. I happen to watch an episode a month ago and got instantly hooked. I now have watched several episodes multiple times and have purchased Seasons 1& 2 off of ebay. I find the show compelling because it is a true competition between very creative people where they create before the viewers' eyes. And, notwithstanding how you may feel about the judges, the judges' opinions decide "who is in, and who is out". The editing is excellent. And Heidi Klum is unusually interesting. In one episode, the drama of the judging is heightened when she calls out in German to a model and asks how she feels about the dress she is modeling. The effect on me was electric and the response from the model was heartfelt and you could feel the emotion. That is another point- you can empathize with the designers. No matter how you may respond to them personally, the show draws you in and you empathize with them in the creative moment. Very compelling viewing.

This show is the only show i follow every week and is so addictive! Heidi Klum's hosting(and her famous 'you're in or out' line) is awesome. I love Tim Gunn. And i hold my breathe when i saw dresses on the runway and a lot of the designers are very likable.This show is a lot more different than other competition shows on TV.Shows like American Idol are getting boring and Project Runway is a fresh breathe to the TV history. It deserves every Emmy award it's winning. Please stop watching all those singing, dancing programmes and discover this great thing. I highly recommend it to everyone who likes to watch designing a dress and fashion models.I want this show to never end and every week I see it to give me excitement. 9/10 Best Seasons:5,6

Here's another entry into the foray of "reality" shows. Since there was a popular "modeling" show on, I knew something like this was coming, and that is with those who want to be designers.

Contestants do come from any background to compete for the obligatory sponsor car, $100,000 in cash, and a shot at their five minutes of fame. The show is the same as all the others: Get a nice looking host - here you have Hedi Klum; a few attitude laden "insider" folks to interchange throughout the episodes, and guest judges you may or may not have heard of who are 'tops' in that industry.

Making a career entertaining, takes some manipulation and Project Runway pushes that manipulation button a lot harder than other shows out there.

Why this show is even more horrid to me, is that the majority of designers in high fashion are the most snotty, self-centered people on the face of this earth. Nothing matters but their materials. They treat models like walking billboards for their talent and have no bones about telling them so. They also do not design for the millions of us who buy consumer goods and services, just the elite who are pretentious enough to want to buy what they push. That may be entertaining to some to see on a weekly basis, but I'm tired of it being thrown in my face as acceptable.

For example, one show I viewed had a designer candidate eliminated because, according to Hedi Klum - "The design had no regard for the female form." Hardly ANY high fashion runway design has regard for the female form, so why nix a designer for doing what would have to be a natural act in that industry? The reality show Project Runway wanted to hide its reality as soon as it could.

Then, there has been a little rumbling about this show not designing for regular/full figured women. Since it's name was "Project Runway" and it was geared toward the world of "high fashion", I did not expect anyone over a size one to be there. So there should be no rumbling. The show is what it is.

But one episode I viewed allegedly got "regular and/or full figured women" to design for. Not ONE of those designs would be something any regular or full figured woman would purchase, or something you would see on a runway at a high fashion full figured show. (Yes Virginia, there ARE high fashioned regular women/full figured shows and designers.) But FORGET that, this show is about "High Fashion". Not all regular or full size women want to be in over-sized shirts or variations on a mu-mu or drapes and be told its "High Fashion". Plus the absence of "name" judges for these designers were highly suspect to me, because there are a few very famous regular/full figured Runway designers out there - they couldn't find a one for these potential designers???

And the contestants. You've got to have the traditional ones for fashion: The WASP women with attitude, The ethnic women with attitude, the homosexual men with snippy attitudes, the heterosexual men with attitudes against the homosexual men, the semi-clueless blondes, the poor little "I was born in a third world country and now I'm getting a chance to live the American Dream", etc., etc. Rather repetitive.

Who'll win? Who'll get their next big designer break? Who cares! It's all subjective. The common consumer will never hear (or wear) any of these clothes or styles. These "reality' shows are not much different than a game show - but I still say, "The Price is Right" is still much better than any or all of these programs because its been going on for 40+ years. In 40+ years will folks know or wear anything about these designers? No, but its instant gratification for entertainment and besides, it's got Hedi Klum!

Like with many reality programs offered, this is just another attempt that is trying to push your entertainment buttons rather than push the contestant talent. Why? Because everyday life and work IS boring, no matter what you do - fashion, Art, Music, Exercise Trainer, Hair Dresser...it all sounds exciting, but...not all the time. And fashion? "One day you're in - the next day, you're out" - sadly so will be these folks.

Very good. I like it a lot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I tune into this show every week, it's interesting to see a glimpse of the design process. Although it is thrilling to see the final garments on the runway, I would still like to see more of the designing...perhaps I'd like to see the camera zooming in on the designers so we can see how they make the clothes but that might get in the way.

Heidi could change her tone of voice a bit, I understand that she needs to repeat the instructions in every episodes but it seems like she is a recording. I also wonder why Tim is not on the judging panel since after all he does have design expertise. I particularly enjoy reading "Tim's Take" on the designs from each episode, it would be nice if the producers could incorporate these comments into the show. While I was watching the earlier episodes I was thinking that there should be designers as judges as opposed to fashion editors (even if it is for Elle magazine) but thankfully in the later episodes Heidi has included fashion designers in the judging panel.

I was particularly saddened to see Vanessa go because she admitted that she "couldn't sew", it seems as if admitting your weaknesses and taking the blame for letting down the team as opposed to pointing fingers is not the thing to do. Sure, they need to have self-confidence but some humility and honesty wouldn't hurt.

Anyway this show is great, it stands out from the rest of reality TV because of the creativity and originality. Austin is an amazing designer but I feel he has his own vision and tends to not compromise and apply himself to the task at hand. I'm rooting for Kara Saun, she seems like a true professional.

I didn't think I would watch this show beyond a couple of seasons, but I've been hooked since about 2011'ish. Probably, I'm a student of fashion myself having subscribed to Vogue earlier in my life, I appreciate the hard work and vision that go into a design. In fact, I was sorely disappointed that the same design aesthetics were missing from a high end clothing I visited. I would hire any of these alums, including the ones that didn't win to design that store's clothes instead of the high priced, boring, shapeless, and poorly made stuff they had to offer.

I'm a sucker for well constructed pieces over high design. If you crochet, pleat, dye, or create cut outs for your pieces in the short time you have, you're a winner in my book. It seems the designers and guest judges like risk taking. But then again, I don't know what they like from season to season. Sometimes they will lambast poor sewers, sometimes they will say, even it is meticulously executed, that is boring and old-fashioned. So what's a contestant to do?

Also, you can tell some designers have a particular niche that often gets characterized as a one trick, monotonous pony. But every designer working now has a niche. Some do more movie and stage costumes, some design the over the top outfits for the stars, some do more cutesy kiddy clothes, some do more street or casual wear and some do ready to wear. That doesn't make them a bad designer just because the contestants gravitate toward and do well at a particular design. On the bad hand, some people's personalities overshadow their work and irritate the other contestants and even the judges. On the good hand, where does Tim Gunn get his suits made? I have never seen him be less than impeccable. Now, Heidi Klum has some hits or misses, but she's still a pretty woman.

That said, I wish the show would incorporate more designs for males as well as for the disabled, buxom, plus sized, petite, athletic, children, and elderly. They want to look fabulous too! Tired of seeing these mousy, thin and boring models. Some of the outfits have literally been made or broken by how the model struts her stuff or the expression on her face. Even if you don't like the outfit or how it fits, work that thing! That kind of sullenness would never work on the most famous runways and I bet half the models hate what they have to wear. Where do they get these models from?

I love Project Runway to death!!!! I watch it every single Wednesday and pretty much freak if I miss it. First of all, the show is just so entertaining. You have the designers that are nice and funny, then you have the ones that are "fierce" (those who watch know who i'm talking about) and you bring them all together, and it just makes for really good television. It is also amazing to see what these people can do with X yards of fabric. I mean one minute it's drapes, then the next you're looking at a tailored evening gown! The show is great! But I will admit that it is really annoying when the judges only take into consideration the current challenge. I will use Ricky as an example. If you look on Wikipedia, they have how everyone did on every challenge. When you look at his, it's just "low, low, bottom, low, low, in, low, win, out." (that's not exactly it, but you get it) Anyway, the just kept him on because someone else did just a teeny bit worse than him. It was so annoying. It was the same thing with Alison last season. It was down to her and Vincent in the bottom two during the garbage challenge, and they kicked her off even though she had been doing really really well, and Vincent was just straggling along. I know that the network thought he was entertaining, but honestly. enough is enough.

But aside from that factor, I still watch the show, and will continue to watch the upcoming seasons.

one last thing...Christian IS AMAZING!

Anyone who was doing this show and saying they had "No Idea" what Harvey was doing or "hadn't heard" anything from the models is LYING. Put a bullet in the show. Come up with something that empowers women, not degrades them like they are objects and victimizes them. #cancelallhaveysprojects

All throughout the program, the judges tell Santino to tone it down. and when he does they tell him that he played it safe. Heidi Klum and crew pick Chloe so that they can begin the Klum- Garcia-Kors Wal-Mart collection, cheap dresses for ugly bridesmaids. Messing after Will-Grace gets canceled, is looking for a possible Kohl's line. Daniel is a good fit for the St. John look,a fashionable older woman's line. However, Santino is the closest thing to haute-couture that this show will ever see: flowing designs, infused colors, and fine fabrics. On a good note, Santino was saved from the khaki hell of Banana Republic and rest of the mall rats. Santino, keep the faith and land with on a better design house, Dolce-Gabbana, Karl Lagerfield,or Jean-Paul Gaultier. We won't be watching the next season of Project K-Mart.

The prize money on the show is only 25,000. I think this prize money is ridiculous considering how much the show will make. I think the prize money directly impacts people that apply for the show. I mean the show has had some great talent but they have also had some bombs. I think the bombs are attracted because 25,000 seems like a lot of money to them, but if your talented then 25grand is nothing. It wouldn't be enough to make two seasons of clothes.

They need to increase the prize pool to draw in people that may actually think its worthwhile leaving work and being unpaid for several weeks.

I just recently started watching this show on hulu. I really like watching this show. I love seeing what people create. However, I spend half of the show with my eyes closed due to the fact that I have epilepsy and there is constant flashing. I wish it would stop. It's not as though the show wouldn't be as good if the flashing stopped. I'm pretty sure the flashy scenes are not the reason people watch the show.

Since this is a fashion show, will someone involved with the series please help Tim? His suits are too tight, his tie is never tied correctly over his equally tight shirt, his emulating Mondo with checks and stripes are embarrassingly humorous, and his color choices for the show are appalling. Maybe it is an inside joke for everyone, but I do not see Tim as a fashion connoisseur if he is unable to demonstrate his own sense of dress for success. I am the same age as Tim and love his passion for the show, but hate his fashion for the show!

To submit this for review, I needed 10 lines of text so: Amanda is disgusting to watch - my wife and I fast forward to avoid looking at her or listening to her...what a smug fake and a fraud.