Projet Haute Couture

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 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.

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.

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 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.