Project Runway Season 11

It seems a long time since I started watching Project Runway – the reality-style competition based on the Lifetime channel in the USA – and by now it ought to be exhausted, much like its fashion counterpart America’s Next Top Model. Eleven seasons later, however, and I still love this show as much as I did when season one was screened.

This time around there are 16 budding designers aiming to woo fashion model Heidi Klum with their up-and-coming designs. Established designed Zac Posen has also joined the judging panel for the first time (a somewhat welcome change from Marchesa’s overly-British Georgina Chapman).

So who’s my favourite? Amanda Valentine has some great (albeit last season) aztec prints, Kate Pankoke has some lovely wedding gowns and Michelle Lesniak Franklin created the fab little striped dress pictured here.

My overall favourite though? Every year Project Runway features one complete and utter mad-man designer and, from their online portfolio, this year I think he may just be my winner. Joseph Aaron Segal makes jumpers with kittens on and skirts made of patchwork. I’m not sure I need to justify exactly why he’s my favourite.

Make It Work, Joseph Aaron!

Project Runway, Round 10

Last year I wrote a post about Project Runway season 9. I wrote about a young chap named Gunnar Deatherage – but unfortunately he never even made it past the auditions. Project Runway season 10 started in the US this week and, to my surprise, Gunnar has been allowed to enter the show for the second time. This time he says ‘I know who I am as a designer now’. I really hope so, as yet again I find myself hat-pinning my hopes on his success. Despite him being a bit of an idiot in person, it’s #TeamGunnar all the way.

Japanese Kooan Kosuke is mental. Half his clothes look like they’re made out of Lego and styrofoam. In fact, not even half. ALL of his clothes look like they’re made out of Lego and styrofoam. See the photograph on the left for his first runway look. Mental.

Christopher Palu is a lovely guy. He’s what I wish Gunnar was like. Unfortunately, I don’t rate his designs too highly – clearly a matter of opinion as the judges seemed to think his two crinkly dresses were a work of art and made him the winner of the challenge.

I’m sure as the season progresses my view will change and I’ll find myself rooting for ‘lesbian designer’ Alicia Hardesty instead. Nobody, however, is ever going to out-shine my original favourite – Christian Siriano - who won season 4 of Project Runway. His Vivienne Westwood-come-Galliano-come-Valentio inspired ball gowns are a close fore runner in the ‘Who’s Going to Make My Bespoke Wedding Dress’ Olympics. Don’t believe my hype? Check out the dress Taylor Swift was caught wearing here.

I shouldn’t be so excited about Project Runway – it’s only a reality TV show after all – but there’s something endearing about watching people’s sewing machines break, their fingers being pricked by needles and crying because they’ve cut a hole too big in a chiffon blouse… but I can’t be the ONLY one these things happen to, surely?!

Christian Siriano

Today I’ve decided to showcase the current work of Christian Siriano: the winner of Project Runway season 4. Ever since he took the gold medal in 2008 I’ve been closely (and probably obsessively) following the designer on Facebook and Twitter. His designs wowed me all the way through the series – check the photo above of his season finale collection – and continue to do so now that Christian has made a good, strong name for himself in the fashion world.

His current S/S 2012 collection strays away from his typical black on black style and jumps right into the deep end of the colour spectrum. Rich, tropical colours are the key – vibrant corals, yellows and oranges alongside crisp white and pale stone. As a collection it’s stunning. When broken down piece by piece, it’s even more so. And the best part? The looks are all super easy to copy – long pleated skirts, plain t-shirts and feathered skirts are all accessible on the high street. Obviously nothing compares to the real deal, but imitation always has been the greatest form of flattery.

Project Runway 9 ♥

First and foremost; thank you to the lovely people who have subscribed to my blog recently! If you wish to be just as fantastic as those people – hit the subscribe link on the right – and I’ll buy you an ice cream* as a thank you. By subscribing it means that you’ll NEVER miss one of my posts and will always be up to date with what’s going on in my seamstress world- what could be better than that?!

Today my post is all about PROJECT RUNWAY SEASON 9 (if you can distract yourself away from the photo of Heidi Klum here anyway).

Project Runway is perhaps one of the main reasons I decided that sewing was the future. I’ve watched all 8 series of the US show, both of Canada and Australia’s versions, and then when I finish learning Filipino, Portuguese and Hebrew I plan on watching their respective versions also.

There is (almost) nothing better than watching a reality show based around my favourite past time. The designers they choose always range from the incredibly outstanding to the incredibly out-of-place-time-to-go-home-now sort of people. The winner of season 7 was perhaps my favourite – Seth Aaron Henderson – and I believe that Mondo Guerra in season 8 was completely robbed of that winning trophy.

But who will win this year’s show? It starts officially on 28th July in the US and the participating designers can be seen on the MyLifetime website here. There are a staggering 20 designers taking part this year, ranging in age from 21 to 57. Unlike America’s Next Top Model, this show doesn’t make me feel like I’m past my prime!

My money’s on Gunnar Deatherage or Danielle Everine to win, going on the photos of their past collections. Let’s just hope that they’re as talented as their portfolios make out. It’s always promising to hear that 2008′s Miss Trinidad and Tobago Universe is taking part this year too…

 

*possibly.