BPR Live Party: PR Junior Episode 5

I'm late! Is anyone still around?

Tim Gunn in Boston

Photo:  Jack Hebet

Tim Gunn recently visited Boston to appear at the Massachusetts Conference for Women with
 Project Runway Season 14 finalist (and BPR fave,) Kelly Dempsey.

Boston Magazine interviewed Tim prior to the event.

Ever candid - Tim gives us these gems:

"I don’t believe they really looked at the finale collections carefully, because the strongest collection was Kelly’s. Period."

“The judges wanted to make a point in supporting a plus-size designer. The trouble is, those clothes were dreadful.”

Click here for the full interview.

Patricia Michaels at Peabody Essex Museum - Field Report

 Project Runway All-Star designer,  Patricia Michaels, is a featured artist in the "Native Fashion Now" exhibit at the Peabody Essex Museum near Boston.

BPR Field Reporter, Tina G attended the opening day events and sends us this report.  Thanks Tina!  

Pat Pruitt, Jamie Okuna, Karen Kramer, PEM's curator of Native American Art and Culture, Patricia Michaels

On November 21, I had the pleasure of attending “Native Fashion Now“ at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts. 

If you are a “Project Runway” fan, a show of this title might bring to mind Season 11 designer Patricia Michaels, and rightly so, because Patricia’s designs open the show! The show opens with beautiful parasols, which are suspended from the ceiling, framing a dress. Each parasol is made from fabric that Patricia hand-dyed and wrapped around wire frames. The video playing in the background is of the Palm Desert show that Patricia participated in upon the invitation of Michael Costello of PR Season 8. The display is breathtaking and is a fitting opening to the show.  


Click here to continue.

BPR Party: PR Junior Episode 4

Hello again Junior fans! It's BPR party time as we welcome in the First Lady on a big flat screen. It's also a double elimination night for the teenage designers. There are sure to be tears. There is only the crying of laughter in the party room though, click on the comment tab to join the fun!

Is Project Runway For Sale?

From The Hollywood Reporter: 

Sources tell THR that Weinstein's Board of Director's will meet December 11 in New York for a frank discussion of the company's future.It's the first get-together of the boats since the Weinsteins and Glasser instituted cost-cutting measures (including about 50 layoffs) and put together a new business plan for the veteran indie studio. As rumors of a possible sale of some or all of its assets continue to swirl, the board will discuss several key issues including the company's financial situation....and how to carve out individual TV assets if the entire division can't be unloaded for the right price (a rich deal with ITV fell apart earlier this year). Sources say the Project Runway franchise, in particular, has several bidders interested.

Project Runway has always been an asset of  personal interest for Harvey Weinstein. His wife Georgina Chapman has been directly involved with Project Runway All Stars and he has used the franchise as a vehicle to get some of his screen stars extra publicity. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

SethAaron at Betabrand

Project Runway Champion, Seth Aaron Henderson has made six original designs available for your votes on Betabrand.

The deigns that receive the most votes will move forward to the "funding" phase.  
 
Click here to see all six Seth Aaron designs and vote for your favorites!

Reactions to PR Junior Episode 3

Eliminations on Project Runway Junior seem especially painful for everyone involved. What did you think of tonight's team challenge and results? Post your reactions to Episode 3 here.

BPR Party: PR Junior Episode 3

Welcome back BPR party people! We hope you had an enjoyable Thanksgiving break, but it's time to check back in on the kids. It's team challenge time for the Juniors and we are here to watch it go down. Click on the comment tab to join the party.

A Message From Mondo

Dear BPR, 

World AIDS Day is tomorrow, December 1st. 

Reflecting on my own journey living with HIV—starting with the idea of self-love. I created this design to honor those who we have lost to HIV, acknowledge the progress made since the outset of the epidemic and remind us that there is still work to be done in the fight against HIV/AIDS. 

I hope others will use this as source of inspiration and an opportunity to start a new conversation. Will you take a stand against HIV/AIDS with me on World AIDS Day and apply this filter to your Facebook profile picture? 

Please visit www.ProjectIDesign.com to download the filter—the site walks you through all the steps and it takes minutes to apply. Please also share this with others and encourage them to update their photos as well, because while we may not all be infected by HIV, we are ALL affected by HIV. 

Yours, Mondo

Project Runway Jr. "Teamwork is Hard" Preview Video

The designers are divided into two teams and must create cohesive mini collections inspired by different decades.

Reactions to Project Runway Junior Episode 2

The Project Runway Junior designers went to the car wash for an unconventional materials challenge. What did you think of the results? Post your reactions to Episode 2 here.

BPR Party: Throwback Thursday Special and PR Jr. Episode 2

Hi everyone - we have another double whammy tonight as we celebrate Tim Gunn's Throwback Thursday Special followed by Episode 2 of Project Runway Junior. No one seems to have any idea what the Throwback Special will consist of other than a rehash of past drama and Tim voiceovers. PR Jr. gives us an unconventional materials challenge with a trip to car wash. Click the comment tab to join the party!

Sam Donovan Runway Report

BPR Field Reporter Tina Guthmann attended Sam's show in Boston and sends us this report - thanks Tina!

Sam Donovan, runner-up in the first season of Lifetime’s Under the Gunn, presented his collection as a part of the Fashionably Late series at Boston’s Liberty Hotel on November 5. Sam is a native of the Boston area, so it’s always fun to support him. This time, Sam presented what I like to call a ‘sporty glam’ look.  We know that athletic wear is the new casual wear for those who work out (and those who don’t) so I was happy to see Sam’s interpretation. He takes it up a notch and makes it dressy, too. His inspiration was a Twitter argument that attacked Serena Williams for looking masculine and resulted in author JK Rowling coming to her rescue.  How is that for the start of a collection? 

As Sam states,"It just felt like this amazing, empowering moment that challenged the idea of what it meant to "look like a woman". There have been so many instances challenging what is "womanly", and could feel the fury that Rowling and Williams must have felt at that comment. So I wanted both a sporty feeling, but the look of a warrior, so I looked to Furiosa and Mad Max for a little bit of edge; yet another challenge to the conventional idea of femininity.


Click here to continue and to see more photos.

Project Runway Junior, "An Unconventional Carwash" Preview Video

The young designers must create garments using items found at a car wash.

Reactions to the S14 reunion and PR Jr. Episode 1

It was a double dose of Project Runway tonight as we bid farewell to Season 14 and hello to project Runway Junior. What did you think of both? Post your reactions here.

BPR Party: S14 Reunion and PR Jr. Episode 1

Hello again Project Runway fans! We have a big night ahead of us as we say a final farewell to the S14 designers with a one hour reunion special followed by the premiere of Project Runway Junior. We will meet 12 talented teens who will battle it out on the runway each week to compete for a scholarship to FIDM, $25,000 and other prizes. The BPR party crew is ready to watch it all go down. Click the comment tab to join in!

Project Runway Junior Premiere Preview Video

Project Runway Junior, "Welcome to New York"

Recapalooza!

One last stroll down Recapper lane as we bid farewell to S14:

Suzq glitters all the things...
Democracy Diva has a few hundred thousand problems...
Uncle Nick is feeling phenomenal...
Gianni doesn't see mumsy anymore...
Mila is feeling nostalgic...
Althea wants more glam, less rave...
Second City Style says the fix was in...
Alexander is on the same page as the judges...
Mollie likes what she sees...

And Toyouke is finally free!

Thank you recappers, see you in Season 15?

BPR Interview with Ashley Nell Tipton

Project Runway Season 14 winner, Ashley Nell Tipton talks about her experience on the show.

A highlight:

BPR:  What has been the best thing about winning?

ANT:  Just being able to share this with my family and friends.  They have been in this with me and have always supported me and now they share in the win.  

BPR:  Which is your favorite look from your finale collection?

ANT:  The purple lace two-piece dress.  Of course I loved every look so it is hard to choose.

Click here for the full interview.

Click here to see Ashley's Finale Collection.

Click here to visit Ashley's website.

Thank you Ashley!

Poll - Finale Season 14 - Your Turn to be the Judge

1st: Ashley

2nd: Candice

3rd: Edmond
4th: Kelly

Click image for a larger view. Images courtesy of myLifetime.com

You’ve seen the designs on the runway at Skylight at Moynihan Station during New York Fashion Week and now it is your turn to be the judges. This week you are Heidi Klum, Nina Garcia, Zac Posen, and Carrie Underwood. It's time to tell us:

Who Should Have Won Project Runway Season 14?
	Ashley
	Candice
	Edmond
	Kelly
Free polls from Pollhost.com

Reactions to the Season 14 Finale

We have a winner! Project Runway crowned its Season 14 champ tonight in dramatic fashion. What did you think? Post your reactions to the finale here.

Season 14 Finale Party!

This it! Tonight Project Runway crowns its Season 14 champion in a two-hour finale. It's been a season of ups and down both on and off the runway. The BPR party crew is ready to snark their way through along with you. Simply click the comment tab to join the party!

Results In - Who Should/Will Win Season 14

The readers have voiced their opinions via our poll:

You felt that Kelly Dempsey SHOULD and WILL win Season 14 of Project Runway. Click here to see how you voted. Check back with us tomorrow to cast your vote on the finale collections after seeing the garments on the runway tonight.

 Image Courtesy of MyLifetime.com

Project Runway Season 14 Finale Part 2 Preview Video

Conclusion. The winning designer is crowned in the Season 14 finale. Before that, the designers scramble to retool their collections following a brutal critique with the judges. 
Guest judge: Carrie Underwood.

Recapalooza!

It's the calm before the recapping storm:

Gianni is ready for the reunion...
Suzq took her own sweet time...
Uncle Nick puts out the call for assistants...
Mila entertains at the end of the day...
Second City Style has all the quotes...
Althea thinks it's anyones game...
Alexander is no cheap knock off...
Mollie will not spoil...

And Toyouke's time will not be wasted.

Thank you recappers. Next week, the finale!

Season 14 Should and Will Win Polls

Who SHOULD Win Project Runway Seasaon 14?
	Ashley
	Candice
	Edmond
	Kelly
Free polls from Pollhost.com

Who WILL Win Project Runway Seasaon 14?
	Ashley
	Candice
	Edmond
	Kelly
Free polls from Pollhost.com

Reactions To Episode 13

The Season 14 finalists returned back home to work on their collections and received a visit form Tim. back in NYC, Heidi gave them a twist. What did you think? Post your reactions to Episode 13 here.

BPR Party: Episode 13

Greetings Project Runway fans! Tonight kicks off the first part of the Season 14 finale as we find out whether or not Tim Gunn utilizes his Save and follow him to the homes of the finalists as they work on their finale collections. At 122 minutes, this will be the longest episode in Project Runway history. So settle in for a long ride, click on the comment tab and join the fun!

Results In - You Were the Judge Episode 12

Our polls for Episode 12 are closed. You agreed with the judges and felt that Kelly Dempsey deserved the win this week. Click here to see the results. You disagreed with the judges and felt that Ashley should have been out. Click here to see the results. (Yes, it was close. You disagreed by one vote.)

Check back with us tomorrow for our who should/will win polls. 

Photos courtesy of myLifetime.com

Project Runway Season 14 Finale Part 1 Preview Video

In Part 1 of the two-part Season 14 finale, the designers journey home to create their collections and gear up for a visit from mentor Tim Gunn. They then return to New York, complete with a twist.

Recapalooza!

The recappers will not be fooled:

Uncle Nick visits his Alma Mater...
Suzq makes a case for LA...
Gianni drives the Motor City...
Mila spins her critique...
Althea wants 100 free nights...
Alexander asks the obvious question...
Second City Style thinks the save is coming...
Mollie is back again this week...

And Toyouke is our anchoress.

Next week we get Tim visits. We are near the end!

Poll - Episode 12 - Your Turn to be the Judge

Photos, (l-r): Ashley, Candice, Edmond, and Kelly

Photos courtesy of MyLifetime.com. Click for a larger view.

You've seen the designs on the runway and now it's your turn to be the judges. This week you are Heidi Klum, Nina Garcia, Zac Posen and Christian Siriano.

Click here to tell us who should have won the challenge.

Click here to tell us who should have been out.

Reactions to Episode 12

The final four designers battled it out to determine who would make the Season 14 finals. What did you think of the challenge and the results? Post your reaction to Episode 12 here.

BPR Party:Episode 12

We head off to LaLa land tonight with the final four in a red carpet challenge to determine who makes the S14 finals of Project Runway. The BPR party crew is ready to play paparazzi as we watch the new episode this evening. Click on the comment tab to join the party!

Results In - You Were the Judge Episode 11

Our polls for Episode 11 are closed. You agreed with the judges and felt that Kelly Dempsey deserved the win. Click here to see the results. You disagreed with the judges and felt that Ashley should have been out. Click here to see the results.

Check back with us tomorrow for our Episode 12 poll.

Photos courtesy of MyLifetime.com

Episode 12, "Roll Out the Red Carpet " Preview Video

The designers land in Los Angeles to create red-carpet looks in the final challenge before Fashion Week. Designer and past "Project Runway" winner Christian Siriano is the guest judge.

Recapalooza!

The recapping crew gains a new perspective this week:

Suzq slices and dices...
Uncle Nick welcomes Merline to the #five club...
Sam is not being whiny...
Democracy Diva would have sent them both home...
Gianni issues an Amber Alert...
Mila was the last woman standing...
Second City Style leaves the printer in the box...
Althea has designer envy...
Alexander is saving his save...
Mollie will not be forgotten...

And Toyouke literally closes it out.

Thank you recappers, next week we head off to LaLa land!

Project Runway Designers Featured at Haiti Fashion Week

Nicholas D'Aurizio and Saphora in Haiti (Saphora is an orphan)

Project Runway Season Eight designer, Nicholas D'Aurizio, talks to us about Haiti Fashion Week.  Thank you Nicholas!

BPR:  Tell us about Haiti Fashion Week.

ND:  Haiti Fashion Week will be November 5 - 8.  There will be a line-up of Haitian designers as well as designers from around the world. 

BPR:  Is this the first year?

ND:  This is the fourth year.

BPR:  Which Project Runway designers will be showing collections?

ND:  Myself, Michelle Lesniak, Gordana Gehlhausen, and Josh Christensen are all confirmed.  Michelle will be showing her "Pin Me / Pierce Me" collection.  Gordana is showing fifteen lingerie designs and fifteen gowns.  Josh is showing fifteen pieces - ten women's and five men's.

Sneak peek of one of Nicholas's designs

Click here to continue.  

Click here for more information about Haiti Fashion Week.

Merline Labissiere - Spring 2016

Although she was not a finalist, Merline Labissiere did present a collection during the season 14 finale show.  

Click here for the full collection.

BPR Interview with Merline Labissiere

Project Runway Season 14 designer, Merline Labissiere, talks about her experience on the show.

A highlight:

BPR:  Are you a full-time designer?

ML:  Yes.

BPR:  Did you watch the previous seasons of the show?

ML: Yes, some of them.

BPR:  After reflection, did you recognize Kini's umbrella dress in your design last night?

ML: No.  I don't even know who he is...  I remember the season with Jeffrey...

BPR:  Season three?  That was a while ago....

Click here for the full interview.

Click here to learn more about Provoke Style Fashion Camp.

Thank you Merline!

Poll - Episode 11 - Your Turn to be the Judge

(l-r):Ashley, Candice, Edmond, Kelly, and Merline
Photos courtesy of MyLifetime.com. Click to see a larger view.

You've seen the designs on the runway and now it's your turn to be the judges. This week you are Heidi Klum, Nina Garcia, Zac Posen, and Mel B.

Click here to tell us who you thought should have won the challenge.

Click here to tell us who you thought should have been out.

Reactions To Episode 11

Every elimination at this stage in the competition is a difficult one. What did you think of the challenge and results? Post your reactions to Episode 11 here.

BPR Party: Episode 11

It's crunch time on Project Runway as we are down to the final five! This week the designers get to spread their creative wings in an avant-garde, 3D challenge. The BPR party crew is here to make your viewing experience more fun. Click on the comment tab to join the party.

Austin Scarlett 2016 Bridal

Project Runway's Austin Scarlett presented his 2016 bridal collection on Oct. 12.  
BPR field reporter Jennifer Mara sends us this report - thanks Jen!

Austin Scarlett can always be counted on for exquisite wedding gowns.  This season he is truly producing a few steps ahead of the rest. Scarlett presented a collection for bridal week pulling out all the stops- hand painted gowns, with removable trains, detachable capes,  among many other interchangeable designs for the modern bride who wants two dresses. He's really thought of everything. 

Austin's use of color and texture is unique and fresh. Pink trim, silver shadow, silver satin...he's really pushing himself as a designer and it's brilliant- his first look entitled "Trillium" is a silk basketweave strapless column gown with sculpted spiraling in the back-a surprise that will make you gasp with exhilaration. (My favorite of the collection.) the material is mesmerizing, up close it looks so intricate - from afar so soft. 

"Mayfair" another brides dream was a silk ball gown made in silk organza with hand painted flowers. Although the dress is available in pink, ivory and white the bride can customize the hand-painted florals in a color of her choice...perhaps to match the wedding's color scheme.

I have always appreciated the architecture of Scarlett's apparel, and now that I am going to be a bride myself, I must say my perspective is even more enthralled with his designs. I'm realizing what a special designer Austin Scarlett is and how lucky each bride that wears his gowns is. I want to be one if those Brides. Thank you for a beautiful showing Austin Scarlett and team. As always you astound me. 

Click here for more photos of Austin Scarlett's designs.

Results In - You Were the Judge Episode 10

Our polls for Episode 10 are closed. You agreed with the judges and felt that Kelly Dempsey deserved the win. Click here to see the results. You also agreed with the judges and felt that Swapnil should have been the out. Click here to see the results.

Check back with us tomorrow for our Episode 11 poll.

BPR Interview with Swapnil Shinde

Project Runway Season 14 designer, Swapnil Shinde corresponded with us for an email interview.

A highlight:

BPR: Swapnil, although you always created excellent garments and the judges consistently scored you in "the top," you never won a challenge. Do you think that the judges held you to a higher standard? 

SS: I always gave more than a 100%. Whenever I was told that I was not giving my all I realized that maybe the judges expected more, and that's why they FELT I wasn't giving my all - but that doesn't mean that I wasn't giving my 200%. It was their opinion that I wasn't, but I truly gave it my all! The issue was that I never made muslin toiles. I always made the outfits in the main fabric and that's how I ended up saving a lot of time! More so I came all the way from India to the US, so I highly doubt that someone who had spent so much hard earned money would not take such a platform seriously! 

 BPR: Our readers were very surprised by your elimination. Were you surprised as well? Or were you expecting it? 

 SS: Honestly I wasn't surprised at my elimination because my client was not happy and what I sent down the runway was something that got finished in two hours! From the beginning I kept on telling my client that this is your challenge and I want you to be happy and my client eventually was the unhappiest, which is why I feel I deserved to go. But the fact remains that I made 3 looks for her, which speaks highly about me being proactive and not being lazy! Before this challenge there were 9 challenges I had my looks ready for critiquing and fittings. It was just one challenge that my outfit was not ready and that was because I was clueless as to what my client wanted and thus I needed some direction before finishing it, and I didn't have extra fabric either! Having said that this one experience has changed me as a person it's made me stronger!

Click here for the full interview.  

Thank you Swapnil!

Michelle Lesniak at FashioNXT

Photo:  Jeff Wong

Project Runway Season 11 Champion, Michelle Lesniak talks to us about her "Pin Me /Pierce Me" collection presented at FashioNXT on October 9th. 


BPR:  How many times have you participated in FashioNXT?

ML:  This is my third time, but I was also recognized as an "emerging designer" before I appeared on Project Runway.  

BPR:  Wow.  So they sort of discovered you...?

ML:  Yes.

BPR:  This is in your backyard, right? 

ML:  It is.  It's fun, and I definitely have my diva moments...  "I'm closing out the show!"  ...but there is also a lot of pressure.  I'm under a microscope.  Everyone is expecting something really 
big...and beyond....

Photo:  Jeff Wong

 Click here for the full interview and photos of Michelle's collection.

Click here to visit Michelle's website.  

Thanks Michelle!

Viktor Luna at FashioNXT

Photo:  Jeff Wong

Project Runway All-Star, Viktor Luna talks to BPR about his latest collection featured at FashioNXT on October 10th.   Thank you Viktor!

BPR:  How many times have you participated in FashioNXT?

VL: This is my second year!

BPR:  What brought you back?

VL:  Tito is truly one of the hardest-working persons I know.  What keeps us coming back is his professionalism.  He believes in every designer he showcases, and brings the highest-quality platform to give maximum exposure to each designer.  He is humble and caring and we need more people like him in the fashion industry. 

BPR:  What was the inspiration for this collection?

VL: Well, I am always inspired by the future... and also history.  I think you can see some Egyptian influence, and also plastics, and innovative textiles.  It's very difficult to pin down!

Photo:  Jeff Wong

BPR:  What is your favorite look?

VL:  It's hard to choose, but I think one looks sort of sums up the collection.  It has the gold and silver, pleating and the model is wearing glasses.  

Click here for the rest of the interview and for more photos of the collection.