Austin Scarlett and Epperson at "Passion for Fashion" Event in Portsmouth, NH

Photo:  Michelle Zany

Project Runway Alums, Austin Scarlett and Epperson helped The Strawbery Banke Museum raise over $200,000 at their "Passion for Fashion" Gala on June 30th.

Photo:  Michelle Zany

Click here for more information.

Austin Scarlett to Host "Passion for Fashion" Gala at Strawberry Banke Museum Saturday, June 30

Passion for Fashion co-chair Janet Y. Larose, Esq. and gala host Austin Scarlett

Strawberry Banke Museum in Portsmouth, NH is holding a gala reception and fashion event featuring designs from Austin Scarlett, Epperson and many others.

The gala is being held in conjunction with the museum's exhibit, "Thread: Stories of Fashion at Strawbery Banke, 1740-2012."


Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.

From The Mailbox

Photo: Charles Beckwith

BPR friend Charles Beckwith covered Epperson's Show at Harlem Fashion Row here.

Project Runway Season One finalist, Wendy Pepper offers formal wear advice here.

More advice on how to "fix" Project Runway here. These are all sounding the same aren't they? BPRs, do you have any NEW suggestions?

The Carol Hannah Collective

Photo from Carol-Hannah.com

Carol Hannah Whitfield, Logan Nietzel and Rodney Epperson celebrate the move into their new, shared Manhattan work space. Check out the cute story on her move as she watches the boys do all the heavy lifting. Carol Hannah says on her blog:

We have been scheming on the idea of a mutual work space for a rather long time. After searching for weeks and trying to pin down the details of three very busy people’s lives, we finally found our space.

Champagne in a beer mug? That's all kinds of awesome! You can read the whole thing here.

Top 5 Looks: 1st Place

One of the lessons we've learned over the years with Project Runway is that you don't necessarily have to win to end up a winner. Rodney Epperson, or simply Epperson as we came to know him is certainly a case in point. The elder statesman of Season 6 was a constant source of calm wisdom during his run and truly one of the nicest guys ever cast. He also showed that he was a pretty damn talented designer as well.

In "Lights, Camera, Sew!", the 11 remaining designers were asked to pick from five different film genres and invent a character that lives in that genre to design for. None of the designers wanted Western, including Epperson. But with his name drawn last out of the magic bag, he had to figure out a way to "make it work".

Many designers could have been foiled by the task at hand and boxed in by the constraints of the genre. But Epperson was able to let his creative spirit shine and came up with a character that had a modern parallel. "My concept is a beautiful lady, and her husband is off to war. She has to take care of the land and she has to become a lot tougher."

Epperson designed a denim dress with a large, seductive ruffled collar and neckline. A big highlight of the outfit was a wide leather belt and matching holster. "There's a gun under there, just in case", as he stated on the runway. The judges loved it and although he was a strong contender for the win, he lost out to Nicolas Putvinski's Ice Princess.

Then again, maybe it was all about Matar. Look at that photo up there. Do you want to mess with her? Me, neither! Matar owned this look and ended up modeling three of the Top 5 looks in our poll.

Congratulations Epperson, you designed the BPR Top Look from Season 6!

From The Mailbox

Neil Patrick Harris tweeted about Tim Gunn's appearance on "How I Met Your Mother" yesterday. Here is a link to the exchange. Thanks everyone who forwarded this.

Our friends at Newsday have posted an update on Carol Hannah Whitfield. She is sharing an apartment with Althea Harper and Malvin Vien and studio space with Logan Neitzel and Epperson. Keeping it all in the Project Runway family...

The Seattle Times has an update on Blayne Walsh. Thanks for the shout-out, Blayne.

BPR Interview with Epperson

The Scarlett talks to Epperson about his experience on Project Runway, his family and his plans for the future.

Click here for Epperson's website.

Click here for the podcast.

BPR Love for Epperson

Throughout the competition you were unflappable. With quiet determination you came on the show to shine and as you said upon your exit you learned so much. You dazzled with Matar as your customer in the 'What a Woman Wants' challenge with a dress that judge Marc Bouwer called sexy and chic. Our readers felt your 'Lights, Camera, Sew!' look should have won that week and judge Arianne Phillips said the garment had bravado. Consistently we witnessed how polished deconstruction techniques could look in your skilled hands. This week it was especially evident that you enjoy the energy of collaborating with a client and it was such a pleasure to watch you interact with your divorcee. Your star continues to sparkle as you showed at Fashion Week your Spring '10 collection with Logan Neitzel and we will look forward to learning of your future accomplishments.

This post is only for positive words for Epperson. If you have negative commentary or something to say about another designer you may do so by clicking here. And if you have any questions for Epperson, please send them to me by 2:30 Eastern for our podcast.

Image courtesy of myLifetime.com

Results In - You Were the Judge Episode 6

Our polls for Episode 6 are closed. You disagreed with the judges and felt that Epperson deserved the win. Click here to see the results. You again clashed with the judges and felt that Louise should have been the 'auf.' Click here to see the results.

Check back with us tomorrow for our Episode 7 poll.

BPR at Epperson and Logan Neitzel's Show

Jes Switaj is back with a report from Epperson and Logan's show. Thanks Jes!

Epperson & Logan Neitzel Spring 2010 Show - 9/14/09



On Monday morning I attended Epperson and Logan Neitzel's collective fashion show. It was held at The Garment Room, normally a boutique for vintage designer clothing. The below-ground space was colorfully done up with collaged and graffitied walls.



Logan showed first with fabric choices from flowing chiffons to sleek leathers. His color palette was strictly black, white and royal blue. The overall feel of the collection was Grecian goddess meets Roman gladiator with the tiniest pinch of Mad Max thrown in for good measure.


Click here to continue.

Project Runway at Fashion Week - Part One

There may not be a Project Runway finale show at this season's Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, but the designers were certainly out in force.

We love to see designers from different seasons meeting one another and we were delighted to see Christopher Straub squeeze between Jack Mackenroth and Kevin Christiana at Christian Siriano's show.

Jack is serving as a correspondent for Fashion News Live.



Christopher also attended Ra'mon-Lawrence Coleman's Show on Friday night. He was joined by Carol-Hannah, Althea, Epperson, Logan, Qristyl, and Season Three's Katy Gerdes.

From The Mailbox

Epperson speaks!

Hmmmm...where have I seen that green print fabric that he is sitting on? I know I recognize it from somewhere...

AJ sends in a late-but-still-great recap of episode 2.

Be sure to check out Carol Hannah Whitfield's etsy shop.

TV Guide gives us a preview of Tim Gunn's comic. The release date is Sept. 10th.

BPR Interview with Epperson

Jes is back with Epperson. Thank you!

BPR - How was your overall experience on the show different from what you imagined it would be like?

Epperson- It happened so fast I DIDN’T really imagine what it would be like. I never even thought about trying out before, I didn’t think I would be interested. But someone suggested I audition, and so I did and here I am.

BPR - Do you think that being the most seasoned contestant on the show affected your success.

Epperson - I think that I dealt with the pressure better because I’ve had more time to deal with people in that age group. I have a son the same age as most of the designers and I work at H&M. I got a lot of respect, but mostly because I was warm to everyone. I had a fatherly image.

BPR - Do you feel that you made / will remain friends with the majority of the designers you competed with?

Epperson - The reason we’re all able to be friends is because it took so long for this season to come on tv. If it had aired right after filming, some of the designers might have much different feelings about each other. It will be interesting to see how that changes once the show is on.

BPR - Which of the head judges do you feel offered the most useful feedback?

Epperson - None in particular. One of the guest judges said “Just do what you do, it’s genius. Just do that.”

BPR - What one thing do you think has or will be most beneficial to you in branding your line?

Epperson - The fact that my style is consistent. I started doing deconstruction way before most other American designers. I experiment a lot with different fabrics, treatments and textures. I mix prints. People can expect these things from me as a designer.

BPR - What message would you like to relay to the viewers, in anticipation of the premiere?

Epperson - The audience should expect it to be fresh. It’s a fresh outlook on PR, but with the same energy. It’s more approachable.