From The Mailbox

There's a LOT of mail today, BPRs!!!

Lots of reactions to the new season and to the All-Star Challenge.

Recappers, please continue to send in your recaps for the Recapalooza - we'll post it this weekend.

If you are looking for the latest episode of Project Runway Australia, I hope to have it up by tomorrow morning.

Do you have questions for Ari Fish? Please send them in.

Click here for a new interview with Nina Garcia.

Ra'mon-Lawrence Coleman and Christopher Straub were celebrating last night. Click here for more.

Just about everyone has noted by now that Ari Fish resembles Samantha Ronson... But please, this has nothing to do with the elimination. These judges are professionals!

Congratulations, Christopher

Photo courtesy of Lifetime.

Without formal training you should have been an underdog but in the first episode you demonstrated that instead you were a contender. Our hearts went out to you as you were visibly moved seeing your garment on the runway. You listened to Tim's advise about styling and the results paid off as we focused on all that was good about the frock from the fabric choices to the proportions to the fit. Heidi called your dress, "hip and young" while Michael termed it "cute and edgy" as well as "elegant and sharp." You nailed a red carpet look for young Hollywood or for a music industry diva; who knows what doors this win may open to this talent from Minnesota?

This post is only for positive words for Christopher Straub. If you have negative commentary or something to say about another designer, you can do so in our Reactions post here.

BPR Love for Ari Fish

Photo by Mike Yarish courtesy of Lifetime

The first elimination is always tough and this case is no exception. Project Runway has a long history of quirky characters with talent (Elisa Jimenez, Blayne Walsh and Vincent Libretti come to mind) and Ari definitely brought a point of view to the runway to prove that she was a risk-taker right away. You have to admire that she decided to center herself with a handstand rather than stress over an inability to sketch. Her explanation about her concept to Tim was priceless and Tim's reaction to her shopping at Mood (he looked over his glasses at her - you know the look) was adorable. We are more than a little sad that she left us so early in the game; could you imagine Season 4 if the free-spirit Elisa left early (no spit marks!) or Season 5 without the tan goodness of Blayne? (No Tim saying, 'It looks like a pterodactyl at a gay Jurassic Park.") Ari made an impression with our readers before the season even started as she was selected via a poll to be a pre-season favorite at Bryant Park and we suspect she will continue to surprise us in the future with her fashion.

This post is ONLY for positive words for Ari Fish. If you have negative commentary or something to say about another designer, you can do so in our Reactions post here.

Poll - Episode 1 - Your Turn to be the Judge

Photos: (top, l-r) Althea, Ari, Carol Hannah, Christopher, Epperson, Gordana, Irina and Johnny
(bottom, l-r) Logan, Louise, Malvin, Mitchel, Nicholas, Qristyl, Ra'mon-Lawrence and Shirin
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, Michael Kors and Lindsay Lohan.

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

Click here to tell us who you thought should have been auf'd.

Reactions to the Season 6 Premiere

What did you think? Was it worth the long wait? Does it feel like a new network and production team or is this still the familiar show that we know and love?

Which designers stand out as your favorites? Any predictions? Was Lindsay Lohan an effective judge? What was your favorite thing about the episode? Least favorite?

Was there enough Tim Gunn?

Thank you for joining us!

Reactions to the All-Star Challenge

What did you think? Did the All-Star Challenge live up to your expectations? Was it the right balance of drama and talent? Was it fun to see these designers competing again? Did anything disappoint you?

Post your reactions here - thanks everyone!

Edit to add:
Given the reactions to the outcome, we decided to post a poll to this tonight:

poll by twiigs.com

Season 6 Premiere Party Post!

Time to resume the party! Thanks for joining us. This is the place to post your running commentary and reactions to what is happening in the premiere.

Meanwhile, Nancy T will be posting the "play-by-play" and you are welcome to join her there as well.

Later, we'll put up the "reactions" post for the premiere episode and of course tomorrow we'll have our "Who should have won?" and "Who should have been eliminated?" polls.

I am hoping that our faithful BPRs will be here for the party and that we will have some new readers as well. Thanks everyone!

YAY!

BPR Live Play-By-Play: Episode 1

Project Runway: All-Star Challenge Party!

The All-Star Challenge promises great drama and a chance to see some of our favorite designers from past seasons! Only Jeffrey Sebelia is a former winner so the rest have a lot to prove. Or will Jeffrey win once again?

The prize for this challenge is $100,000 and that has to be a huge incentive.

Mark Y and Tropical Chrome will be hosting this party with Team BPR chiming in as often as we can.

It's rough being out here on the west coast, but I'm making the most of things. Champagne is chilling and the beer is on ice.

Good luck designers!

Even More Project Runway News

Project Runway Season 2 designers Nick Verreos and Andrae Gonzalo will be joining Season 4 designer Chris March offering their very own Lifetime blogs on Season 6 of Project Runway. Click on their names and stop by to holla at your boys while you wait for tonight's episode.

Our friends over at Lemondrop asked us and other bloggers to weigh in on the all-time best and worst outfits from Project Runway past seasons. See if you agree with us ... or do you have other opinions? We'd love to hear what you think.

Finally, we have been waiting for this press release to make an announcement. Team BPR gets to play judge every Monday on Lifetime's website. What are our qualifications? Why none whatsoever other a history of more than 4000 posts devoted to Project Runway. Anyway, there are a lot of other great things like the Buzz Room and dress-up games in the press release showing how Lifetime is listening to the fans.

Oh, and follow us on Twitter and join our Facebook group. Thanks!

More News

Photo: David M. Russell/Lifetime

Click here for EW.com's "Thirteen Unforgettable Designs" from Project Runway.

Click here for a great Q & A with Chris March.

Click here for an interview with Logan Neitzel.

Click here for an article about Season Six model Emarie Wiltz.

Click here for profiles of Carol-Hannah Whitfield and Gordana Gehlhausen.

From The Mailbox

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Tim Gunn
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Healthcare Protests

The Critics Agree: Season Six on Lifetime is fabuolous. Virtually identical to the previous productions - and in some ways (more Tim Gunn!) - better.

Fancast is profiling Project Runway favorites here.

E! Online selects the Top 9 Project Runway challenges. Do you agree with these?

T. G. I. T.

The day has finally arrived!

The long-awaited premiere of Project Runway Season Six is tonight. Team BPR sincerely appreciates each one who has stayed with us through the long wait. It is going to be worth it tonight as we are treated to three-and-a-half hours of fresh Project Runway programming. Yay!

We are sticking with our familiar traditions here - and adding a couple of twists.

We know that you are as excited to see the All-Star Challenge as you are to see the premiere - so we are putting up a Party Post for the All-Star challenge about 15 minutes before the show begins - 7:45 EST. Please join us and add your commentary as we see these favorites return to the workroom. Afterward there will be a reactions post for the All-Stars as well.

I really love the idea of the All-Stars Challenge and I hope we see something similar each season. I also love the fact that these talented designers get a second chance at the prize. CAN'T WAIT.

We'll start a second party post for the season six premiere. Our own Nancy T will be offering a play-by-play using the "cover-it-live" feature and you are welcome to chime in there as well. We know that there are many fans who are unable to watch the show live and this is just for you.

Afterward we will put up our Reactions post to the premiere.

Tbone is working on his tan at the beach in San Diego this week. We miss him!

Newbies, please look over our commenting guidelines. Thank you!

I have tons of news and information to post today, please stay tuned for the latest.

T.G.I.T!!!!

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.

Fearless Predictions for Episode One

Alan Gratz presents his predictions for the Project Runway Season Six premiere.

Click here for his very thorough post. Thanks Alan!

Season 6 of Project Runway Online

Photo courtesy of Lifetime

Unlike previous cycles of Project Runway, Lifetime will make all full episodes available free online. Lifetime Digital’s Dan Suratt tells PaidContent.org of the MyLifetime.com strategy to feature a new ad-supported episode on Saturday after it's Thursday debut and Friday encore. Saturday will also be the day each episode becomes available via your cable provider's on demand feature.

BPR Interview with Qristyl Frazier

BPR Field Reporter Jessica Switaj is back with Project Runway Season Six designer, Qristyl Frazier. Thanks Jes!

BPR - What was the best part of being on the show?

QF - Just making it! That’s a really big opportunity. Actually being chosen from so many thousands of people who tried out is just a dream come true. It validates you as a designer and is a chance for the world to see what you can do.

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

QF - This was a really close-knit cast. Everyone was really cool. A lot of people connected. Some of them even live together now.

BPR - Describe your personal style.

QF - I do “plus sexy” sizes. What that means is that you own up to the curves that you have. I want women to be comfortable in the skin they’re in. My personal style is designing fashionable clothes for girls size 12 and up. Other designers are afraid to play with different silhouettes and body types. I want my clients to know there is a designer who hasn’t forgotten about them.

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

QF - This group of designers are beyond talented! Not matter what, we all went for it. I hope everyone can embrace each and every one of us. I’m grateful for all of the comments, positive and negative. Also, so what if you’re not a size 2!

Bob Mackie will be a Project Runway Season Six Guest Judge

Photo: Toby Canham/Getty Images

In the August 24th issue of OK! magazine Heidi Klum reveals that Bob Mackie will be a guest judge in Season Six. Mackie joins Lindsay Lohan, Christina Aguilera, and Eva Longoria on the guest judge roster. Have I forgotten anyone?

From The Mailbox

Click here to watch Tim Gunn and Nina Garcia on Good Morning America this morning.

Click here for a video interview with Nina Garcia and a discussion of her new book, "The Style Strategy."

More Nina News: Nina will appear in an episode of The Beautiful Life. Read more here.

Click here for a new interview with Tim Gunn. Here are some highlights:

Host Heidi Klum is on her third Emmy nomination; when will you get yours?
“They’d have to create a category for me: Workroom Buttinsky. I’d be the only one in the category, and I’d win.”

So, is Heidi more fun before the pregnancy or after?
“Oh, Heidi is fabulous any time. She was very pregnant (when we taped the last episode) and we had a blast. There’s a dance tape of the whole crew that she wants to release on her Web site. The producers sent me an email saying ‘We don’t know if we want people to see you like this.’ But I thought it was fine.”

A "Beautifully Satisfying" New Interview with Tim Gunn

Tim talks to Mo Ryan about Project Runway Seasons Six and Seven, Models of the Runway, Lifetime and the All-Star Challenge. Here are some highlights:

"We have drama to beat the band, including a model who refused to wear the garment. I’m in the sewing room begging her -- well, not begging her. I’m quite firm in saying, 'This is your responsibility. It’s not a matter of personal taste -- you are a mannequin basically. A walking mannequin. Put it on,'" Gunn said.


Filming the "All-Star Challenge" during the Season 7 taping was extremely hard on the normally easy-going Gunn: "I was as close to a psychotic breakdown as I’ve ever been... Going from one location to the next, wardrobe changes, mic changes; back and forth, and back and forth, and back and forth."

TG: We have a really interesting mix of youngsters and more mature people with a lot of experience. And make no assumptions about the experience being an asset. There have been people who've been asserting that it's not fair, that these people with more seasoning have an advantage. Not necessarily the case at all. And frankly, I'm as surprised as I believe the viewers will be by the deftness and the agility of these younger people because I was thinking, "Oh, these kids are going to burn out." But they've stayed with us. And I'm not saying the more mature people leave right away but it's a very interesting season to watch. Very

Click here for the full interview.