From The Mailbox

This limited edition T-shirt is now available from Alison Kelly.

Mo Rocca spends five minutes with Tim Gunn here.

If you would like to hear Tim's advice about how to "mitigate an exuberant butt," (and you know you do!) you can watch the longer version below:


Don't miss Part Two of Uber's interview with Rami Kashou.

More from Jack Mackenroth at AfterElton.


Kara Janx is offering a 10% discount and free shipping to on-line shoppers.

And ack! We almost forgot the link to The Minx recap this week!

Katy's Take

Season 4: Episode 4 "Trendsetter"

Yowza… I don’t know when it happened, but my recap somehow got really long this time! Sorry! I’ll keep this intro short (Ugly trends? Teams? It makes for a good challenge, but I’m glad I didn’t have to go through it!). Before I start though, I do have one question that reader "Tundrababe" would like me to answer:

Q: “Those shoes are really cute, and so is the top. Haha - I think they're really reaching in their interpretation of overalls though! I've also wondered about how they pick the accessories. Hopefully a designer like Katy will see this post and fill us in!”

A: When it comes to shoes and accessories, it’s basically a free-for-all situation. Although there wasn’t much fitting in the time that I was there, most designers started pulling different shoes and accessories as soon as they knew what the challenge was and what their fabric looked like so they would have options when the models came in. So far this season, the Bluefly wall looks MUCH more interesting and well stocked then our Macy’s wall. Personally I thought the Macy’s wall was really bad (especially the shoes!) and didn’t have much variety. Also, there weren’t any “standards” for shoe sizes. You basically grabbed the shoes you wanted and hoped that your model could walk in them (which wasn’t always the case).

A personal story about the shoes… on the episode I got kicked off on, I described my dress as simple and sporty and then got criticized by the judges for putting Amanda in heels (this didn’t make the final episode cut). I explained that I had used the most basic/cleanest style of heels on our accessory wall knowing that heels didn’t really fit the look I was going for, but the judges weren’t satisfied. They thought that I should have put her in flip-flops or cool sneakers, and suggested that since those didn’t exist on the accessory wall; I should have used my own sneakers on my model! The problem with that? Most models are aprox a size 8-9 and I wear a 6, so I’m pretty sure there was no way for Amanda to squeeze into my shoes. Anyways, that’s just a personal story on how the judges really do take into account the overall “styling” of the model and not just the clothes. :)


Click here to continue reading Katy's Take as she critiques each team collection.

Video - Episode 4

For those of you without access to our favorite network, we give you Episode 4 from the enigmatic parselforce.


Click here for the rest of the episode.

Trish's Take - More From EMc2

It is the middle of the holiday shopping season in New York City. Many shoppers flock the streets of the city looking for that special holiday gift or great buy. If you happened to stop by EMc2 (Emmett McCarthy’s boutique) yesterday, you got more than you bargained for…

…you got Tim Gunn and 3 designers from Project Runway Season 4!!

Click here to continue.

From The Mailbox

First, be sure to vote in our poll here. Do you agree with the judges?

Here is an article about Kayne Gillaspie's trunk show in Mississippi.

E! Online has video from last week's Paley Center event in Los Angeles. Thanks Katie.

TV Guide has a great interview with Chris March. He compares Christian to a tornado!

The designers dish on Buddy TV.

Did you hear that Top Design and Shear Genius were renewed for second seasons? See the latest at our sister site, Blogging Top Design!

Finally, don't miss this great interview with Nick Verreos on Project Rungay.

PR Canada is on tonight!

Tim Gunn at EMc2

Dispatch from EMc2 - Tim Gunn Bobblehead Signing. 12/9/2007.
Professor Anthony Cady - FIT.

Just back from Emmett McCarthy's shop. A cold day in Gotham for signing bobbleheads. For obvious reasons I really couldn't ask questions we all want asked so I came armed with 1 quick question:

Comment on the season's fashion equivalent of the fruitcake: the Christmas Sweater.

First the obvious - Tim is a good man - warm and patient with fans and quick with the pen on a very cold day. Diplomatic too.
He deftly deflected difficult questions about the current season and his relationship with the show.

I asked about his relationship with Liz Claiborne. For fans of the brand be on the lookout - Tim is back from a series of trunk shows highlighting the relaunch and update of the label - changes have been well received - customers new and old will be pleased.

I asked for Christmas gift tips.

Accessories for your electronics - hit Best Buy for Liz Claiborne covers and cases - a clever and inexpensive gift idea.

And Christmas Sweaters? "Oh Good Lord! Pleeaassee!"

Jack, Kevin and Christian dropped by briefly.
Jack's arms are enormous. Kevin is sinister and intense.
Christian's mullet is on sideways. Jack's mother doesn't wear Christmas sweaters. Although Jack's brother, whom I chatted with, reported that he, Jack and male friends have donned noxious Christmas sweaters and gone drinking. Kevin is unaware of Christmas sweaters. Christian produced a blank stare when asked about them.

A word about Emmett McCarthy. Another good man. Tall. Really tall. Polite and very warm. Unlike some of the other alumni who are wallowing in celebrity - Emmett is designing and running his shop and business. He's recently added bags and footwear both of which are distinctive and well made.

Celebrity is easy. The nuts and bolts of building and running a fashion business are very hard - Emmett is doing a good job.

Anthony

Who was at EMc2 Today?

...Project Runway Season Four designers Jack Mackenroth, Kevin Christiana and Christian Siriano along with Tim, Emmett, Tom and Lorenzo and our fabulous field reporters - Anthony and Trish! We will have a full report tomorrow, but I want to share a little hint tonight.

Click here to visit Trish's photo album.

Racapalooza - Part 2

Recappers are sharing the pain of Episode 4:

schnaufblog finds the connection between Ricky and D.H. Lawrence...
There's a game of Dirty Santa going on over at Gratz Industries...
Project Stunway is singing farewell to Chris...
Lorraine is a strong newcomer to BPR...
TLo call it the most boring episode ever...
Everything old is new again with MizShoes...
Toyouke engages in a bit of judge bashing...
Meiran, OTH, is on the judges side...
Elisa Camahort swims against the tide on "Trendsetter"...
Allison Kasic brings it all to a merciful end...

Thanks gang - we'll see you next week!

Pre-Order Your Signed Bobblehead From EMc2

Can't make it to EMc2 tomorrow for Tim Gunn's appearance? There is still time to pre-order a signed bobblehead. Don't miss out on this wonderful holiday gift for any Tim fan!

Ask The Fashion Professor

Every once in a while we receive a technical question about garment construction or design that we have no idea how to answer - like this one:

dear laura,
here's a question i wish could be answered...either on project runway or on bpr.
how does a garment go from the "draping" stage to a pattern stage?
i gather from the last episode (jack vs rami) that there's a difference between draping and creating a pattern and just "tracing" something already made.
could we have a blow by blow explanation of the draping to pattern to garment process?
i think it would add to even more enjoyment of the show if we lay-people had more of a working knowledge of this obviously crucial skill.
thanks!

stacy w :-)

I thought this was something that we would all like to learn about so I asked BPR friend, Anthony Cady - Fashion Professor at FIT in New York City - if he would be willing to tackle it. Professor Cady graciously agreed.

Here is his response:

Preview Videos - Episode 5

Click here for the Yahoo preview.

And click here for an MSN preview.


Speculation, anyone?

Recapalooza!

General unhappiness prevails in the loozasphere this week:

You wouldn't know Nick Verreos finished 5th based on all of his exoposure...
Moi; found Rami's skirt on sale at Amazon...
Can you picture Eric3000 in a unitard and fuchsia leg-warmers?
Horrid Fabulous found ways to get kicked off a Southwest flight...
CapHillBarbie loves her baggy sweaters...
Dan Renzi picks Elisa for the Final 3...
Ms. Place: Ugly is as Ugly Does...
It's so nice having AJ back with us again...
The Grits to Glitz girls are podcasting their way through Season 4...
Mags: killing us softly with egos...
Jamie Radford has a bad track record going this year...

Stay tuned, more to come!

Amanda's Take - Episode Four

Season Three Model, Amanda Fields returns with her perspective on episode four. Thank you Amanda!

First of all,

WHAT IS WITH the model selection process this week? Does anyone else have a HUGE problem with the fact that they brought out the two losing designer's models from the past 2 episodes and then the winning designer's model - Jack chose to switch. Then, they don't re-pick for everyone else! Cheron and Analita are automatically out, a-la season 2. Neither of them are that exciting, but I think they are better than a couple of girls that are still in.

OH and how amazing is it that the models get to WEAR SHOES in the MODEL SELECTION PROCESS!!! OK, I know you guys don't care one way or the other, but we had to be barefoot and this doesn't look as cute. Do you think this decision is because of Bluefly? Kudos to them!

OK. Best walkers this time around? Lea, Marie, Jacqueline. This is not biased! I look at it as if I were casting a fashion show - who would I choose to walk in my clothes? Jacqueline looked like a goddess. I hope these three make it to fashion week!

I was not very excited by this week's challenge. I would have liked it better if each designer had to re-make a bad trend individually instead of in a team. I agree with the judges this week for the winner, and I think for the "out" they wanted to send Chris home because they didn't want another Kayne. They are over the costumes.

Did y'all notice this at the end of the episode? "The judges considered both their scores and input from producers and Bravo in reaching their elimination decisions." Just wanted to remind everyone of this, in case you are frustrated in the aufing choices! It is a TV SHOW, after all. Drama, drama, drama. :)

Click here to continue.

Don't Forget - Tim Gunn at EMc2 in NYC

From The Mailbox

Click here for Tim Gunn's "Holiday Hit List."

Our friends at Newsday have a new interview with episode four challenge winner, Jillian Lewis.

Here is an Entertainment Weekly interview with Chris March.

Shop The Runway

I have a gained a new appreciation for accessories on the Runway this season. A quality shoe or other piece can really elevate the entire look.

I wonder how early the designers can actually choose their accessories - do they ever fight over the perfect boot? Are all the shoes the same size?



This week, the dedicated staffers at Bluefly had their own "challenge." Would they really be able to find something in their inventory that would say "Overalls, 70's flare and poodle skirt?" Ha. See for yourself!



In particular, I liked the blouse that Jillian paired with her design. I noticed the sheer blouse that she was wearing in a previous episode, and I assumed it was her own design. If Jillian is her own muse, she is ideal. Her own personal style speaks volumes about her talent, her taste and her finishing and fitting skills.



Here is a similar sheer blouse from Bluefly.
More examples are here.

Like the shoes that Victorya's model, Jacqueline wore?



Here you go - and they're reasonable!

Finally, what did Nina Garcia say in response to Elisa's dress in Episode One? Train Wreck. Ha. Join the fun at Flypaper.

BPR Interview With Carmen Webber

I know, I know, we are way behind with our auf interviews. If things go well, we hope to get these to you much sooner via podcast! In the meantime, Carmen Webber was nice enough to take time out and answer a few questions for us:

BPR: Have you ever done menswear before?

CW: No, I have not done Men's wear before. I used to do reconstructed vintage blazers. But I have never done men's wear tailoring before.

BPR: Many of our readers considered this challenge to be unfair. Do you feel everyone had a level playing field for this challenge?

CW: When it comes to any competiton on a show like this, IT DOES NOT MATTER WETHER YOU THINK SOMETHING IS FAIR OR NOT. THEY ARE CHALLENGES. NO, I DO NOT FEEL THAT ANYONE HAD ANY UNFAIR ADVANTAGES OUTSIDE OF THEIR PREVIOUS EXPERIENCES WITH MEN'S WEAR.

BPR:How much more time would you have needed to complete your design?

CW: I WOULD HAVE NEEDED JUST 2 TO 3 HOURS.

Click here to continue reading our interview with Carmen as she talks about the talent level on season 4 and the myriad of projects she has coming up.

Jay McCarroll: Episode 4

Among the many gems:

kevin fatone's model, for the sake of the camera, jumps up and down with such glee and delight. she is so excited that her 1978 high waisted pleated denim shorts are a perfect fit. her mother said before she went on the show "i don’t care if they staple a deer carcass to your face and make you wear a dress made out of ziploc bags full of baby vomit. you smile and act like that’s the cutest damn deer carcass you ever did smile through. you are on project runway and you gonna make mama some cash. we finally gonna have a good christmas this year. ya hear me girl? ya hear?"

Go to Elle and read the whole thing.

Video - MTV News, Episode 4 in 60 Seconds

• MTV
• Music Videos
• MTV Shows
• Entertainment News

TGGTS Party!

How about one more twirl around the dance floor with Mr. Gunn? By popular demand, we're hosting a party this evening for the finale of Tim Gunn's Guide To Style. And even though some of us have seen this episode already, we can still have fun with it, right? Note: the finale starts at 10:30 p.m.!

Come on in, the party room is open!