From The Mailbox

This is actress Michelle Krusiec wearing a Rami Kashou design at the "What Happens in Vegas" premiere.

Click here for a great interview with Ricky Lizalde along with plenty of photos of his newest designs.

Today is the final day to vote in our "Tim Gunn's Co-Host?" poll.

Our Next Podcasts

Our next podcasts will be with Christian Siriano, Chris March, Emmett McCarthy and Jack Mackenroth. Please submit your questions for these designers to Team BPR - thanks everyone.

Chloe Dao Update

Chloe is certainly busy. Check out her appearance in this commercial for the Houston Metro System, "iRide." Adorable. Is that her sweetheart, Ken, with her?



Chloe will be in Chicago this Friday at the Verizon Store on Michigan Avenue from 12:00 - 2:00. Verizon Stores nationwide are carrying Chloe's accessories. We would love a Field Reporter!

This cover story about QVC from the USA Today also features Chloe. Thanks John T.

Finally, Chloe is planning a big celebration for the eighth anniversary of Lot 8 on 8/08/08!

Magical Elves Sign Exclusive Deal With NBC/Universal

Big News!

The Magical Elves are working exclusively with NBC/Universal (which includes Bravo.) This seems to mean that they will not be producing Project Runway after Season Five.... Here is the entire Press Release:

NBC UNIVERSAL ANNOUNCES EXCLUSIVE DEAL WITH MAGICAL ELVES - THE CREATIVE TEAM BEHIND EMMY NOMINATED HIT SHOWS PROJECT RUNWAY AND TOP CHEF

Deal Includes Unscripted, Scripted, Digital, Wireless and Short-Form Projects for All NBC Universal Broadcast and Cable Platforms

BURBANK - May 5, 2008 - NBC Universal today announced its exclusive overall first look deal with the award-winning duo Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz of Magical Elves, the production team behind the Emmy-nominated hit shows "Top Chef and "Project Runway." The announcement was made by Jeff Gaspin, President and Chief Operating Officer, Universal Television Group and Ben Silverman, Co-Chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios.

"I've worked with Jane and Dan for over 10 years," said Gaspin. "They are great producers with original voices and a special knack for casting. Their track record of success speaks for itself and we're thrilled to have them here at NBC Universal."

"We are looking to build a bigger production capacity to feed our own and third-party distribution channels and platforms," said Silverman. "These Emmy-nominated producers consistently deliver quality programming and work brilliantly with advertisers."

The agreement provides NBC Universal's broadcast, all cable (Bravo, Oxygen, Sci-Fi and USA) digital and wireless properties an exclusive first look on all projects developed by Cutforth and Lipsitz. It also provides opportunities for Magical Elves to work on projects developed by the NBC Universal properties.

"This is an exciting milestone for our company and a chance to build on a relationship that has already borne a good deal of success," said Cutforth. "We have found NBC Universal to be great creative partners," said Lipsitz. "This deal represents amazing opportunities on multiple platforms, not just in unscripted television but in the scripted and digital spaces as well."

Magical Elves have been frequent collaborators with NBC Universal, producing four seasons of NBC's summer hit "Last Comic Standing" and "Treasure Hunters," and "Project Greenlight" and all four seasons of the Peabody Award winning "Project Runway" for Bravo. They are currently in pre-production with Bravo for "Project Runway 5." Cutforth and Lipsitz also produce the Emmy-nominated Bravo hit "Top Chef" - the number one food show on cable television - currently in its fifth and highest rated season to date.

Additionally, The Magical Elves developed and are producing Bravo's newest creative competition "Step It Up & Dance" and as previously announced, will produce the sophomore season of Bravo's "Top Design," and they have a pilot in production with Oxygen.

ETA: Bravo has confirmed with BPR that the Magical Elves will not produce Project Runway after Season 5 (see comments below). This challeges Lifetime's previous assertion that the show "...will look exactly the same" and that the Elves "would continue to produce the series under Lifetime's agreement with the show's owner, The Weinstein Co." after making the network switch.

With no new news on whether Nina Garcia and Michael Kors are on board and now the impending production change, we are officially concerned. What is our beloved PR going to look like?

From The Mailbox

Click here for Nina Garcia discussing this spring's sheer trend on Flypaper.

Click here to bid on the Christian Siriano design worn on the May 1st episode of Ugly Betty. Proceeds benefit Clothes off our backs.

Click here for the latest update on Jay McCarroll's blog.

Click here for latest update on Victorya Hong's blog.

Christian Siriano is among the nominees for "Most Addictive Reality Star" at NewNowNext.

Mychael Knight recently spoke to a group of students at St. Johns University. Click here for more.

BPR Podcast with Amanda Fields

Laura K. catches up with the charmingly chatty model Amanda Fields who talks about her experiences as a Project Runway model as well as her career post-Runway. You won't want to miss some of the inside dish about the casting process and those famous fainting episodes! Click here for the podcast.



Photo: Amanda wearing a Monique Lhuillier wedding dress with the designer.

From The Mailbox

Nina Garcia attended an event at the New Museum of Contemporary Art on April 27th.

In this article from Prestige Magazine in Hong Kong Nina admits that the fashion publishing industry is very competitive with a high turnover...

Diane von Furstenberg and Tim Gunn were among the guests at the Parsons Annual Benefit and BFA Fashion Show.

Christian Siriano has designed some virtual garments for Gaia Online's Virtual Prom.

Finally, Chelsea Clinton announces Project T-shirt. Thanks Moi.

Project Runway on Broadway

Photo Courtesy BC/EFA. Photo by Tomas Vrzala.

BPR Field Reporter Extraordinaire, Nancy T returns with a report from the "22nd Annual BC/EFA Easter Bonnet Competition." Thanks Nancy.

Project Runway Appears on Broadway!

On April 28 and 29, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS held their annual Easter Bonnet Competition. The event is a culmination of a 6-week fundraising effort and features skits, songs, and outrageous hats sported by casts of Broadway shows. This year, the opening number was “Project Broadway”, a spoof of you-know-what.

The hostess of Project Broadway was “Rivka Klum”, Heidi’s Jewish sister (Heidi was off getting the Seal of Approval.) An actor playing Tim Gunn tutored the celebrity contestants (actors portraying Tila Tequila, New York, and Patti Lupone), singing “Make it Work” (to the Tune of “Make em Laugh.") Actors also represented (and skewered) Michael Kors, Nina Garcia, and guest judge Paula Abdul.

To top it off, the contestants were given advice by four guest stars (played by themselves!)– Malan Breton, Kayne Gillespie, Angela Keslar (her suggestion – be sure to include rosettes) and Chris March (his suggestion – use human hair.) The audience loved the sketch, but went wild when the four PR contestants appeared.

Chris is no stranger to the event. He created hats for 7 prior competitions, and won 5 times. In addition, he created the hat for the 20th Anniversary of the Easter Bonnet Show. This year, he was one of the judges.

What a great event! And, how great is it that the Project Runway designers lend their support to this successful show!

Video - Catching Up With Kayne Gillaspie

Kayne Gillaspie of Project Runway Season 3 gives his local news station an update on his Johnathan Kayne line (swimsuits!) and mentions a hush-hush upcoming project on E!

(Click on the photo below to watch.)

From The Mailbox

Rami Kashou once again dressed the lovely "Iron Man" actress Nazarin Boniadi for the red carpet. This is from the Los Angeles premiere on April 30th.

Our next podcast will be with the Project Runway model(and BPR contributor) Amanda Fields. Please send your questions for Amanda to Team BPR.

Heidi Klum was promoting her Jordache jean line in a Blomingdale's in Beverly Hills yesterday. Click here for the story.

Don't forget to watch Christian Siriano and Nina Garcia on Ugly Betty tonight.

Project Runway Moving to Los Angeles?

According to this article from EW.com, Project Runway will be filming partly in Los Angeles beginning with Season Six.

No surprise there - it does make sense...The Magical Elves are in LA, Heidi Klum lives in LA, there is even a Mood Fabric store in LA... We'll keep you posted.

Thank you Esther, Mish, Paul, Jennifer, Rachel and Siobhan.

Poll: A New Co-host for Tim Gunn?

more at twiigs.com...

Field Report From Boston

Aletta S sends us this fabulous field report from Boston - thank you Aletta!

Dear BPR:

Last night I went to 11 Minutes at the Independent Film Festival Boston. What fun!

I went to an early show of another movie, and sat on the side in comfy chairs for the hour and a half between showings while the rest of the world waited outside in the pouring rain. Who should sit next to me, but Jay McCarroll himself! He offered me some potato chips and we had a fun chat.

The movie was received with resounding applause. Afterwords, Jay and his directors fielded questions from the audience. Above is a picture of Michael Selditch and Rob Tate wearing Jay originals which looked great. Unfortunately you can't really see the vest in the photo which has colorful Jay-circle appliques and gold thread.

Jay was candid, funny, risque, and thoroughly enjoyable. So was the movie! A great night --

Aletta

From The Mailbox

First, here is a great photo of Nick Verreos and Rami Kashou at the GLAAD Media Awards Presentation in Los Angeles on April 26th.

The New York Observer weighs in on Project Runway's move to Lifetime.

The Miami Herald reports from Jay McCarroll's appearance. Don't miss the slide show.

Tim Gunn and Bravo President Lauren Zalaznick will be among the panelists discussing "What We Watch" on Sunday, May 4th at Sunday With The Magazine in NYC. Click here for more info.

Nina Garcia to Judge a New Competition....

It's not a Fashion Design Contest -

It's not a Reality Show to discover the next magazine intern -

It has nothing to do with her appearance on Ugly Betty -

Or her Blackberry -

Nina will judge a contest sponsored by YAZ to design the packaging for Birth Control Pills!

It's called the "Step Up and Go Beyond" contest and the winner will receive $10,000. The deadline is June 30th.

Tim Gunn in Albany

Regina V sends us this fabulous field report from Albany. Thank you Regina!

Hey BPR!

I had the great pleasure of meeting Tim Gunn on April 26th at Macys (Colonie Center mall) in Albany, NY. He was in town for the Macys/Liz Claiborne Mother's Day Fashion Show.

Even though the event was slated to begin at 2pm, those of us who made reservations were told to arrive at 1pm to get in line. The line seemed to grow out of nowhere as the excitement built up. After everyone was seated - was told there were 200 seats - those without reservations stood around the back and sides of the crowd. My own seat was fabulous, being on the left side of the runway itself in the second row.

The fashion show was terrific and showcased a lot of fashions that are younger and more hip for Liz Claiborne. So glad this label is moving forward to appeal to more women! Tim was gracious in offering tips for styling and accessorizing throughout the show.
Click here to continue.

Chris March Judges The Ultimate Bridesmaid Challenge

BPR's Ace Field Reporter, Nancy T provides us with this story from the event. Thank you Nancy.


Fashion snarking from a Project Runway finalist, a world-famous established designer, and a movie star! Twenty-seven good sports parading truly atrocious dresses! A setting that any bride would kill for, complete with champagne, chocolate strawberries, pillars of pink flowers, and a lake view, but with no stress or in-laws! Sounds like Blogging Project Runway heaven.

And it was. On April 28, Fox Home Entertainment sponsored “The Ultimate Bridesmaid Challenge” to publicize the DVD release of “27 Dresses.” Brides-to-be were invited to bring and model ugly bridesmaid dresses, in the hopes of winning a $10,000 wedding dress from Kleinfeld (a NY bridal salon), a Best Buy home theater, other Best Buy merchandise, and other pricey swag. The judges were Chris March, Malin Akerman (one of the stars of the movie), and Randolph Duke (the fashion designer who resurrected the Halston label in 1996.)

Click here to continue and to see the glorious gown that took the prize!

From The Mailbox

According to this interview in The Miami Herald, Veronica Webb will not be Tim Gunn's co-host in season two of "Guide to Style." No surprise there... Who will be the new co-host? Does Tim even need one?

Ricky Lizalde will be showing his designs during Escondido's Fashion Week.

Jack Mackenroth gets paired up with "Top Design" winner Matt Lorenz of all people to judge a design contest in Seattle in the latest version of Reality Worlds Collide.

According to WWD, Elle Magazine still hasn't hired a replacement for Nina Garcia. Here is the relevant paragraph:

ELLE RAISER: Though Elle and former fashion director Nina Garcia have not yet settled on the terms of their future working relationship (nor her relationship to "Project Runway," since Elle is contracted to the show through season five), the magazine elevated several staffers, including Garcia's old assistants, to fill the gap. First, Kate Lanphear, senior style and market editor who is said to be a possible successor for Garcia, has been promoted to style director. Joann Pailey, formerly senior fashion market editor, was promoted to market director. Also, Jade Frampton was elevated to a market editor and Malina Joseph has been named fashion bookings editor. A replacement for Garcia, who was fired from her position earlier this month, has not yet been appointed.

Tim Gunn Featured in NYC's "Just Ask The Locals" Campaign

Click here for more.

Preview of Ugly Betty with Christian Siriano and Nina Garcia