Enjoy Episode Three of Shoe Star

BPR Podcast with Jack Mackenroth

Laura K. interviews the adorable and talented Project Runway Season 4 designer Jack Mackenroth and learns about his tattoos, his untimely departure from the show and his upcoming projects. Among other things he will be dressing the glamorous Heather Tom of 'The Bold and the Beautiful' for the Daytime Emmy Awards and the gown will later be auctioned for charity. Click here for an initial sketch found on Heather's site.

Click here for the podcast.

Poll: Which Project Runway Challenge Would You Like to see Again?

Last night on Top Chef we saw the return of "Restaurant Wars." We were wondering if it might be time to bring back one or more of the challenges from previous seasons of Project Runway. What do you think?

Please select your three favorites.

(If we have left out one of your favorites, please enter it in the comments.)

more at twiigs.com...

"Least Favorite Challenge" Poll Results

You have selected the "Menswear" challenge as your least favorite of Project Runway Season Four. "Raw Talent" and "Trendsetter" followed. Thanks everyone!

Nick Verreos - Uber-Reporter

Click here for a Nick Verreos interview with LA designer Rachel Pally.

From The Mailbox

Tonight is the "Holly Go Shopping" event at EMc2! Emmett's boutique always offers fresh fun fashions and I'm sure the party will be fabulous.

The Moment (The New York Times Style Magazine) recently posted a new interview with Christian Siriano. Thanks Marian.

Tuesday News

LAWeekly has a great article about Rami Kashou in the current issue.

The Tim Gunn auction is over - congratulations to the lucky winner!

Would you like a dinner prepared in your home for yourself and your guests by Top Chef Season Four contestant Spike Mendelsohn? Click here to place your bid. All proceeds benefit Arena Stage. Good luck!

BPRs, welcome Sweet P to the blogosphere!

From The Mailbox

Andrae Gonzalo is presenting a dance event, "Go Metro," this weekend in Santa Monica. Click here for details. Of course we would love a field reporter.

There is still time to bid on the lunch with Tim Gunn charity auction. Good luck to all!

There's also still time to vote in our least favorite challenge poll.

Also, thank you for letting us know about the rumored "All-Star" edition of Project Runway. The article in question had some very obvious and suspicious inaccuracies so I checked with Nick Verreos and Tim Gunn to see if it was true. Neither of them knew anything about it.

Jack Mackenroth Will Not Return For Season Five

"After a long process of weighing the pros and cons of returning to Project Runway Season 5, I have decided not to audition again. Though I loved my experience on the show and hope to continue working with Bravo in the future, I really feel that it's time to start the next chapter of my life. During my short stint on season 4, I was never in the bottom three and I won the menswear challenge, which is my field of expertise, so I feel like I accomplished most of what I started.

I do, however, want to thank all the viewers and fans who have continually voiced their desire to see me back on Season 5. I hope that I haven't let anyone down, but in the end I came to realize that I could not give up another year of my life. My time on Project Runway has presented me with many opportunities ranging from design to television and an area that is closest to my heart, HIV activism. I really couldn't have asked for more.

I especially want to give thanks to the HIV community, which has been so supportive over the last year. If anything, I hope that I have shown you that it is possible to live successfully with HIV. You have not seen the last of me!

To the next batch of designers on Season 5…sew your hearts out!"

Click here for the NY Post article.

Introducing: Stylista

Here are three clips from the new CW show "Stylista." This is a Reality Show about Elle Magazine's Anne Slowey (Yes, the same one who was the guest judge in Season Two's Ice Skating episode.) The show is a competition for a position at the magazine. Have a look.... I think I already have a favorite.

Malan Breton Interviews Claiborne's John Bartlett

Malan Breton returns with the "Designer to Designer" feature for la'g Magazine. Click here to watch.

Rami Kashou on HSN SCOOP Style

Did you watch Rami last night on SCOOP Style? He completely sold out of all 350 dresses!

Click here for more information.

If you placed an order, we would love to hear how you like the dress.

The Sleep Shift - Starring Daniel Franco

Project Runway Season One and Two designer (and perennial BPR favorite) Daniel Franco is starring in 'The Sleep Shift,' a new film by Wong Fu Productions. We hope you will "groove on this."

Click on the photo below to watch the film's trailer.

BPR Podcast with Mychael Knight

Laura K. interviews Season 3 Finalist/First Fan Favorite Mychael Knight who talks about fame, fragrance, family and, of course, fashion. Click here for the podcast.

Click here for the Mychael Knight website and click here to purchase, Majk, his unisex fragrance.

From The Mailbox

Join Emmett McCarthy for a shopping event at EMc2 on May 21 from 6:00 - 9:00. RSVP here or call (212) 431-4134.

From Ninaville: Fashion Week Daily reports that Nina Garcia will stay at Elle magazine as an "editor at large" through September 1st and then she starts at Marie Claire on September 2nd. More here.

Will Marie Claire become the new magazine sponsor of Project Runway for season six? Stay tuned.

NPR recently interviewed Jay McCarroll for a story about sleep-deprivation on reality shows.

Andrae Gonzalo and Jamie Benson are preparing for a dance performance in Los Angeles on May 23rd and 24th. Click here for more information.

You can still bid on "Lunch With Tim Gunn." Good luck!

Which was your LEAST favorite challenge of Project Runway Season Four?

In an effort to be perfectly clear, this poll is to determine the least favorite challenge of the season, not the least favorite episode.

more at twiigs.com...

From The Mailbox

Attention Canadian Designers: Project Runway Canada is now casting. Click here for more information and to download the application.

WWD.com reports that there may be as many as FIVE magazines interested in partnering with Project Runway.

Christian Siriano has begun his collection for Bluefly! Click here to see sketches. Also, there is still time to submit your questions for the next podcast with Christian.

The Problem...

The results of this poll illustrate something that I have been suspecting about Season Four. Notice that the first three challenges were the least favorites.

Starting off the season with three lackluster challenges and then scheduling a two-week hiatus in December did not serve to build the audience. By the time the show returned in January, it seemed that many viewers had "moved on" to another show or another interest on Wednesday nights. (Just my theory of course.)

What do you think?

Hopefully Season Five will place some more compelling challenges at the beginning.

Samantha Harris Wears Rami Kashou on Dancing With The Stars

Dancing With the Stars Hostess Samantha Harris wore a Rami Kashou design on Monday night's show! Here is a link to the episode. (You might have to download the player.) Congratulations Rami!

Also be sure to watch Rami tomorrow on HSN's "Scoop Style." Click the link for the times in your area.

From The Mailbox

Season Four guest judge Sarah Jessica Parker celebrates the premiere of the "Sex and the City" movie in London. Click here for more. Thanks Ann.

Project Runway Australia begins production this week in Melbourne.

WWD.com reports that Nina Garcia and Michael Kors are still in contract negotiations for season five of Project Runway.

Win Lunch With Tim Gunn!

Our friends at Arena Stage have secured an exciting charity auction item to benefit their Community Engagement programs.

Click here to go to the eBay item description. The lunch with Tim will be in New York City at the Bryant Park Grill (Airfare not included.) It will be scheduled for some time between December 1st, 2008 and June 1, 2009.

Good luck, BPRs and please let us know if you are the lucky winner.

Questions for Mychael Knight?

We are recording a podcast with Season Three Fan Favorite Mychael Knight this week. Please submit your questions for Mychael to Team BPR. Thank you!

Monday Morning Mailbox

Jillian Lewis is designing a prom dress for the lucky winner of Project Prom.

Malan Breton is serving on the judges panel for the MyItThings "It Designer" contest. Please let us know if you plant to enter this.

There is still time to vote in our "Favorite Challenge of Season Four" poll.

From The Mailbox

I thought that Kevin Christiana might know Gretta Monahan, so I asked what he thought of her joining Tim Gunn on "Guide to Style." Here is his response:

I am very excited to hear that Gretta Monahan will be co-hosting Tim Gunn's Guide to Style. I know her from the Rachael Ray Show and I have to say that she's such a sweetheart. She knows a lot about fashion and has an amazing personality. Tim's audience is going to love her. They complement each other very well. Kudos to who ever made this decision.

Congrats Gretta!

Christian Siriano recently appeared on MTV. Here, he sounds off on the styles featured on "The Hills."

BPR Podcast With Emmett McCarthy

It's hard to keep up with everything Emmett McCarthy is doing. We pinned him down for a podcast and I tried to cover it all. Click here for the podcast.

He will be on QVC in September with his new line of handbags. He has been traveling all over the country doing trunk shows.


He keeps up with his friends from Season Two and plans to visit Chloe Dao in August.
Here are several of his shoe designs:












The talking Tim Gunn Bobbleheads are still available.

He was recently featured in Accessories Magazine, Click here to read the article.


Emmett also graciously answers your reader questions.

Click here for the podcast.
Thanks Emmett!

Will Nina Garcia go to Marie Claire?

Will Nina Garcia go to Marie Claire (source)and (source)?
Will Marie Claire become a sponsor of Project Runway Season Six?
There are many rumors - but no confirmation. The best theory I have read is that since Elle will most likely remain a sponsor through season five and Nina will most likely remain a judge, Nina would still represent Elle during season five.

We'll stay tuned for any new developments. So far - only rumors.

Meanwhile, Heidi is most definitely on the cover of Marie Claire in June. Adorable!

Tim Gunn's Co-Host is Gretta Monahan

Bravo announced today that the "Fashion Accomplice" for Tim Gunn in Season Two of "Guide To Style" will be Gretta Monahan. Click here for the Press Release.

Learn more about Gretta (Gretchen) here on her website. She is certainly lovely and accomplished. We are eager to see what she will bring to the show. Thoughts?

By the way, last week we asked you for your ideas for a Tim Gunn's Guide to Style co-host. Click here for our poll results.

From The Mailbox

FIDM Students enjoyed meeting Ricky Lizalde in San Francisco. Click here for more.

Click here to watch a video of bridal designs by Austin Scarlett for Kenneth Poole on GetMarried.com.

Heidi Klum graces the cover of the June Issue of Marie Claire. Click here for the interview and here for more behind-the scenes photos.

Martha Plimpton wore Malan Breton to the opening of the Broadway play 'Top Girls.' Click the photo at the right for a larger view of this dashing duo.

Heidi Klum for Jordache

Heidi Klum launched her first collection for Jordache on April 30 at the Bloomingdale's at Beverly Center in Los Angeles.

Does this top look familiar?It can be yours!

Click here for more photos from Bloomingdale's.

After the launch at Bloomie's, Heidi and friends celebrated at Chateau Marmont. Rachel Zoe and Jane Cha were among the gorgeous guests.





Click here for more photos from the dinner. Heidi sure knows how to have fun. Best of luck to our favorite supermodel on this new venture.

TGIW

It will be a while before Project Runway returns, but it the meantime I am enjoying Top Chef. A highlight for me last week was Antonia's knock-knock joke - Hee. As a mother of four boys I can tell you that this is exactly the kind of thing that makes us laugh...

On to the news:
Here is more on the Magical Elves. Thanks PRAddicted. More here, and here. My personal opinion is that whoever ends up with Rich Bye will be declared the "winner."

Dahl by Alison Kelly is unveiling an exclusive collection for ALTER. The opening ceremony is tomorrow night, Thursday May 8th 2008 from 7-10pm. 109 Franklin Street at Greenpoint Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11222 718.784.8818

We can bid on Levi's designs (some from Ricky Lizalde) here to benefit Goodwill. Thanks Moi and Rachel.

Tim Gunn and Mo Rocca on Polygamist Style

More From The Mailbox

Actress Thea Gill wears a NIKOLAKI design on the red carpet. Click here for more.

The Lifetime vs. Bravo tale has made it into the Wall Street Journal.

(This means that my husband will arrive home from work today with a copy of it under his arm asking, "Hey Laura, have you heard that Project Runway is moving to Lifetime?")

Here is a little more from the LA Times.

Click here for a report from Seattle's "Product Runway." Jack Mackenroth was one of the judges.

Finally, from E! Online, more Nina Garcia gossip.

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