We’ll be the first to admit that after seeing  Suede in the first challenge we were a little skeptical about how long he was going to stay on the show. However,  as soon as we heard that they would be designing a cocktail dress we knew Suede and the rest of the designers would be okay. After all, they almost all made dresses for the first challenge. But of course there was a twist! Not only would the model’s be picking the fabric, they would be using “green” or eco-friendly material. I can only describe the look on the designers faces as pure horror.

I was actually pretty surprised at what the models picked out. I mean that in both a good and a bad way. Some models really picked out some great stuff, while others where completely lost ( Shannon with her Jersey - interesting). As the designers struggled in the workroom to make lemonade out of lemons, I was sure many might not even finish. Luckily, I was wrong.

My pick as the best ( I agree with the judges) is obviously Suede. His dress was beautiful and would make any woman feel like the belle of the ball. I also loved Blayne’s ( who knew after last weeks diaper design) and Kelli’s designs. Although, I don’t think Wesley’s dress was the worst, it did look the most un-organized and haphazard. I was completely shocked given how great I thought his first design was.

I am definitely more excited about the season and can see the potential for some really great designs that will blow past seasons out of the water. I am also looking forward to all the great guest judges that will be appearing. I loved seeing Natalie Portman tonight, she is a great role model on and off the screen and one of my favorite actresses.

Remember, you can own a piece of the runway by bidding in our auction on these fabulous eco-friendly frocks! Bid now!

We love to watch Project Runway alums grow within the fashion industry and produce their own collections. Christian Siriano, Project Runway Season Four winner, is among the latest to continue to pursue his design dreams. Christian was a fan favorite on Project Runway, known for his elaborate designs, high-maintenance hair, and expressions. Even when he found himself in a “hot mess,” Christian could always “make it work.”

Today, Christian began selling his new collection exclusively at Bluefly.com. Although the collection is small, it is filled with Christian’s signature design elements. All the pieces have intricate detailing–from voluminous sleeves to spunky pleats and ruffles. Christian favors a silhouette with volume at the shoulders and slim through the hips. The collection is focused on black, grey, and gold colors and lends itself well to spicing up wardrobe staples. The black plaid taffeta jacket would be perfect with black skinny jeans or the gold pencil skirt paired with a chic white blouse would be perfect for cocktails with friends.

With his first collection, Christian is giving everyone a taste of his “fierceness.” We hope, we will continue to see great things from this Project Runway alum!

Who can forget Season One winner Jay McCaroll? Not us! And we know you probably can’t either. His wit, his vision, and his creative one-of-a -kind designs cannot be duplicated! Now fans can catch his QVC debut where he will be selling six items including a Checkerboard Coat seen in his documentary ‘Eleven Minutes’. So stop reminiscing while you watch your Season One DVD and tune in tonight between 9 and 11 P.M. eastern for a chance to snag these hot pieces.

Tune in earlier at 8:30 P.M. eastern to catch Season Two winner Chloe Dao make an appearance as well.

While many of the designers were criticized by guest judge Austin Scarlett and the other judges for playing it too safe (read: using tablecloths and other materials closely resembling fabric), I still think they deserve some praise for creatively fashioning the materials they chose.

It’s fascinating how many of the designs are actually pieces that are totally wearable despite being plucked out of your average grocery aisle. As I mentioned before, there were many pieces I would wear from this first challenge. Take Keith’s checked halter dress (shown above) - this is a great dress for a first date or an outdoor event. Additionally, I think both Jennifer and Wesley’s dresses would be perfect for my upcoming high school reunion and any other cocktail party that requires a little sassy getup.

As it stands, both Jennifer and Wesley’s designs have two of the highest bids in the auction. Jennifer’s dress is the second highest bid, Wesley’s is the third highest bid, and Kelli’s winning design is the front-runner. The bids are in a great place right now, so login (register if you haven’t) and start bidding!

As someone who has tried her hand at designing only to realize, as I’m sure many have before me, that those who can, design, those who can’t, become editors, I have a real appreciation for young, up-and-coming designers. Which is why I am thrilled Project Runway is back. In the spirit of tanorexic Blayne, it promises to be fabulicious.

I’m a nostalgic kind of girl, so was happier than Carrie Bradshaw at a Manolo sample sale that the first test of designer mettle was a replay of season one’s now famous Gristedes challenge (I still have visions of that Austin Scarlett corn husk number – now that’s what I call a real Field of Dreams).

And yes, while Stella’s trash bag travesty (which I could totally see Marilyn Manson’s next child bride wearing down the aisle by the way) and Jerry’s Singing in the Rain Without My Meds ensemble weren’t as inspired as I, and I’m sure they, would have liked them to be, my socks (okay, tights) were knocked off by Daniel’s molded cup concoction. I say if you can make plastic look posh then you have my vote any day.

I’m also keen on the quirky, so am not afraid to admit that I really dug Korto’s yellow, produce-embellished frock.

Like Heidi, Nina, Michael and Austin, I too was impressed by winner Kelli’s artful A-line and brilliant treatment of coffee filters and vacuum cleaner bags. I’d try to do the same with my vacuum cleaner bags, but I realize that’s impossible. Not only because I lack this skill, but also because my vacuum is a Roomba.

But I digress.

Despite a few runway misses, season five promises to be full of good old fashion reality TV-filled drama and inane-but-you-know-you-love-them coined phrases ending with “licious,” but most importantly, truly innovative minds (and hands), which, let’s face it, is the reason we’ll all be tuning in again and again.

Well, that and to see just how nuclear Blayne can get.

Until we meet on the Runway again!

Kelly Lee
Editor-in-Chief
BussBuss.com
The Online Shopping Bible.

After coming off of a euphoric high last night following the premiere of Project Runway Season 5, it was exciting to hear more great Project Runway news this morning. The 2008 Emmy Nominees were revealed today and The Weinstein Company has been nominated for five Emmys for their hit show, Project Runway. These nominations are:

Outstanding Cinematography For Reality Programming

Outstanding Directing For Nonfiction Programming

Outstanding Host For A Reality Or Reality Competition Program

Outstanding Picture Editing For Reality Programming

Outstanding Reality Competition Program

The Weinstein Company has received nominations for seven other Emmys for Project Runway since its debut in 2004. Congratulations to the Weinstein Company and all the nominated producers. Good Luck!

Wish you could have Tim Gunn urging you to make it work and telling you that you look ” Fa-bu-lous”? Well now you can. Well, kinda. When you have the Tim Gunn Bobblehead in your possession, you will be inspired to be both stylish and successful.

One of these precious treasures was on the set and was a huge hit with the designers! You can’t be glum with Tim as your biggest cheerleader. Bring it to work and make your cubicle the talk of the office, or keep it at home to watch over your closet. Either way you won’t be sorry.

Snag yours here!

Based on the premise for the first challenge (feeling some deja vu? Yep, you’ve seen this one before on Season One), I was positive most outfits would be more avant-garde and less ready-to-wear. I mean, seriously, what could they possibly come up with out of groceries, produce, and household items that one could wear on the streets? All I knew was that the winner would have to be the one designer who made a wearable piece with “avant” details. This was based on many of Michael’s comments last season where those who played it too safe were chastised and immediately sent to the bottom three.

Imagine my surprise when I saw the designs that came out of this challenge. I would totally wear most outfits that graced the runway (Well, maybe not Stella or Blayne’s. I am not that fashion-forward as of yet). All in all, the designers really brought their A-game.

Ultimately, it was Kelli who won the first challenge with her dress she pieced together out of hand-painted vacuum bags and coffee filters. Jerry, with his colorless raincoat design made out of a shower curtain, was out. I look forward to the next challenge!

On The Cutting Room Floor…

I am always amazed during the audition process how, with all the talented applicants, Tim Gunn and the other judges are able to whittle down the designers each season to a mere 15 or 16 candidates. This year is no exception. I must say that as I watched the runway hopefuls, I was overwhelmed by the amount of talent and creativity each designer had.

Many of the hopefuls including Andres and Mitzi discussed how they knew at a young age they wanted to be designers. Mitzi even explains how she hated dolls, but loved Barbie and Ken and making outfits for them. All of which goes to show that a lot of our early interests play a big part in our career choices. I can still remember playing “job” with my sister where we worked at what I now I believe was a publishing company. I was an author and she was my illustrator. Twenty-two years later, here I am: an editor and a blogger.

It was also amazing to see designers in their home studios and learn about their local clientele. You can definitely see a shift in the more laid back Bohemian vibe of some of the looks from Grant and Judy, Scotha and Beth from San Francisco, to the more dressed up looks of Kristina from Chicago.

Keep these names in your mental Rolodex, because you never know when one of these hopefuls will sew their way to the top! Watch the videos now and decide for yourself whether each hopeful should have been voted in or out!

For those of you who wept on your sofa thinking you’d be unable to make it to the fall for the next installment of Project Runway, weep no more. Project Runway Season 5 is back to bring you more snipping, ripping, and sewing! We’ve had our first look at the designers for the new season, and from what we can tell, you won’t be disappointed. Tim isn’t lying each time he praises a new season as being better than the last.

I must admit that I was upset when more seasoned designers (read: designers with their own line or wholesale business) started auditioning for the show. I was in shock when Christian at the tender age of 21 was on the show auditioning to be on PR after undertaking apprenticeships and internships at the likes of celebrated designers like Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen. I have since realized that even though some designers have had a taste of success, many have not had success on the level that the show could give them - nor is it likely they could get the kind of training and meet the same caliber contacts that the show offers. Additionally, this kind of experience and talent only means more lust-worthy designs for us to look at with each challenge.

So gear up for this season by reliving all the glory of the Season 4 Final Collections. Carry on!