We shouldn’t relish in the designers’ anguish but we we can’t help ourselves! As soon as Heidi told them there were special guests, we saw each and every one of their hearts drop down in their stomach. Lucky, or unlucky for some, the guests for the challenge were the eliminated designers from the season. Naturally the first question we had, and are sure you the fans did as well was: ‘How are they are going to pair them up?’. Would they let the designers pick? Of course not! That would be too easy.

It was interesting to see designers confess who they wanted and who they didn’t want. We found it a sorted twist of faith that Blayne would get Stella after he teased and teased her about her “leatha”. Terri hoped one minute she did not get Keith only to have Tim announce a mere second later that they would be paired together. Korto was pleased with Kelli and was confident with her design capabilities, as was Leanne with Emily whom she hoped she would get.

If having to choose whose astrological sign would serve as muse for their designs wasn’t quirky enough the designers were thrown a curveball when they received a note inviting them and their models to the Planetarium at the Rose Center for Earth and Space . Naturally stress ensued and the designers arrived at the Planetarium both anxious and fearful at what would happen next. Surprise! The Planetarium was filled with old designers from various seasons of Project Runway including season 1 winner Jay McCaroll, and Season 4’s winner Christian Siriano and designer Carmen Webber,  as well as Daniel Vosovic and Kara Janx of Season 2. At the end of the night the PR alumni voted on their favorite piece and gave the designers some input on their pieces that could help them on the runway.

We were not surprised that Kenley, Terri, Blayne or Suede ended up in the bottom. Kenley and Wesley’s piece was not avant-garde but rather over-the-top and just as “costumey” as Tim warned. Which is precisely why Leanne and Emily were skeptical about her confidence. Of course, Kenley got defensive again on the runway and swore her design was inspired by Aquarius regardless of the judges comments. Terri disregarded all input by Keith and ended up making a piece that was totally “her” but looked cheap to both her partner and Nina. Blayne and Stella’s piece was whimsical as expected but failed to wow the judges; especially Micheal who delivered one of our favorite lines of the show when he said: “She’s pooping fabric!” Finally, rounding out the bottom four was Suede and Jerry who delivered a bland ensemble which left the judges wanting more.

The top four designs were simply brilliant. Leanne and Emily’s Scorpio design was strong and innovative and perfectly embodied the sign. Korto and Kelli made a beautiful flowing chiffon gown  for Aquarius that actually looked like water floating down the runway.  Joe and Daniel made a ruched gown that represented  fiery Aries, and Jerell and Jennifer made a long gown of mixed sequin and plaid  fabric with a jacket to match to represent Sagittarius.

Alas, Blayne and Terri were eliminated and Jerell snagged his first win by impressing both the PR alum and the judges with his design.

This week, the designers worked in teams to create a look for the ladies on Lipstick Jungle. I have to say, some could have been done by Victory herself and others seemed never have to encountered the New York Fashion scene. So, I won’t make you wait a moment longer for the inside scoop.

This week, Kenley and Keith were the queen and king of the jungle with their winning design.

My favorite design this week was from Korto and Joe; I just adored their sexy backless dress and voluminous coat. The dress had a very low back with a single strap across the back. The leather trim along the neckline was a nice tie into the jacket embroidery and clutch. My only gripe was the polyester fabric - too retro ’70s for a cocktail dress! The jacket was a fabulous orange taffeta with golden embroidery trim along the edges. I especially liked the enormous sleeves on this jacket. Korto and Joe also created a beaded choker and leather clutch with a bow to accessorize their look (because no Lipstick Jungle girl is ever without her fabulous accessories!). If this look is chic enough for the Lipstick Jungle crew, then you better make sure you bid on it!

Terri and Suede were partnered up and they created a fiesta-inspired blouse and tailored black trousers. The black trousers were well made, but they were made out of a stiff linen-like fabric. So not Lipstick Jungle chic! The blouse, however, I did like. It was bold and flirty with a ruffly collar. The black belt with the teal stripe added shape to the breezy blouse. I thought this outfit is perfect for a flirty night out when paired with a fabulous bag and stilettos. Make sure you place your bid in the auction as this top would be adorable with skinny jeans and black heels when wore for a night out with the girls.

Stella and Jerell teamed up to make a very jungle-y skirt and simple scoop neck tank. I did like the minimal approach to thier design. (And after last week, Jerell needed to take it down a notch). Their a-line, leopard pattern skirt was simple, clean, and universally flattering. I also like the use of the fabric in the trim of the scoop neck tank. As always, Stella found a way to incorporate leather with a wide, bright green leather belt. However, I thought that it was fitting for this design. This outfit would be perfect for inside the (Lipstick) Jungle or outside, so make sure you place your bid in the auction!

Kelli and Daniel did not have the skills to dominate in the jungle and we said auf wierdersehen to Kelli. The two create a black pencil skirt, jacket, and bustier from a black fabric. While I liked the concept, the suit seemed a little to throw back to the 80s for me. The skirt was well done, but the fabric was a matte black with a crinkle texture wasn’t chic enough for the sophisticated ladies of Lipstick Jungle. The blazer had a good concept–I loved the ruffle waist and bold teal belt. But overall, the design, just wasn’t fierce enough for the jungle, but paired with a different blouse and killer heels, the suit could be great. Make sure you bid on it in the auction!

Lastly, Blayne and Leanne just missed the entire challenge concept, unless their idea of the jungle is Crocodile Dundee! I was just shocked by how un-chic and unsophisticated their design was. It would’ve been a good concept for the desert, but not the city. The created blue-grey denim Bermuda shorts with a purple belt. I did like the sun-dial like belt buckle. The purple halter top was poorly made out of a jersey fabric. The blue button-down shirt was mostly well done; I liked the cuff detail. And the leather vest (oh!). It was poorly made and glued together. Overall, the design did not fit into the Lipstick Jungle ideology. On the other hand, if you live in the desert or want to look like you do, then bid on this outfit in our auction.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to look Lipstick Jungle chic! Make sure you place your bid in this week’s auction!

As fans of NBC’s Lipstick Jungle we were anxiously awaiting this challenge when Brooke Shields would be the guest judge. We knew the challenge would be workplace related but we could not have guessed the reward would be so rich. Having a garment  you designed worn by Brooke Shields for a prime-time show… that’s huge!

We must admit that the pairings were interesting. First, there’s Keith who picks Kenley, whom he openly admits is headstrong and hopes that she’ll just be quiet and sew. Doubtful. Then, there’s Terri who so far seems very serious pairing with Suede who is anything but serious. Then there’s Jerell, who is one of the most vocal about how he feels paired with Stella who cannot get past her distinct point of view                     (i.e., leather). Blayne and Leanne have to be one of the oddest however with over-the-top personality and Leanne’s understated demeanor.

Having watched the show none of the designs seemed like anything Wendy Healy would wear. Although the show is a little sexy  Wendy is very chic and more conservative. We were honestly surprised that she even picked Keith’s design. It had a little more flair than we’re used to seeing her in. We certainly didn’t pick it out as the winner.

Despite our initial skepticism, Kenley’s prodding and Keith’s innovation reigned supreme as they impressed the judges including Brooke and won the challenge. Kelli’s design which seemed most like something Wendy would wear and the one we figured would be a front runner totally fell short on the runway. We feel like this is due to poor construction and lack of attention to detail. Who can forget Daniel saying he didn’t care because it wasn’t his design? Korto and Joe’s design was chic and elegant and actually came together quite nicely. As did Jerell and Stella’s design. Luckily, the only leather on their dress was the belt. Terri’s design, which we liked, was just ho-hum on the runway and certainly doesn’t fit the character profile. Last but not least we have to talk about Blayne and Leanne. This look was totally Blayne all the way. Leanne tried to pull it together and encourage him to streamline the look, however nothing could help the fact this was a shorts and blazer look.

All in all we love the idea for the challenge and hope they do more TV-inspired fashion for future seasons.  Let us know who your favorite  design duo was and why.  Place your bid in the auction and ‘make it work!’

Let’s face it, some of the designs created out of the challenges are not things you can wear off the runway. Lettuce neckline anyone?  The accessories the models wear from the Bluefly accessories wall however are the exception. From patent pumps, metallic clutches, to embellished cuffs the accessories really add drama to the pieces.

We love the red  Maryjane patent pumps that Emily’s model Leslie wore in Episode 502: Grass is Always Greener. They work with Emily’s gray, white and navy swingy cocktail dress and are on-trend for fall. This style is one that will go the extra mile with your fall wardrobe. Wear it with a basic sheath dress for the perfect pop of color at the office, or make a statement by pairing it with a print piece.

Wristlets and clutches are another trend we saw the designers add to their runway looks. Our favorites: the oversized black croc clutch Terri’s model Xaviera carried plus the mint colored wristlet Kelli’s model Germaine carried in Episode 502,  and the metallic gold clutch Joe’s model Topacio carried in Episode 503: Bright Lights/Big City.  All three of these looks are great for day or night, working as easily with a pair of skinny jeans as they do with a cocktail dress.

The last runway trend we continue to see is bold bracelets. Large colorful bracelets were seen on  Jerell’s model Alex , Daniel’s model Elena, and Blayne’s model Polina in Episode 501:Let’s Start From the Beginning and again in Episode 502 on Nicole,  Korto’s model Katarina wore stacked bracelets in Episode 502, and statement cuffs graced the wrists of  Leanne’s model Karalyn.

Since trends change so often accessories are the best way to update your look. Adding a great pair of heels or a  clutch can instantly make an old dress new again and save you from being bored with your closet.  Visit Bluefly for your perfect fall shoes and accessories-and shop Heidi Klum’s jewelry collection for great earrings and cuffs.

Working behind the scenes at ProjectRunway.com definitely has its perks! Not only do we have access to exclusive photos and videos of Project Runway, we also have the designs from the first challenge right here in our office. This week, we are getting ready to send out the designs to the highest bidders from last week’s auction, so I took a moment to examine the different designs. It was such an awesome opportunity to see all the detailing, stitching, and overall aesthetic up close in person.

Of course I had to see last week’s winning design–Kelli’s vacuum cleaner bag and coffee filter creation. What amazed me most about this design was it’s creative pattern from the bleach. It is evident Kelli focused most of her time on getting the pattern perfect for the bodice and skirt. Her hems, stiches, and finishing was efficient in design. She creatively used notebook wire ( see picture above) to create hook and eyes to fasten the dress. Kelli used a whip stich to hem the top of the skirt and attach the straps, coffee filter top, and skirt altogether–and she must have been pressed for time! Overall, it was evident the creative patterning and use of materials made this dress the winner.

I also had to peek at Leanne’s lucious candy creation, one of my favorites from the challenge. Leanne conservatively chose a bubblegum pink tablecloth for her main material, but her use of candy and coffee filters made her dress stand out. My favorite part of this design was the silhouette–the deep v neck and bubble skirt are very trendy and fit the candy ideology. Leanne also created ruffles with her white coffee filters. While the candy was adorable on the runway, it might not stay preserved for long. This design was also so tiny that it wouldn’t fit on our mannequin! Overall, I was impressed with how well Leanne’s garment was constructed under the time constraint.

If you are just dying to be able to see a Project Runway original firsthand, make sure you place your bid for this week’s auction–its going to be hot!

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!

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.

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!