If the designers plan to "make it work" this season, they're going to first have to get past the eagle-eyed judges. Tim Gunn, the designers' mentor, is back in the role he was born to play: himself. He's kind and critical at the same time, offering advice that only foolish or hard-headed contestants would ignore. Tim Gunn is also star of his own new TV show, Tim Gunn's Guide to Style, where he reveals his 10 essential wardrobe must-haves.
The Season 4 Judges
All your favorites are back, with the lovely Heidi Klum acting as hostess and also taking part in the final judgments. Nina Garcia, the fashion director of Elle magazine and now author of a book titled The Little Black Book of Style is never short on honesty. She promises to dish some more up this season and separate the good from the bad and the ugly. Michael Kors, a hugely succesful clothing designer, rounds out the last of the weekly judges. He is forthright with his praise, and also with his disgust, with "ick" and "yuck" heard from him on a regular basis. Different guest judges sit in every week to add diversity to the group.
Project Runway's 15 New Hopefuls
Eight men and seven women complete the designing contestants of Project Runway's fourth year. Let's start by learning who the ladies are and what makes them a candidate for winning it all this season.
The Women
- Carmen - Besides having an extensive education in design and experience in the States and Paris, Carmen has actually modeled clothing for designers, giving her an insight into the limits a model has to make an outfit look great.
- Elisa - Another contestant who has already made great accomplishments in the design world, Elisa's style is cutting-edge, if she stays true to herself, the judges will never be bored.
- Jillian - Jillian should feel right at home during the contest, as she is a Parsons graduate. Although she is young (26), the world of fashion covets youth.
- Kit - Another young one (26), Kit has already started her own line and has dealt with demanding clients, which could help her out in the demanding challenges.
- Simone - Simone is a California girl who creates with organic and surplus fabrics, and nothing is more fashionable at the moment than being environmentally friendly.
- Sweet P - Kathleen goes by the name of her clothing line, Sweet P, getting in all the free publicity she can. She started designing clothes for herself when she was part of the underground club scene, and Project Runway might let her designs see the bright light of fame.
- Victorya - This Project Runway hopeful was also a Parsons student, and she designs clothing that women may actually want to wear.
The Men
- Chris - Chris will be the one that everyone is interested in seeing what he will come up with next, because he has an exhibitionist flair. Even with bad designs, the judges' curiousity could help him through bad days.
- Christian - As the youngest designer of the season (21), Christian still has been in the business for quite a while, starting at age 13. Underestimating the little guy could work to his advantage.
- Jack - There isn't anything "just" about Jack. A seasoned designer, he is also a champion swimmer, despite living HIV positive. This may make him willing to take chances others are not.
- Kevin - An Italian-American, Kevin has designing in his blood. His aunt taught him to sew and cousin is a designer. Kevin may have been born to win this one.
- Marion - This quirky Texan will mix it up on the runway and will do what needs to be done in order to spend more time with his ideal mentor, Tim Gunn.
- Rami - A native of Jerusalem, Rami is one the judges will want to keep around in order to see him showcase his talent for glamour. Expect him to shine in any gown competition.
- Ricky - As one of fourteen children, Ricky knows hand-me-downs. If there is a garage sale challenge, he will ace it. He also sees lingerie and regular clothes as somewhat interchangeable, an idea that will be popular for women who like to feel sexy.
- Steven - A midwesterner, Steven is not formally trained, so his sewing skills may bring him down. But he and Tim Gunn see eye to eye in putting women in clothes that are everyday dressy instead of slobbish.
References:
For more on the new season of Project Runway, visit Bravo's website.
