What a difference a season makes, huh? For Season 4 of
Project Runway, we had a ton of information to wade through in order to make some predictions and the season itself was shrouded in secrecy. Prior to the show starting, we had days to research the background and careers of the designers, and there was even a little pre-show fashion show so that we could see what the designers had to offer.
With that much pre-show insight, I was able to place the ultimate final three –
Rami Kashou,
Jillian Lewis, and winner
Christian Siriano in my top five before the premiere even aired. (And no, as I've said before I will never stop bragging about that. Ever.)
Season 5 of
Project Runway on the other hand? A totally different approach on the part of Bravo.
The participants were just announced a couple days prior to the premiere, yet the entire season of episode descriptions, including the list of guest judges, were also made available. Some have wondered if Bravo is “burning off” this season of Project Runway out of bitterness for losing the show to Lifetime. Whatever the reasoning, there's just a strangely underwhelming introduction to this season.
Nevertheless, based on the Bravo bios, I'm going to make some very rough guesses as to who might be contenders for the top and bottom spots. Granted, these are based on some minimal details from their brief bios, so I am not feeling confident that I will match my (awesome) prediction power of last season. But I'm hoping my careful viewing over the past four seasons means my Project Runway-specific spidey sense is well-honed.
My Most Likely for Early Exit: Jerell, Korto and Stella.
Jerell is a former model who learned to make his own clothes when he couldn't always afford the good stuff. Now, his fashion industry experience certainly gives him a great background, but without more in his bio to outline more extensive construction experience, I wonder if he has the technical skills needed to complete complicated garments in the notoriously punishing short time frames of Project Runway.
Korto has an interesting take on fashion, incorporating the influence of her Liberian background into her fashions. She also focuses on designing for “real, full-figured women” and says that “her family considers her to be fun and easygoing.” What does that mean? Mainly that while Korto sounds like a cool gal to hang out with, these particular traits of hers don't seem to point to what has generally succeeded on Project Runway in the past.
As to Stella, her bio says, “In the past five years, this self-taught New Yorker has transitioned from a punk-rock makeup artist to a sought-after leather and denim guru by some of Rock n' Roll's elite.” Fashion success is a good sign that a designer has the ability to build appeal, but without any indication in her bio that she's gone beyond the rocker leather and denim angle, I can't help but wonder if she will have the diversity to impress the judges.
My Best Guess for Strong Contenders: Emily and Leanna.
It's an overall young group this season on Project Runway, but Christian Siriano taught us last season that age isn't everything. However, since so many of the designers are still in earlier stages in their career, there's a big clump of them that seem to have a relatively equal amount of experience. So few stand out. For those that do have more experience, there are possible hints at an aesthetic style that we haven't seen succeed in the past.
Here's why these couple of women were the two that stood out from the pack for me:
I am a little reluctant to want to single Emily out positively, mainly because in her Project Runway bio photo she appears to be wearing some sort of spat or version of what Lindsay Lohan is calling “Ankle Gloves” in her own legging collection. And I just can't support that. Nevertheless, she seems to have some strong industry background in the fashion business and recently started her own brand. Her favorite designers are Galliano, Westwood and Kawabuko, and that might mean that her business savvy is contrasted with the kind of exciting fashion forward edge that the judges respond well to. She also, again, despite the spats, looks like she means business in her photo.
Leanne graduated from FIDM, and also received the Levis/Dockers Fashion Designer of Tomorrow scholarship. She's got experience as a graphic designer as well and has started her own line. There's not necessarily a whole lot in there that points to Project Runway success, but the combination of fashion education, interesting visual arts background, external recognition for her talent and the business hustle to get a line off the ground could mean something.
Of course, these sketchy details don't tell the whole story; that's why we tune in. You can get to know this new crop of designers starting tomorrow at Project Runway's new time of 9pm Eastern on Bravo.
- Leslie Seaton, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
(Image courtesy of Bravo)