May 7, 2008
Just last month, we watched helplessly as Lifetime snatched Project Runway from NBC/Bravo with a $150 million deal for the rights of the very successful fashion design reality series. While everyone assumed that the whole production is moving to Lifetime, NBC signed on Project Runway producers Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz to an exclusive contract for NBC Universal.
The producers from Magical Elves shall be developing scripted and unscripted shows exclusively for NBCU, which means that Lifestyle will have to put together their own team to handle Project Runway, once it begins with its new network later this year. Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn are reported to stay on the show, but Nina Garcia and Michael Kors have not renewed any contracts as of the moment, despite reports that they are indeed moving to Lifetime.
May 2, 2008
Jack Mackenroth, who voluntarily left the fourth season of Bravo's Project Runway due to a medical condition, has recently made the news for his possible come back to the competitive reality series. But before we find out if he makes it as one of the hopefuls of the fifth season, he will first employ his creative skills as one of the judges on a sold-out fundraiser called Product Runway.
Product Runway, a benefit for the Interior Design Coalition of Washington, features design teams that are struggling with materials meant for a house, including furniture upholstery, glass tile and metallic sheets, in attempt to turn them into haute couture.
April 25, 2008
Life after Project Runway hasn't been too bad for Jack Mackenroth, season 4 contestant who voluntary left the reality series due to a medical condition. Since he left the show in the episode aired last December 12, Mackenroth has made a cameo at Paper Magazine's Beautiful People event, has played a dead body on Law & Order: SVU just for fun, has been offered to appear in music videos and has landed a minor role in the upcoming Sex and the City flick. Though many opportunities have already knocked on his door, there is one prospect that remains to haunt the affable designer.
Contemplating on what might have happened if he had not withdrew from the competition after developing a potentially dangerous skin infection on his face, Mackenroth has decided to go back to complete his unfinished Project Runway journey and find out if he has what it takes to be the next big thing.
April 15, 2008
Project Runway judge Nina Garcia has reportedly parted ways with Elle magazine where she served as fashion director since 2000. The news comes just a few days after the Weinstein Company, which produces Project Runway, announced the Peabody Award-winning Bravo series would be moving to Lifetime, a surprising move that brought the wrath of NBC Universal's legal department down upon the Weinstein brothers' heads seemingly overnight.
Rumors about Gracia's departure began brewing when Joe Zee was hired as creative director at the beginning of 2007. However, speculations heated up even more when Garcia was noticeably missing from an Elle-hosted event celebrating Simon Doonan's new book, Eccentric Glamor: Creating an Insanely More Fashionable You on Tuesday, despite the presence of fellow colleagues Joe Zee, Paul Ritter, Kate Lanphear, Keith Pollock, and Joan Pailey. During that time, Garcia just shrugged it off, explaining she was in Los Angeles filming a cameo on Ugly Betty.
April 7, 2008
Peanut butter and jelly, milk and cookies, popcorn and soda, Project Runway and Bravo. Some things just go together. What happens when peanut butter decides to sue jelly and jelly moves on to a different sandwich? Do you take the plunge and try jelly with cream cheese or give up on jelly forever? Enough with the food comparisons. In a shocking announcement today, Project Runway is leaving Bravo and heading to rival network, Lifetime. NBC, not taking this move sitting down, has filed a lawsuit against The Weinstein Company, for selling the rights to the design show.
March 27, 2008
Project Runway season 4 winner Christian Siriano may just end up being the most high profile contestant to have graced the show. Since his big win last month, he has already designed several outfits for finale guest judge (and fashion icon) Victoria Beckham. This week, former American Idol contestant Kimberly Locke donned one of his designs when she returned to the show to perform her latest single.
“It's wonderful making a gown for a real woman who's comfortable and confident on stage as well as in what she wears. I wanted to accentuate the goddess in Kimberley,” Siriano said of his design. The dress is currently being auctioned off online through the Clothes Off Our Backs organization. With Posh Spice and Idol under his belt, Siriano turns his attention to his next project: guest starring on ABC’s Ugly Betty.