Project Runway News

After past Ugly Betty cameos for the likes of Christian Siriano, Nina Garcia and Tim Gunn, another face of Project Runway — Michael Kors — is getting a chance to flex his acting muscles.

The Runway judge will appear in an episode of Gossip Girl when the hit teen drama returns with its second season (beginning September 1).

The designer recently filmed a scene, which takes place during NYC’s Fashion Week, at downtown venue Capitale, reports Women’s Wear Daily.

“The plot line is a riot,” Kors said. “I was glued to Gossip Girl from Day One. I think it truly is the ‘car-crash-that’s-glamorous.’”

The show, which depicts the scandalous — and very fashionable — lives of young New York socialites, may be over-the-top at times, but Kors says there’s some truth behind its plotlines.

“Probably to the consternation of certain people on the Upper East Side, they really get it,” he said of the show’s writers. “It’s a pretty clear picture of how a lot of these kids really are.”

How did the designers’ looks rate on Project Runway last night?

Kayne Gillaspie, 29, is a fashion designer and Season three Project Runway contestant who blogs about the show for Us Weekly, has a game he's calling Project Runway designer Word Association.

It is what it sounds like. He lists the designers' names and the first thoughts that come to mind when he sees their garment:

• Blayne: chic
• Daniel: Mary Tyler Moore
• Jennifer: Hamptons
• Jerell: Little Bo Peep
• Joe: Striking!
• Keith: Busy
• Kelli: Mary Tyler Moore
• Kenley: Jackie O
• Korto: Expensive
• Leanne: “If I see this collar on PR one more time ... ”
• Stella: Drab
• Suede: Cheerleader
• Terri: Ralph Lauren

Thoughts? Criticisms? Agreements?

Jerell Scott doesn't lack confidence.

The Project Runway contestant recently said: "I'll probably be the most memorable character on the show.”

We don't know about that - but we do know Scott is off to a solid start on season five of the series.

His experience as a model led him into design, as Jerell has said this career made it almost necessary for him to combine the two fashion worlds.

"I didn't have money to buy nice clothes, so I started reconstructing stuff and eventually got a sewing machine,” Scott said.

Clearly, inspiration took hold of the Houston native, as he moved from the runway to behind the scenes, designing clothes for fellow models.

Scott moved to Los Angeles when he was four. In this city, he's developed his own fashion line, Bloke. The 2007 collection for was referred to “Deconstruction Redefined." It included men’s and women’s wear.

How far do you think Jerell Scott can advance this season on Project Runway?

Offed fashionista Emily Brandle is still bitter about her surprise Project Runway elimination on this week's episode, and is sounding off about it in a new interview with EW.com ...

Q: What'd you think about the way that they portrayed you and your loss?

Emily Brandle: Well, first of all, I was shocked that I got kicked off! What were they thinking?

Q: Was it hard to watch Project Runway at all?

Emily Brandle: Yeah, absolutely. Surreal. It was very strange to see it and know that the whole world will see it. It was a different experience, kind of being there and being in the moment for the whole experience. You're like, Right, the world is going to see this.

Q: Let's break it down a bit. What happened?

Emily Brandle: What happened is that I got the boot. I should not have gone! You know, fashion is subjective. For whatever reason, the judges and/or producers thought it was my time to go. I wouldn't change my dress. You know, I stand by it. The shoulda-woulda-couldas is not a game that I play, so it's done, you know? I make a beautiful collection, Smoke & Mirrors. My best friend and business partner and I have been doing it for a year and a half, and you know, that's what it's really about, the real work.

Follow the link to keep reading Emily Brandle's exit interview ...

Shamelessly trying to copy last season's winner, Christian Siriano, new Project Runway contestant Blayne is all about the catchphrases.

On Wednesday’s Project Runway, the 23-year-old designer’s signature line, “Holla at ya boy,” was actually spoken by Tim Gunn.

The apocalypse cannot be far off. Next thing you know, Gunn will start using “girlicious.” Is this catchy and fun, or just plain annoying?

Tell us ...

Is Blayne the next Christian Siriano?

On Tuesday's episode of Project Runway, Suede (speaking in the third person like an idiot as always) decides to keep his model, Tia, which means that everyone will continue with their models from last week.

The designers head back to the Atlas apartments and wait to find out what tonight's challenge will be. Tim Gunn shows up and takes the group to a double decker tour bus.

Everyone is confused but Tim quickly clears the air. 

Their challenge will be to design an outfit for a night out on the town inspired by New York nightlife. The bus will make four stops, where designers will get off and take pics for inspiration.

They hit several hot spots from Grand Central to Greenwich Village to Columbus Circle to, of course, Times Square.

Continue reading this Project Runway recap here ...

Project Runway winner Christian Siriano is letting victory go to his head. He's gone on record saying he doesn't think any of the current contestants are all that fierce.

"They kind of annoy me this season!" Siriano told Us Weekly. "I actually met everyone, and they're all great, but I just really don't know about the clothes this year. Maybe I just need to see more episodes — then I'll really judge!"

Since winning Project Runway last year, Christian said a slew of celebrities have reached out to him.

"Anne Hathaway just wrote in InStyle that I was one of her favorite new designers, so I sent her a couple of pieces," he said. "Hopefully, she wears them!"

Siriano also listed Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson and Keira Knightley as actresses he'd love to see wearing his designs, adding: "There are just so many fabulous divas!"

Sounds like he's one of them to us.

Wesley Nault was eliminated from Project Runway on Wednesday - but he's still got something out of the show; or, to be exact, someone.

Nault is dating fellow Project Runway contestant Daniel Feld.

“We met on the show,” Nault told People. “And we tried to keep it very professional on the show because we were both there for our careers, and we didn’t expect this to come out of it. But I’m really happy.”

We wish Wesley Nault and Daniel Feld nothing but the best!

Nault can't believe others even care about his relationship, showing how little he knows about this celebrity gossip culture.

“I am shocked that they’re talking about this, I really am,” Nault said. “I’m shocked it’s such a big deal... "we’re still together – and it’s going really well."

Previously, we revealed a handful of the contestants set to compete on season five of Project Runway.

Now, we have news on which celebrities will guest judge on the new season, which kicks off tomorrow evening at 9 p.m. Here's a look at who will be Joining Michael Kors and Nina Garcia at the judges table:

• Diane Von Furstenberg
  
• Cynthia Rowley
• LL Cool J
  
• Rachel Zoe
• Apolo Ohno
  
• Brooke Shields

Tune in tomorrow night to see hopeful designers such as Stella Zotis in action!

Here's your first look at a hansful of the 16 new designers who will be strutting their stuff as Project Runway returns for a fifth season on Bravo. It premieres this Wednesday night.

“I feel as though we set the bar higher every season,” said host Heidi Klum. “We’ve got some truly talented, innovative and deeply creative designers this year, and I think it’s fair to say, the most diverse – everyone from a rocker chick who mostly works with leather to a more bohemian, surfer boy –and everything in between.”

Blayne Walsh
AGE: 23
HOMETOWN: Yakima, Washington
CURRENTLY RESIDES: Seattle, Washington
EDUCATION: Art Institute of Seattle
FAVORITE DESIGNERS: John Galliano, Yohji Yamaoto and Diesel
FASHION MUST: Neon anything!

Jennifer Diedrich
AGE: 27
HOMETOWN: East Syracuse, New York
CURRENTLY RESIDES: Pistoia, Italy
EDUCATION: Fashion Institute of Technology
FAVORITE DESIGNERS: Schiaparelli, Moschino and Cynthia Rowle

Jerell Scott
AGE: 28
HOMETOWN: Houston, Texas
CURRENTLY RESIDES: Los Angeles, California
FAVORITE DESIGNERS: Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood and Karl
Lagerfeld
FASHION MUST: Great shoes

Jerry Tam
AGE: 32
HOMETOWN: Butte, Montana
CURRENTLY RESIDES: New York City
EDUCATION: Attended both Parsons and Fashion Institute of Technology
FAVORITE DESIGNERS: Martin Margiela, Rick Owens and Calvin Klein
FASHION MUST: Black and white combos