Lifetime

This article can also be found on XfinityTV.com.

Even though “Project Runway” just finished its ninth season, last night’s spinoff “Project Runway All Stars” revealed it still had a few new challenges up its sleeve: Enter oink couture. Contestants were challenged to create a flamboyant cocktail dress for none other than her Muppet Highness Miss Piggy to help promote her new movie “The Muppets.”

Along with Georgina Chapman and host Angela Lindvall, guest judges Eric Daman and the Muppet Diva herself took the All Stars to task with their creations—and you better believe they took dressing Miss Piggy very seriously.

“I feel like I really do understand Miss Piggy,” said designer Austin Scarlett. “I feel that in many ways we’re kindred spirits. I myself like to pepper my conversation with little French phrases the same way Miss Piggy does. Sometimes I refer to myself as moi.”

After the designs strutted down the runway, Miss Piggy had many fashion-forward questions and comments such as, “Can you hula hoop in that dress?” and “I love that dress. It looks like a present…a present for Kermie!”

But like any true diva, the blushing Muppet had to balance her lady-like behavior with at least one karate-chopping tantrum, and this time, it was aimed at fellow guest judge Eric Daman who kept poking fun at her ears. “Hi-yahh!!!” she screamed, slamming her hoof into Eric’s chest. “Stop it with all the pet remarks!!!”

In the end, designer Michael Costello took Miss Piggy’s breath away with his dark sophisticated strapless one piece adorned with an exaggerated bow and top hat—yes, the one that looked like a present for Kermie.

Wanna hear more? “Like” me on Facebook to follow my TV coverage!

Bravo

This interview can also be found on Fancast.com.

Newly anointed ‘Project Runway’ winner Gretchen Jones isn’t surprised that she snagged top honors on last night’s season finale—even if a slew of you are. As is her custom, the 28-year-old articulate designer had much to say when she took time out to chat with us—from beating out fan-favorite Mondo Guerra to being labeled the B-word at the reunion to who taught her the most out of the competition.

You talked about having a few bucks in your bank account before going on ‘Project Runway’…so how’s it looking now?
Well, I’ll tell you when I get the check!

What thoughts and emotions were running through your head when Heidi announced you as the winner. Were you shocked?
I wasn’t shocked. I feel and felt very confident in my presentation and why I should’ve been the winner. I feel like I’m obviously a fighter, and I did the best I could to represent the type of designers who should be winning ‘Project Runway,’ so it just felt good and what I was expecting.

What did you think of the battle between the judges?
I think that was a clear representation that fashion is art and very objective and we all have opinions about it. Knowing that Michael and Nina were the ones that fought for me was flattering in ways that I can’t even really say. Nina is a fashion editor—how many people have an opportunity to reach someone like that and to have a designer like Michael Kors not only understand my potential and my aesthetic really speaks to who I’m trying to reach. You can’t please everybody, and I’m proud to know that this season was a battle and I think that’s awesome.

A lot of people thought Mondo was going to win this season and were actually taken aback that you won. If you could say anything to these shocked fans, what would you say to them?

I would say that memory can be short, and Mondo performed strongly toward the end of the competition and I performed strongly in the beginning. In the end, I represented the direction fashion is going, I represented a modern female consumer—and I did so in a manner that deserves to win. You have to remember that this was an entire process; it’s not about what happened last. It’s about what we do continually, and I feel I was just as strong a competitor as Mondo.

When you guys had your reunion, it was surprising to see Ivy and April’s animosity towards you since we didn’t see that so much during the season. Were you surprised when they spoke up against you?
I was. It took me aback because I feel like the hard part about being an artist is being able to remove yourself from your work. And how I feel about the people around me on a personal level is different than how I feel about their work especially in a competition. It upset me because I felt like that wasn’t being true to the experience that I had had with those people. It is a competition and everybody wanted to win. We all obviously take it personally that we don’t get what we want, and I think it’s important to be patient, loving, and understanding about people’s emotions.

You talk about being unfairly labeled the B-word by the group and started saying some interesting things in your own defense. Can you elaborate on that some more?
I think for a female in general that has conviction and tenacity to get what she wants…there’s like one adjective we get to use. And that’s not showing the dynamic qualities of what makes a strong woman strong.

I think what was unfair was that my opinion got construed by people as being bitchy, but it was just my opinion and it was a competition for $100K and an opportunity to present your work to millions of viewers—and those are very different things. I wish that the feminist movement came with more adjectives because I’m not the only one who’s had to deal with being referred in a regard that isn’t true to the character of women.

Do you regret anything you said this season about any of the designers?
I don’t because I was just answering the questions about my competitors and their work. I think what anyone should regret is what they don’t do not what they do do. I was true to myself and I felt the way I felt and that enabled me to fight til the end.

Where are you at now in your business? What’s the next step for you?
Well, I really did lose everything, so I don’t right now have a business; I’m working on a business plan. I’ve realized that one of the reasons why I went on the show was that I need exposure to potential consumers, but I also need exposure to the type of financial support it takes to be a designer in this industry. My goals are to be diligent, smart, and thoughtful about my next steps.

If you could dress anyone, who’d be on your dream client list?
I would love to dress Alexa Chung, Diane Kruger, Chloe Sevigny—ya know, all the more forward and playful girls at the moment right now.

Out of the entire show, who taught you the most and what was the lesson you took from them?
God, that’s a hard question. I would really say the final three boys [Andy South, Michael Costello, Mondo Guerra] I was with. They reminded me about how important it is to have courage, how important it to be kind and open to those around you, and how important it is to be honest.

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

This article can also be found on Fancast.com.

What the what what?! Could this be one of the biggest upsets in ‘Project Runway’ history? Although Mondo Guerra was arguably the fan-favorite to win, it was Gretchen Jones—the controversial opinionated designer with control issues—who ended up beating out both him and Andy South to become this season’s ‘Project Runway’ victor!

“Now I truly, truly feel like I’m supposed to be doing what I’m doing,” said Jones. “It’s the most exciting thing that has ever happened to me.”

So what did the blunt-bang’d designer bring to Fashion Week at Lincoln Center? An easy, breezy trendsetting hippie chick look with eye-catching accessories. Think: Urban Outfitters with a tad more sophistication.

But the win wasn’t without major fisticuffs from the judges, which included Heidi Klum, Michael Kors, Nina Garcia, and guest judge Jessica Simpson. Although they were all in consensus that Andy’s monochromatic Asian-inspired collection lost its edge and creativity, and therefore, took him out of the running, the panel was stubbornly split between Gretchen’s bohemian ready-to-wear pieces and Mondo’s mixed-prints-and-pop oeuvre. Kors and Garcia were vying for Gretchen, arguing she had her finger on the pulse of fashion, while the Kluminator and Simpson were on Team Mondo, saying his sartorial vision was exciting with a WOW factor.

“This was the toughest decision in ‘Project Runway’ history,” said Heidi to the three contestants.

But in the end—despite having a few major design flops during the season, turning her nose to Michael Costello and creating divisiveness within the group, angering Tim Gunn with her control issues, and being considered a backstabbing B-word—the 28-year-old Oregonian fought her way all the way to the top by listening to the judge’s critiques while staying true to her aesthetic.

So what do you think? Are you elated that Gretchen won or did ‘Project Runway’ jump the shark on this one?

This article can also be found on Fancast.com.

[Cue spooky grandfather clock and eerie bat squeaking] Mwah ha ha ha ha! It’s getting closer to the spookiest time of the year, and what better way for you fellow fans of the tube to celebrate it than by dressing up as your favorite reality TV star?! After all, reality TV = Hell on earth! We tease…we tease.

This Halloween, how can you replicate the looks of those who grace our television sets each week? Check out our guide below…if you dare!

‘The Bachelor’- Jake Pavelka and Vienna Giradi
What you’ll need for Jake: Blond spiky 90s hair; crystal blue eyes; peachy foundation to slather both your face (and lips); bleached teeth; tabloid cover cut-outs of Jake and Vienna plastered on a dark suit; cowboy boots; a broken GPS system in one hand, a long-stemmed rose in the other; a sign on your back that says “I Heart Fame More Than My Soul.”

What you’ll need for Vienna: Long Amazonian blond hair with bobby pins on each side; a Mr. Potato Head nose; one glass eyeball that doesn’t move; bleached teeth; pink lip gloss; tabloid cover cut-outs of Jake and Vienna plastered on a mini skirt and skin-tight blazer; high heels; a chihuahua wearing a diaper in one hand, a big diamond ring in the other with a price tag that reads: “Owned By ABC.”

‘Survivor’ – Russell Hantz
What you’ll need: A short and stubby body; a black fedora; a Naw’lins accent; menacing blue eyes; facial fuzz; an Immunity Idol around your neck; a tank-top that reads “I Am Sole Survivor” on the front and “Sandra Sucks” on the back; a burning Tiki torch; beer belly optional.

‘Millionaire Matchmaker’ – Patti Stanger
What you’ll need: A long, black flat-ironed wig; tight-fitting clothes; water balloons for your chest; a whiny irritating voice; a type-A personality; mauve-colored lip gloss; a cupid bow and arrow; a black book; Benjamins falling out of your pockets; a copy of Patti’s book, Become Your Own Matchmaker.

‘Keeping Up With the Kardashians’ – Kim Kardashian
What you’ll need: A long, black flat-ironed wig (add lots of shiny hair serum); bronzer; heavy raccoon-like eye makeup; lots of blush; pink lip gloss; water balloons for your chest; water balloons for your J-Lo; tight-fitting clothes; very slow Valley Girl speak; a bottle of Quick Trim strapped to your waist; a framed pic of Reggie Bush taped to your chest.

‘The Apprentice’ – Donald Trump
What you’ll need: A red comb-over with blond highlights; a business suit; pasty white skin with orange blush; a squinty scowl; puckered lips; a sign that says “You’re Fired! (Even If We’re in a Recession)”; the real estate section of the Wall Street Journal in your back pocket.

‘Sister Wives’ – Kody Brown & His Four Wives
What you’ll need: A medium-sized man who looks likes “The Dude” from ‘The Big Lebowski’; one average-sized blond woman wearing a shirt that says “I’m the jealous first wifey”; two frumpy heavy-set blond women with shirts that say “Wifey-Babymaker 2” and “Wifey-Babymaker 3”; one thin brunette with a shirt that says “I’m supposed to be the hot new Wifey #4”; carrying 13 Cabbage Patch Dolls optional.

‘Jersey Shore’ – Snooki
What you’ll need: A short and stubby body; a long black weave with a six-inch tall Bumpit/bouffant; orange foundation; heavy eye makeup; leopard-tight clothes; high heels; a huge bottle of SoCo in your Gucci handbag; french-manicured talons; a tattoo on your forehead that says “I Heart Gorilla Juice Heads.”

‘Project Runway’ – Heidi Klum
What you’ll need: A tall slender bod; a shaggy boy cut; a pinched nose; high cheekbones; your best form-fitting designer outfit that shows lots of leg; high heels; a repetition of the words “You’re either in or you’re out” in a nasally German accent; a well-dressed gay man in a suit with white hair and spectacles to represent Tim Gunn optional. Sexy Nigerian man at your side optional, too.

‘Cake Boss’ – Buddy Valastro
What you’ll need: To look Italian; a white chef/baker suit; a jittery high-energy disposition; a New Jersey accent; a compulsion to scream and get upset about mundane problems in the kitchen; white flour on your face and hair; an obscenely ostentatious cake to prance around with in one hand, a miniature Italian flag in the other.

‘Biggest Loser’ – Jillian Michaels
What you’ll need: Your workout clothes and sneaks; your best raspy tough-guy voice; bulging biceps; wavy brown locks that remind people you’re still female; a series of explosive memorized lines like: “Drop and give me 20—or you’ll smell what I had for breakfast!”; intermittent nostril-flaring; a kettle ball strapped around your neck; Jillian Michaels workout DVDs and a bottle of her fat-burning pills tacked onto your body; a tattoo on your arm that says “No Mercy: JillianMichaels.com.”

Now that you’ve perused our Halloween ideas, how about you? Got any other spooktacular reality TV costume ideas on the brain? Do tell!

Bravo

This interview can also be found on Fancast.com.

After ‘Project Runway’s Mondo Guerra confessed last week that he was H.I.V. positive, we wanted to follow up with the designer to see how his family and fans have reacted to the news and to get the skinny on winning ‘Project Runway’ his experience being on the show.

Now that you’ve gone public with your H.I.V. positive, how has your outlook on life changed?
In the past year I have really made a conscious decision to lead a happier, healthier life. I’ve been holding onto this secret for such a long time. Over that time I have been admitted to the hospital with AIDS-related complications. The last time I was discharged from the hospital I knew that I had to make a change. I fell in love and made it on the show. Coming out and letting go of this “secret” has sealed the deal for me. I’m ready to move forward.

Okay, now the big question: How has your family reacted to the news?
My family is such a great source of support and unconditional love. Yes, I was hesitant to open up a conversation about my HIV poz [sic] status, but it had to be dealt with. I cannot be true to myself when I’m not true to others. Not only as an individual but as an artist coming out with this has made everything so much easier, a weight has really been lifted.

What has been the response from friends (and fans) since the show aired?
I would say that the outpouring of support has been so wonderful. I have received tons of emails from people dealing with tough situations, not only people dealing with HIV.

You’ve been winning competition after competition—one of which snagged you $20K. What are you (really) going to do with the money?
Really [do with the money]? I’m going to buy a new suit. And maybe some shoes. The rest I’m investing in getting my business up and running.

Who did you feel were your top competitors?
All sixteen contestants! After all, ‘One day you’re in and the next day you’re out.’

Who is the biggest diva out of all the judges? (And we want details!)
Diva?! Hmmm…well I will say that Michael Kors was the hardest judge to please. I mean all the judges can give some tough critiques but standing on the runway listening to them, I only took [the criticisms] as something to work on….and in some weird way [as] compliments—even if they were poking fun at me.

You’re quite arguably the one to beat this season. What was it like presenting your collection at Fashion Week?
Unreal! Mercedes Benz Fashion Week is HUGE! I remember waking up, going to the show and presenting my collection; it didn’t really sink in until the next day one of my looks was on the cover of the New York Post! WOW.

You can catch Mondo Madness and the rest of the sartorial competition on Thursdays on Lifetime at 9pm (ET).

Lifetime

This article can also be found on Fancast.com.

A painful shocking secret was revealed during last night’s ‘Project Runway.’

Although unplanned, pint-sized designer Mondo Guerra revealed the inspiration behind his plus-symbol textile pattern: He was H.I.V. positive.

“I feel a lot better; I feel free,” the 32-year-old tearfully admitted to the panel of judges when he came out with the news. According to Guerra, he’s kept his H.I.V. status quiet for 10 years and had been terrified to tell his conservative religious family.

The revelation not only stunned his fellow contestants—some of them even brought to tears—but also touched the normally steel-hearted judges.

“It gives me chills, and [it] will inspire people through his designs,” guest judge Rachel Roy said of the designer’s admission.

Did you watch Mondo’s confession last night? What was your reaction?

Lifetime

This article can also be found on Fancast.com.

Are you getting custom fit for the eighth season of ‘Project Runway’ (Thursday, 9/8c on Lifetime)? Now that the show has extended itself to 90 minutes, there better be some blood, sweat, and shears (womp womp—we couldn’t help ourselves)!

Before tonight’s longer-episodic season kicks off, we’d like to offer five suggestions on how the folks at Lifetime can make that extra 30 worth our while:

1. More Heidi & Tim
With that new boyish shag cut, we want more sightings of Miss Klum, Danke! Okay, but seriously, we all know that the supermodel has a huge fun-loving personality, so why can’t we see a wee bit more of it and a little less of the uber serious auffng ‘tude? If she can do Light & Fit yogurt commercials, she can lighten up on ‘Runway.’

As for Mr. Gunn, we know he’s quintessentially himself no matter what the occasion, and that’s why we want more. Sure, we like his usual walk-around evaluations of the designers, but how about snagging separate footage of him talking to us, the viewers at home, about whose duds he thinks are hot and whose are pretty threadbare?

2. More Follow-ups with Former Contestants
Whatever happened to Season 5’s rebellious Kenley Collins? Season 7’s Southern diva Anthony Williams? In addition to bringing memorable auf’d contestants back on the show and letting them offer some sartorial advice to the new designer hopefuls, it’d be pretty fab to get a follow-up on their lives after leaving the show and their current fashion endeavors.

3. More Idolizing of the Runway
Maybe ‘PR’ could be a little more like ‘AI’—‘American Idol,’ that is. Instead of having the predictable elimination round where the judges sit in an austere room opposite the designers to assess their creations on the runway, what if they could make space for an audience and let them have their say as well? (For some reason, the thought of people booing – or cheering – sourpuss Michael Kors (a.k.a. the Simon Cowell of ‘Runway’) in front of his face seems pretty priceless.)

Heck, while they’re at it, throw in a ‘1-866’ number and let the viewers at home vote their fave design of the week, too!

4. More Dressing of Celeb Clientele
Unless they have strong ties to the industry on a respectable, professional level, the whole celeb judge thing is a joke. Instead of being part of the judging panel, it’d be fun to see a variety of A-listers—meaning fashion and fashion clueless alike—come on the show, have them give the designers a general idea of what kind of garb they’re envisioning for a particular event, and in the end, let them simply choose their favorite outfit. The bonus for the viewers would be to see the celeb prancing around at the actual soiree. (Can you imagine what the designers could get away with if they were dressing their clients for Comic-Con?)

5. More Exotic Locales
Once the show’s down to the top five designers, it’d be sweet to see some international jet setting take place. Yes, we’ve seen the season where contestants were flown to Paris, but why not Bora Bora? Buenos Aires? Tokyo? Artists need inspiration and what better way than to take them (and us) to foreign digs!

How do you feel about the new 90-minute ‘PR’? What would you like to see done differently?

This article can also be found on Fancast.com.

This season’s ‘Project Runway‘ went swimmingly, wouldn’t you say? The fact that it returned to the fashion capital of the world from last season’s Los Angeles locale was enough for us to pick it up, kiss it, and pet it with gratitude–never mind the absence of any crazy drama. Instead of producing a handful of love-to-hate contestants, the show managed to surprise us with endearing ones who knew how to take on some interesting design challenges with creative flair.

Who could forget the whimsical ways of Ping with her airy potato sack constructions or the snarky Michael Kors impersonations by Jonathan, who stood his ground when the acerbic judge went sour on his neutral watercolor pattern? Thanks to Jay, we won’t look at garbage bags the same way, and punk was in full-swing with the rocked-out zipper-filled innovations of Seth Aaron, whose bouncy youthful ways remind us there’s a Peter Pan in all of us. (We’d also like to give honorable mention to Jesse just because he had that whole River Phoenix hottie patottie thing going on.)

As for drama, we applaud Mila, who just seemed to rub everyone the wrong way with her icy veneer, as well as Emilio, who’s divalicious ego grew exponentially as he won challenges, and in turn, influenced him to belligerently ignore the advice of His Majesty, Tim Gunn. The bang’d out Maya made us raise an eyebrow when she suddenly decided to up and leave (confidence or control issues–take your pick), but at least her exit allowed the most memorable and by far the most quotable character on the show, Mr. Southern Belle himself, Anthony, to return and continue his uncensored Anthony-isms.

And now, with Thursday night’s season finale, it’s come down to three. Last week we sadly watched the uber modern Jay, with his samurai-inspired creations, lose to his retro-loving nemesis, Mila, (we blame Heidi for the blasted result!), allowing her to move forward to Fashion Week with the other two finalists, Emilio and Seth Aaron.

Let’s size ‘em up:

Mila
Pros: Consistent, clean, good construction
Cons: Predictable style (hello, color-blocking!), too much use of black and white, the prickly personality doesn’t help

Emilio
Pros: Consistent, innovative, attention to detail
Cons: Doesn’t listen to Tim Gunn, his blend of classic and modern don’t always jive, ginormous ego doesn’t help

Seth Aaron
Pros: Consistent, innovative, attention to detail, seamless construction
Cons: Niche style, sometimes his designs get a little Tim Burton-esque and need to be reigned in

With ten looks set to walk down the runway by each designer, we hope for Mila’s sake that she adds some ingenuity and color. If not, we think the competition is totally between Emilio and Seth Aaron…and our bet is that the latter will rock it all the way to victory.

How about you? Did you enjoy this season? Who do you think will win?