Project Runway

Posted in FASHION by MelanieHick on Jul 07, 03:08PM

The Australian version of the hit US series Project Runway starts tonight on Foxtel's Arena. Host and mentor Henry Roth promises a series jammed with pressure, talent and surprisingly, a cooperative Australian spirit in the trenches of the rag trade.

"The pressure pushes out an incredible level of creativity and you'll see designers who start with one distinct way of doing things develop new ideas. And I'm really pleased to tell you, most of them more than rise to the challenge," said Roth.

Highlights of the series, which sees 12 contestants pitted against each other over the next 11 weeks in a series of fashion design challenges, including incredible performances under pressure, more of a mentoring approach from the host and insights into the reality of the schmatte business.

“What you will see is incredible performance under pressure. And surprisingly, it’s quite different to the US series in terms of the cooperation amongst the designers. They don’t walk all over each other, they’re much more human, with more directional fashion and I am much more hands on (than Tim Gunn, host of the US series),” Roth added.

One of the very few "reality" TV shows to actually be based on skill and talent, this is still a personality contest and with 12 characters to watch over the next 11 weeks, everyone will have their favourite. At the media launch hot young Israeli Oren and talented Lui were friendly and excited about the series. Roth says Brent the surfer is one to watch, as of course is Mark Antonio and his fabulous hair. Petrova’s take on vintage fashion will also find a place in the heart of retro fans.

Roth himself is off to the US shortly to continue running his successful bridal wear company, and will no doubt be even more sought after as a fashion commentator following this series.

Currently 3/5 Stars.
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TAGS: fashion, events, designers

Reader comments (9)

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SS71 ON 08 Jul 2008 09:33:24AM This show was bollocks - why do all of them have to try to be such bitches? The clothes were a mess and the entrants are just the pits. Big thumbs down. Tim Gunn couldn't make this work.

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foxxxy ON 08 Jul 2008 01:36:02PM Wish Heidi Klum is the host here in Australia ... :) p/s: what d ya mean ...bollocks... i reckon is okey :)

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bleedingblue ON 08 Jul 2008 02:54:33PM Watched the show last night, someone throw Kristy Hinze a dictionary. Her comment to one of the contestants on why the outfit wasn't more "nighteveningy" was laughable. Maybe it should have been on the Comedy channel instead!

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SS71 ON 08 Jul 2008 03:44:29PM Foxxxy, if the words "Nina Garcia from Elle magazine" aren't said in Heidi's poor attempt at Spanish, I can't watch the show.

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Antonio ON 08 Jul 2008 04:27:07PM Given the high benchmark set by Tim Gunn and the New York version, last nights Australian debut was surprisingly good. Roth seems quite likeable, but I fear for Kiwi Brent - naive in the extreme. Love the instant "Yes" response to Helen's last minute "Can I suggest you ditch the hood?"

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shiremole ON 08 Jul 2008 05:18:02PM American Project Runway is sooo much better. That guy with the quiff is a lame attempt at the US version of Christian. It must be the accent or acne or something....

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Hannah ON 09 Jul 2008 07:32:30AM How come the show never does any styling for maternity wear? I'm really into my fashion and have recently found out that I'm pregnant and there is such a lack of hot maternity wear out there. The only decent site I've checked out is Sweet Lilly Maternity online but other than that - hopeless. Project Runway should look at styling for other than the mainstream.

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lilacsigil ON 09 Jul 2008 01:46:03PM Great show - as good as the US version and nearly as good as the fantastic Canadian one. I was worried about the mentor (the UK mentor is really awful) because that makes or breaks the show, but Henry's advice was right on target, and he's very personable. Can't wait for more!