Project Runway 4: Meet the Designers

Hello, my fashion conscious children. It’s time for us to gather around the campfire and prepare for yet another wonderful, mystical season of Project Runway. I’ve already heard a few tidbits from this season and it promises to be a doozy for sure.

The best tidbit came from Tim Gunn himself. Apparently, he was questioning what the judges were on since there were more a few instances where the person he pegged to go home was the person who wound up winning the competition. In fact, he made that comment to one designer who won and even THEY expressed surprise and not only making it through to the next week but winning the challenge.

Also, a tidbit courtesy of Chloe and Jeffrey, the Seasons 2 and 3 winners – this is one freaking grueling competition. In fact, Chloe would have to remind the producers to feed them sometimes! They averaged about four hours of sleep a night and apparently the camera people got even less than that and were like the walking dead.

But enough about the gossip, let’s meet the designers!

Carmen, 37, Charlotte, North Carolina

What a pedigree on her. She has a double major from the Savannah College of Art and Design (a pretty prestigious school, in my opinion, knowing many a person who has gone there) and has studied under the current head designer for Lacoste, Christian LaMarre, as well as having worked with Paco Rabanne. She’s now living in Harlem, where she runs the Sistahs of Harlem clothing line that was apparently a big hit on the street fair scene.

Chances of winning – Pretty good given her background and her experience living in Paris. But can the Sistah’s deconstructed t-shirts put her over the top?

Chris, 44, San Francisco, California

Chris is the one you will recognize from the ads and commercials for pairing a leopard print jacket/shirt with a chartreuse tie. It’s quite eye-catching but, at the same time, makes you wonder if it’s even stylish. Personally, not a combination I would be putting together. He’s a self-taught designer, something that didn’t bode well for Season 2 designer Marla, but considering his clientele (Cirque du Soleil, Madonna, and others), he could be a force to be reckoned with.

Chances of winning – Middle of the road. If he can shed his costume designer image and thought process, then he can go far. However, if he morphs into Austin Scarlett doing a Post Office uniform a la Marlo Thomas in That Girl, then we could have some problems.

Christian, 21, Annapolis, Maryland

Quite frankly, Christian scares me. The first thing you notice about him may not be his fashion but his hair. Of course, that could be an homage to his idol, Vivienne Westwood (of the infamous 11 inch heels), but I’ve always been of the ilk that your work should draw the attention, not you (or your hair). He’s the youngest of the competitors, but youth doesn’t always mean inexperience.

Chances of winning – Slim. Youth may not mean inexperience but it may mean immaturity. While Jeffrey Sebelia, the Season 3 winner, was able to break out of his rock and roll mode when needed, I wonder if Christian can do the same.

Elisa, 42, El Paso, Texas

Um. Wow.

Those were literally the first words out of my mouth when I read Elisa’s bio. For someone who has been heralded as the next great (insert noun here), why have we not heard more of her? Why is she on this show? She’s been featured in Vogue, Elle, Jane, Paper Mag, and who knows what other publications. Her work was featured as part of an exhibit at the Barbacan – no easy feat itself. Her parents are artists and sculptors themselves and you can definitely tell their genius runs in the genes.

Chances of winning – If she doesn’t make final three I will be surprised. Of course, these are the ones that surprise you the most.

Jack, 38, Seattle, Washington

Jack is a Parsons grad and probably knows Tim Gunn quite well. Or they at least passed in the halls. Jack opened his own eponymously named store in the West Village following his graduation from Parsons but, quite frankly, I’ve never heard of it even when it was open (if it is still open now). He’s currently the design director of an active wear line, which could help him in the competition.

Chances of winning – Middle of the road. Jack is really more focused on menswear, which is not what this show is about or what it focuses on. He’s going to expand his mind and horizons to pull out a win.

Jillian, 26, Long Island, New York

Jillian. Jillian, Jillian, Jillian.

I’m going to be honest. I’m not pegging her to go far based on one thing – the “fashion must” in her bio: a sweater dress (ideally with pockets on the side seams) worn with opaque colored tights. I’m sorry but that just doesn’t even sound attractive to me and didn’t Michael Kors say something about women cutting the pockets out of their pants since they made them look fat? I’m not buying it… even if she worked for Ralph Lauren’s Rugby line.

Chances of winning – Slim. You gotta impress me with more than a sweater dress.

Kevin, 30, Fairfield, New Jersey

There’s something about Kevin. I can’t put my finger on it exactly, but there’s something about him that I like from a competitor standpoint. He doesn’t seem showy or flashy. I get the vibe that he’s the kind who will let the work speak for itself. Given the fact that he just started his own line that’s now featured in 200 boutiques nationwide and his line of jeans graced the cover of the Victoria’s Secret catalogue, he’s got a good start on him.

Chances of winning – Final three. While he has the similar issue as Jack in that he is a menswear designer, I think he’s got enough of a background to branch out past it. And I would love to wear a pair of his jeans.