Project Runway 2, Episode 1: Who Are You?

The Project Runway 2 introduction begins with a quick montage of last years contestants, a brief shot of the fashion show during Olympus Fashion Week, and Jay McCarroll being declared the winner of last years Project Runway. Jay explains that after Project Runway aired, his life turned into a tornado. I want to know what the heck Jay did to his hair? I didn’t even know he had hair! Jay looks to be wearing a squirrel on his head. Anywho, his spread in Elle Magazine came out, and he explains that he will be launching a line of men’s and women’s wear which will hit the stores in the Fall of 2006. Jay tells us, “I ordered a big old’ plate of Project Runway this morning and boy do I feel f**kin’ good!”

The gorgeous Heidi Klum steps out and says, “This is Project Runway, the search for the next big fashion designer!” (During the introduction we see and hear blurbs from the new contestants.) Heidi continues, “Sixteen designers, three finalists will make it to Olympus Fashion week, but only one can be the winner. For these sixteen designers only one will win the chance of a lifetime!”

I have to admit, this was a stunning introduction. Heidi is in a black mini dress, with boots, on a white stage, and the sixteen contestants, also all in black, stand like wings behind her. Very nice! As we begin to travel the “Road To The Runway,” the pumpin’ Runway music chimes in, which starts the show.

Heidi explains how they launched a nation wide search to find America’s best up and coming fashion designers. Their journey begins in the fashion capital of the world, New York City, where Jay McCarroll joins the panel of judges, that also include Heidi Klum, Tim Gunn, Joann Pailey from Elle Magazine, and Christina Neault from 7th on Sixth’s. In American Idol fashion, we get to meet the best and the worst! We see a costume designer, a tap dancing designer, and guy in a dress designer. Finally in walks Diana Eng, who shows off her picture-taking hoodie. Tim Gunn is “entranced,” and makes her a semi finalist!

On day two, while still in New York, Austin Scarlett joins the panel to help with the search. Austin explains to us how being on Project Runway was the turning point in his life, and that he’s coming out with a Spring collection in 2006! I’m delighted to see that Austin is still as gorgeous as ever!

More designers get interviewed. There’s a man sporting a white shoulder fur who has wanted to design since he was in diapers, a guy who made space suits for chickens, (holey moley! I think Austin borrowed Ms. J’s Top Model corsage), then in walks our next semi finalist. Zulema Griffin shows the judges a red jacket, laced like a corset, that she had designed. She thinks that she could bring to the show a street culture, an understanding of couture, high fashion, and muli culturism.

Wendy Pepper joins up with the Project Runway search team in Houston, Texas. She explains that she is in a happy place in her life. After all the turmoil during the show, it was a great surprise to her how easily her family rallied around her. She wants a designer to walk in and say, “The future of American design lies with me!” The wannabes continue to file before the judging panel where one tells Wendy, “You’re so tough! You’re just like you were on the show!” Chloe Dao, wearing a less than flattering white gown, shows off the beadwork on one of her designs. Wendy asks what she hopes to get out of this competition. Chloe would be happy to make it to the final three and make it to the fashion show runway. Project Runway is an ultimate dream for this semi finalist!

In Miami, Season 1 hopeful Robert Plotkin offers his expertise. He tells us that Playgirl wanted to do a full spread on him, but he doesn’t know if that means frontal or rear. He says that there’s a website that likes his a$$, and says, “God bless everyone who liked his a$$!” It’s nice to see that Robert continues to be as charmingly immature as I remember! Another group of designers march before the judging panel. One gal came out of a coma, so she thinks she has a really great story, while another loves the color pink! One designer incorporates weird objects into clothing. Condoms? Robert wants one! Vivacious hopeful Heidi Standridge talks a mile a minute, and explains her “Think In” motto. This gal is chock full of happy beans! Tim is thrilled to tell her she is a semi finalist! She hugs all the judges!

The final stop for the search is Los Angeles, where last year’s runner up, Kara Saun, joins the judging panel. Kara says she has been going non-stop since her stint in Project Runway. She has business plan writers and marketing companies! She tells us that Project Runway has definitely been one of her amazing, amazing experiences! Here we cut right to the chase and are introduced to a few more of the semi-finalists. We meet fashion schoolteacher Nick Verreos. He thinks Project Runway would be a great avenue for the world to see his designs. He explains one of his designs, which is a stunning “tornado print” gown. He’s here to finish his dream.