project-runway-blog
The Project Runway Blog
Meet "Project Runway" Season 8 Designer A.J. Thouvenot
"Project Runway" Season 8 Designer A.J. Thouvenot is a proponent of equal-opportunity fashion, with a repertoire that includes something for everyone. The St. Louis designer first realized his true potential when people dug the costumes he created for drag queens and other local performers, and is now known for his playful dresses that just beg to be partied in. A.J. could even hold his own in a menswear challenge — the designer creates prints and duds for dudes as well!
Take a tour of A.J. Thouvenot's past collections in the designer's candy- and toy-filled "fashion dungeon." Then take a peek at his portfolio to discover his bubblegum-pop inspirations and see his former fashions on the runway.
Meet "Project Runway" Season 8 Designer Valerie Mayen
"Project Runway" Season 8 Designer Valerie Mayen stays true to her roots — she was modeling the very first garment she made, way back in high school, when she gave us a mini swing-dance lesson and tour of her closet. The Cleveland-based designer has come a long way since that dress and is geared up (with capelets and coats aplenty) to wow on Season 8.
Don’t miss Valerie Mayen's casting session, where you'll get to see a real-life "fanny pack that doesn't suck," then check out more of her past designs and current inspirations in her portfolio!
Meet "Project Runway" Season 8 Designer Michael Drummond
"Project Runway" Season 8 Designer Michael Drummond has been named the Best Dressed St. Louisan, which is no surprise when you take a peek inside his closet, a.k.a. "short-short land." Spandex jumpsuits and "hilarious" vests aside, Michael is ready to carry out his vision of microdermabrasion fashion for all in Season 8! Can he do it without his trusty automatic knitting machine by his side?
See Michael Drummond's pre-"Runway" fashions in the photo gallery of the designer's past work, and take a look at his portfolio to find out what inspires him and who his dream celebrity client is.
Meet "Project Runway" Season 8 Designer April Johnston
"Project Runway" Season 8 Designer April Johnston created her first fashion masterpiece for herself — her prom dress! As the youngest contestant on Season 8, the recent college grad hails from Savannah, Georgia. But with a design portfolio including an arsenal of zippered coats and shiny black pantsuits that Gaga would go gaga over, she is no ordinary Southern belle.
Watch this contestant's "dark doll, transformed" aesthetic come to life in front of your (and Tim Gunn's) eyes and view April Johnston's portfolio to uncover her secret weapon: unstoppable sketch-to-life powers.
Meet "Project Runway" Season 8 Designer Peach Carr
"Project Runway" Season 8 Designer Peach Carr creates all of her work in a hayloft, including her very own line of self-dubbed "mullet-wear" that combines the best of the business and party fashion worlds. Her hubby may call her "Johnny Cash" because of her black-saturated closet, but when it comes to designing (and her shoe collection), the self-taught Illinois mom is no stranger to bright bursts of color.
Take a spin inside Peach Carr's portfolio to see what — from Bowie to preppy — inspires the designer, and don't miss out on the video of her home visit. Where else can you get an old chicken coop–filled tour of a "Project Runway" contestant's 1890s barn-turned-house?
Meet "Project Runway" Season 8 Designer Ivy Higa
"Project Runway" Season 8 designer Ivy Higa was born and raised in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii — and has a kitchen full of macadamia nuts to prove it — but now represents the home team as one of this season's three New Yorkers. The Manhattanite proves during her home visit that big things (and entire fall collections) come from small apartments, and shows Tim Gunn her Transformer aesthetic and a glimpse at her dark side at her casting session.
Don't miss Ivy Higa's portfolio of past work that includes runway gowns, more convertible-chic clothing and even enviable accessories. Then, check out the designer's fashion transformation through the years, including a chunky platform-sponsored stop in the '90s, in her personal photos.
17 New Designers You Need to Meet
The start of a new season of "Project Runway" is upon us, and Season 8 not only has a brand new time (9 pm!) and more minutes (90!), but the most number of designers in the show's history (17!). To help you get through all things new, here's a "Runway" road map:
• Start out by visiting the designers' profile pages to read their extensive Q&As and flip through photo galleries. You'll find out the answers to all the things you want to know — like design training and favorite fabrics — plus see all their favorite pictures.
• Jump on over to Designer Portfolios to see the contestants' inspirations and the past work that got them a spot on the show.
• Finally, watch our exclusive pre-show videos, where you can watch the designers' casting sessions, home visits and closet-tours.
Also for Season 8, we have some friendly and new faces for our "Runway" bloggers! Mentor Tim Gunn is back again with designers Carol Hannah Whitfield (Season 6), plus Nick Verreos (Season 2) and , new for Season 8, Laura Bennett (Season 3).
Don't forget to tune in for the big Episode 1 premiere on Thursday, July 29 at 9 pm et/pt for 90 minutes of "Runway" with guest judge Selma Blair, and stick around for the premiere of "On the Road With Austin & Santino" at 10:30 pm et/pt.
And, as always, remember to check out our "Project Runway" Facebook and Twitter pages for the latest updates!
Actress Selma Blair to Serve as "Project Runway" Season 8 Premiere Episode Guest Judge
Check out two sneak peek photos of actress Selma Blair in action as guest judge during "Project Runway" Season 8's premiere episode, airing Thursday, July 29 at 9 pm et/pt:
Keep checking back here on the blog for more inside info on the upcoming season!
"Project Runway" Receives Two 2010 Primetime Emmy® Award Nominations
"Project Runway" was nominated for Outstanding Reality-Competition Program, while its host Heidi Klum was nominated for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program. Lifetime Television received a total of 11 2010 Emmy® Award nominations this morning – a single year record for the network. Congrats!
Introducing "On the Road with Austin & Santino"
Your favorite "Project Runway" designers of seasons past are back! "On the Road with Austin & Santino" premieres Thursday, July 29, after the highly anticipated 90-minute "Project Runway" Season 8 premiere, at 10:30 pm et/pt.
The show follows designers Austin Scarlett (Season 1) and Santino Rice (Season 2, All Star Challenge) as they travel to and immerse themselves in the culture of small towns across America to create new looks for special women in unique situations as they celebrate such life milestones as anniversaries, birthdays, balls, graduations and bachelorette parties. (In the only way Austin and Santino can ... fabulously!)
In the 14-episode series, Austin and Santino will face differences in opinion and demanding clients, including a rodeo trick-rider, a military officer and a female truck-driver!
Keep checking back here on the blog for more updates on this show.
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