Tim Gunn to Receive Honorary Doctorate From Alma Mater

Tim Gunn will serve as the Commencement Speaker as well as receive an Honorary Doctorate degree from The Corcoran College of Art + Design on May 23rd. Details here.

Attention designers: There is still time to send in your application for Project Runway Season Seven. Deadline is April 30th. Click here for more information.

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Project Runway Season Seven Now Casting

Attention Designers: Project Runway Season Seven is now casting. The application deadline is April 24th. Semi-final interviews will be in Atlanta, Chicago, New York City, Los Angeles and Seattle probably between May 8th and May 25th.

You can download the application here.

For more information visit Bunim/Murray.

Good luck designers!

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Audition Videos!

Our friends at ProjectRunway.com have posted audition videos for the Season Five designers.

Click here for Terri's audition video.

Click here for Keith's audition video.

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Casting for Season Six?

Amy alerted us to these ads that are running on Craigslist.

They are running in every market, even here in Phoenix.

Designers, please let us know if you follow up on this - thanks!

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Project Runway Auditions in NY and Interview with Jack Mackenroth

BPR's intrepid NYC correspondent Nancy T checks in from the Project Runway Season 5 auditions where she runs into an old friend:

Dateline: Saturday, April 5. There was a line around the block at the Times Square Starbucks. New flavor of Frappacino? Not quite. Instead, about 60 people were waiting to get into the W Hotel for their Project Runway interviews. Along with their portfolios, dress racks, and mannequins, they brought their friends and well-wishers. This group consisted mainly of talented amateurs, rather than the more experienced participants of Season 4.

But, there was one familiar face in the crowd. We caught Jack Mackenroth surveying the incoming talent at the Saturday auditions. Eying his competition perhaps? If so, he’s the most gracious (and buff) competitor we’ve seen in a while. He was wishing everyone good luck, posing for pictures, and giving helpful audition advice to nervous designers.

When asked if he was planning on coming back for Season Five, he said "Well, Heidi asked the same question on the reunion show. Since then, I've come to realize how important it is for me to finish what I started. It was so amazing the first time around. So, I've expressed my interest in coming back. I'm really excited about the possibility, and just have my fingers crossed for it to all work out again."

Click here to continue reading Nancy's report from NYC and hear more from Jack!

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Oprah!

Big News from the PR5 auditions in Chicago today - Oprah Winfrey has joined Tim and Uncle Nick on the judging panel! Here's Project Runway's Executive Producer Jane Lipsitz:

...we were contacted by the folks at Harpo Productions to let us know that Oprah was a big fan of the show and she wanted to stop by at the auditions to say hello. I suggested that she could sit on the panel, and she agreed!

Tim Gunn is beside himself:

I keep pinching myself every 5 minutes, 'I can't believe I'm sitting next to Oprah!'. Of course she epitomizes my mantra of quality, taste and style. It's a thrill to have her on board with our team.

Having Oprah affiliated with Project Runway brings a new dimension to the future of the show. What does this mean?

Click here for more.

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Advice To The Season Five Hopefuls From Executive Producer Rich Bye

Executive Producer of Project Runway - Rich Bye - offers his advice...

1. In choosing 3 looks, make sure they’re recent. The more current they are, the better. Also, the 3 looks should ideally express a consistent, compelling, and fresh point of view. We’d like to be able to see all 3 looks and be able to tell immediately they came from the same designer. Ditto for the portfolio.

2. Be confident and be passionate. Contrary to what some may think, the judges want you to succeed. They want to get excited and engaged but it’s hard to do when someone comes in the room and is unable to talk intelligently and passionately about their work. This is your chance, what do you have to lose? Be loose, be confident in yourself and “knock our socks off!”

3. You need to have a base-line level of technical skills to be able to compete on the show, ie: sewing... If you’re cast on the show, you WILL have to create something in a day, sometimes two, and you can’t be constantly struggling to figure out how to pull it off technically because it detracts from your ability to be creative from a design standpoint. We don’t want to put anyone is a position to fail so if your technical skills aren’t there, it’s difficult for us to move you forward.

4. We love potential. Even if you’ve just graduated from design school, if you have potential and are able to demonstrate it through the looks you bring in, it will intrigue us enough to roll the dice. Look at Christian Siriano, Daniel Vosovic, Nora Caliguri...

5. The quality of the designs you bring in the room is the most important thing but we love designers with great personal style and compelling life stories. Think about what you wear and how you present yourself to the judges. Remember, first impressions do count.

6. Have fun! Remember, as Andrae Gonzalo once said (quoting Nina Garcia): “lighten up, it’s only fashion.”

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Advice For Season Five Hopefuls

We're back with advice for the season five hopefuls!

First, from Tim Gunn:

The season five auditions are upon us! Incredible isn't it? I still feel as though Rami, and Jillian, and Christian were just battling it out on the runway at Bryant Park -- because they were!

Anyone coming to the auditions should:
1) follow the rules as posted on the bravotv.com website,
2) be confident about who they are as a designer and be equally confident that that message resonates in their work,
3) have IMPECCABLE examples of fabricated work,
4) be professional and responsible in their presentation, both personal and as a designer.
At this first stage of the auditions, we are looking for talent, only. Personality assessments come later. Without the talent, who cares about the personality?

Individuals who presented at previous auditions (or didn't make it past the first screening) should be encouraged to try, again, providing that their presentation is different and/or enhanced.

Furthermore, we bought 120 individuals forward to "the next round" last season. 105 of those individuals were not on the show. Therefore, there are 105 people who already know that they were a close call. Please encourage any or all of them to return.

And I need to assert that with each successive season, my fellow judges and I are more informed about what individual characteristics are critical and what are impediments. That means that we bring an enhanced "lens" to this entire process. Consequently, someone who auditioned for season three, for example, and was moved forward in the process may not be as capable of competing for season five. But I try never to assume!

I don't know who will be joining me for the auditions. I fully expect a number of the designers from previous seasons to be there, as well as representatives from ELLE. And, of course, none of this can be achieved without the masterful organization and facilitation of the fabulous Magical Elves.

I look forward to seeing the BPR readers who brave the throngs! Wish us all luck!

Tim

Next, from Rami Kashou:

I would suggest the following:
Be as prepared as possible! The whole idea is that you stand out "in a good way" :)
Bring whatever you think will help the judges see something special about you and your work.
Samples, portfolio, look book, model etc...
Do not be afraid or intimidated.. just be ready to answer any question thrown at you.
Above all Be yourself and give it your all!

Good luck to all of you and I will see you soon!
Rami

From Christian Siriano:

I really want to wish season 5 the best of luck and i just hope it can bring as many great opportunities to them as project runway has given me!
I loved almost every second and I am still loving it!
But they need to bring it hard because they have big stilettos to fill!!!
hugs and kisses
christian


Click here for season four advice from Team BPR.

Here is advice from Nick Verreos.

Here is advice from Malan Breton.

Here is advice from Robert Best.

Here is more advice from Daniel Vosovic, Laura Bennett and Emmett McCarthy.

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From The Mailbox

From The New York Times, here is a very interesting article about Tim Gunn. Thanks Deb.

Tim also will be attending the White House Correspondent's Dinner in Washington on April 21, as a guest of People Magazine. More here.

Here's a clip from MTV News from the NYC auditions. That looks like BPR regular Valerie we see. Hi Val!

Malan Breton will be creating a design to help fight hunger at New York's first "Action against Hunger."

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Trish's Dish From The Season Four Auditions

BPR Welcomes back Ace Field Reporter Trish, with her "View From the Back of the Line." Thanks again Trish!

At the last day of Project Runway's 3 day season 4 auditions in New York City, no one seemed to make it, but no one really seemed to care!

I arrived at the Westin Hotel Monday afternoon and went to the end of the line (which wasn't really as long as I expected it to be - maybe because it was the last day?) There were several anxious designers though and I thought I'd introduce myself. I said, "Hey everyone, I am from Blogging Project Runway, so if anyone is interested in the site, I'd love to chat!" Almost immediately I made some new friends!

Click here to continue.

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From The Mailbox

Heidi Klum's latest jewelry line will soon be featured on QVC.

Myitthings is sponsoring a contest where you can win $1000 for writing about your favorite fashion "it" things. Celebrity judge is Santino Rice.

SkyOne is bringing Project Runway to the UK.

Finally, here is a New York Post article about the Project Runway auditions. BPRs, do you have any theories on why the turnout was so low this season? I honestly don't believe it has anything to do with who was serving on the panel.

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Project Runway Auditions in NYC

The air was brutally cold for April and the wind was brisk making those standing in the long line at the Westin entrance on 42nd Street seem even more determined. For the first day of Season 4 auditions in New York City the turnout seemed neither smaller or larger than last year. The only different trend I noted was that there were far fewer 'characters' queued up indicating to me that those that had braved the crowded Midtown streets on this holiday weekend were serious about their potential to actually be cast for Project Runway.

The people that I spoke to were, for the most part, professionals within the fashion industry. I found myself drawn to the designer candidates that brought models. There seemed to be something especially poignant about the willowy young women shivering in the cold as they waited their turn. I asked several people about what brought them to audition for Project Runway and I was surprised when they usually couldn't articulate their reasons; it was as if they had never considered that they would be asked such a thing! Later, when I spoke to Tim, he expressed that I had, "done them a great favor" by having them ponder an answer.

I was encouraged to note that many in the line were aware of BPR and they expressed that they had read the recommendations by both the readers and the former cast. One designer, who, judging by the smile on his face, was moved to the next level, told me that one of his friends had found Blogging Project Runway and that he had devoured the tips.

Coming up next will be my interview with Tim Gunn as well as catching up with the debonair Malan Breton.

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Did You Audition for Season Four?

We are getting some audition stories in the comments as well as in our mailbox. Here is an example:

Hey guys,
I love the Blogging Project Runway site, I think I might have auditioned for the hope of being blogged about by you guys as much as actually being a Project Runway designer. I didn't get to meet any of you while I was out there as it was a quick in and out trip, I hope you had as much fun as I did.

CLick here to continue reading this audition story.

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Attention Los Angeles!

It's not too late! Bravo has added an extra day of casting on Friday. Click here for more details. Good luck from BPR!

Meanwhile, click here for The Dish which includes beautiful photos of Jeffrey's collection from his recent showing in LA.

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Sunday Morning at The Standard

After breakfast Kaitlin and I headed outside to say good morning to the designers in line. There were quite a few. As we rounded the corner Kaitlin said, "Mom, there's Jeffrey Sebelia." We had walked right by him. Good thing she was observant.

Sure enough, there was Jeffrey with Michael Rucker. We introduced ourselves and asked to take a photo. It was just a few moments before the auditions were scheduled to begin so I didn't want to be a pest...but I WAS willing to be a small pest on behalf of BPR...



Kaitlin headed upstairs and I went off to Kinko's to check out
Blogging Andy Cohen. We had a lot of fun with that!

When I returned to the hotel Daniel was getting up and wanting to do something. I felt kind of bad because he had been hanging out with me and doing BPR stuff. So - of course we went shopping!

We returned for our 11:00 brunch date with Robert Best. LA-based BeePeR Deb S joined us as well. I spotted Robert coming in, but of course, so did the designers waiting in line. He patiently greeted them and posed for photos as he entered.

Now, just about all of our meals had been in the same restaurant. As far as I could tell there IS only one restaurant in The Standard. By now I am on a first-name basis with the staff. We slid into a booth and ordered.



Click here to continue.

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From The Mailbox

Here is Tim Gunn doing an interview about "salad fashions." I remember this from last year when Jay McCarroll designed many of the garments. They are really creative. This is sponsored by Wish-Bone and it sounds like Tim is the host this year. Click here for more info. "I think that one could still take a nibble..." Hee. Thanks Deb. ETA: Click here to enter Wishbone's Salad Fashion contest. Make it work!



Here is an early report from the Chicago auditions.

Looks like BPR wasn't the only site with an April Fool. Thanks SR.

Speaking of Bravo, the next reality/competition show appears to be something for photographers called Money Shot.

Was that one of our suggestions?

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More From Los Angeles

While scanning the line of "hopefuls" in Los Angeles I noticed I gentleman who looked kind of like an accountant. "Are you a DESIGNER?" I asked. "No, I'm an accountant, but I'm holding this place in line for my daughter-in-law." he replied.

(I'm thinking "Awwwwww... his daughter-in-law. That is SO sweet!") I asked when she would arrive and promised to return for an interview.

I worked my way down the line introducing myself and trying to encourage the designers. I did several interviews and took photos.

After a little while I returned to the accountant, Dale, and met his lovely and charming daughter-in-law Lalaina. (La-lane-ya.) She is a 29-year-old newlywed and she has been designing for about five years. She majored in Fashion Design at Los Angeles Trade Tech and she works as a bartender at a club in the Fashion District. Her portfolio contained clothing designs as well as tear sheets from magazines that had featured her handbag designs. This was her first time trying out for Project Runway.

After she went in for her audition, Kaitlin and I visited with Dale for a while and dicovered that our families have a lot in common. When Lalaina came out she said she had been given a "maybe" and so we were all hopeful.

Last night we received this note from Lalaina.

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Lunch at The Standard

Here is more from BPR Field Reporter, Jonathan Trimm!


This morning I rose early to get ready for my lunch with the one and only Laura K. We were eating at The Restaurant in the Standard. I showed up and walked in to find a whole group of people that I was not expecting to see. The first were two contestants from Top Design, Andrea and Heather.

Click here to continue.

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More BPR in Los Angeles

This is what the line looked like on Saturday morning before the doors were opened. The designers were ready to go and the models were all lovely. I visited with the hopefuls and their supporters for most of the morning. There were some wonderful and touching stories. Several of them were back for the third time.

Still, many of them couldn't answer even the most basic questions about their "design philosophy" or their "aesthetic." Even "Why do you want to be on Project Runway?" got me a lot of blank stares. I do not envy the judges. By the end of the day it would be hard to be diplomatic and polite. The eager morning faces of the folks in line became the disappointed and angry faces of the people leaving.

I had arranged a lunch at 1:00 with some fun LA friends.

I'll let Jonathan tell you about it.

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BPR <3 The GenArt Volunteers

I had a wonderful time in Los Angeles this weekend. Kaitlin and Dan and I drove over from Phoenix and arrived at about 10PM on Friday. We were trying to get there in time for Nick's party, but we were a little bit too late.

I was up bright and early on Saturday to greet the "hopefuls" and the dedicated volunteers from GenArt were already on duty. They were busy all weekend. Thanks girls!

In the top row are Sima, Tracy and Quinn and on the bottom are Anthea, Lauren, Melissa and Kristin.

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