Tim Gunn takes us on a tour of this season's designer auditions. Sadly, there weren't as many freakshows as in years past. But, unsadly, it looks like there are going to be some pretty cool designers competing.
We also get some where-are-they-nows from designers from seasons. Wendy Pepper is apparently finding some success in the fashion industry. She has also lost another twenty-five pounds since last seen on the program. Austin is designing wedding gowns for Kenneth Cole. Kara Saun is barely hiding her rage about not winning. Nick is still teaching and designing. Daniel Vosovic seems to be taking his time before presenting a line. Jay McCarroll is afraid that his clothes will get people shot� It sounds like he has problems with some manufacturing practices or something. His hair is short. Santino seems happy. But since he was already God, things are sort of the same.
We are introduced to 19 semi-finalists. They were all required to make a bio video for the show. Tim, Nina Garcia, Michael Kors, and Heidi Klum discuss each of the semi-finalists that we meet (there were 45 total). There are only 15 finalists, so I'm assuming that four of those people will be unseen in the first challenge. Or perhaps, like in the muslin challenge from last season, they'll knock four people off at once. Soon we'll know.
First impressions have provided a few predictions. Annoying: Uli Herzner, Jeffrey Sebelia, and Angela Keslar. Funny: Katherine Gerdes, Bradley Baumkirchner, and Laura Bennett. Mark my words, people -- MALAN BRETON. He's our love-him-or-hate-him guy. Granted, the edit of the show made it pretty clear that he's a safe betâ¦but still. And Kayne Gillaspie's inspiration is Dolly Parton. I may be wrong about the annoying and funny predictions, but I think I'll be right about Malan. He's either brilliant or a total con. We'll see.
And we begin with the dulcet tones of one Heidi Klum Seal. I'd like to take this time to thank the Bravo marketing executives that created this year's slogan, "Everyone's on pins and needles." My Heidi impression didn't really gel until I'd heard her say that fifteen or a hundred times. And, I'm not sure if we'll see evidence of it during this season, but I hear that Heidi is expecting another baby. THIS JUST IN...Heidi Klum and Britney Spears's uteruses have unionized and are demanding vacation time. Don't let them put you in that car, Norma Rae.
Over the ending credits for Kathy Griffin's show, Heidi tells us that we're going to meet the designers from "Project Runway 3."
Tim Gunn interviews that he was both elated and scared when he heard that the auditions for the third season were about to begin. The mannequins are as happy to see Tim as I am. We missed you, Daddy.
Shots of palm trees...I'm guessing they held auditions in Myrtle Beach? Note to self: study American geography iconography. Palm trees = Los Angeles.
As we see shots of Project Runway hopefuls, Tim tells us that the audition process started with open calls in L.A., Chicago, Miami, and New York City. Designers were required to bring in a portfolio, three garments, and a completed twenty-page application. We see a guy with an Amish beard tell the judges in a shaky voice that he "want[s] it." A woman declares that if the judges give her a sheep, she will give them a sweater. Well, I can give them a sweater for a sheep. This ain't the barter system, lady.
As Tim voices over that some people were sent "straight home," we see a shot of a Marilyn Manson-inspired woman, complete with different-colored freaky contact lenses. I hope she just thinks that her look is pretty and she isn't trying to shock anyone, 'cause that shit's tired. We hear Tim tell a few people that they weren't interested. "We're not excited at all," he tells one guy. I really did miss Tim. He also tells us that people who were passed through to the level were required to submit a bio video. We see a few clips from some of the videos, including a guy with an incredibly arch British accent, a guy dancing around Manhattan, and a guy doing that old Conan O'Brien photo-with-the- mouth-cut-out trick with Tim Gunn's photo. He must have loved that one. With the bio videos and portfolios, Tim discussed with Michael Kors, Nina Garcia, and Heidi who would be in the final fifteen.
The auditions started in L.A., with last year's Santino Rice assisting. Tim interviews that his "brain was bleeding just in anticipation" of spending two complete days with Santino.
And then, Santino is brilliantly reintroduced to us in close-up, chanting some sort of Buddhist thing and sounding like a didgeridoo. As we see a shot of Santino strutting down the street in L.A., he interviews that his life has completely changed since last season. He likes that he'll be walking down the street and has people scream his name from a car. That's kind of sweet. Then, he says, "Every actress that I meet, every musician that I meet wants to be a client of mine." Hmm. Proof? An MTV VJ. She's wearing a red dress of his at the MTV Movie Awards. Santino tells her that she looks beautiful. And, she does. But, you tell me every actress and musician you meet wants your clothes and you give me a freaking VJ? Didn't Jessica Alba alone wear like twelve outfits that night? She couldn't have worn just one of yours? Whatever -- it's a huge deal to have someone wearing your design at an awards show. But, if you talk such a huge game all of the time, people are always going to want to qualify it. I'm only people. Again, though, the dress is beautiful. It's also safe to say that Santino is definitely not a friend of boobies. A girl with even an A+ would have been nip-slippin' in that thing like Tara Reid at a trampoline convention. Santino tells us, "If Vincent Van Gogh had my personality, he might not have had to cut off his ear." Then, he drops his head in attempt to suppress laughter. He just said that on TV. That's kind of great. Santino, despite some of his meaner tendencies, is a really funny guy.
Back at the table discussion with Nina, Michael, and Heidi, Tim tells them that he was worried Santino might try to hog the attention in the auditions. He says that he was wrong, though, and that Santino provided some really great comments. We see Santino earnestly engaged in conversation about several designers while at the auditions. Tim explains to the table that this year's auditions were very different from years, and says that a lot of seasoned fashion veterans are starting to see the show as a launching pad. Then, we meet Robert Best. Tim recognizes him when he walks into the audition room. He interviews that he remembers Robert as a student at Parsons. Since then, Robert has been designing for Barbie. He seems like a really sweet guy. He jokes that he's ready for the level of his career: "Huge media star." Big laughs from the judges. Tim asks Robert what he thought of last year's Barbie challenge. He laughs and jokes with Santino that he should have won. We see a clip of Robert's Todd Haynes-esque bio film. His Barbie dresses are actually really beautiful. He says in his video that Barbie was the perfect client. Then, we see Barbie saying that Robert was a total asshole. At the table discussion, Tim informs us that Robert has also already had a line of clothing. Heidi wonders whether he will only be able to design for Barbie, but Tim explains that his line of clothing was actually for real people.
Tim tells us that some of the people who auditioned really sucked. The mannequins have backed into the shadows. They can't even talk about it right now. One guy's model is like stumbling in this mess of bows and just meringue shit and the designer demurs, "It's a design piece." We see some other monstrosities, including what looks like a really large Sara Gilbert dressed as a bride of death. That actually makes me like her a little bit. One girl has this motorcycle mama meets graffiti artist gear on. It's got stickers and shit all over it and a bustier on top and the girl wearing it looks ridiculous. This sweet little lady with a black bob sitting to Tim tells the motorcycle mama, "I don't think this is what we're looking for."
, Tim introduces the table to Uli. She's from Miami but they saw her at the L.A. auditions. When Heidi hears that she's German, she grabs her portfolio to check out her last name: "Herzner." "Ooh, ja," Heidi responds. This gets a laugh from her tablemates. We meet Uli as she enters the audition. Lots of crazy prints, and the judges are loving it. Apparently, you can also dress her shit up and you can dress it down. Along with "loving a woman's body," that's one of my least fave fashion clichés. It seems more like a kind of clothing than a virtue of the clothing. People wear jeans to the nicest restaurants these days and it seems less about the new flexibility of clothing and more about the level of formality required in society these days. Anypoo, Uli's in. Heidi doesn't feel that her stuff is very sophisticated, and Michael thinks that it's because she's designing for the Miami woman. "Can she make a tweed suit?" he asks menacingly. I don't know why that line is tickling me.
, they discuss Jeffrey Sebelia. Tim says that he's "well-known in the community." Jeffrey tells us that he designs for rock stars and "actors that wanna look like rock stars." He lists some people that he has designed for -- including the ever-rocking Jennifer Lopez. We see a clip of his bio video where he's frolicking with his daughter and girlfriend. He tells Tim that his goal is to get some damn funding from Project Runway. Everyone at the table mentions his creativity and wonders what he'll pull out for the more refined challenges.
Tim opens the portfolio of one Stacey Estrella. Stacey has only been involved in fashion for three years and has an MBA from Harvard. Well, it's about damn time she got her head out of the clouds and found something to fall back on. Stacey tells Tim that she wants to build a brand and will do so by following the "Four Cs": Courage, Creativity, Cash, and Cocaine. Oh, those are my "Four Cs." Well, actually just my One C. Stay in school. Courage, Creativity, Cash, and Celebrity are Stacey's Four Cs. Karen Reinitz from Elle is one of the judges now, and tells Stacey that her portfolio is better than the garments that she brought in. Still, she's being ushered through to the semi-finals. At the table, Heidi remarks that a slit on one of the dresses in Stacey's portfolio is really high and, lordy, it is. Michael says, "I know what she had for lunch." Ew, isn't there a less disgusting joke for that occasion? All I think of is poop. He also thinks that perhaps Stacey designs clothes that she herself would wear, which has made successful careers for lots of women fashion designers. Nina Garcia says that Stacey reminds her of "the mother." Tim clarifies that Nina's talking about Wendy Pepper and cringes.
Here's good old Wendy Pepper's original audition. We see a portion of an interview then in which she tells people that she is kind and loyal to her co-workers. Then, we see a clip of her catfight with Kara Saun. Today, Wendy is even thinner than she was the last time we saw her and bears an odd resemblance to a cross between Megan Mullally and Courteney Cox Arquette. She must still be a little burned by people's reaction to her on the show, because she states, "That little witch Wendy is back." You were always with me, Wendy. We see her dressing some models in her clothes, and she interviews that she's doing "quite well." The clothes that she designs these days don't seem to be a great departure from what she was doing before. Maybe a little sexier and more constructed. Moving on....
Now we meet Bonnie Dominguez. Bonnie is sporting some pretty severe streaking on her head. Me no likey. She looks like she has a lovely disposition, though. As she is hanging her three garments on a rack, she tells the judges that she hadn't sewn in the ten years before the past week. Tim is really impressed that she completed the garments so quickly. We see a bit of her bio video where she is jogging in So Cal. She apparently used to design Serena Williams's tennis outfits. That is not a good sign of things to come from Bonnie, as Serena Williams usually looks pretty ridiculous in her tennis outfits. She has a perfect opportunity to blame those monstrosities on Serena when she mentions that Williams "fancied herself a bit of a designer." Instead, Bonnie decides that she'd rather look diplomatic than like a good designer and says that she had to make her own ideas look like they were Serena's. Great choice there, Bonnie. At the table discussion, Michael remarks that all of Bonnie's designs are either athletic gear or eveningwear.
Tim tells the others about Vincent Libretti. He once had a career in fashion but left it because "it was too much for him." He's back, though. We see Vincent at the audition. Seems like a sweet enough guy. Then, we see his bio video. He has a giant chalkboard in his sewing room. He shows us the room with manic glee and scribbles some dress shape while saying "the most beautiful thing in the world." Vincent is delightfully unhinged. "Delightfully" because I don't have to sleep in the same apartment with him and knives. He had a line that sold at the big New York department stores in 1988. Santino says that Vincent's portfolio was "like opening up a time capsule." He's right -- I think I see a photo Moon Unit Zappa wearing one of the designs. Tim maternally says, "Fashion wasn't very kind to Vincent." Then, Vincent, staring at no one in particular, says, "We got better now, and I just cashed in my 401k to make a new line." Okay, hi Bravo! We've got a time bomb. Or, as I like to call it, an extra reason to be very glad that the new season has begun. Please let this guy get through. Vincent mentions that his wife is supporting his decision to deplete their retirement fund to pursue, once again, the thing that made him crazy. So, that's like already two confirmed heterosexual men on the show this year. It's practically a sausage party up in here. Tim thinks that designing is like "riding a bicycle," so it won't make a difference that Vincent hasn't designed since we were wearing friendship pins on our Members Only. Michael Kors says that it takes courage to get back into the fashion game at forty-nine. Nina likes Vincent's stuff.
we see a montage of losers, including a girl with the most alarming and unsexy display of cleavage. "I have a lot to show," she says. There's more? One guy is inspired by insects. A girl dressed for an S&M Renaissance fair describes her work as "wearable art." One guy is dressed in this super-tight lace cowboy ensemble, replete with a cowboy hat and exposed midriff. It's so ugly. It's like Porn Star Chic. Not even; it's like Porn Star Knock-off. The Zara of Porn Star Chic. Porn Star Club Monaco, except that everyone will know you're wearing the crap version. He says that men have been "sorely underexposed in terms of being sexy." If I had my junk stuffed into my mom's doilies like this character has done, I'd be pretty sore myself. Santino seems to almost admire the guy (more for his balls, which are on figurative and literal display, than for his taste) and says that he "definitely [has] a point of view." A group that looks like a Sixpence None The Richer cover band is rejected before they even pull out their garments, because their own clothes look so damn stupid. They are shocked.
, we meet Bradley Baumkirchner. He's so cute as to provoke me to screaming. For real, he's adorable. In his bio video, he can't really say Project Runway and he seems kind like the weird kid in school who ate dirt and I love him love him on sight. Also, in his video, he does this stop-start-motion thing where his clothes appear on a rack and his own voice accompanies in little bell tones. It's really funny. His sketches look like cartoons, and Nina and Michael love them. Tim says that Bradley's video is what won him over because he came off as smart and intuitive.
Tim goes further to say that a bio video can be really important in the decision to choose a contestant. His example is Austin Scarlett, who was a bit of a cipher at his audition. And, there, on the screen, is our Austin. We see him stammering at his audition, but, on his bio tape, he appears really loose and charming. He gives a tour of Spanish Harlem and seems really passionate about fashion. Then, we see some of his creations from Season 1.
Ooh, more Austin! He tells us that he has been making wedding gowns for the Kenneth...Pool line. Okay, I need to pull out the hearing aid. In the recaplet, I wrote "Kenneth Cole." Because that's what I thought I heard. How stupid. Has anyone ever seen a freaking Kenneth Cole wedding dress? EVER?! His boss is Amsale, who was one of the judges for the wedding dress challenge from Season 1. They show a clip from the runway show of that episode where Amsale's hating all over Austin's gown. It was pretty stupid-looking. Now, though, we see Amsale paying Austin some lovely compliments. Alone, he interviews that he is glad he didn't take Michael's and Nina's advice. We see them complaining about Austin's couture sensibilities. He says he is glad that he did it his way.
On to Chicago, where Uncle Nick from Season 2 is helping Tim judge. We see Nick being sweet to the designers waiting in line. He tells them that they have to stand out. Since he "was voted off the fashion island," he has been a color commentator for NBC's coverage of the Torino Olympics figure skating (I bet he peed on himself when he got that offer), has continued teaching, and has kept designing for his line, Nikolaki. He tells us in front of clothed mannequins that he is not looking for fifteen minutes of fame, but for a lifetime of fame.
The first person we witness them judging is a woman who created this totally overgrown kimono. She's so excited by it. Nick remarks that it's "a lot of coat." Tim adds that, "yard for yard, it's one of the top ten coats [he has] ever seen." It's hideous. The girl has a boring white gown with what looks like caterpillars all over it. Both Tim and Nick attack the "whickety-whack." I like the camaraderie with these two. The guy...okay, deep breath. The guy kind of looks like Prince circa Purple Rain, which might sound like a good thing, but is not. His model was born a man and is over twenty feet tall and wearing an enormous copper gown. Tim asks if the look is so great that it's worth three, because apparently Bat Dance only brought the one enormous gown. The model looks really pissed off. Tim explains that they are looking for more mature designers. Nick adds that he might want to bring in something less dramatic time. Bat Dance shoots him a look a silently exits with his portfolio and bodyguard...er, model. Nick says he was waiting for the guy to be all, "You weren't even one of the three finalists!" Then, in unison, Tim and Nick say, "Miss Thang!" Gotta love that shit.
Heidi asks Tim who they found in Chicago, and he introduces us to Kayne Gillaspie. We see a clip from his bio video in which he has created a dress with ostrich feathers...for his tiny dog. He was a vet's assistant for four years and has moved on to become "the youngest pageantwear designer in the pageant industry." It looks like he might also be the youngest owner of cheek implants on Project Runway, but that might just be the makeup he's wearing. He co-owns a prom/pageant boutique in Norman, Oklahoma. Back to his video, where he is leading a tour of his store in Norman. The walls are all pink, and a lot of the dresses are as well. He feigns finding a wire hanger and does his best Faye Dunaway. I think maybe Kayne's gayness alone cancels out the two straight guys we've already met. His model at the audition is wearing a pageant dress, and Kayne remarks that pageant girls "like the sparkle." Lilah Schechner, from Elle, is judging with Tim and Nick and says kind of sweetly, "You like it, too." Kayne admits that he does, and says that his favorite person is Dolly Parton. Tim says that he hates the clothes, but loves the Kayne of Many Colors. Back at the table, Michael says that the dresses look really constructed. Tim agrees -- "They're made like death." Nina notes, though, that the pageant industry is a serious business and that there is a place for everyone.
, we meet Steve Rosengard, a pretty quiet guy. He's not very interesting. His bio video is kind of odd and sexual. He's at a dress form and he says, "This is where the magic happens." Then, he's on his bed and he says it happens there, too. Then, he's sitting on the floor in his hallway or something and says that the magic also happens there sometimes. No wonder he seems so boring. He's exhausted from all of the magic. He says that he has loved fashion since he was eleven. Michael says that he likes Steve's construction skills, but is not sure about his taste.
In Miami, Chloe Dao helps Tim judge. We see her greeting all of the people at the auditions. She looks really cute. She's still running her store in Houston. There's a video screen in the store that shows a continual loop of Project Runway. Chloe defends her choice to stay in Houston by saying that she wants to be near her family and boyfriend. She feels that she can be current in Houston. Then, God help me, she says something about "NewYorkParisMilan" that I just. Can't. Catch. Fucking Chloe talks so fast. Judging from the context, I think that she feels she can keep up with the trends in those places. She says that her life has changed because now she can charge more for her clothing.
First, we meet Michael Knight. He tells them that he created the three designs he has with him from challenges in Season 2. Tim wishes that he had just brought in stuff that showed who he was. Michael replies that he still showed himself in the designs; he just based them on the show's suggestions. Chloe says that she likes it. She interviews that she would have expected Michael's stuff to be really hip-hop (he's African-American), but he made some really beautiful gowns. She also says that she was the only judge to root for him. Tim passes him through. As he's leaving, Michael says, "Tim Gunn, you rock." Heidi remarks that Michael "likes to show the curves." Then, we see a photo from his portfolio of this hot pants-and-bandeau top combo that is WAY over the top. Heidi gets the giggles. Tim says that he's not a fan of Michael's taste, but Kors and Nina say that he might not be aware that "his presentation is off." That seems a touch patronizing, but he got in.
up is Jonathan Haggerty. He has brought in black evening gowns. In his bio video, he says he was inspired by a trip to Paris, which I guess is all black now. He tells the judges that, if something isn't a challenge, he doesn't feel like he will learn anything. Michael Kors remarks that some of Jonathan's work looks "student-y." Then, we see a montage of people being told by Tim Gunn that their work looks like "student work." Tim interviews that he doesn't use the term disrespectfully -- rather, he uses it descriptively. Something can be well done and still look like student work. That's how I feel about Cate Blanchett's acting.
Katherine Gerdes is . She's just out of school. On her bio video, she tells us that we can call her "Katie." Very well. Katie's mother is on the video, dressed very flamboyantly. She says that Katie gets us style "from her mom." Katie's a snowboard instructor for children. Based on the designs Katie brought to the audition, Chloe doesn't feel like she has a point of view. Joann Pailey -- this severe woman from Elle judging with them -- says she wishes she hadn't seen Katie's designs, because they make her sad. Tim Gunn has confidence in Katie, though, and passes her through. Michael Kors likes that she makes sportswear separates. Heidi is into it, too, though she notes that Katie puts boots with all of her outfits. Michael says, "We'll get her into a stiletto yet."
Tim interviews that Project Runway has helped a lot of young designers, as well as more established designers. Then, we see Kara Saun. She says that the best thing that ever happened to her was not winning Project Runway. Why? Because people wouldn't have called her because they would have thought that she was too busy. That premise seems a little strained. She got an investor and was able to mount a show for Fashion Week. The clothes look gorgeous. She also created some of Heidi's maternity wear from last season! I loved that stuff!
In New York, Daniel Vosovic helps Tim Gunn judge! He, too, was trotted out to wish good luck to the designers. Daniel welcomes us into his apartment and he, too, practices magic there, or so he tells us. Daniel interviews that Project Runway can only take you to a certain level; beyond that, it's your own job. So, he wants to take his time launching his own line in order to avoid any missteps. He would like to apprentice for someone, but would still like to dress people for events to keep his "name relevant." And, he's still cute.
The first designer we see auditioning in New York is Jillian Lewis. She seems a little spacey. She just quit her job at Ciro, and says that she might die because all of the ideas in her head might explode. Painful death, I'd imagine. Michael Kors says her stuff is immaculate.
, we meet Keith Michael. He's kind of sexy. He tells the judges that he has only brought menswear to show. The photos of his women's wear that he brought are from Wyeth, a line on which he collaborated with another person. Joann from Elle must have low blood sugar or something, 'cause bitch freaks out. She starts riding Keith, and he says that he feels like the construction of his menswear would translate into women's wear. Joann tries to tell him that she's being easy on him "compared to how the other judges will be," but she's still a bitch. Daniel explains that they need to know what his point of view as a women's wear designer would be. Tim admires Keith for putting up an argument. Tim also found Keith powerful (read: he's kind of sexy). Michael and Nina love his portfolio.
Laura Bennett is introduced . She's got a very low-cut dress on and her red hair is glossy and pulled back very tightly. She's pale and is wearing bright red lipstick. Tim mentions that she is an architect. Daniel asks her how much experience she has had in fashion, and she says, "Absolutely none, professionally." She's very strong answering that. People never like to say that they have no experience at something, and she did it in the best way just then. She says that she considers design to be about problem solving, and feels that the principles of design can also be applied to fashion. Tim likes Laura's clothes, but isn't sure that he see greatness in her. In her bio video, we see that she has five children. Damn. So, this would be like a vacation for her. Michael and Nina love her. Heidi is impressed that she can look so put together with so many children. I'm assuming she took more than a month off between the birth of one child and the conception of the . That probably helps a little. Laura looks like she might be one of those polarizing designers this season. People will probably love her or hate her. I think I'm on the pole that loves her. I'm gonna say that's the North Pole. Everybody loves Santa Claus.
Tim interviews that the audition process is exhausting, which means that they want to get people who "aren't right" out of the room as quickly as possible. We see him shut down a few people as they are walking into the room. One guy only has some sketches on an art tablet. No clothes. No portfolio. Tim spends a moment looking at it, then says he's insulted that the guy is so unprepared. Then, he shoots him in the head. Just kidding. But, the guy DOESN'T get passed through to the semi-finals.
Tim gives a portfolio to Michael and Nina and says, "Alison." Michael thinks that she's cute. Tim says that she's nice, as well. "I'm calling the newspapers," replies Michael. We see Alison Kelly at her audition. She is adorable, like a kewpie doll. In her bio video, she shows a photo series that she designed and styled. I love her voice. She already had a line, but was only breaking even financially and wants the publicity that Project Runway offers. (Since it's fair game for established designers to audition, I want to see Todd Oldham on here. Just putting that out there.) Nina and Michael really like the art direction of Alison's portfolio. "The makeup's gorge," says Michael. He can have a poopie grimace of a face sometimes, but Michael Kors is a funny guy.
up is a reunion with Jay McCarroll. We see bits of his first audition. Tim admits that he wasn't sure that Jay was right for the show. Outside of his audition, we see Jay say that he wants to be on the show and had to take a bus to get there while sitting to a kid eating a Subway sandwich. Similarly, I once had to ride a bus to a giant old lady complaining of her sutures who was eating KFC. No lie. Tim says that Jay won him over completely. However, Jay hasn't had another runway show since winning. Tim wants to know what he is up to: "Are you a fashion designer? Are you a performer?" Is Jay a performer? Today, Jay's hair is short and it looks really cute. He jokes around with the cameras in his studio, and says he's trying to figure out everything about the fashion business. It would have been easy for him to put out a line three seasons ago, but getting a product to a customer is a harder equation. As well, he doesn't want to manufacture "flammable fabrics in a factory where people get shot." So, I guess he and Kathie Lee Gifford aren't exactly alike. Close enough. He wants to silence the naysayers with his collection and have it available to consumers.
We're introduced to Angela Keslar. In her bio video, she tells us that she is living in Ohio and making dresses that are mistaken for Yves St. Laurent. Angela has the recipe for instant annoyance. There's something really grating about her presence. At her audition, she spits a bunch of "I got heart!" clichés at the judges, including, "I make clothes and accessories like women make babies." Oddly, no one tells Angela that most women aren't going to want to buy clothes that came out of her vagina. She also makes this half-baked food/fashion analogy that just kind of annoys me. It looks like even she gets sick of it in the middle of saying it. She'd apparently auditioned last year, and Tim says that he was "seduced" by her, but they are worried that she doesn't have vision. Michael Kors says that there is "an artsy craftsy movement" currently in fashion, and that Angela fits in that.
Daniel Feld is . He had his own line before, but didn't have a lot of publicity. So, he's hoping Project Runway will help with that. He looks like Robert Downey Jr. in Less Than Zero. He says that he knows how women want to look, which is classic. Heidi thinks that he looks more sophisticated than his clothes.
Tim tells us that Malan Breton has auditioned for the show three times. During his Season 2 audition, he was insulting toward fashion design schools, fashion magazines, and former designers on the show. They invited him onto the show anyway, and he turned them down! "Talk about a bitch slap," says Tim. Well, Malan's back again. Malan tells Tim that he likes the way Project Runway presents fashion, and that he'd been ignorant about that last year. Michael Kors thinks he's a "wackadoo." And, there's conjecture that his incredibly arch British accent might be fake. Please let it be fake.
This year's collection of auditioning designers was the best ever, says Tim. They have to narrow these semi-finalists down to fifteen people. I hope the exposure on this episode helps the people who don't even make it to the show. Tim says that it's not about personalities; it's about the work. We see the judges mulling over the portfolios. We don't see whom they're talking about, but I'll bet a designer would recognize his or her own portfolio sitting in front of Michael Kors as he's flipping through saying, "Boy, we've got some oddities here." Commercial break.
Here are the designers. We've got Alison Kelly, Bradley (yay!) Baumkirchner, Jeffrey Sebelia, Keith Michael, Laura Bennett, Michael Knight, Uli Herzner, Vincent (crazy. Yay!) Libretti, Kayne of Many Colors Gillespie, Malan Breton (when he introduces himself, he says, "I'm thirty-two years old. Thank God for Botox." And he laughs. He actually doesn't look younger than thirty-two), Bonnie Dominguez, Angela Keslar, Stacey Estrella, Katie Gerdes, and Robert Best. Nina says that she really likes the variety of designers. We got street. We got sophisticated. We got it all.
Now for a little montage of advice from past designers. Jay tells this year's crop to know who they are as people and as designers. Austin tells them to dress up, compliment Heidi, and be nice to the judges. I miss Austin. Chloe tells them not to look stressed, and to listen to Tim Gunn. Santino thinks that they should put Nina Garcia in her place if she starts "yapping off at the jib." Kara Saun thinks that they should respect the years of experience the judges have had. Nick also thinks they should just "smile and nod" at the judges. Jay adds in a tone like "this should be obvious" that they shouldn't be arrogant. Santino counters that they should be like "fuck off" without saying "fuck off." Chloe's last word is that, no matter how big a bitch one of your fellow designers is, they should be nice. And Jay thinks that, instead of manipulating fellow designers, they should "play the production. I did. Look where it got me." It's Chicken Soup For The Fashion Designer's Soul.