The link
Project Runway official website (at Lifetime)Project Runway on IMDB
What it is
Project Runway is a reality TV series about fashion design. It’s set up in classic contest mode: 16 or so contestants enter, they perform a challenge per episode, one wins, one is sent home.
The show is currently in its 14th season, and has a few spin-offs (which I’ve never watched). There are international versions as well, although the only one I’ve seen (the Dutch one) was lower quality than the American one.
The Lifetime website mentions you can watch the episodes there, but I haven’t gotten that to work. There are DVD sets available, and individual episodes occasionally end up on YouTube. (YouTube seems limited to the international spin-offs). If that doesn’t work, you might actually have to consult your television schedule.
What it means to me
I don’t like reality TV. Reality TV tends to go for a lazy 'look at these people’ angle, which I just don’t find interesting. You can always get people to yell at each other if you lock them up long enough and put a camera on them.
Project Runway makes up for its occasional drama moments by spending the vast majority of time showing people who are really good at what they do. Which is interesting. The designers they get every season range from talented to amazing. The show has guaranteed ‘look at that!’ moments each episode.
The challenges Project Runway gives its contenstants range from quite classic to off-the wall: in a memorable episode in season 7, contestants had to buy their materials at a hardware store. The winner spent days weaving garbage bags to look like this. The fun is in seeing what everyone will come up with (and, admittedly, in a tiny bit of schadenfreude at people who botch it up completely). For someone who likes to sew, the creativity on display is great input.
I appreciate Project Runway for taking its contestants seriously. The jury consists of professionals, and is tough but honest. The ever-lovable Tim Gunn provides mentorship and hugs to designers. Focus is on the work people are doing and the challenges they meet (and overcome) along the way. People who have to leave are treated respectfully, particularly later in the season. ‘Project Runway’ gives off the vibe that is wants to showcase and promote great fashion designers, and that the race is to be better, rather than less awful.
Finally, Project Runway helps my understanding of fashion. High fashion is notoriously hard to decode: witness all the “you would never wear that in pubic” reactions to every fashion show ever. The jury consists of designers, magazine editors and label owners. Each episode, they give no-holds-barred commentary on everything that they see. This helps you understand their thought process, which is most interesting when the opinions differ.
Project Runway has actually influenced my wardrobe. It has also led me to label almost anything I do as ‘Project
If you like snazzy outfits or just like to look at pretty things, give Project Runway a try for your next binge watch. At 14 seasons and counting, it’ll last you a while
Leonard
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