Project Runway
Project Runway is a reality show that airs on Lifetime Television,
and it previously could be seen on the Bravo network. Hosted
by supermodel Heidi Klum, it focuses on fashion design and
up-and-coming designers. They compete against each other,
and they are usually working under time, material and theme
restrictions. Each week, the designers’ creations are judged
and one or more contestants are eliminated.
In seasons one through five, the show took place in New York
City (except for a short trip to Paris during season three).
Designers work out of a room at Parsons’ New School for Design,
and they shop at a fabric store in the Garment District unless
that week’s challenge stipulates otherwise. The designers
are separated by gender and live in separate apartments at
Atlas New York. While they are on the show, the contestants
aren’t allowed to leave the apartment without permission,
and they cannot talk to family/friends or use the Internet
to do design research. It is also against the contest’s rules
to use pattern books or other similar aids. Doing so will
risk disqualification.
Each designer is given a budget to work with when buying
fabric and other materials, and they have a certain amount
of time to complete their project. Most of the time, they
work alone, but on some challenges, they must work in groups.
Once the deadline has come, the designers have to dress their
models and supervise hairstyling, makeup, and accessory selection.
Each model takes a walk down the runway, and the clothing
is rated by the judges according to a few criteria. Each design
is scored on a scale of 0-5. The judges interview the top
and bottom three contestants, and select the winner and loser
from those six. The winner gets immunity during the next challenge
(they can’t be eliminated). As the end of the season gets
near, no one gets immunity to keep them from coasting into
the final round. Contestants are rewarded in other ways, such
as the display of their creations in print and on TV, or the
incorporation of some of their design ideas into a limited
edition clothing line.
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