Malan Breton Retrospective

RSVP to Rebecca.

All For The Kids

The orange carpet was all a buzz this past weekend as the stars turned out for Nickelodeon's Annual Kids Choice Awards Saturday night. Miley Cyrus showed up with her peace sign in tow, Rihanna and Chris Brown once again denied that they are actually a couple and Cameron Diaz fit right in with the young crowd. Hosted by Jack Black and his many a green outfit, the most coveted prize of the night, the honor of getting slimed, went to Indiana Jones himself, Harrison Ford, as well as Pirates star Orlando Bloom.

America Ferrera shimmers in gold

Cameron Diaz was honored with the Wannabe Award (even better to her than winning the Big Burp Award the previous year)

Heroes star Hayden Panettiere is just that, a hero to her many young fans

Rihanna successfully pulling of yet another amazing outfit, look at those shoes, the hair!

Teen heartthrobs the Jo Bros give their fans something to swoon over

Miley Cyrus flashes the peace sign before rocking out to one of her hit songs later in the evening

From The Mailbox

Attention Chicago: Steven Rosengard will be at Erin Gallagher Jewelry on Saturday April 5th. Admission is free, but reservations are required. Click here to RSVP.

Click here for more advice to the hopefuls from Nick Verreos. Nick will be in Chicago tomorrow. Good luck everyone!

The New York Times announces the third annual "Sunday With The Magazine - Times Talks" on May 4th. Bravo's Lauren Zalaznick, Tim Gunn and Top Chef's Gail Simmons will be on the "What We Watch" forum. Click here for more info and to purchase tickets.

Click here to watch "Project Law School."

Up for auction is a custom-designed gown (and a hand-drawn t-shirt) generously donated by Season Four Designer, Elisa Jimenez. Click here to bid. Proceeds benefit Our Time Theater Company, a non-profit artistic home for people who stutter.

A Note From Jillian Lewis

BPR asked Jillian Lewis her advice for Season Five hopefuls and this is her response:

I will be at the casting in Miami this week. I am really excited especially because I've never been there before. Charleston was amazing. What a beautiful city filled with so many beautiful, nice people.

Advice for season 5 hopefuls:

Bring your best work, represent it with pride and integrity. If the judges respond negatively, defend your point of view professionally and responsibly. If the judges respond positively, be humble and grateful. Keep in mind that it is about the designing but it is also a television show, so present yourself well, look your best and bring your personality. If you make it onto the show, prepare yourself with focus and stamina because it is NOT easy. Best of luck to season 5 hopefuls.

BPR Interview with Tim Gunn in Los Angeles

Los Angeles-based Field Reporters, Jonathan and Alitia Trimm provide BPR readers with a close look at the Season Five hopefuls and a great interview with Tim Gunn.

Thank you Jonathan and Alitia.

When we arrived at the W hotel in Westwood, there was already a line of about thirty designers standing ready to fill out paperwork and move up to the auditioning process. There was a great mix of men, women, and experience levels waiting in line. We approached a few of the designers to question their motivation for auditioning and to understand their design aesthetic.



Click here for the interview with Tim.
Yes, he will declare that Christian Siriano is the new Marc Jacobs!

Los Angeles Auditions - Day Two

BPR Field Reporters Jonathan and Alitia Trimm were on hand for the Project Runway Season Five Auditions in Los Angeles. Please stay tuned for interviews with the hopefuls and with Tim Gunn.

Weekend News

Sweet P and Kit Pistol enjoyed Jared Gold's Show in Los Angeles. More here. Thanks Jensons.

Attention Dallas: Elisa Jimenez will be at Decorazon Gallery on April 3rd. Click here for more information.

Meanwhile, Jillian Lewis is in Charleston.

Apparently "Underwear as Outerwear" is no longer an outdated trend. According to Nina Garcia..."Just a peek is totally chic." Will shoulderpads be next?

From the Season Five Auditions: Click here to watch Nick's interview with SUPERVISING producer Michael Rucker.

Los Angeles Auditions - Day One

David Paul (with Benny!) Tim Gunn and Nick Verreos take a break from the Season Five Auditions in Los Angeles. Click here for Nick's blog entry.

Rami Kashou will serve on the panel in Los Angeles tomorrow.

Good luck everyone!

Tour Chloe Dao's New Studio!

Thanks Cheryl.

BPR Podcast - Kayne Gillaspie

Scarlett interviews one of Project Runway Season 3's most beloved designers, Kayne Gillaspie. He talks about his Johnathan Kayne line for Wow Prom and Pageant and his Johnathan Kayne special ocassion shoe collection as well as revealing the celebrities he would like to dress and his favorite Season 4 challenge - can you guess?

Click here for the podcast.

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.”

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.

From The Mailbox

It looks like the rumors about Christian Siriano appearing on "Ugly Betty" are true... And it gets better - According to The Insider Online, Nina Garcia will also make an appearance!

Alison Kelly and Kit Pistol designs will be featured in the "Dress Right" Fashion Show tonight in Los Angeles. RSVP here.

Attention Boston: Jay McCarroll's documentary, Eleven Minutes will be featured at the Boston Indie Film Festival April 23 - 29th. More information to follow.

Click here for a story from Twincities.com about Tim Gunn's appearance last night. Looks like fun!

Attention Sacramento: Jack Mackenroth will be at the IMAGINE Fashion Show tomorrow night. Click here for more information.

Kimberley Locke Wears Christian Siriano's Design on American Idol

Christian Siriano on The Late Late Show

Our Next Podcast...

Our next podcast will be with Season Three Designer, Kayne Gillaspie. Please submit your questions for Kayne to Team BPR by 4:00 EST today. Thanks!

Christian Siriano's Design Up For Auction

The dress that Kimberley Locke wore tonight on American Idol is up for bidding at Clothesoffourback.org. Proceeds benefit Camp Heartland.

Tim Gunn in Minneapolis-St. Paul Tonight

Tim Gunn will be at Herberger's in the Rosedale Center tonight at 6:00. (We'd love a field reporter.) Click here for more information.

The Hills Recap

So the hour long season premiere of the Hills on Monday left me with both a bad taste and a good taste in my mouth.

1. Mariah Carey claimed that she absolutely loves watching the Hills but I refuse to believe that she's ever even seen an episode until that night.

2. Whitney and Lauren: How DARE you not know how to pronounce "Givenchy" and you're in fashion and there's a camera in your face!

3. Once the paparazzi is caught taking pics of reality stars while the reality show is being taped, its time for a series finale. Lauren's no longer a reality star she's just a celeb.(Did anyone else catch the pap-snap as the girls were leaving Colette?)


4. Mistakes of an intern (cuz nothing that they did would go down in the "Real" world!)

A. NEVER put going to pick up your dress before getting the job done!

B. NEVER stitch a designer LOAN gown and then go to a club with it on. I gagged when I saw her preparing to do this!

C. NEVER put you beauty supplies next to your designer LOAN gown. That was actually hilarious because Whitney didn't seem to care at first.

D. So now Lauren the man gives you a loan and you hop on a Vespa?? Yeah...NEVER!!! Just NEVER!!!

5. Spencer looked like he gained the marital weight before the wedding even went down!

6.What a dream to meet a semi-hot French rock-star and take mini-tours around Paris!!?? Loved the Eiffel Tower scene

7. Seemed like Lauren got to be more hands on than Whitney but I'm super happy that Whitney is finally finding her way!


8. Kimball...I love you!

9. I'm starting to feel some kind of way about Audrina because why would you make an international call just to tell your friend that the man she likes is showing off his new girlfriend?

10. Heidi's Stepdad to Spencer : "What the heck?!!!" Spencer to the Stepdad: "Yeah I'm a complete loser and it would be a much better moment if you just hit me with that shovel."

Clearly I made that up cuz Spencer's an idiot for going all the way to CO but I love Heidi for making him feel like an idiot at the dinner table with the folks!)

All in all an awesome premiere and can't wait 'til next week! The Heidi drama-train has just left the station!!

- Crystal Hines

A Note From Amanda Fields

Photo by Phillip Cuenco

Lovely PR fans!!

My dear friend Tess who just graduated from FIDM - studying under none other than Mr. Nick Verreos - here in Los Angeles, has some of her oldest work up for sale on eBay. She is now capable of doing beautiful designs like this one.

The tops for sale on ebay were her pieces she made when she started out! She will be auditioning for Project Runway 5!! So.. you might just have future PR pieces of GOLD here my friends!!

Here is a link to her youtube video with all of her fine tops:
Here is the link to where she is selling them on eBay.

Everything is starting at $5!!

<3 Amanda Fields

From The Mailbox

Christian Siriano was honored at a private party at The Library at Buddakan last night. Click here for more.

Click here to watch a video of Christian designing a dress for Kimberley Locke. Be sure to watch American Idol tomorrow night to see Kimberley wearing the dress! Thanks Jackie.

According to NYMag's fashion blog, Christian Siriano is designing something for Heidi Klum to wear on Germany's edition of "Next Top Model." I wrote to confirm with Christian and here is his response:

Its true I did make her 2 pairs of pants and working on a dress and top for the diva!
Also watch american idol on wed for the dress i made for kimberly locke's comeback performance which will go to charity. yay!! I'm doing the kids choice awards this weekend very fun!
hope all is well.
xoxoxox

Jamie Lynn Sporting A Rock?

Jamie Lynn Spears has a new accessory to go with her growing baby bump.

She's reportedly engaged!

A source close to the family told PEOPLE that she has been showing off her flashy piece of jewelry to family and friends around Louisiana and Mississippi. "She's got an engagement ring, " the source said. "She's been showing it off, talking about it."

Her fiance is...you guessed right, 18-year-old Casey Aldridge. The two are expecting a baby sometime this summer.

- Erin Dustin

Video - Project Catwalk, Season 3, Episode 10

Still into Project Catwalk or has Ben de Lisi got you flummoxed? But of course you can't miss the finale! This last installment of Season 3 is brought you again courtesy of projectfan4:



Click here for the rest of the episode.

A Weekend In The Life Of Pamela Anderson

"I read the news today..."

Pamela Anderson and Rick Salomon's marriage was annulled today due to fraud (they both checked the box). Anderson filed for divorce last December after only two months of marriage.

"...oh boy."

But Salomon wasn't the only ex she was dealing with this past weekend.

On a much happier note, Anderson spent Easter Sunday with Tommy Lee, the father of her two children, in Malibu.

The family spent the day at the movies and eating lunch at Geoffrey's.

- Erin Dustin

It's Finally Here!

The Hills tonight! Let the drama begin : )

4 hours, 17 minutes, 30 seconds and counting...

Here's a preview of what's to come this season for those who can't wait, especially the non-East Coast folk who have to wait a little longer...



- Erin Dustin

Project Rehab

Pour yourself a cup of coffee (Who am I kidding? Pick up a cup at Starbucks...) and settle in to read FastCompany's very satisfying and informative new article about Tim Gunn and his position at Liz Claiborne.

Project Peepway

Peeps Show - Check out #34 from the Washington Post. Click for a larger view to note the detail. Thanks, KathInPA.

From The Mailbox

Click here for a great article about Jack Mackenroth from Poz magazine.

Christian Siriano is in the LA Times. (Also Nick Verreos and David Paul!)

Christian will be on Access Hollywood covering the orange carpet for the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards on March 29th.

Click here for more about Charleston Fashion Week.

Katy's Take - The Finale

She's back! Everyone 's been asking about where Katy's recaps have gone and if you haven't been following the sad saga on her website, well she thought she would go all X Games on us and sort of injured herself on the snowboard. Anyways, she checked in to let us know all is well and she's caught up on her recaps. Here's her take on the finale:

Final 5 Collections

Christian’s collection wasn’t my favorite, but I completely understood and supported the judges’ decision on the win. It’s obvious that Christian is a natural at design and I’m jealous at the level of his talent (especially being so young!). I thought his collection was a little repetitive and I would have loved to see some color, but designers tend to get in phases, so maybe this is his puffy-sleeved, black and neutral phase. I would be willing to bet that in a season or two, he is on a completely different track and will have a new obsession and I can’t wait to see what it is!

Click here to continue reading Katy's Take as she picks out her loves, likes and dislikes from all Final 5 collections.

Brad and Angie for President.

The happy couple should get the award for the most Philanthropic couple...ever.

People.com reported that the couple donated $8 million throughout 2006 to charities like Doctors Without Borders , the Global AIDS Alliance, the Namibia Red Cross Action Program , the Daniel Pearl Foundation, and their own foundations; the Make It Right Foundation and the Jolie Pitt Foundation.

I'm sure the monetary value of how much this couple gives and spends is much more than this. With the 100 kids the have running around plus the triplets they have on the way..$8 mil is just the tip of the iceberg. (Major exaggeration!)

Source

- Crystal Hines

J.LO + Max + Emme = Picture Perfect

People Mag got the first interview with new mom J.Lo and her babes Max and Emme and let me tell you what...Max there definitely looks like daddy Marc Anthony.

Source

BPR Podcast With Rami Kashou

This week's podcast is with Season Four Finalist Rami Kashou.

Rami reveals the celebrity he would most like to dress, which of his models fainted twice during deliberations and what happened to all of that leftover candy.

Rami was gracious and charming during our interview. He has agreed to answer your follow-up questions. Please send them to Team BPR.

Photo from Dove Shore.

From The Mailbox

Fred Flare has posted a new interview with Kit Pistol. Thanks Icraig.

Attention Minneapolis/St. Paul: (Hi Katy Gerdes!) Meet Tim Gunn at Herberger's next Wednesday. Click here for more information.

More from Tim Gunn in Jacksonville here. Thanks Maryellen.

Click here to listen to an interview with Tim Gunn on Mark Kaye's morning radio show on WAPE in Jacksonville. It's great! Thanks Mark.

Attention Little Rock: Mychael Knight will be in town on March 29th. We'd love a field reporter. Click here for more information.

For more about Tim Gunn in Charlotte, click here.

Jillian Lewis and Laura Bennett will be attending Charleston Fashion Week.

Wonder what Paul Abdul would look like wearing Rami's Hershey challenge dress? Click here for the answer.

A Note From Christian Siriano

Dear BPR,

I just wanted to say hello!!!

Thanks so much for all the support over this season. My life has completely changed which is so wonderful!
I will keep you in touch with everything I'm doing!!!!
Tons of fun things.....
Watch "Make Me a Supermodel" tonight! I am a guest host and a model will be dressed to impress!
Other news is that I will be dressing Kimberley Locke from American Idol which will be on next week. It's a big comeback show....
In a couple of weeks I'll be off to Vegas to be a judge for the MISS USA pageant!!!!
Tons more to come next week and I will keep you up to date.
Hope all is well.
We'll chat soon.

christian

Field Report from Tim Gunn's Appearance in Jacksonville

My girls, Caroline, 8 and Gracie 2, and I went to see the Liz Claiborne show at Dillard's in Jacksonville, Florida. We arrived very early to see where everything was set up and to get good seats. Everyone who was there was soooo nice. My girls and I were taking it all in and I looked up and saw Tim Gunn himself arriving!

I did a loud, involutary gasp when I saw him. It was loud enough for all to hear and people laughed and Tim came right over to us. I introduced myself as a field reporter for BPR and he said how nice you were and how much he loved you and I agreed! I told him I'd love a picture of him with my girls later and he said, "Well, let's do it right now!" He was so nice and so genuine and so sincere. When I told him that I was "thrilled to meet you!" he said, "I'm thrilled to meet you too." He was also very sweet to my girls.

Click here to continue.

Tim Gunn in Jacksonville

Hi BPR!

Love your website! I wanted to give you a different perspective on Tim Gunn's visit to Jacksonville, FL.

I am an Operations Engineer at First Coast News in Jacksonville (and a HUGE Project Runway fan!) I was running audio for our morning show this morning where Tim Gunn appeared. My 17-year-old daughter, Christie, also is a huge fan, and came in to work with me this morning hoping to see and meet Tim.

Well, not only did she get to see and meet him, but she told him her mom (me!) was the audio engineer and couldn't get down to the studio, so he said, "Well, let's go upstairs and see her!" And he did!! He trooped upstairs to the Engineering section and greeted everyone, came into the audio booth and shook my hand and we spoke for a few minutes (until I had to open a mic.) He was as gracious and friendly and wonderful in person as I hoped he would be. What a guy!

He also took the time to pose for lots of pictures, sign tons of photos (and my daughter's Tim Gunn bobblehead!!) and even gave her some advice on the upcoming pageant she is entered in. All the women (and a few of the men!) in the newsroom bombarded him with fashion questions during and after the show, and he patiently, intelligently and graciously answered every one. He's got a very special place in our hearts, now more than ever.

Blessings,
TVMom12
(Lori D, Operations Engineer, First Coast News)

Big News!

Hi BPR,

I just received some wonderful news. Paula Abdul's stylist has been calling me regarding Paula's interest in my clothes. I have dressed Paula on Idol a few times before. Anyway her stylist just called and left me a message...

Paula Abdul bid on my Hershey's design and won the bid..!!!

She has been very supportive... I wanted let you know!
(Attached is an image of Paula in my dress with Craig Ferguson.)
Cheers,
Rami

Editor's note: Of course that isn't Jimmy Kimmel - oops!

From The Mailbox

Can you guess whose design this is?

This dress and fourteen other Rami Kashou designs are on sale right now at Maneater Threads. Also, if you enter the code SALEON to your order you will receive an additional 30% off already reduced items through the end of March. Thanks Tanya.

Click here for a new interview with Rami from HX.

Tim Gunn continues on his Liz Claiborne tour with a stop in Jacksonville. He started the day with an appearance on First Coast News. This article includes links to two video clips.

I hope you all were able to watch Tim on "The Biggest Loser" last night. It was really touching and Tim chose just the right looks for each of the contestants.
Here are some clips.

Nick News

Click here for Nick's blog entry about The HRC Awards Dinner.

Click here for Nick's final post about LA Fashion Week. Next season we hope to see many of the LA-based Project Runway designers showing their collections.

Here are Amanda Fields, Nick Verreos and David Paul backstage at the FIDM Debut Show.

Project Runway Auctions

The auctions for the Hershey Challenge Designs have ended. Rami Kashou's winning look sold for $2975.00!



This is the last day to bid on Christian Siriano's Finale Designs. Please let us know if you win any of these items - we'd love a photo!

Britney's TV Gig

First slightly-secretive weekend meetings with Mel Gibson and now an acting gig over at CBS.

Britney has been very busy lately, but in a good way I suppose.

PEOPLE has just released the first video promo of Brit in action where she plays a receptionist at a dermatologist's office in the sitcom How I Met Your Mother. Shown opposite Neil Patrick Harris in the clip, her first words are, well why don't you just see for yourself...

The 11 second clip

The episode will air March 24.

- Erin Dustin

And her name is....

Nahla Ariela Aubry

Source

-ch

Eva loves Calvin Klein Undies!!!

Eva Mendes is said to be the new face of Calvin Klein Underwear…according to WWD

She volunteered herself into rehab to deal with substance abuse and personal issues. It's been the trend that celebs go to rehab and come out with several new deals. Well the Calvin Klein deal was in the works long before Eva went to rehab. She's also going to be the spokesperson for a TBD Calvin Klein fragrance.

Source

- Crystal Hines

The Hills at LA Fashion Week.

The Hills stars were all over LA Fashion Week.  

First Lauren with her fashion week debut last week.  The Lauren Conrad Collection seemed like she designed things straight from her closet.  Cute for her first go-round.

Then the ladies were spotted at Smashbox Studios hobnobing with Peroni beers and boys in hand.

And finally, something we all saw coming, with Whitney Port's departure from Teen Vogue, our favorite sweetheart has designed a line.  Eve & A also debut during fashion week and according to WWD it was a line for the classy party girl on the LA scene.  Whitney gets her inspiration and talent from her father who owns Swarm aka Shades of Gray. 

Source,

Source 2

- Crystal Hines