The fashion design competition Project Runway first aired on television in December, 2004. This season will feature more creativity and fun. Each episode will be 90 minutes long instead of 60 minutes. There will be longer runway shows and more workroom footage. Heidi Klum, Tim Gunn, Nina Garcia and Michael Kors are back this season to host, mentor and judge the designers.
Project Runway Contestants and Fans
Season 8 starts with the most contestants in the series history. A total of 17 talented designers, 8 women and 9 men, will have the opportunity to launch their careers in fashion. The winner will earn great rewards. Some of the prizes that the victorious designers will win are $100,000 to begin his/her own fashion line, a Marie Claire fashion magazine spread, and the chance to design and sell a collection on Piperlime.com.
Fans of the show can communicate with other devotees and designers @projectrunway on twitter or on www.facebook.com/projectrunway for news and opinions about the show. There are already opinions about the fashion designers competing this season. Another source fans can check out is www.mylifetime.com/shows/project-runway/season8 to read about Project Runway.
Some Popular Project Runway Designers from Season 8
- AJ Thouvenot, from St Louis, Missouri, is currently a designer for the fashion label TrashBiscuit and his favorite designers are Heatherette, Jeremy Scott and John Galliano. The first garment Thouvenot ever made was a tunic made out of rubber exercise bands which fell apart the first time it was worn. His favorite fabrics to use in his designs are taffeta, tulle and children's cotton prints. Thouvenot's strengths as a designer are forward thinking and use of the avant-garde.
- Andy South lives in Waianae, Hawaii and is a freelance designer and a personal assistant to another designer. His favorite designers are Yohji Yamamoto and John Galliano. The first garments Andy South ever made were Halloween costumes which he glued and stapled together. His favorite materials and fabrics to use in his designs are silk and wool. One of his design strengths is his ability to sew quickly.
- April Johnston lives in Savannah, Georgia and she just graduated from college with a bachelor's degree in fashion design. Her favorite designers are Alexander McQueen and John Galliano. Johnson's prom dress was the first garment she made and designed. Canvas and tuxedo silk are the favorite fabrics to use in her designs. Her strength as a designer is the ability to illustrate a beautiful sketch and create a garment from her drawing.
- Ivy Higa's hometowns are Kailua-Kona, Hawaii and New York, New York and she is currently a fashion designer. Higa's favorite designers are Marc Jacobs, Consuelo Castiglioni, Stella McCartney and Issey Miyake. Higa made her first garments at age 13. These garments were a purple velvet vest and a printed silk skirt. She likes to use natural fabrics because they feel the best against the skin. Her strengths as a designer are an impeccable attention to detail, construction and taste.
- Valerie Mayen lives in Cleveland, Ohio. Mayen is a fashion designer, educator and freelance illustrator. Her favorite designers are Rudi Gemreich, Stefano Pilati and Leanne Marshall. The first garment she ever made was a navy polka-dot sleeveless dress with pink buttons. Interlock cotton knit and wool are her favorite fabrics. Mayen's craftsmanship and aesthetic are her strengths as a fashion designer.
The Contestants on Project Runway Season 8
- AJ Thouvenot, Age 26
- Andy South, Age 23
- April Johnston, Age 21
- Casanova, Age 33
- Christoper Collins, Age 30
- Gretchen Jones, Age 28
- Ivy Higa, Age 30
- Jason Troisi, Age 33
- Kristin Haskins Simms, Age 39
- McKell Maddox, Age 29
- Michael Costello, Age 27
- Michael Drummond, Age 31
- Mondo Guerra, Age 32
- Nicholas D'Aurizio, Age 32
- Peach Carr, Age 50
- Sarah Trost, Age 27
- Valerie Mayen, Age 29
Season 8 contestants will compete with each other to create the best clothes. They will be challenged because they are restricted in time, materials, fabrics, and theme. Fans should tune in on Thursday, July 29, 2010 to watch the first competition and elimination.
Resource
www.mylifetime.com/shows/project-runway/season8
Lisa Craven - I have been a successful teacher and student. I love to read using all types of media. My favorite "toy" right now is my Nook.
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