Season 4 of PRAS starts back this week, and we will be in for some high designer talent and dramatic action. I’ve seen the preview once and I do feel we are in for a good season, some great looks, exciting challenges, and more! I always still have a teensy issue with why for only 13 seasons of PR that we are already at such a high # of all-star seasons. Generally, all-star seasons for reality shows are every once in awhile, truly encapsulating the best of the best. I think PR gets a pass, it’s the exception to the rule. In any given season of PR, great talent can go home too early. And even by the time we reach the finale, there is only 1 winner. This means there are still so many in the top 2 or 3 that were worthy of the title. But really, PRAS is a great fix for all of us true, diehard fans of PR. I am one of them and am very much ready to see what Season 4 has in store for us!
Returning as this season’s host and judge, we have the very talented actress, Alyssa Milano. Also returning as judges, two very amazing designers, Isaac Mizrahi & Georgina Chapman of Marchesa. And one other familiar face, returning as this season’s mentor, the female Tim Gunn, we have Senior Fashion Editor at Marie Claire, Zanna Roberts Rassi.
What’s in store for Season 4? Well of course we don’t know all of the fun details quite yet. But what we do know is 14 of the most talented “Project Runway” designers are returning to compete in the biggest and most competitive “Project Runway All Stars” season ever! In this cut-throat season, former standout designers come back to New York to compete for runway gold (#PRAllStars), premiering Thursday, October 30, at 9pm ET/PT. The designers will be in for a little surprise since 2 former winners are joining the mix, Dmitry Sholokhov and Michelle Lesniak, making for an even tougher competition.
Some of the biggest names in fashion and entertainment make up this year’s A-list celebrity guest judges including Emmy® Award nominee Laverne Cox of “Orange is the New Black,” Emmy winner Debra Messing, “Modern Family’s” Ariel Winter, Academy Award® winner Mira Sorvino, singer Nicole Scherzinger, Emmy nominated host Cat Deeley, reality stars Snooki and JWoww, celebrity photographer Nigel Barker, QVC® Program Host Lisa Robertson and many others. Designers appearing this season include Betsey Johnson, Michael Bastian, Elie Tahari, and Ivanka Trump, and special appearances by “Project Runway” judges Nina Garcia and Zac Posen.
This season’s highlights include a surprise visit to London for a challenge featuring British royalty, a collaboration with Broadway’s “Wicked”, and the first ever wedding ceremony live on the runway. And this year’s prize package, not disappointing at all! I mean at least compared to the actual season of PR we just had, a Red Robin fashion accessory, still SMH on that on!
- the chance to create their own capsule collection with QVC and appear during QVC’s Spring Fashion Week programming;
- a fashion spread in Marie Claire and a position at the magazine as Contributing Editor for one year;
- CHI Haircare will send the winner to stay in a luxury spa resort as a special guest at their International conference in Cancun, Mexico, plus product and staff for entire year of runway shows;
- More Mary Kay!!, With an entire year’s worth of beauty products for their fashion shows and professional makeup artist services for their debut show;
- a cash prize of $150,000 and
- a complete custom sewing studio to launch the designer’s winning line from Brother Sewing and Embroidery.
Here is the full list of this season’s contestants, what they’ve been up to and some recent work! ENJOY!!
Kate is a great friend of Fashion Nexus. I’ve been happy to cover her bridal collection for Elaya Vaughn in the past. In fact, I will soon be getting another piece out very soon!
She’s been doing a lot of bridal, which I’m sure will translate nicely to eveningwear or red carpet looks if need be. But I’m also ready to see her back to doing some great RTW, such as what she showcased during her redemption season.
Dmitry is a PR winner, from season 10, seeing if he can take home the title twice! On top of winning PR, he does host a great many other award recognitions — GenART Award, Saga Furs Design Competition Award, Gap Design Competition Award, showcase at Debut, winner of 24 Hour Cat Walk (lifetime), amongst others.
With winning PR, he designed a capsule collection for Lord & Taylor. I was able to attend, meet him, and gaze at all of his amazing looks! I loved them all!
Helen was on season 12, eliminated right before making it to the finale, likely one of the worst feelings for anyone on this show. The judges weren’t sure she was quite ready. She is now back to prove them wrong! Some redemption maybe?
As seen above, the talented singer/songwriter Mary Lambert loves her some Helen Castillo!
Michelle is another winner coming back for this PRAS season. She won the dreaded groups season of PR, season 11. This was a task certainly worthy of commending!
Michelle is committed to staying in her native hometown of Portland. Dedicated to local manufacturing and ethical business practices, Michelle is undoubtedly playing a key role in shaping and growing the Portland Fashion Industry.
Poor Benjamin was on the dreaded group’s season of PR, season 11. I think he got lost working in this capacity. I saw plenty of his work before PR and I expected him to be on the show for quite awhile. I’m thinking sans group we will see more and better work from him!
He officially launched his own line earlier this year. His capsule collection is influenced by the art deco era and takes inspiration from the chic and timeless style of Halston in his heyday and the urbanely sensual approach of Vionnet and her technical innovation.
March was a finalist on PR way back when, like way back to the Bravo days, Season 4 to be exact! But he has certainly kept himself busy. Many major celebs have donned his garments — Beyonce, Madonna, & Meryl Streep, just to name a few.
He developed and starred in his own show on Bravo in 2011, Mad Fashion. He’s also had an exclusive Halloween partnership with Target!
Justin hails from my hometown, good ole’ Raleigh, NC. I’ve attended NYFW, the PR show once, and I was so glad to see many great pieces come down the runway, including some from Justin!
Samantha has kept quite busy since season 11 of PR, putting out collections, dressing celebs such as Keri Hilson, and more.
She is all about feminine, modern, sexy urban appeal. How will this translate to her work on PRAS, can’t wait to see!
Sonjjia has been designing, blogging, and more since PR, season 10. She seems to have focused a great deal on outerwear, very luxe looking and tons of layers!
She also creates pieces for Annabelle NY.
Season 10 has quite a few familiar faces, Gunnar included. He definitely brought a little sass to his season, very interested to see what all he will bring to PRAS! His 2014 RTW collection launch coincides perfectly with premiere of PRAS, what a kawinkydink!
Going back to season 7, Jay worked great with prints, as well as with bold pops of color!
Alexandria was a force to be reckoned with during her time on PR. Here are some of her pieces from her fashion week collection as a finalist on PR Season 12. She was a tough cookie. I’m looking to see how she’s grown in the last year, so no more drop crotch pants!!
Patricia was quite an interesting character on her season of PR, again, the dreaded groups season. Being on stronger groups definitely helped this lady out. She won’t have that on PRAS, so can she step it up solo?!?
Jesse Tyler Ferguson, of TV’S hit show Modern Family and longtime fan of Project Runway, was so impressed with Patricia’s performance on the show, he asked her to be a Guest Designer for his line of JTF Bowties. She’s also taken in part in numerous speaking engagements and designing away since her 1st stint on PR.
Fabio Costa 
Fabio was a finalist on season 10, creating looks with a very distinct and unique POV. He co-founded a brand, NotEqual, which has been donned by celebrities such as Chris Brown and America’s Next Top Model star Allison Harvard.
He creates looks for both men and women. PRAS is a bit more on the high fashion side, where it seems Fabio is more RTW, streetwear. It will be interesting to see how the judges take to his work, if it will need to be amped up some or accepted as is.
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