Lifetime’s hit reality series, Project Runway, is back for it’s 14th season this Thursday, August 6th!! As an avid fan, I know I am excited!! How about you?!? I wanted to put together a little intro piece for this exciting event, discuss the designers, the season details, and more! So for all you PR fanatics just like me, ENJOY!!
There are 16 designers coveting and competing for the PR title this season. Not only is the competition for the title, but a host of prizes including:
- $100,000 to launch his or her business
- a Celebrity Cruises® modern luxury vacation
- a year’s worth of products courtesy of Sally Beauty
- the opportunity to consult with Sally Beauty to create a limited edition “FingerPaints” nail color collection
- a 2015 Lexus RC 350
- a complete sewing and crafting studio from Brother Sewing and Embroidery
- a fashion spread in Marie Claire magazine, and
- from Mary Kay, an entire year’s worth of beauty products for their fashion shows and professional makeup artist services for their debut show.
In addition to the always impressive and talented judges, Heidi Klum, Nina Garcia, Zac Posen and mentor Tim Gunn (and his save!), top names in the entertainment industry sitting as guest judges this season include: Bella Thorne, Kiernan Shipka, Tracee Ellis Ross, Paula Patton, Ashley Tisdale, Shiri Appleby, Constance Zimmer, Ciara, Mel B, Coco Rocha, Lisa Perry, and Hannah Davis.
So let’s meet the designers —
Amanda Perna: 28, Delray Beach, FL
Amanda’s studies included The University of Alabama, as well as a first internship with Oscar de la Renta. Her strengths, putting together cohesive collections, mixing colors and prints, as well as thinking outside the box.
More on Amanda & her brand The House of Perna —
Gabrielle Arruda: 27, New York, NY
Gabrielle hails from NYC and studied at the infamous Parsons, The New School for Design. Her strengths include time management and designing pieces that reflect her style and accomplish the task at hand. She has a modern and feminine sensibility infused into her designs.
More on Gabrielle —
Hanmiao Yang: 27, New York, NY
Hanmiao’s strengths include being a fast learner and time management. She pays attention to detail, can work under stress, is a problem solver, and being a multi-tasker.
More on Hanmiao —
Edmond Newton: 37, Atlanta, GA
Edmond’s strengths lie with evening wear & high fashion. He’s been trying to get on since season 1, is this is time??
More on Edmond —
Jake Wall: 36, San Francisco, CA
Jake’s strengths include that he is a fast learner, impeccable with time management, pays attention to detail, can work under stress, is a problem solver, and can multi-task.
More on Jake —
Joseph Charles Poli: 37, Las Vega, NV
Designer strengths include creating a strong silhouette, fit and tailoring.
More on Joseph —
Blake Patterson: 24, Los Angeles, CA
Designer strengths include designs, fabric selections, craftsmanship, and creating something amazing!
More on Blake —
Swapnil Shinde: 34, Mumbai, India
With a 4th time in auditioning, Swapnil is ready to show off his exquisite skills in patternmaking.
More on Swapnil —
Merline Labissiere: 32, Savannah, GA
Merline attended SCAD. She is very conceptual, tending to think outside the box, both with designs and the colors she uses. Architectural elements come out in the way Merline designs patterns.
More on Merline —
Laurie Underwood: 29, Chicago, IL
Her designer strengths include creating looks that allow women to stand out, while fitting in at the same time.
More on Laurie — (brand is Wanda Grace)
Lindsey Creel: 28, Austin, TX
Lindsey feels she is strongest with patternmaking, sewing, and ready-to-wear.
More on Lindsey, M.E. Shirley —
Candice Cuoco: 27, San Francisco, CA
Candice was honored to win the SF Best Emerging Designer in 2013 and nominated for Designer of the Year in 2014. She feels and interprets everything deeply. “Women are emotional creatures and to pay close attention to the meaning behind why I create is my strength.”
More on Candice, House of CCUOCO —
Ashley Nell Tipton: 24, San Diego, CA
Designer strengths include sewing construction, thinking outside of the box, and problem solving.
More on Ashley —
David Giampiccolo: 31, Hollywood, CA
David is highly client centric, focused, and based, so he strives to make my designs comfortable and mix street wear with a touch of couture.
More on David —
Duncan Chambers-Watson: 25, Auckland, New Zealand
Duncan’s designer strengths are tailoring, knitwear and patternmaking.
Kelly Dempsey: 31, Boston, MA
Kelly is confident, with a designer strength in that of creating her own individuality, picking and choosing what she wanted to learn along the way, leading her to the designer she is today.
More on Kelly with Keli Couture —
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