Friday, August 21, 2009
Two Dallas-area contestants make virtually no impression on Thursday-night premiere of Project Runway
After more than a year hiatus, Season 6 of Project Runway, the fashion-designer reality show premiered on Thursday night, with a couple of new twists and -- more importantly to us -- two of 16 contestants hailing from the Dallas area.
Local contestant #1 is a Louise Black, 32, of Dallas whose name seems convenient since her black bob is reminiscent of Louise Brooks. Black digs vintage. According to the promotional materials, she decided to be a designer in 2001 after she had success selling her hand-sewn pieces on eBay, whereupon she acquired some technical training at El Centro College.
"I was the Goth chick in school ... and I've been trying to recover from that," she says.
Local contestant #2 is Shirin Askari, 24, who's listed by Project Runway as being from Richardson, though other sources have listed her as being from Garland.
She got a B.F.A. in fashion design from University of North Texas, and says her favorite color is "crimson." Crimson, not just plain old "red."
Both candidates exhibited above-average skills, but neither won nor lost. The winner was Christopher, whose shtick is that he didn't go to school. He's self-taught. He doesn't know all this blocking and pleating you learn at school because he didn't attend, see. But he won the challenge to make a dress for the red carpet, so he belongs here, even though he didn't go to school. Etcetera.
The show previously appeared on Bravo but is now on Lifetime. It also changed its location from New York to Los Angeles. Otherwise, it was much the same as it's always been, with model-host Heidi Klum, fashion expert Tim Gunn, and magazine editor Nina Garcia.
Brian Bolke is at left.
One other Dallas-related tangent was the presence and involvement of Brian Bolke, co-owner of McKinney Avenue boutique Forty Five Ten. If you watch either Louise's or Shirin's casting session, you'll see that Bolke was one of three judges, along with magazine staffer Paula Knight and Daniel Vosovic, an ex-Runway contestant himself. Those casting sessions would have taken place last fall, as the show's actual taping wrapped up in the spring.
Email
|
Print
|
Comment
|
Tell us your story
|
-
»Dallas women make it work with one Little Black Dress
-
»Dallas Divas & Daughters moms get picky with birthday guest list
-
»Small shops make Carrollton’s downtown area complete
-
»Dallas Divas & Daughters tell us it can be fashionable to have a job
-
»Flying in style: Capture Amelia Earhart-esque clothing from Dallas shops
okme2 says:
Love Project Runway...
Anonymous
3 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
GarconTetu says:
I would like to see writer of this post to audition on Project Runway and impress the judges with her vision.
Anonymous
3 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Mike Orren says:
So would I, although I imagine my expectations are different from yours.
Staff
3 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Teresa Gubbins says:
Garcon, I love to sew but there's no way i would get chosen. I admire anyone who can sew, and am pleased to see that two contestants from Dallas made it this season. Hope you'll come back to Pegasus on Friday for the next installment of our weekly coverage
Staff
3 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Travis Bush says:
If TGubb spent all her days bedazzling jackets for DIFFA, we wouldn't know where the grub and other stuff was..
Verified
3 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
GarconTetu says:
I'm disappointed with the title of this post. "Make virtually no impression"? The two girls created two beautiful dresses. If you don't understand their visions then don't ruin the show or their reputations with this kind of writing. You really cannot think of a better title? I hope you will have a better post next time and think before you write.
Anonymous
3 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Teresa Gubbins says:
Garcon, perhaps you are correct that the headline is weak. a more accurate headline might have said that the Dallas gals didn't win or lose.
both Dallas contestants made beautiful dresses but i'm not judging their fashion. i'm covering their appearance on this show, just as we covered Melissa d'Arabian's <a href="http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2009/aug/02/former-keller-mom-melissa-darabian-next-food-netwo/">appearances</a> on <em>Next Food Network Star</em>. to me, these reality shows are about entertainment; the cooking and fashion aspects are minor
Staff
3 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Travis Bush says:
*If you don't understand their visions then don't ruin the show or their reputations with this kind of writing.*
FFS! It is a douchey reality show...one cannot "ruin" a tv show for those who are fanatical about watching it...as well, those who decide to give themselves that kind of public face better be prepared for the harsh reality of everyone else watching them whore themselves out on TV...
That is what they are doing, so perhaps you can go back to your gigantic tub of cookie dough and cry a river for the next horrid program abortion.
Verified
3 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Jason Rice says:
Travis is touchy today....
I'm with Garc. A better title is needed:
"Publicity from totally unnecessary show exhausts pleasant local psuedo-contestants' 15 minutes."
Verified
3 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Pavel Lishin says:
Extra, extra! Random people get 15 minutes of fame, other random people upset about it! Read all about it!
Verified
3 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
alexander troup says:
Travis is on a..suspened animation device for hair transplant.. while Project Runway is a more of a fashion and flight we have to observe I Can read, while does anyone recall who is Louise Brooks......A/T,..Hair transplants and Moby Dick..
Verified
3 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
GarconTetu says:
Travis the Amish, "so perhaps you can go back to your gigantic tub of cookie dough and cry a river for the next horrid program abortion."
For your information, though I major in fashion design I don't follow reality fashion shows that much. I only have seen one episode of The Fashion Show and I have never watched Project Runway on tv (only on youtube) since I don't have time like some people. I hardly follow any reality shows. The only reason I'm following Project Runway this season is because my friend is in it. I love her works and I support her works. I also support the fashion industry of Dallas. I can't remember the last time I ate a cookie. When was your last time? 2 seconds ago?
Anonymous
3 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Jason Rice says:
Garc - um, I'd like to welcome you to the outside world. If you step out in the arts, you step into critique. Public eye - same thing.
However - TG said "Wow, two from Dallas wash out." I didn't see one teensy thing about anybody's "Vision" or even "Skill" - good, bad, or indifferent.
Want everyone to love every little thing you do? Be a kitten.
Verified
3 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Pavel Lishin says:
<i>Want everyone to love every little thing you do? Be a kitten. </i>
Brilliant.
Verified
3 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Pavel Lishin says:
A thought occurs: I will never watch this tripe, but I'd love to watch a spin-off reality show called "Project Sweatshop". Basically the same thing, except with kids, and the beating thereof with chains.
Verified
3 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Teresa Gubbins says:
actually, this year, for the first time, they've got a "companion" show called <a href="http://www.mylifetime.com/on-tv/shows/models-of-the-runway">Models Of The Runway</a>, which they're <a href="http://www.mylifetime.com/on-tv/shows/models-of-the-runway#/video">airing online</a>. the models have a certain um child-like quality. but that Lifetime site is a bit of a beating
Staff
3 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
GarconTetu says:
Jason Rice - I rather be from the outside world than joining a group of plain boring people. I didn't say anything about wanting people to like everything I do. I'm in the art industry so I expect critiques and I can handle critiques. I've been talking about Teresa's unthoughtful title. Perhaps it's better if you can assist her with writing for the food's channel. It will suits you two better. Snap
Anonymous
3 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Travis Bush says:
Unthoughtful title? How about this one..
"Marilyn Manson look alike and some other hooch from Dallas are epic fail on insipid television show." SNAP
Verified
3 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Travis Bush says:
BTW, Garcon..welcome to Peg News!
Verified
3 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Jason Rice says:
Matter of fact Garc, there's a simple rule I live by....
To criticize is to volunteer.
Man up and pen a column on things fashion Dallas - open to public comment - and I'll betcha we shut up pert' quick. I'd bet Peg would love to link to such a feature.
I'll see your snap and raise you another time honored hand gesture.
Verified
3 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Jesus Valadez says:
I'm an engineering major and I still have free time. I wonder how much work goes into fashion.
Verified
3 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Travis Bush says:
Jesus...lots of work and lots of pretense..
Verified
3 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
jtmbls says:
Oh joy! I haven't seen this much energy around a Peg story in a good while! Well done Teresa!
Welcome Garcon and thanks for shaking things up!!
Don't mind Travis...He's just bitter that he wasn't selected for Sarah Jessica Parker's upcoming reality show for artists. Plus it’s fun when he gets on his high horse about people on their high horses! ;)
Jason - Brilliant and hilarious! Although, me thinks you left off "...a kitten OR an orangutan." ???
I have my DVR loaded up already with the first episode and can't wait to watch this season. Not only is Tim Gunn a major draw for me, I find it very interesting to watch the creative process unfold and being able to witness a person’s dream come to life. What’s so wrong with that?
Anonymous
3 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Travis Bush says:
ehe...jtmbls..there would be drama AND death if I were on such a show...I would start with Sarah Jessica and move on from there. BTW, you will pay for teh sass! :D
Verified
2 months, 4 weeks agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Jason Rice says:
I got to thinking about Garc's obsessive paranoia of the Food Channel - probably Food specifically.
Maybe Trav can take him under his wing. They both may share some devastating past trauma. While Trav's left him irrationally phobic of all words sharing a root with "Plano" (flat, like a tile floor) and a panic fear of soap hygiene products. Maybe in a similar turn of events, a childhood Garc got a casserole lodged in the same orifice.
Garc, we're here to help.
Verified
2 months, 4 weeks agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Travis Bush says:
Jason...I will warsh your mouth out w/Doctor Bronner's Peppermint Soap and burn your dam draw bridge if you start in...not necessarily in that order.
Verified
2 months, 4 weeks agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Jason Rice says:
mmmm! Peppermint!
Verified
2 months, 4 weeks agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Travis Bush says:
BTW..my proudest moment in this thread is the fact none of you troglodytes were in the know enough to comment on bedazzling for DIFFA..ahah...and you call yourselves fashionistas! Nubs!
Verified
2 months, 4 weeks agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Jason Rice says:
::fashionistas! Nubs!
Dude, if it doesn't come in a Hawaiian print why would I care? (Sequins on Toucans are just WRONG)
Verified
2 months, 4 weeks agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Travis Bush says:
What if it were the Magnum PI print?
Verified
2 months, 4 weeks agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Jason Rice says:
...ooohhh (maybe)... <font size="1">temptation... temptationnnnn</font> oooh ... No!
It's the principle of the thing. Not even Selleck can sell sequins. Nope.
Verified
2 months, 4 weeks agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
GarconTetu says:
Jason Rice you sound and look like one bitter old man. I wonder when your final days on Earth. I will go drink a beer. And no thanks, I don't want to be under Travis' wings. I'm not a hot mess like he is. He seems to need a shower. Perhaps you can help him with that.
Anonymous
2 months, 4 weeks agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Travis Bush says:
A hot mess...I like that!
Verified
2 months, 4 weeks agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Jason Rice says:
Aw Garc! You break my heart. And I'm actually three bitter old men.
I'm sorry - I didn't know you were so sensitive about sequins. My bad.
Yeah Trav - I think you have a new nom de plume!
Verified
2 months, 4 weeks agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal