Project Runway: Season 3

Project Runway Season Three Predictions
With season three just heating up, the competition is gearing up to produce one of the most creative, innovative, and dramatic season yet. The new cast features:

Bradley Baumkirchner, 32, Los Angeles, CA
Robert Best, 36, West Hollywood, CA
Laura Bennett, 42, New York, NY
Malan Breton, 32, Long Island City, NY
Bonnie Dominguez, 31, San Diego, CA
Stacey Estrella, 40, San Francisco, CA
Katherine Gerdes, 25, Minneapolis, MN
Kayne Gillaspie, 27, Norman, OK
Ulrike “Uli” Herzner, 35, Miami Beach, FL
Alison Kelly, 25, Brooklyn, NY
Angela Keslar, 33, Amesville, OH
Michael Knight, 28, Atlanta, GA
Vincent Libretti, 49, Santa Monica, CA
Keith Michael, 34, New York, NY
Jeffrey Sebelia, 36, Los Angeles, CA

Designers Stacey (a Standford and Harvard educated entrepreneur) and Malan (an international self educated designer) have already been bid a fond “Auf Wiedersehen” by Mrs. Heidi. Additionally, Katherine Gerdes, our snowboard designing darling has also been Auf’d. From the looks of what the other designers are dishing out, there really is no room at all for error in finishing, or un-innovative designs aesthetically. Designer Vincent, a 49 year old designer returning to the industry after a long hiatus, seems to be the next one to go after two appearances in the bottom three scoring designs for the first two shows. If Vincent doesn’t get his inspiration and construction together, he might out, or will he. Some insider gossip might leave your jaw dropping about Vincent’s place in the running.

So who looks like they may make it to the top 5 of the original 15 designers? Well nothing is set in stone, and you can’t count your chickens before they hatch, but we can make some predictions based on insider gossip and what we’ve seen them take to the runway so far.

First and foremost, a tragic accident involving 18 year old model Jia Santos (one of the last three models on the show) obviously reveals whom maybe one of the last three designers, but remember that any wining designer can model swap; so it might be a shaky lead to follow. While filming one of the last episodes, Santos was hit by a bus while riding her bike in New York City. Her agent stated that “she fractured her skull and her eye socket and was in critical condition for three days. Now she has been in intensive care for a month.” The agent also said that the first words she uttered when she woke up were “Am I still on Project Runway? “The show will have the accident in the last episode and will explain what happened. Track Jia closely in the show if you want do some sleuthing as to whom may be in the final three showing at Fashion Week. Look closely at episode two, you will see the designer who chooses Jia, and how her name is edited out cleverly by production as she is chosen. I don’t want to give away any more details, but it looks like one of our wacky designers might make it to the final three, unless his model gets swapped out by another winner. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

Ulrike Herzner, who goes by the name “Uli,” is a 35-year-old German native who currently resides in Miami Beach. Trained as a physical therapist, Uli eventually decided that she wanted to enter the world of fashion. For the past eight years, this freelance stylist has dreamed of taking part in New York’s Fashion Week and is inspired by nature as well as the innovative designs of Kenzo and Roberto Cavalli. “My parents are my mentors,” Herzner said. “They have stood by me since I began creating my first designs at two and a half years of age and they continue to stand by me as I go for my dreams.” Her strong performance in the last two competition, and notoriety in the South Beach Scene leads me to believe she will be a top five finalist.

“Inspiration comes from everywhere, especially nature. I think through our designs, most artists are trying to reproduce the complex patterns and beauty we find in nature” stated Alison Kelly. Originally from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Alison who is 25, has been making her own clothing since she was 14-years-old. She also designs jewelry and has incorporated her own sterling silver clasps and notions into her garments. Her strong showing thus far, and impressive portfolio demonstrates her top five potential.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, 34-year-old Keith Michael is a freelance designer currently creating his own line of clothing. Keith’s aesthetic of urban sophistication rings a fresh point of view to modern American design. The focus: reinterpreting true cosmopolitan style for a new generation. Keith’s fashion forward men’s clothing is already found in exclusive boutiques in Los Angeles and Manhattan and he looks ahead to an expanded modern luxury and lifestyle brand. His experience in the fashion world is apparent, winning the first challenge, and certainly others to come, he is a shoe in for the finals. BUT wait, he might be kicked off the show due to having designs in his portfolio that are rip offs of Lacoste and Marni 2006 spring collection. So will Keith bite the dust, or make it to the end. Its hard to tell, but he definitely has talent. If he is kicked off for forging designs, it is a shame he cheated; because he definitely is one of the most talented designers this season (and snotty for that matter).

Jeffery Sebelia is a renown LA celebrity rock and roll designer, if he can clean up his construction due to time constraints, he will surely make it to the final five. Jeff finally began to focus, market, and legitimize his love for art and fashion when Interscope records discovered his band, LIFTER, and signed them for six years beginning in the early nineties and ultimately Cosa Nostra was born. The label has a long line of celebrity clientele, including Gwen Stefani, Billy Bob Thornton, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and more. Cosa Nostra is sold exclusively at limited high-end designer stores such as Maxfield in Los Angeles, BNY in Santa Monica, Patch in St. Tropez and Harvey Nichols in London and Hong Kong.

And finally, Robert Best, another final five prediction. “In the end I think most women want to look pretty, the same can be said of most dolls” stated Best. Best, 36, is a Principal Designer at Mattel where he has worked for Barbie Collectibles for ten years. Prior to Mattel, Robert worked in New York for such fashion luminaries as Isaac Mizrahi, Anne Klein and Donna Karan. His experience, innovation, and charm and strong showings thus far lead me to believe that he will surely make it to the top five.

Stay tuned, and well see who’s in, and who’s out.