Fashion reality show returns to the ‘Runway’

The series also succeeded where most others fail: in its casting.

Too many reality shows place conflict and personality above all else. “The Project Runway” cast certainly was full of colorful, over-the-top personalities. Austin Scarlett’s name was as over-the-top as he was, but his effusive personality was backed by exceptional talent. The show found its villain in Wendy Pepper, whose streak of gray hair reflected her occasional wickedness. Wendy openly criticized some of the other contestants’ work during judging, and never held back during confessional interviews, where she admitted that she was playing a game; for that, she was loathed by at least a few of her fellow competitors and some viewers.

The show’s other two breakout stars ended up in the final challenge with Wendy: Kara Saun, a gifted designer whose work almost never failed to impress the judges, and Jay McCarroll, the eventual winner, whose clothes reflected his wild personality. His personal wardrobe consisted of such items as a cowboy hat and pink sunglasses plus bright red pants; even while he was constructing dresses, he was making bitterly sarcastic but outrageously funny comments. Jay’s hysterically extreme extroversion led Bravo to create a spin-off special, which may be expanded to a full series, “Project Jay,” which will follow his post-show life.

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Before anything else, the men and women of “Project Runway” were talented, capable designers. And they also had a guardian.

Producers brilliantly cast a professional expert to serve as a mentor to the contestants. Tim Gunn, chair of the Parsons School of Design’s fashion-design program, shepherded them through their challenges and issued instructions. He was not, however, a decision-making judge, freeing him to be openly critical and brutally honest with all of the designers. He offered advice that some embraced and others rejected, but his comments were always aimed at improving the clothing the contestants were designing.

Other shows might have cast a ringer to sabotage the designers by giving advice designed to increases the show’s entertainment value. But Gunn’s presence, knowledge, and credentials always kept the series grounded.

This is reality TV, though, so the contestants were judged every week and eliminated one by one. Standing atop a dramatically lit runway where moments earlier models strutted with the newly designed clothing on their thin frames, the designers faced a panel of judges that included host Heidi Klum. After they deliberated, she would send them home by with an “auf Wiedersehen,” after explaining that, in fashion, “You in oh you ow” (“You’re in or you’re out”).

In reality television, thankfully, “Project Runway” is still in.

Andy Dehnart is a writer and teacher who publishes reality blurred, a daily summary of reality TV news.

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