Attention Whores on Parade

Ah, audition videos. Nothing like watching desperately hungry attention whores, is there? Bravo posted the audition tapes (here) of this year's crop of villains and vixens, and, as always, they run the gamut from cute to clever to painful.

In this installment, Jillian digs out an old Golddiggers of 1933 costume, pops a couple dozen Valiums, and pleads her case.

Brian Bailey - Project Runway Canada

The Calgary Herald News has an interview with porn-stached Tim Gunnabe, Brian Bailey of PR Canada. Some choice bits:

"Bailey, like his U.S. Project Runway counterpart Tim Gunn, is a supportive, likeable, calming addition to the contestants' frantic world."

"I told them at the beginning I was going to be me," said Bailey, a 26-year veteran of the fashion game. "I'm not mean, but I am frank and upfront. They can be bitchy among themselves; that's not why I'm here."

Is the Canadian fashion industry better or worse, or is it cyclical?
"Fashion is that way, isn't it? You're always in the middle of finding your way. For one, two, three years, something is very hot, such as YSL with Tom Ford, then suddenly it takes a kick in the butt. I think Canadian fashion is the same way. Today, the public is more worldly via the Internet and the promotion of Canadian fashion. In the past 10 years we have really come full stage, for example, with L'Oreal Fashion Week, though I think we need to talk about where it's at today . . .Financially, to start out as a Canadian designer is tremendously difficult."

On Project Runway Canada, did you have any major concerns about the ability of the contestants?
"For sure, within the first minute! I think design potential is one thing but skill is another. For the show, you have to have both."

You watched the original Project Runway and others in the Project series. How does Canada's compare?
"We kick ass, let me tell ya! We kick the ass of Catwalk and the American show. I'm throwing down the gauntlet. Bring it on, Tim."

Better-quality design talent or better characters and dramas?
"I didn't want to do the show if the calibre of design wasn't met. If it was just about designer squabbling, well, I've been around that for 28 years! We need the real life, the excitement, the meltdowns -- but, more than that, we need to know these people know what they're about and don't repeat the same little detail, episode after episode."

Did you agonize over creating a memorable catchphrase? I notice you say the word "sexy" a lot: "Make it sexy" and "It's gotta be sexy."
"Being sexy or in your face grabs attention, and design is all about grabbing your attention. "Make sure it works" is kind of a Tim-ism. My favourite thing is always, and I say it to myself a lot, 'kick it up a notch.' When you think you're finished and you've reached that point where the garment looks good, go back to the iron and give it another press. When you're picking fabric, call that other supplier and look at his silks, because you really do have to constantly kick it up a notch, because someone else will have kicked it higher than you."

Is there one lesson you thought all the contestants had to learn?
"Listening is the most important thing a designer can do. Take a streetcar ride in Toronto and see what's going on. Your customer, your store, your backer, your assistants, your partner -- you need to listen. It doesn't mean you need to do, but you need to hear."

PR CANADA EPISODE 4: THE THRILL OF THE HUNT

Catch it here.

(Photo: John Van Der Schilden/Slice)

Judging the Judges: Vera Wang Spring 2008 Collection

Let's rip look at one more, shall we, poodles?

According to Vera, she looked to ancient Rome for inspiration, although we can't say we see it. From the program notes: "Spring-Summer celebrates clothes that are imbued with a lyricism and drama, particularly as it pertains to warm weather dressing. This season also represents a delicate balance between sophistication and naiveté, subtlety and vibrancy, femininity and a certain boyishness. From the colors found in Nature, which the Romans worshiped… to the colors of their civilization (as my imagination would have me believe) ancient Rome represented an energetic, romantic take on life from which to play with cut, color, and construction."

Again, if you say so. It still looks to us like the clothes of a depressed woman who's ashamed of her body. We will say that we like some of these looks, like the red coat and high-waisted pants, and she does seem to be trying to change up some of her silhouettes and colors. Nice to see jewel tones, even if they're in some rather loud metallics. We just wish she'd let go of the drab grays and earth tones for a while and take a break from the shapelessness. And look into prints, Vera. There's nothing to be afraid of.

(Photos: C. Buscemi/WireImage)

Catching up on PR Canada

We found an interview with our favorite PR Canada designer, Carlie. Some tidbits:

"During the first season of the American Project Runway, three or four years ago, I told everyone in school that if [the show] ever came to Canada, I’d totally win, so I had to put my money where my mouth was."

"People are already beginning to recognize me," she whispers conspiratorially. "It’s weird."

"Strangely enough, given my personality, it was easier for me to be on national TV than walk into a store and say, 'Buy my stuff!' The whole goal of doing Project Runway was to win and get that $100,000 to start my own line. How else am I ever going to get a hold of that kind of money? Not eat for five or six years?"

"What next? You need to be reachable. Otherwise, you’re this mystery designer people may have heard of on the show, but they have no way to contact you. I’m working on a website right now - that may be the most important part. This sounds so basic. I’m so naive," she frets. "I don’t even know what’s going to happen after the show finishes."

PR CANADA EPISODE 3: PASSION FOR FASHION

You can catch it here.

Unfortunately the designer who didn't measure up on this episode is displayed right there on the page even before you have a chance to see the episode. Slice forces you to watch the exit interviews before you get to episode 3. Be patient. It's interesting that they have an exit interview for the model as well.

(Photo: John Van Der Schilden/Slice)

Bradley Baumkirchner Spring/Summer 2008 Collection

Season 3 alum Bradley Baumkirchner recently showed his Spring/Summer 2008 collection and apparently his thinking was along the lines of "Hey, those poorly fitted, totally unattractive Cher pants I made on Project Runway got me kicked off, so I think I'll do an ENTIRE COLLECTION of them!"

Honestly, we're not trying to be mean here, but what the ever-loving hell? Okay, fine. Play with shapes. That's all good, if that's what you're into. High-waists have made their comeback, so no problems there. It's just - why do these girls all look slightly retarded? Could it be the ugly, mismatched fabrics and poor fit? Or is it the bare feet (an affectation in runway shows that always inexplicably annoys us)? The horrible styling? The more-than-usual vacant looks?

Look, no one's further from Jeffrey Sebelia's aesthetic than we are and even we can find something interesting or at least not-horrible in a lot of his work, but this...it's just weird.

Although Lorenzo likes the metallic floral pants, but he's chalking that up to watching too much Mad Men lately.

(Photos: Bradley Baumkirchner)