Project Runway Season Seven – *Fingers Crossed*

Last week Project Runway returned for its seventh season, and although I did not blog about it then, I have been watching in the hopes that season seven will wash away the memory of tragically bad season six. The problems with season six have been amply complained about all over the internet, and one of the primary issues was that the designers were all incredibly boring. Not only were their personal conflicts and workroom bickering not enough to sustain an entertaining reality show, the designs themselves were consistently unimaginative and bland. I dress blandly enough at home, you know? I don’t watch a show about fashion to see my own (neutral toned, cardigan based) clothing choices mirrored back to me. Contestants aside, last season was also plagued by shifts in location and judging that seriously impaired the overall impact of the show. It’s surprising, but the move to LA seemed to be a major player in the (less exciting) settings and (less edgy) style. Less surprising was the effect of inconsistent guest judges – without the firm and reliable voices of Michael Kors and Nina Garcia, winners and losers felt more arbitrary, a judge’s personality had a huge impact on the feedback, and no one knew what to expect from week to week.

All that said (and wow, that was a really long first paragraph), I’m happy to cautiously report that season seven is looking promising. Everyone is back in New York, happily holed up in the familiar Parsons workroom, and Michael Kors and Nina Garcia have been on both of the first two episodes (as well as appearing in the preview for next week). Even better, the designers seem much more willing to experiment and be innovative. It’s difficult to tell what the major players and behind-the-scenes rivalries will be when there are still so many contestants, but I’m hopeful. It’s already looking good when the judges choose not to kick off a contestant, Ping, who sends her model down the runway with her bare buttocks in full view. No seriously – the model wore an ill-fitting skirt with an enormous slit in the back, the better to view her completely uncovered rear-end. And after some deliberation, the judges chose to keep Ping and send home Pamela, whose dress was merely boring and badly made.

Here we see Heidi craning her neck for a better view of the poor model’s naked behind.

Oh Michael Kors. I missed you and your….woah woah, did you always have a horrifying claw hand like that? Did you have to literally claw your way back onto the show? Are you going to skewer the contestants with your razor sharp talons? Is there some new claws in your Project Runway contract? (Covers face in shame.)

We say goodbye to the standard strapless minidress so that we can have another week with Burlap McShowyBottom. You’ve started off so well, Project Runway. Keep the fire alive.