03x02 - Fit For A Queen

[bunniefuu]

[Heidi] Tonight on Road to the Runway...

You'll join Tim Gunn on his cross-country search

for a new group of America's next great fashion designers.

We're gonna move you forward to the next level.

[Heidi] Out of the thousands who auditioned,



to show their collection at Olympus Fashion Week.

We'll also see some familiar faces

as we check in on how some of the designers

from previous seasons are doing since leaving the runway.

So get ready to meet the designers

of Project Runway 3.

[upbeat music playing]

Receiving the call that we were doing season three,

and that we were going to begin casting,

I was simultaneously thrilled and terrified.

And I thought, "Oh, my God, here we go again."

And the pressure's really on.

[upbeat instrumental music]

-Hi, Project Runway! -Whoo-hoo!

[Tim] The process began with open calls

in Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, and New York.

Designers brought in a portfolio, three garments,

and filled out a 20-page application

before facing our panel of judges.

Well, I want you to know that I want it.

I love designing.

Literally, if you give me a sheep,

I can give you a sweater.

[Tim] Some people we sent straight home.

We're not excited at all.

We're not interested in this.

With others, we wanted to see more.

We're moving you on to the next level.

When we responded to a designer's work,

we moved them to the next level

where they had to submit a personal bio video.

This is my introductory bio video.

As long as I can remember, I have been designing clothes.

This contestant will keep us on our toes.

Armed with bio videos and portfolios,

I sat down with Michael Kors, Nina Garcia, and Heidi

to review the 45 semifinalists

and narrow them down to a cast of 15.

So you started in L.A.

We started in Los Angeles

with Santino at my side.

[laughter]

Knowing that I was going to be sitting with Santino

for two whole days...

Well, my brain was bleeding just in anticipation of it.

[chanting] Om mani padme hum.

[rock music playing]

My life has completely changed

from being on Project Runway.

You know, whether you love to hate me

or hate to love me,

I'm a great designer.

And, uh, you're gonna see more of me, I swear!

[rock music playing]

The fact that you're just walking down the street,

and someone yells your name out of the car.

You know, every actress that I meet,

every musician that I meet,

wants to be a client of mine.

-Ta-da! Here it is! -Beautiful.

-You look amazing. -Am I wearing it right?

That's priceless.

If Vincent Van Gogh had my personality,

he might not have had to cut off his ear.

And I have to say, I had some concerns about that,

about Santino, I thought, "He's gonna take over the room."

-We know how he is. -[Nina] Ha ha, yes.

You know, we're here to learn who these people are,

who are showing up for the auditions,

not to hear more from him.

He was superb.

I mean, how bad do you want this?

And it's not really radiating who you are as a designer.

I see tons of potential.

[Michael Kors] So how'd it look?

Well, it was a very different

season of auditions, to be perfectly honest.

We had many designers turn up

who are seasoned, experienced,

and really see the show as their launching pad.

[camera clicking]

-[Nina] Hi. -Hi, Robert Best.

-How are you? -How are you, Tim Gunn?

[Tim] Robert was very familiar to me.

I still remember Robert as a student at Parsons.

And I knew that he had

an incredible career with Barbie.

I've been at Mattel ten years now,

so I kind of am ready for, like, the next level of my career

which I think means being a huge media star.

-No, I'm kidding. -[laughter]

They wouldn't take me on Top Model

because I'm too short.

Here's the clothes.

This is a really great design.

This is a piece from my fall--

-my first fall collection. -How did you feel about our

My Scene Barbie challenge?

That was hilarious, I loved it.

Who do you think should have won?

[laughter]

Well, you, naturally,

I mean, what an oversight.

You're moving forward.

[Robert] Designing for dolls

is a lot like designing for people.

Barbie in particular is a dream to design for.

Very patient, and can sit through a fitting for hours.

Her weight doesn't fluctuate.

She's very good-tempered, not a diva.

[Robert as Barbie] It wasn't like that at all.

Robert Best is a nightmare, and his roommate

even made some dolls cry.

-Really? -Of course I cried.

I'm a doll, aren't I?

[laughter]

I know Robert Best.

Robert had a collection of his own.

[Michael Kors] He had his own line.

But how would that work,

if he always does things

-for little Barbie dolls? -Well he doesn't,

his own collection was for you and Nina.

Some people walked into the audition

and I just had to ask myself, "What are they thinking?"

[Tim] She can't walk in that.

It's a creative piece.

[upbeat jazz music playing]

Good morning.

Good morning.

-I don't think... -[Tim] No.

...this is what we're looking for.

It's not what we're looking for.

-Thank you. -[Mary] Ciao.

This is Uli.

We saw her in Los Angeles,

but she's actually a Miami designer.

[Nina] She's German?

[Michael Kors] She must be German.

-Yes. Hometown Munich. -What is the last--

[with heavy German accent] What is the last name?

Uli Herzner.

Oh, ja.

[camera clicking]

-Hi. -[Tim] How are you?

Good, how are you?

So, what do you bring to Project Runway?

Everything you see of me.

It's like basic colors,

it's moving materials.

Like these dresses

you can wear with flip flops,

you can wear in the evening.

You can dress it up, you can dress it down.

I'm responding to your prints, to the way--

-the combination. -Thank you.

It sounds like we're all in agreement, enough to

see you to the next level so.

-Awesome! What does this mean? -[Santino] Congratulations.

[Tim] We're making you a semifinalist.

I think we're gonna have a little schnitzel on the show.

-Yes. -[laughter]

Does she have some more sophisticated things? Or...

[Michael Kors] I mean, I love these clothes

if you live in Florida.

Can she make a tweed suit?

All right, this is Jeffrey.

-He has his own business? -[Tim] Yes.

-Stylist? Is he a stylist? -Uh, designer.

And well known in the community.

[camera clicking]

-Hey. -Hey.

-How you doin'? -I'm good.

My name is Jeffrey Sebelia.

I live in Los Angeles, California

with my girlfriend, Melanie,

and our 15-month-old son, Harrison.

I make clothes for rock stars

and actors that want to look like rock stars.

I've dressed Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears, Kylie Bax,

Jane's Addiction, Wyclef, Lauryn Hill, No Doubt.

There's more, but I can't remember them all right now.

These are pieces I was finishing, actually,

-for the L.A. market. -[Tim] Mm-hmm.

Just a little rock and roll vest.

This dress, and then this little blazer.

-Mm-hmm. -[Jeffrey] And that's it.

So what is your goal

in coming to Project Runway?

I want to build my business.

And I started with 50 bucks, and this idea.

And I've been self-funded the entire time.

He seems very creative, right?

[Tim] Yes, he's very conceptual.

[Heidi] He has his own thing.

He has a very particular point of view.

I really want to see him do something elegant.

Something more sophisticated.

[Michael Kors] What would a gown look like from him?

What would a swimsuit look like from him?

Because if he's really gonna make it,

he's gonna have to be able to do

-all of it. -[Tim] Exactly.

This is Stacey Estrella.

Stacey is relatively new to fashion.

She dove into this three years ago,

and she has a Harvard MBA.

[camera clicking]

Why Project Runway?

I'm here to build a brand.

I have my four Cs of building a brand

in the fashion industry:

They're Courage, Creativity, Cash, and Celebrity.

I went to college at Stanford University.

After that, I went to business school and got a masters

in Business Administration at Harvard Business School.

If I were to make it to the final three,

I guarantee you that I would win.

Your portfolio's better than what you're showing right now.

The sewing is really well done,

and I think it would be worth, you know,

taking you to the next level and seeing

what else you can do.

Great.

-How high is this slit? -All right, so the slit's

-a little-- -[Heidi] That is unbelievable.

I know what she had for lunch, but, you know...

So is she dressing herself?

-Perhaps. -Some of the most

successful female designers

have based their careers...

-[Nina] Right. -...on dressing themselves.

She reminds me, of,

um, the mother.

-Wendy. -Wendy.

[Michael Kors] Wendy?

I think that it would be great to move you to the next level,

to the semifinals. So congratulations.

-Thank you. -[Mary] Congratulations.

-Oh! Oh. -Okay.

Okay, so now we have to put Middleburg

on the map now, Dad, okay as a fashion capitol.

A lot of people need support and encouragement

in a field like fashion

where it's so competitive and so cutthroat.

And all the way along the line, I've made choices

to be loyal and kind and generous

to the people I work with.

You have a strategy because you have him

as your little whippin' boy.

-Jaybird, jaybird. -[designer] You know what it is?

You're jealous.

You know that little witch Wendy? She's back.

Before I went on the show, nobody knew my name.

Okay, great, yeah.

And after I was on the show,

I just field orders night and day.

Some of the projects that I've been involved in

include designing my next collection,

which was really the first thing I wanted to do.

Naomi, I really, really love how this fits you.

I think this is great.

I'm really, really happy to say

that I'm still in it.

And...doing quite well.

[Tim] With only a few hours left in Los Angeles,

we still had a lot of people to see.

[camera clicking]

-[Tim] How are you? -Good, thanks.

-[Tim] We'll take your books. -Okay.

I haven't sewn in, like, 10 years.

Oh, you haven't?

No, so this is like--

The last week I've been crazy

-sewing all these pieces tog-- -[Tim] Did you just do these?

Yeah, this week. Every single one of these.

This is where I go jogging,

'cause you have to stay in shape in Southern California.

And unfortunately, I was not blessed

with Heidi Klum's amazing body.

After college, I got the chance to work with tennis diva

Serena Williams, designing her outfits.

Which was always an interesting experience,

because she fancies herself a bit of a designer.

So I always had to make it seem like my ideas were her ideas.

And then I like doing something a little funky.

So, like, whether it's on the outside or inside,

just doing a nice pop color.

In the sketches, when you look at the book...

-[Heidi] Mm-hmm. -...you go from really

athletic to gowns.

So this is a customer who's either jogging

or dining on the red carpet.

So I wanna see if she's gonna be

able to hit the middle part of life,

which is what, you know,

most clothes have to hit.

Vincent Libretti

had a career in fashion, and he dropped out.

It was too much for him.

But now he feels ready to return.

[camera clicking]

-[Nina] Can we see your book? -Sure.

This is a great little room.

It's my, um... sewing room, yeah?

But look at what I did.

I put a nice blackboard here.

We could just feel way free.

Way free, and just get into whatever we wanna do.

It's like the most beautiful thing in the world.

Do you have your own line?

-I did in New York. -[Tim] You did?

We sold Saks, Neiman's--

-When? -1988.

Vincent Libretti,

I mean, his portfolio he brought in

was like opening up a time capsule.

I just stopped doing this for quite some time.

Fashion wasn't very kind to Vincent.

We got better now, and I just cashed out my 401K

to make a new line.

I'm scared, but I'm happy.

I'm happy 'cause I know I have to do it.

And my wife knows I have to do it.

I really do believe that designing

is like riding a bicycle.

Just because you weren't doing it last year

doesn't mean you can't do it today.

I want one more shot to do this.

It means everything to me. Everything.

You've gotta be brave

to jump back in at 49

and say, "I'm gonna take the risk."

I really like him.

-[Heidi] Who's next? -[Tim] Hi, Nicole.

What is it that you bring to Project Runway

that's special and unique?

Ooh, I think I bring a lot.

My men's line is called Fly Guy,

and I've always been inspired by insects.

They're clothes, it's wearable art and avant-garde.

I've done it all. Anything I can get my hands on, I do.

Who are you as a designer?

Men are sorely underexposed

as far as being sexy and accentuating body parts.

Yeah, I definitely think you have a--

a point of view.

Well, I think we've already made up our minds.

But this isn't what we're looking for.

[Karen] Just base on what we're seeing.

-You're kidding me. -[Tim] No.

This is Bradley.

[camera clicking]

I want to be on Project Wunray--Runway

because I love clothes and I love fashion design.

So here's some work.

♪ Do, do, do, do, do, do, Do, do, do, do, do ♪

-I love these sketches. -[Nina] Yeah, they're good.

[Heidi] Sort of goofy, though.

[Michael Kors] I love them.

[laughing]

-[Nina] The martini glass. -[Michael Kors] I love her.

Yes!

[Tim] And I'll be honest,

it was his video that sealed it for us.

Look, he's very, um,

smart and quite intuitive.

A good bio video can reveal a lot about a designer.

Season One's Austin Scarlett was a bit of a mystery to us

when he first auditioned.

[Mary] How would you describe your design sensibility?

Very classic...ly feminine.

But at the same time...

Um...

[sighs]

We saw something we liked,

but we really needed his bio video

to show us his point of view.

Well, this is my neighborhood.

Spanish Harlem.

Aren't they beautiful?

I enjoy the whole process

from idea to draping the pattern on the mannequin

to fitting it to a real person,

executing it in the fabric.

I just love.

[upbeat music playing]

What has Austin Scarlett been up to

since Project Runway, you ask?

Well, here I am making and designing wedding gowns

for the Kenneth Cole line.

Which is run by Amsale, who was a judge

for the first season's Project Runway

bridal competition.

[Amsale] I'm having a hard time imagining it

where she's wearing it.

To the point-- it's too different.

Where do you wear this?

[Austin] It really is ironic.

She of all the judges would end up, um,

wanting to hire me.

But it's just sort of...

it's funny the way things work out.

[Amsale] Kenneth Cole is all about glamour.

And having someone who's

this young, and who gets it, it just--it just--

I can't even think of anybody else

who can fill his position.

Well, it certainly is a good thing I didn't take

Michael or Nina's advice.

Otherwise, I'd never have this wonderful job

designing wedding dresses.

I don't know what to do about Austin.

[Michael Kors] I feel like we can't seem

to get him out of the box

of this couture world.

[Heidi] That is true.

Thanks, but...

I'm glad I did it my way.

[Heidi] Next on Road to the Runway...

-That's a lot of coat. -Yeah.

But look at what you can do with it. I mean, come on.

-Prepare yourself. -Oh, my.

I actually hate this.

No wire hangers...ever!

[Heidi] Welcome back to Road to the Runway.

[Tim] We found 18 semifinalists in L.A.,

and we still had three cities left.

Next, it was off to Chicago, where I was excited to see

season two designer Nick Verreos,

who joined me as a guest judge.

Hi. How are you?

A little bit nervous?

Huh?

We're all very excited to see everyone's stuff.

You have to stand out in this sea of people.

-Thanks so much. -Sure, you're welcome.

Ever since I got voted off the fashion island,

NBC sent me to Torino, Italy,

to do fashion commentary on the figure skaters.

-What they're thinking? -Girlfriend,

that ain't gonna work.

Came back to teaching,

which was my sort of part-time career.

Which I love, love doing.

What is it called? Two works.

Who says that?

Line sheet, good. Good, Maria.

I'm also continuing with my line, Nikolaki.

I'm not here for 15 minutes of fame.

I'm here for the long run.

I'm so happy to be here.

And thank God you came to Chicago.

This is reversible.

-[Nick] That's a lotta coat. -[Tim] Yeah. Yard for yard,

that's one of the top ten coats

-I've ever seen. -But look at what

you can do with it. I mean, come on, right?

Oh, my goodness.

The wickity-wack on this just isn't working.

[Nick] Get the wickity-wack out of here.

[Tim] Yeah.

Oh, my.

[Nick] Oh, dear. Wow.

[Tim] Is this one look

so big it's worth three?

We really need people who've matured

into who they are as a designer.

You just need some more time.

Next time, maybe bring in not such theatrical--

[Tim] Yeah, something that's a little more wearable.

[Nick] But you get an "A" for drama.

Thank you.

Attitude, seriously.

Like, I was waiting for him to be like,

"You weren't even one of the three finalists."

"Miss Thang!"

Where is that really seasoned professional...

-Right. -...in Chicago?

So who did you find in Chicago?

So prepare yourself.

[camera clicking]

[Tim] Hello, Kayne.

Yes, Tim Gunn,

this is a Jonathan Kayne original.

This is a simple little number with some ostrich feathers.

You were a veterinary technician

-for four and a half years? -I was.

But I have made a pretty good name for myself.

I'm the youngest pageant wear designer

in the pageant industry.

I also, I am co-owner of a prom/pageant boutique

in Norman...Oklahoma.

So this is our humble little store.

I make a lot of things, from pageant gowns

to dance costumes to...

What is this?

What is a wire hanger doing in the store?

-No wire hangers...ever! -[woman sobbing]

The pageant girls, they like the sparkle.

-[Tim] Yeah, but I guess-- -And you like it too.

I do. Like, my favorite person is Dolly Parton.

And, like, I will just tell you,

growing up when she was on TV, I was glued.

[Southern accent] I could never tell.

-Surprise. -I have to say, I like--

-I like Kayne. -Yes, I like--

I actually hate this.

Then give me a chance to show you--

-Oh, my. -[Tim] Yeah.

[Michael] These dresses I guarantee you are constructed

to within an inch of their lives.

They're made like death.

-[Nina] I do think-- -This is a serious business.

-Yes, I think there is a-- -It's a serious business.

There is a business for everyone.

[Heidi] Who else do we have?

I do, uh, design, freelancing,

uh, for individual clients that I have.

Can you, um, spread your clothes out on the rack?

Oh, certainly. Sorry about that.

The look here is taffeta shift,

that's floor-length

and has a net overlay with an embroidered,

uh, collar bib to it.

-You finally woke me up. -Yeah.

I've been sort of like, "Uh-uh. Oh, what?"

And you could say this is essentially

where the magic happens.

The magic actually also happens here, often.

And it's also happened here.

[Tim] Steve, why do you want this?

I want to get into fashion

because it has been my passion,

you know, since I was 11.

I have a feeling he knows how to construct clothes,

but I don't know about the taste.

[Tim] We added five more

semifinalists in Chicago.

Then it was on to Miami,

where season two winner Chloe Dao

joined me as a guest judge.

Good luck, you guys. See you in there.

-[woman] Thank you. -Don't be nervous.

Congratulations, Chloe. You did a great job.

Thank you.

Chloe...

Congratulations.

-Are you kidding me? -[Heidi] You are the winner.

of Project Runway.

No way.

[upbeat music playing]

What am I doing now? Um, I'm doing everything still.

I'm still cutting, sewing in my garage.

My store's bigger.

-Hi, how are you? -[Janet] Hi, Chloe.

My name's Janet. I'm a huge fan of yours.

Nice to meet you.

It is a definite, like, hot spot to go to.

This is my summer baby doll's dress.

We're still airing the show.

And... I watch myself

still everyday on the show. [laughs]

Are you gonna design for the store still

or are you moving to New York?

Oh, no, I wanna totally stay here.

When I won, people kept saying,

"Why are you staying in Houston, Texas?"

I'm like, "Why not?"

My family's here. My boyfriend's here.

And I think my future is here.

And I think I can totally be fashion forward

doing exactly what's happening in New York, Paris, Milan.

I try to do everything.

My world has changed so much because now...

I can charge more.

[laughs]

-Hola. -[Tim] Hello.

How are you?

So, Michael, tell us about you.

I took three of the challenges from the TV show.

This is actually the first challenge,

the muslin challenge.

This one here was the Nicky Hilton challenge.

Pretty much, it's just a jersey gown.

I braided the straps.

But, you know, we really don't--

on the one hand, yeah, it's interesting

to take the Project Runway challenges and solve them.

At the same time,

we really wanna know who you are

independent of those constraints.

Well, I actually think I did show my--

I didn't--I don't think I was constrained.

I kind of just used what you all suggested.

All my things are-- they're pretty much true to me.

They're very sexy.

They really show the woman's curve.

They're-- they're beautiful, I think.

I like him. I think it's interesting.

[Chloe] First and foremost,

I thought he was a great designer.

Young hip-hop guy, R&B.

I would totally think you were doing like,

"Yo, yo, yo" or something.

Then all of a sudden you're doing

this very classic evening wear.

I was thinking, "I would buy your clothes."

I was the only one rooting for him.

He was very real.

I wanna see a real designer.

I wanna see his story.

I wanted to see what's about him

that for me was a connection.

You're all over the place.

Really?

In my view, you are.

But you know something? We wanna know more.

So we're gonna move you to the next level.

Yay! Thank you so much.

-Tim Gunn, you rock. -[Tim] You're welcome.

[laughter]

-Bye! -Thanks.

I like him.

He likes to show the curves of the girl.

-Wow! -[Tim] Ooh.

[laughing]

-Taste-- -[Michael] We've got some

-taste issues here. -Yeah,

I was not crazy about this.

[Michael] Well, he knows how to make clothes.

-I can see that. -[Tim] And he's serious

about being a designer.

[Michael] I was just gonna say he is a fashion boy.

He might not know that this presentation--

Yeah. He doesn't know.

He doesn't know. He has no idea.

-[judges] Hi. -How are you?

I have several portfolios here for you.

-Where did you graduate from? -[Jonathan] F.I.D.M.,

in Los Angeles. Yes.

I left there 'cause I couldn't afford

to live in L.A. anymore.

So I moved back to West Palm,

which is where I'm from.

I just did an evening wear,

and it's an all-black collection.

I was able to develop my all-black collection,

which I was inspired by my trip to Paris.

All-black, as a collection,

is really not accepted.

And it's one of the most challenging...

-[Tim] It is. -...colors to work with.

And for me, if it's not a challenge,

I don't feel that I'm gonna learn anything from it.

It's more than just a challenge.

It really could be a life-changing thing.

That's what I'm looking for.

[Michael] Is this studenty also?

-Yeah. -This kind of thing

-always freaks me out though. -Uh-hmm.

We saw some interesting people.

[whimsical music playing]

Don't mean this critically.

I mean it matter-of-factly. It looks like student work.

When I use the term "student work,"

I don't mean it disrespectfully.

I mean it descriptively.

It can be very well done,

but you don't really know who that designer is

as an individual.

It just has "school" written all over it.

It's what every design student does.

-[Nina] Who is this? -[Tim] This is our youngster.

-Katherine Gerdes. -Yeah.

-[Heidi] Where's the photo? -Oh, here she is.

She's the one on the snowboard, right, on the mountain?

[Michael] So she's just out of school.

Just out of school. But we saw something here.

-Hi. Hello. -[Tim] Hi, Katherine.

My name is Katherine Gerdes.

You can call me Katy. Most people do.

I know where she gets her sense of fashion.

It's from her mom.

I'm a certified snowboard instructor.

I teach kids. Whoo!

Kinda dorky, but that's who I am.

So why Project Runway?

I think it would be such a challenge.

And I'm always up for a new challenge.

[Tim] Are we looking at who you are as a designer?

-I think so. -Can you show us these pieces?

[Katherine] Sure. So she's got on the jacket

that was inspired by beetles.

Have the little, like, wings in the back.

Then I've got this dress that I just did for a show.

So this kinda sits underneath,

and you see all the layers popping out.

And then this one was something I had done

as a art piece. And it's actually this big,

wool-felted, knitted ball gown.

I feel like she doesn't have a point of view yet.

I'm confused. I don't know.

I just don't feel like you're ready for the show yet.

Wish I had not seen these

'cause these feel sad.

Something about you that just evokes--

I don't know, I have confidence in you.

I like the idea that there's charm to it.

But I also like the idea that it's sportswear,

and it's separates.

Yeah, it looks interesting and new.

She's a snowboarder, so she puts on

big old boots to everything.

We'll get her into a stiletto yet.

This crowd? For sure.

Project Runway has been a launching pad

for gifted young designers

in the early stages of their careers,

as well as for professionals looking to take their careers

to the next level.

Did you make something in this photograph?

I made the dress she's wearing for the Oscars.

-[Mary] Wow. -Uh-hmm.

And the red carpet gown as well.

[Kara] We're here in Sherman Oaks in my studio.

It's Kara Saun.

I hate to say that the best thing

that ever happened to me was not winning Project Runway.

Just so many people said, you know,

"If you won, we weren't going to call you

because we thought you'd be too busy."

You just never know who's gonna hit you

on your email, you know?

That's how I got my investor.

That's how I was able to get to Fashion Week.

I went on to costume design for What I Like About You.

And Are You the Girl with T-Boz and Chilli.

Designed a ton of things for Heidi Klum.

VH1 Awards. She had some events in Germany.

And I also designed a lot of things for her

for Project Runway 2.

So it really worked out for the best.

[Heidi] Next on Road to the Runway.

I focus on menswear right now.

But that's not the focus of the show.

All right, here's what I've been up to

and here's my collection.

We're going to pass, okay?

[Heidi] Welcome back to Road to the Runway.

[Tim] Arriving in New York,

we had a difficult task ahead of us.

We had found 33 semifinalists in the other cities,

but only 15 of them could make it.

So I was grateful to have

season two finalist Daniel Vosovic

join me as a guest judge.

-[woman] Hi. -Hey, you guys! Good luck!

Action!

This is my home.

So this is where the magic happens.

A soon to be graduate of F.I.T.

This is going to be a record interview.

We're moving you forward.

Project Runway can take you to certain level,

but it can only take you so far.

I want to start my own collection,

but I just don't want to do it yet.

I feel I need a little more experience.

All in all, I do want to take my time

and do things on my terms.

Although I'm looking to work under someone,

I think it would still be great

to still be able to dress someone for a premiere

just to keep my name relevant.

When I go to parties and meet new people,

it's great to say, like,

"By the way, you look beautiful,

but I could probably make you look a little bit better

if I dress you."

Hi, Jillian. How are you?

Hi, Tim. How are you?

It's a thrill to see you.

This is one of mine. This is a coat.

And it's lined with silk satin.

[Tali] And what are you doing in design right now?

I just quit my job last week.

I worked for Ciro for the past two and half years.

I'm really creative, and I have so much in here.

I wake up in the morning for this.

I love to design. This is my life.

I can do anything you'd like me to do.

I can do the job.

But I feel like I might just die.

All of this stuff inside of me might explode.

[Michael] She's immaculate.

[Heidi] She's into details.

-Very detail-oriented. -Yeah.

I don't know what this is.

Studenty. So this is Keith Michael.

And we saw him in New York.

-Hello. How are you, Keith? -Hi, how are you?

[Daniel] Hello.

[Joann] Did you only bring menswear?

-I did. -[Joann] Uh-oh.

[Daniel] Do you have any photos of any women's wear?

I have women's wear.

[Joann] Can we see the photos of that?

-[Daniel] Can we see the photos? -Sure.

[Joann] Why didn't you bring these?

Well, because I focus on menswear right now.

But that's not the focus of the show.

[Keith] Well, I think that

the structure that I put into the clothes

translates into women's wear.

Take a jacket like this and put an LV belt around it,

and you have something very sophisticated.

Are those?

If you did that and I think we would have

not accept it, I think we have--

Would you like me to explain it?

Well, not really. I probably sound like

I'm being really tough on you,

but I'm sure you can appreciate

that thrown into this situation,

I'm being easy on you compared to how the other judges will be.

[Daniel] We have to understand

what you want to do as a women's wear designer.

And you can paint that picture in our heads,

but we have to be able to see it.

[Tim] Well, you know, I have to tell you.

I'm responding to the fact that you're coming back at us

with responses as opposed to, "Oh, okay."

I saw something in him.

And I saw very wonderful menswear,

and a very confident and, in his own way,

kind of powerful guy.

I love the book.

There's something there.

[Michael] Uh, listen--

-Don't you think? -And taste.

He might be a little tricky, this Keith Michael.

[Tim] Here is our next person, Laura Bennett.

Laura, you're an architect.

I am an architect.

How much experience have you had as a fashion designer?

-Absolutely none professionally. -[Daniel] Okay.

[Laura] I think that design is a problem solving process.

So if you're given a set of problems to solve,

you design for that particular problem.

And I think because I have such a strong design background

I know that the principles of design

can be applied to anything.

I like what I see, and I think it's pretty.

It is. I just don't see what it is about them

that says "the next great American fashion designer."

[Laura] I live in New York. I studied architecture.

It can be challenging sometimes with five children

to find the time to design.

[children laugh and scream]

[Laura] So I've always designed my own clothes,

and it just seems like lately everywhere I go

everyone wants to know who I'm wearing.

So I think it's time to make a move in the fashion world.

If you have five kids, she's seen it all.

-Exactly. She's seen it all. -Yes, I agree. Love her!

And with five children she's still so classy

and put together. That's amazing.

The audition process is exhausting,

and when you've been doing it for a while

you get very good at knowing

when someone isn't right

and getting them out of there quickly.

Come forward, but I'm gonna tell you right now,

don't even hang up your clothes.

-You're just not ready yet. -[woman] Okay, thank you.

[Tim] Okay? Thank you.

You say that you don't sew. You don't cut.

-You don't make patterns. -No.

Okay, bye-bye.

All I have are my sketches.

No clothes?

I don't have any garments with me.

Just so you know, I had no idea

-what a picture portfolio was. -Really?

[Karen] Did you make your clothes that you're wearing?

No, actually, I did not.

I'm gonna tell you right now it's not gonna work.

-I'm not comfortable about this. -[judge] No, sorry.

We're going to pass, okay?

[man] I just found out about this yesterday.

[Tim] Michael, this is a mess. I'm sorry.

I mean, no clothes, this portfolio--

Really, I feel insulted. No, thank you.

Alison.

-This is her? -Yeah.

[Michael] I think she's super cute.

[Tim] She's also super nice.

-She's cute and nice? -Yeah.

[Michael] I'm calling the newspapers.

-[judge] Hi, Alison. Hello. -Hi.

[Alison] This is a photo series that I did entitled Lost.

I styled the sh**t

and designed the clothes and modeled for it.

It's about a girl who's looking for her lost love,

who travels around L.A.

posting up flyers and pictures of him,

sending messages in a bottle,

hoping that eventually she'll find him.

Can I see that first piece real quick?

-Yeah. -And I assume you're wearing

-your design. -Yeah.

I had one line called Run Riot for a year.

It was all one-of-a-kind pieces

that I sold on consignment

in boutiques in L.A.

So what happened with Run Riot?

Did they fizzle and why?

Um, it was going pretty well,

but I always just, you know, like, breaking even.

And why Project Runway?

Well, I've seen the success of designers

who've been on the show.

There's, like, so much competition right now,

and it's so difficult to make it as a young designer.

I think it's a pretty amazing opportunity to be seen.

She knows how to put the right things together.

I like the way the book is laid out.

She found the right girl to wear the clothes.

The makeup's gorge. She's very good!

From the earliest days of Project Runway,

the auditions have introduced us

to some over-the-top personalities.

What motivated you to come here today?

I want to make clothes.

I want to spread the world in color.

You know, which is, weird, q*eer to say, but I really do.

I'll be absolutely blunt about it. I was dubious.

We're not giving him a runway show in New York.

We decided to give Jay a chance.

Against our better judgment,

we're gonna move you forward.

I want this just as much as everyone else, you know,

or else I would not be here.

It's not like some [bleep] thing.

Like, oh, you know. I took a bus for three hours

with some [bleep] little kid sitting next to me

eating a Subway hoagie.

He won me over completely.

[upbeat music playing]

I didn't take the b*tch's dye, that's fo' sure.

[Tim] I thought, Okay, here is a real talent

with whom all of the other designers really have to reckon.

[Heidi] Jay...

Congratulations.

You are the winner of Project Runway.

[exhales]

[Tim] But he's not shown

since the show.

I would ask him, "What is next for you?

Are you a fashion designer? Are you a performer?

What is it?"

Come on.

[whispers] Welcome.

Everything's been really amazing

since winning Project Runway season one.

I've been trying to figure it all out.

Trying to figure out the business end of fashion,

which I had absolutely no idea about.

It's very stressful because everyone wants to know,

"Where is your collection and when is it coming out?"

"He must not care about fashion,

and he's embarrassing."

"Where is it? You're not working hard enough."

Shut up. I'm just trying to build a business.

I could've put out a collection very easily three seasons ago,

but how do I get a product to a customer?

You need to know what's going on,

because at the end of the day,

your name is in the back of a shirt.

So if you don't mind your shirt being made

from flammable fabrics in a factory where people get shot,

and you just want money, money, money, money,

then maybe fashion's perfect for you.

I want to make clothes for the masses.

I want to make clothes for the everyman.

I am working on my collection,

which will be shown at New York Fashion Week in September.

I'm really excited because I really want to put to rest

all of those--those people chitchattering

and saying, "What's he up to? What's he doing?"

And I just want to put an end to it and say,

"All right, here's what I've been up to

and here's my collection.

And on top of it, you can now buy it."

[Heidi] Next on Road to the Runway.

[Michael] People who do clothes like this.

How are you gonna make that garment?

They haven't a clue.

I make clothes and accessories like women make babies.

I've been truly inspired.

I thought, "Boy, talk about a b*tch-slap."

[Heidi] Welcome back to Road to the Runway.

[Tim] After a whirlwind four-city tour,

we finally arrived on the last day of auditions in New York.

We had found 40 semifinalists so far.

And with one day left,

we would have to make some tough decisions

to get that group down to final 15.

[Heidi] Who else do we have?

Angela Keslar.

[Joann and Tim] Hi, Angela.

I do not have

the traditional background in fashion,

yet I am making dresses

that are mistaken for an Yves Saint Laurent.

How many designers do you know

who are living off the grid

on a farm in O-hi-o

who are producing dresses

that are mistaken for an Yves Saint Laurent?

This is like food to me, but it's better than food.

And I couldn't do anything other than this.

I makes clothes and accessories like women make babies.

I'm just meant to do it.

I have something very universal that is almost like food.

People respond to good food, right?

And they respond to good clothing, good design.

I have you to say, you really seduced me last year.

And I really applaud what you're doing.

I'm concerned about where the vision is.

-[Daniel] Where the vision is. -[Tim] Yeah, I share that.

I share that.

We were looking at what she brings in terms of this

-compared to the other people. -[Michael] Totally different.

There is an artsy-craftsy movement

happening in fashion right now.

-[Nina] Yes. -[Heidi] Who else do we have?

-[Tim] Hello. -Hello, how are you?

-[Tim] How are you, Daniel? -Good. Thank you so much.

So why are you here?

Because I want to be on Project Runway.

[Tim] But for what purpose?

[Daniel Feld] For publicity. I did my own line before,

and I failed with it.

It was very hard because there was no publicity.

I sold a piece here and there,

but it was, you know-- the orders were, like, too--

So what do you bring to the show?

I know how women really want to look like.

I think of, you know, small things like--

innovative--like, the side seam when she sits.

I mean, I love an hourglass silhouette.

But I think when it comes down to it

everyone wants to feel just classic.

Maybe one day I'll be on the Fashion Walk of Fame.

Hey, it's New York. Dreams can come true.

In his video, he looks much more sophisticated

than what this book shows.

Malan--this is the third season Malan has come to audition.

I still remember audition number one.

I've done film, television. I do voiceover work.

[Tim] He just didn't make it. It just didn't happen.

He returned for season two when I had the advantage

of having seen this performance before.

When you say you're a performer,

how does that relate to you as a fashion designer?

As a fashion designer it gives you a very keen sense.

[Tim] He insulted fashion design programs.

I think it's probably a better education

than going to a design school

where they kind of tell you what to do.

[Tim] He insulted fashion magazines

and editorial work.

I see from page 260 to page 300

the same dress in a different fabric.

Really?

[Tim] And he had some barb to hurl at each of us.

Some of the finalists,

they really didn't think beyond

what they were seeing.

[Tim] In spite of the insults, in spite of the arrogance,

he actually made it onto the show.

But guess what?

He declined us!

[laughs] I thought, "Boy, talk about a b*tch-slap."

Malan returned for season three.

And I was asking myself, "What's he doing back?"

He seems to have had some major epiphany.

[Malan] I like how you present fashion.

I was a bit ignorant the last time.

[Tim] I'm pleased to hear you to say that, thank you.

I've gone from perfecting couture to ready-to-wear,

to suiting, to sportswear,

to swimwear, to bits of everything.

If you look at my body of work, you'll see that...

I've been truly inspired.

Is that English accent fake or is it real?

Is that a fake British accent?

[Michael Kors] I think it's divine.

He's a wackadoo!

Now, that, the interesting thing is,

you know, like, a lot of these people who came back

who didn't make it and then we brought them back on,

you know, they really did think about it.

The caliber of designers who auditioned this year

was far and away the best we've ever seen.

So choosing just 15 is a real challenge.

I mean, he was one of the less experienced people

we decided to bring on.

[Nina] I'm confused with the portfolio.

I mean, I think she has a double challenge.

Can she evolve into something else?

[Tim] It's really not about the individual.

I mean, I can be very fond of someone

or have a distaste for someone.

I'm looking at their work.

We, of course, we're also looking for diversity of design.

He seems very creative, right?

[Tim] He is. He's very conceptual.

[Michael Kors] This is someone who really thought about it,

has a dream, and I think has a real look.

There's some oddities here, boy.

People who do clothes like this,

you're like, "Okay, well, how are you gonna

make that garment?"

-They haven't a clue. -They haven't a clue.

This is not fashion camp.

This is a place where you have to hit the ground running.

[Heidi] Next on Road to the Runway.

Some words or wisdom from previous contestants.

Always compliment Heidi.

Just tread lightly with the judges.

Just sit there and smile.

Don't try to play the other contestants.

Play the production.

That's what I did. Look where it got me.

[Heidi] Welcome back to Road to the Runway.

So here they are, the designers of Project Runway 3.

[upbeat music playing]

-My name is Keith. -Alison Kelly.

My name's Bradley Baumkirchner.

-Laura Bennett. -My name and what?

-My name is Jeffrey Sebelia. -I'm Michael Knight.

-[cell phone rings] -Sorry, man.

Ulrike Herzner but everyone calls me Uli.

Vincent Libretti.

Jonathan Kayne Gillaspie.

My name is Malan Breton.

Yeah, that's great. Thank you.

And I'm 32 years old.

God bless Botox. No, I'm joking.

[laughs]

My name's Bonnie Dominguez.

-Can you hear me okay? -Stacey Estrella.

My name is Angela Keslar.

-Katherine Gerdes. -My name is Robert Best.

-What if I mess up? -I can do that over again.

I'm really anxious to get started.

Tim, I really like the range.

I really like the fact that, you know,

there's the street and there's the sophisticated.

And they are-- they're designers.

Exactly.

It's an incredible mix of people.

There's definitely a huge mix of different personalities there.

Each and every one of them have something.

I can see there's a point of view.

There's talent.

It's gonna be very exciting!

It's going to be a good season.

If you want some advice, some real advice

from someone who has been there, done that...

Don't do it!

Know who you are a person

and know who you are as a designer.

-Always dress up. -Don't look stressed.

Always compliment Heidi.

Really, really listen to what Tim Gunn says.

Always be nice to the judges.

And if Nina starts yapping off at the jib,

[bleep] put her in her place.

You have to understand. They've had years of experience.

Just tread lightly with the judges.

Just sit there and smile.

Wait, let me think. Don't be arrogant.

What I created is what I created,

and you can [bleep] off.

But don't say "[bleep] off."

Even if she's the biggest b*tch in the world

or he's the biggest b*tch in the world, just be nice.

Don't try to play the other contestants.

Play the production.

That's what I did, and look where it got me.

[Heidi] Next on Project Runway.

Welcome to Project Runway.

We have a very important announcement to make.

Oh, my God!

-It was just shocking. -Good luck.

[man] Here we go!

[Malan] It was sort of irritating just to see

how inappropriate people will act.

I think that my activity was perfect acceptable.

I have to change my needle. I broke it.

Stacey really needs to learn how to use that machine.

[Tim] I think the basket on its own isn't enough.

Poor Vincent. He's obviously nuts.

I had no idea what I wanted to make.

There's a lot going on.

Very unflattering fit on top.

I couldn't get past the feathers.

It seems just a little messy.

We're wondering, "How many drinks did she have?"

[Heidi] Visit bravotv.com.

[theme music playing]