by Todd Betzold

The hype has been strong for Season 10 of Project Runway and the premiere has finally arrived. Unless you have been under a rock, you know that on the first episode the designers are putting on a live runway show in Times Square, the first of its kind on Project Runway. I love this show and so glad it is back on...make it work!

 

The 16 new designers arrive for the tenth season and we meet Buffi, who is a little bit eccentric herself. Gunnar, who made it to the Top 20 last season, is back and in the Top 16 this time around. The designers make their way to the workroom. They had a homework assignment before the show: to make one garment which represents them as a designer.

 

Kooan makes his way into the workroom and oh my, he is a character. His afro and glasses are enough to make me go insane! Melissa is all about black, so she will have some exciting designs! Ven feels the other designers will be intimidated when they see his first look. I feel like I am over him with his first sentence out of his mouth!

 

My favorite, Tim Gunn, makes his way into the workroom. It wasn't the same without him on Project Runway All Stars! The first challenge is to create a companion piece to go with the piece they have already created. They have a $100 budget and Tim tells them they have one day and they will be showing their pieces at a runway show in Times Square! How exciting!

 

The designers have 30 minutes to sketch before going shopping. Beatrice said the first look took her about four days to create, so she is worried about having only one day. Raul says that he is a menswear designer, but has a passion for women's wear, so this should be interesting. Time runs out and the designers head back to get started.

 

Christopher is already running his mouth saying he will be the winner. Confidence is good, but overconfidence is ugly. Gunnar decides to outshine Christopher and how I hate him already. We don't need the queen attitude so early Gunnar! We just got started and Raul is already stressing over his skirt. Also, Andrea claims the title of Grandma on Project Runway, at 58 years old.

 

Sonjia, who is quite sexy looking, said she has never been diagnosed with ADD, but is pretty sure she has it. Fabio claims to be a fregan, which is a word I've never heard before. Well, it means he gets his food out of the dumpsters! Buffi wants to keep talking and keep everyone laughing, but Dmitry is annoyed by her! Christopher is having some issues with the sewing machine. Buffi said that Lantie's second look looks tacky and cheap.

 

Time for Tim Gunn to come in and check out what the designers are up to. He is intrigued by Melissa. He doesn't get the jacket Sonjia. Tim is not understanding what Kooan is doing, but he trusts him. He is questioning the design and texture of the skirt for Fabio.

 

I cannot stand Gunnar's voice...ugh! He tells Tim he was told to find his niche last season and he has, which is old Southern ladies! He tells Elena to just commit and do it. All the designers seem to be impressed with Ven and his abilities. Tim is questioning if he will have enough time to finish his piece. Raul has a see-through skirt, which could get dangerous on the runway. Tim tells him to make sure his model is covered up. Tim tells Christopher he has the potential to have a wow moment.

 

Three hours until the end of the day and things seem pretty calm in the workroom. Beatrice is having some issues with her neckline and not doing well with the sewing. Christopher and Gunnar, who practically look alike, are not getting along, but what diva will come out on top? The models arrive for their first fitting. Some of the designers are struggling. Christopher's model is smaller than the form, so he has some major work ahead of him. Lantie is not liking the way her dress has come out. She wants to scrape it all. The day ends and material is all over the place in the workroom. The designers head to their apartment to see where they will be living for the next few months. The designers are all starting to freak out about having to show in Times Square.

 

It's the day of the runway and the designers are scrapping to get everything down. Tim comes in and tells them models will be in soon and they have two hours to get them all done up. I don't like Ven at all. Can he and Gunnar both leave tonight??? They send their models over to hair and makeup. Kooan is kind of kooky, so I think he will stick around for a while! Beatrice has trimmed a hole in her dress and has 20 minutes to fix it or she will have a topless model on the runway!

 

Time runs out and they all head down to Times Square. The designers are overwhelmed with everything and all the people there. Heidi Klum comes out and gets the party started tonight. The judges this week will be Michael Kors, Nina Garcia and guest judges this week are actress Lauren Graham and costume designer and first ever guest judge on Project Runway Patricia Field. The standouts to me are: Ven (well done and complement each other well), Alicia (liked her style) and Raul (cute and worked well together). The not-so-good ones tonight are: Lantie (furballs on one and all tulle on the other one), Buffi (just bright and gaudy) and Kooan (his looks are as crazy as he is).

 

The runway show ends in Times Square and all head back to the regular runway we will see every week. Time to get down to business and Heidi asks these designers to step forward: Kooan, Ven, Lantie, Christopher, Beatrice and Melissa. The other designers are all safe for one more week. One will be named the winner and one will be out!

 

Kooan is up first: Heidi has a lot of question marks. She said it is odd, but intriguing. Michael Kors said even if costume is your look, you don't want to be a joke. Patricia Field said the choice of fabric may have been dangerous. Melissa is next: Michael said the minute they turned the corner, I knew your vibe. Nina said she really liked it and the girls connect. Heidi said it is definite current and she would want to wear both of those looks. Beatrice is next: Heidi said she was not very attracted to either of the pieces and they looked too sad. Michael said everyone loves comfort, but that's not enough and it doesn't tell me who you are as a designer. Patricia said it is not catching her eye in anyway. Christopher is next: Heidi said she loves the gown and it is exquisite and he did a fantastic job. Michael said the fabric manipulation is done very well, but they are wedding party in the styling. Patricia said it really shows specialness. Lantie is next: Heidi said it is not flattering. Michael said he is not sure what she is trying to say and doesn't know the story, other than the textiles and they aren't so great. Nina said it isn't a disaster, but she was just trying so hard. Last is Ven: Heidi said she liked how they worked together. Michael said he tailored fabric that is really tough to fabric. Lauren said it was really lovely.

 

The designers head to the back and the judges have a little chat. It looks like a battle between Ven and Christopher to be the winner this week. And it is a battle to see who will lose tonight between Kooan, Lantie and Beatrice. The judges battle it out on who is more deserving to have another chance next week. The designers come back out and the winner this week is Christopher. I like him! Ven and Melissa are safe. That leaves us with Kooan, Beatrice and Lantie. Kooan is safe and crazy! We are down to Lantie and Beatrice. Lantie is safe, so Beatrice and her kits are headed home!

 

Project Runway airs Thursdays at 9/8c on Lifetime.

 

(Image courtesy of Lifetime)

 

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