by Gina Scarpa

If you’re like me, you were slightly devastated when the news broke that Project Runway was leaving Bravo for Lifetime.  In fact, I’m still scratching my head over it but fear not, fashion fans.  Like any good woman would after a bad breakup, Bravo has picked itself up off the floor and found itself a new partner in The Fashion Show, which premiered tonight.  15 talented designers will compete in weekly fashion challenges to be shown to industry insiders. Afterwards, they’ll be judged by hosts Kelly Rowland and Isaac Mizrahi, as well as Senior Vice President of IMG Fashion, Fern Mallis.  A guest judge will also make an appearance each week.  Alright, time to figure out if The Fashion Show can fill the void that Project Runway left!

The designers are greeted by Isaac and Kelly, where they learn what they’ll be competing for: a $125,000 grand prize and their own clothing line.  For their first mini-challenge, the contestants will have one hour to design a little black dress, using only a basic black t-shirt.  Before I continue, let me just say that I want to call Merlin as this season’s most memorable designer.  That is quite an outfit he’s wearing.  Back to the challenge.  Laura Brown, of Harper’s Bazaar, is the judges and she most certainly does not mince words when critiquing.  Miss High and Mighty’s three favorites are: Merlin, Johnny, and Keith.  They are the winners and for their prize, they’ll get to choose their teams for the elimination challenge.

Johnny picks Reco, Laura, Markus, and Haven.  Keith goes with Kristin, Jonny, Andrew, and Anna.  Merlin decides to team up with Angel, Daniella, James-Paul, and Lidia  In tonight’s elimination challenge, the teams must decide a “must have” garment that can be worn in five different looks.  Johnny’s must have is harem pants, Keith’s must have is a tube skirt, and Merlin’s must have is a bolero jacket.  When you put a group of opinionated designers together, you can’t expect them to get along.  Many argue about everything from color to design theme.  At the end of the day, they’re going to have to put their creative differences aside to work as one team and make a cohesive look. 

The fashion show has a front row for VIPs, such as designers Christine Bogetti and Tadashi Shoji as well as guest judge Elie Tahari.  Bobi designer Kara Lusardi and fashion expert James Aguiar are also in attendance.  Johnny’s team is up first and I’ll admit that I was skeptical about the harem pants but they slowly win me over on the runway, with the exception of Haven’s design.  Up next is Keith’s team and I’m just hating everything that comes down the runway.  The only glimmer of hope for their team is Andrew’s design but it looks like they’re in trouble.  Merlin's team is last and nobody's look impresses me.  Johnny's team was the best, in my eyes.

Shows how much I know.  The judges and I are not on the same page.  Kelly slams everybody in the competition, saying that there wasn't one must have piece that she cared to have.  Johnny's team is safe and the audience votes Merlin's team as the winners.  Isaac names James-Paul the winner of this challenge and his outfit will be available to purchase on BravoTV.com.  The models from Keith's team head out to the runway and Kristin takes a beating first for her design.  Kelly says the audience called Jonny's design "slutty and ill fitting".  The judges decide they're not buying Jonny's design and eliminate him first from the competition.

The Fashion Show airs Thursday nights at 10pm ET on Bravo.

(Image courtesy of Bravo)

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