Project Runway Canada - Finale!

Biddell, Project Runway Canada Winner | Biddell's leather jacket on the runway at L'Oreal Fashion Week


8:45pm I arrive at Tattoo Rock to watch Project Runway Canada with Toronto’s fashionistas, including PRC judge Shawn Hewson of Bustle, Fashion Design Council of Canada head Robin Kay, NOW Fashion Editor Andrew Sardone, designer Philip Sparks, jewellery designer Susie Love, and fashion illustrator and blogger Danielle Meder

9:05 Iman announces that the final three (Biddell, Lucian, and Marie-Genevieve) will keep the models they have, and will have three months to create a 10-look womenswear collection with $8500.

9:08 Brian visits the designers in their hometowns a few weeks later. Lucian has most of his collection done and his mom is helping him with some of the sewing. Aww!

9:12 MG is visited by Brian, and she says it was weird to get back to her life after PRC. She explains her collection and talks about how her parents hated the fact that she was in fashion because they thought it wasn’t practical.

9:15 Biddell says he’s been enjoying the summer instead of working on his collection. Brian tells him to kick it up.

9:23 The designers are back in Toronto four days before L’Oreal Fashion Week and Lucian greets Biddell at the Rosemount, saying, “Hey, it’s the devil.” Despite that, there is a silent agreement not to fight.

9:27 The designers have shipped over their pieces, and everyone’s curious about everyone else’s line. MG says at this point, the clothes are made, so there’s no going back anyway.

9:28 Biddell says the designers are just 20-something kids playing around with the opportunity of a lifetime…he feels like he’s going to throw up. His collection didn’t exist until about a week ago.

9:37 The designers choose the rest of their models. Unsurprisingly, Biddell and Lucian fight over models.

10:06 Biddell says Brian was a real mentor to him, and that he’s one of the few people in the world who gets Biddell’s clothing, and makes it better.

10:07 MG comments that it’s so strange that you can work on something for so long, and all of a sudden, it will be over in 10 minutes of a show. She starts tearing up.

10:11 On the way to Fashion Week, Biddell says thinking about being on the runway with the judges again makes him want to throw up. I think we’re seeing a theme here.

10:15 Biddell is wearing a shirt that says, “Addicted to Biddell.”

10:20 Iman opens the show. Lucian is first, and he dedicates the collection to his parents. His collection is full of Lucian-style fancy, crochet, and wild spring colours.

10:24 MG tells the audience that her collection is inspired by architecture, and we see cool urban colours and asymmetry in her work.

10:27 Biddell yells, “What’s up, Torontooooo?!” to the crowd. He states that he’s been inspired by Saturday morning cartoons. He’s got a lot of crazy dresses with hoods, street style looks, and bold, futuristic colours.

10:36 Judgment. Iman says the judges were all blown away by the collections, and the designers all “measured up.” Then the judges tell MG that her collection was not cohesive, or even really her.

10:40 Rita couldn’t follow Biddell’s show, but Shawn comments that it was ingenious. Rita says Biddell is still young, and he doesn’t know who he is as a designer yet. Biddell fires back that he doesn’t think he’ll ever know who he is as a designer. Around me, the crowd oohs at his gall.

10:43 Rita is moved to tears talking about Lucian’s collection—she says it was positive and his beautiful gift to the world. Iman, meanwhile, thinks the collection looks like Dior.

10:45 Deliberation. Rita says discipline is very important in awarding the prize. Iman comments that Lucian’s been in the fashion world longer than Biddell, and it hasn’t happened for him yet. The question is whether Lucian is a better designer than Biddell. Shawn votes for Biddell. Rita votes for Lucian. Iman is left to make the decision.

10:51 Iman cuts MG, but says she will go far in fashion. MG is okay with this, as evidenced by her T-shirt, which says, “MG is dead.”

10:56 Lucian is cut, and Biddell wins! Iman says he is a visionary, and his clothes speak a new language.

10:58 Lucian walks into the waiting room to hugs and tears. Ashley, Biddell’s model, is shocked and runs out to hug Biddell.

10:59 Iman tells Biddell that now that he’s won, she expects him to stay focused, and “fly. Fly.”

Congrats, Biddell, and thanks to everyone who has watched and commented with me! What do you all think of the outcome?

DON"T HAVE CABLE? Watch Project Runway Canada ONLINE!! There's also extended scenes, designer blogs and photos!

Project Runway X

Lucian's winning gown for Iman | Stephen exits the runway with a beautiful oyster gown

10:09 The four remaining designers have one last challenge: to design an outfit for Iman to wear at L’Oreal Fashion Week. All of them get five minutes to talk to Iman…Biddell asks wacky questions, like, “If you lost your arm in an accident, what body part would you replace it with?” while Lucian asks about the specific garment she wants and gets evasive answers. Uh-oh…

10:12 Biddell pisses off Lucian by pretending to use the same material as him just to rile him up.

10:20 For the first time, we actually see Brian mentoring the designers! He’s had such a minimal role in the show, it’s wonderful to actually see his encouragement and rapport with the designers.

10:29 The L’Oreal hair and makeup people laugh that everyone wants the Iman high ponytail for their models’ hair.

10:30 Brian tells Biddell that the dress is too short; he also tells MG that her dress isn’t sexy enough. Both of them rush to finish.

10:39 Robin Kay, Executive Director of the Fashion Design Council of Canada (and head of L’Oreal Fashion Week) is the guest judge today.

10:41 Iman tells MG she will never wear this dress because the shoulders don’t work on her. Ouch.

10:43 Rita tells Stephen that his work is imperfect with the bunching around the piping. Everyone likes Lucian’s and Biddell’s dresses. Shawn says Biddell’s is beautiful with the weaving.

10:52 Iman tells Lucian she will wear his dress to Fashion Week! He’s also the first finalist. Biddell and MG also make it…leaving Stephen out.

10:55 Stephen cries, but says he hopes everyone will make use of what they gained from this experience. Lucian and Biddell say he’s “the funnest guy ever.” Aww! I'll miss Stephen's adorable antics, but next week, we find out who wins!

DON"T HAVE CABLE? Watch Project Runway Canada ONLINE!! There's also extended scenes, designer blogs and photos!

Project Runway IX

Shernett exits the runway | Marie-Genevieve shows off her winning resort style

10:08 The designers jet off to L.A. so they can experience the high life while designing their resort wear. The catch? They have to design something for both their models and themselves. Nick Verreos of Project Runway (US) season 2 is their mentor this time.

10:20 Lucian says Biddell’s jacket/vest/hood looks like Tommy Bahama on acid. Nick says it’s Jedi resort.

10:23 Biddell says he might get kicked off, but at least he’ll do it with a splash. Sounds like MG-like self-sabotage to me!

10:27 The designers have come back to Toronto for the runway show, and Shernett says she’s stopped caring what the judges think. Good for her!

10:31 Stephen puts on a pair of women’s sandals and struts his stuff in the workroom. AWESOME!

10:35 Kimberley Newport-Mimran (Pink Tartan) and her husband Joseph Mimran (Club Monaco, Joe Fresh Style) are the guest judges, and Joseph says Lucian’s dress looks like the entertainment on a ship!

10:45 Everyone loves Stephen’s and MG’s clothing. Biddell’s is loud, but he has an opinion and a sense of humor, and the judges like that. Shernett’s is too busy for resort.

10:55 MG wins the challenge, and Biddell and Stephen are safe. Lucian is still in because of his consistency, and Shernett is kicked off. Another talented Toronto designer out. Best of luck, Shernett, you’re still a star!

DON"T HAVE CABLE? Watch Project Runway Canada ONLINE!! There's also extended scenes, designer blogs and photos!

Project Runway Canada VIII

Kendra's losing suit | MG's winning suit

10:10 The designers need to choose iconic looks to create a bathing suit from. The next day, Brian Bailey tells them they have to do two suits—one for a plus-sized model. Biddell basically says he’s going to sleep through this challenge because he has immunity, and he tries to help Lucian buy materials. Lucian says he’s acting like he won the whole thing. Biddell calls Lucian “Buddynuts.”

10:15 MG starts playing with the plus-sized model’s bra, laughing that she could never wear it. I don’t actually find this funny—it’s not really fair to the plus-sized model to laugh at her body or size. None of the designers has worked with plus-sized models, and they’re really insulting them with their designs.

10:20 Stephen tries on Lucian’s suit. Enough said.

10:25 Everyone is really upset at Biddell for not taking the challenge seriously, including Brian Bailey. Stephen says Biddell is being pretty intolerable, and Lucian adds that they’re so different—like “couture and, I don’t know, slut.” Kendra says she’s never met so many high-maintenance boys in her life.

10:48 The judges think Shernett’s suits are horrible for the era—the plus sized one really does look dumpy. MG’s is great, especially the one for the plus sized model. Kendra’s and Lucian’s are mediocre.

10:58 Kendra is kicked off! I’m shocked—she’s a great designer, but I guess she just didn’t give enough Marie Antoinette-ness to it. It’s too bad, but no doubt us Torontonians will see her talent again soon.

Next week, the designers are headed to California! I can’t wait—meet you all here, same fashion time, same fashion place!

DON"T HAVE CABLE? Watch Project Runway Canada ONLINE!! There's also extended scenes, designer blogs and photos!

Project Runway Canada VII

bu Tiff Ing

Bidell's winning gown | Megan's losing gown

10:15 The designers have to design a dress to be auctioned off at a ball Iman is hosting for "Keep a Child Alive," which works to bring life-saving drugs to children in Africa with HIV/AIDS. The theme is hope, and this is one of the best challenges yet—it's great that they're doing something for the world.

10:18 Biddell is very upset that Carlie has left and takes it out on Lucian. He's also upset that they're designing for "the wealthiest people in Canada." Hey, if it's for charity, what's your problem, Biddell?

10:20 Megan says this is a competition for the next great fashion designer, not the next great sewer. That may be true, but if you can't get a sample made properly as a Canadian designer, you're not going anywhere.

10:27 Everyone's excited but nervous about the quality needed at this moment—clearly no one has been finishing their pieces as well as should have! I love MG's blue gown with roses, and Biddell's looks pretty awesome.

10:34 Brian announces that someone bid $10,000 on a dress! MG comments that at the end of the day, it doesn't matter whose it was—that will save a lot of lives.

10:47 Biddell's dress is AMAZING. Shawn calls it the best dress of the season. I hope it wins.

10:50 Rita says she wanted to like Shernett's—that's how I felt. Rita also calls Megan's dress "gloomy"—she says it's a dress for a woman who is PMS-ing and bloated. It's true—the dress lacks any styling, no wonder she was done early this week!

10:57 Biddell wins and Megan finally goes home! The judges seem happy to have her go—the other designers say the dress was her best work yet. Maybe so, but Megan's best is pretty much every other designer's worst.

DON"T HAVE CABLE? Watch Project Runway Canada ONLINE!! There's also extended scenes, designer blogs and photos!

Project Runway V: ah, the drama!

by Tiff Ing

Megan's winning gown | Lucien in 2nd place

10:14 Danielle Meder (aka Final Fashion)has finally arrived, and I hear that Measha Brueggergosman, Canada's premier soprano is the client for this week. The challenge is to create a gown for her to wear on tour this year.

10:22 Biddell says his biggest competition is probably Lucian, and I agree. He's probably the most used to doing this kind of thing. Danielle doesn't like Biddell's designs. I say they're too street, and she says they're too 'hick'.

10:32 Megan's model disappears on her, so she has to borrow Kendra's for the fitting…she finally gets another model, and freaks out. We're sick of her whining—when are they going to kick Megan off the show?! MG seems uninterested in the challenge, and my opinion is that she's not adapting to the challenges. Danielle comments that she'll be fine on her own, and I agree, going so far as to say that she's too opinionated for the show. Danielle says that's a good thing for a designer. It's that that I think makes her better than the show—she doesn't need it to succeed. Danielle suggests that maybe she's sabotaging herself…

10:42 Danielle and I love Shernett's insane virtuoso dress. It's wild and it's clearly the winner. Danielle says having fewer designers now, we get more of the designers' thoughts on their work, which is nice.

10:50 What?! The judges think Shernett's dress is too much. They love Megan's dress. I agree, but Danielle isn't feeling it:"I feel like it has one good idea, and that's it." There's shock on everyone's faces as they defend their dresses. The client is pretty bitchy about Kendra's, saying it's boring as "vanilla."

10:54 Megan wins. Biddell is like, "Christ." Lucian is second, and he's obviously upset about it. Shernett is also upset, because she had a totally awesome dress and she was passed over. We get a shot of her crying on Lucian's shoulder.

10:56 Marie-Genevieve gets kicked off, and she's smiling as she does it. She says that the judges don't understand her style, and that's fine, so she's moving on. I mention that she didn't seem very happy on the show, and Danielle exclaims, "Yeah, she's obviously the only sane one there!"

What were your thoughts?! Comment and let us know! (and thanks to Danielle for watching with me!) Project Runway Canada airs Mondays @ 10 p.m. on Slice
DON"T HAVE CABLE? Watch it ONLINE!! There's also extended scenes, designer blogs and photos!

Project Runway IV

by Tiff Ing

Michael's Tunic | Kendra's Dress

Goodbye, Michael

First PRC after Fashion Week, and rest assured readers — I stayed away from the grapevine, and I am watching blind like you. That said, the end of my post will have a special Project Runway: Canada Fashion Week surprise!

10:02 The designers are working in teams to create a mini-collection to forecast Spring 2008: 1. Michael, Kendra, and Stephen Marie - 2. Genevieve, Biddell, and Carlie Megan, Lucian, and Shernett.

Can we say drama? Designers rarely work in teams, and we can already tell.

10:18 Michael's team attempts to cheat and it doesn't work. Ouch.

10:20 Lucian is basically strong-arming Megan…and in a way, it's hard not to understand. Shernett and Lucian are essentially a two-person team, with Megan bowing to them.

10:33 Lucian keeps trying to add to his pieces—I think he's a little uncomfortable with it not being the all-ruffled, bedazzled look.

10:42 Iman calls MG's team's collection "shabby chic minus the chic." Luckily, they still squeeze through.

10:48 None of the collections wowed the judges. I have a feeling Michael and Megan are on the chopping block, but the judges clearly liked Megan's team's designs…so is Michael going to be kicked off? No one liked her tunic (I did, though!).

10:57 Michael gets kicked off, which is really too bad. She was the sweetest person on the show, and I think we can tell…and I guess in the end, that was what got her.

But cheer up, readers! I caught up with PRC designers Evan Biddell and Carlie Wong outside of the L'Oreal Fashion Week tents on Friday. We chatted a bit and I mentioned the site, and they were really pleased to hear that we're all watching, although their lips were sealed on the collections. Biddell says it was his first Toronto Fashion Week and his first couple days really in Toronto. Carlie says despite the bitching on the TV show, they all were and continue to be great friends. So, not to worry, readers—no matter what happens with the show, at least we know they all still love each other!

Project Runway III

by Tiff Ing

10:09 Interesting that the designers are the ones kicking the models off… Stephen's bitchiness after Biddell steals his model is awesome!

10:11 The Bratz dolls again? Does anyone remember Marie Saint-Pierre's line of Spring 2007 with Bratz dolls in the models' hair? Ugh.

10:22 Brian Bailey tells Sofia that she can't forget what Bratz represents to little girls…and that her skirt is too short. As I recall, Bratz dolls have shorter skirts than Barbies…

10:25 Are you joking? Now they have to make doll outfits as well?! And take photos? Before 5pm?!

10:27 Poor Stephen. His model dropped out, and he has to fit a size 2 dress with a size 6 model? That's so unfair! Ok, they're designers, not photographers. This challenge is getting worse by the minute.

10:35 Sofia says she has an advantage because she has kids, so she won't be eliminated. I don't understand.

10:50 Looks like it's down to Michael and Stephen…neither of their dresses had Bratz looks…Sofia's look was clearly done before. I felt like I'd seen that Bratz doll in a store.

10:55 Go Shernett! She had a great Bratz doll.

10:57 I'm shocked that Stephen didn't get eliminated, but at the same time, it was pretty presumptuous of Sofia to think she wouldn't get eliminated.

What are your thoughts? Comment and let us know!
Project Runway Canada airs Mondays @ 10 p.m. on Slice
DON"T HAVE CABLE? Watch it ONLINE!! There's also extended scenes, designer blogs and photos!

Project Runway Canada II

Challenge winner Kendra Francis' dress | Lincoln's dress

Tiff Ing

10:11pm Obviously, this green challenge is to teach the designers not to be wasteful, even with reused umbrella fabric. MG's colours look great, can't wait to see her dress. I agree with the contestants that Megan and Stephen might not have it enough to compete.

10:22pm Lincoln's attack of self-esteem has got to stop if he's gonna win. I love his dress, though. I feel like MG should have put more effort into hers—why doesn't she try to win this one, too, so she can have immunity next week? Megan's dress looks terrible!

10:32pm Lincoln is SO sweet to help Megan out. Biddell's dress is cool, but is it really cocktail? Lucian is once again going over-the-top—I hope he took it down with the dress, because the
make-up is going to be so costumed. Sofia's dress is adorable!

10:47pm I can't believe what they said to Lincoln—I was so impressed! Kendra's was lovely, I think she'll win this challenge, and is obviously a dark horse for winning the whole thing. Good for the judges to tell MG off for coasting on this competition.

10:49pm If they kick off Lincoln and not Megan (after he helped her out!), I'll eat my Christian Lacroix dress (well…maybe not LITERALLY)

10:57pm I'm SHOCKED. I can't believe this! I can't believe that the judges voted Lincoln off instead of Megan after he helped her! What were they THINKING?!

Lincoln, I'm sorry. I believed in you! Send me your dress and I'll wear it to Fashion Week!

Project Runway Canada airs Mondays @ 10 p.m. on Slice
DON"T HAVE CABLE? Watch it ONLINE!! There's also extended scenes, designer blogs and photos!

Project Runway Canada I

Challenge winner Marie Genevieve Cyr dress | Iman fav, Lucien Matis' dress (go to site for bigger photos)

The first episode of Project Runway Canada aired lastnight and we enthusiastically watched with the tight-lipped, but oh so adorable designer Lucien Matis and family!

Thirteen qualifying designers started the show but only eleven made it to the next round after they were challenged to design an outfit using their competitors clothing. The winning designer of the entire competition receives $100,000 to launch a collection, a cover and feature spread in Elle Canada, a portfolio shoot courtesy of L'Oréal Paris and a retail mentorship with Winners.

We loved host Iman and her viciously honest remarks, and Brian Bailey's professionalism and presence! It was great to meet Stephan Wong and the down-to-earth Kendra Francis!

We all agreed that the producers did a great job of making the show look fabulously high-quality - unlike most of our drama-free Canadian programming! Can't wait for next Monday!

Project Runway Canada airs Mondays @ 10 p.m. on Slice
DON"T HAVE CABLE? Watch it ONLINE!! There's also extended scenes, designer blogs and photos!

Project Runway Canada

Great news for Canadian fashion junkies: Project Runway Canada is on its way, scheduled to air October 8, 2007 @ 10 p.m. on the Slice Network.

The designers have been announced and include some familiar faces, fabulously talented locals and even a couple self-taught designers:

We're watching out for Lucien Matis, an incredibly creative, relocated Torontonian, who has been capturing media attention since his L'Oreal Fashion Week debut this past spring. Local designer Shernett Swaby joins the group and we just wonder where she finds the time, what with running her successful boutique Swaby and designing every beautiful high-end piece in it!

Supermodel Iman hosts the series and is joined by judges/designers Brian Bailey and Shawn Hewson, as well as Elle Canada editor, Rita Silvan.

The Slice - Project Runway Canada website provides a complete destination for profiles, videos, behind-the-scenes dirt and even designer blogs! Can't wait!

Fashion Mags, Reality TV and a PR Revolution

As social media evolves and more fashion goes online expect increased partnerships between the net, TV and fashion PR. The latest incarnation is The Fashionista Diaries premiering today on Soapnet.com. Basically it is PR attempt to bring attention to Jane magazine, Flirt cosmetics and Seventh House PR through the car crash which is reality TV. Watch six budding fashion PR hopefuls jump hoops to be the one who gets to be Queen. Not sure where it is all going really, but does that matter in the world of reality TV?

What is more interesting are the comments on fashionista.com as Jane magazine gets caught in a backlash of reader dismay!

This sort of stunt might have worked well for Teen Vogue, but Jane is being held over the flame.

We want to know what you think of these sort of business 'friendships" - Bad or good? Give us a comment!

PS: I have to admit after watching the video on the net I am intrigued and being in fashion want to see what happens to these 'contestants' ooohhhhhh can't help lovin road-kill!