After spending time with the hopefuls, Alitia and I went up to interview Tim during lunch. We were escorted to the outdoor balcony area were the Bravo production crew and judges were eating. In one of my favorite Project Runway sightings, Michael Rucker was there getting his lunch from the line. Rami Kashou was also eating lunch at the table with a group from the Bravo production crew. In his always immaculate style, Tim walked over and we introduced himself to both Alitia and I.
We were originally scheduled to only have a ten minute interview with Tim, but he graciously answered all of our questions. As the interview began, we talked about some of the same topics that we discussed last year during the Season Four auditions. I asked him how having a group of designers with such a high skill and experience level last year affected the auditioning process this year. Tim put it very simply; they had already moved some designers to the next level that were very recently out of school or in their last semester of design school.
I also recalled talking to Tim last year about costume designers and since Chris March had such a great showing last season, I asked Tim about how costume designers fared in the auditioning process. Tim answered straight out that in the world of costume design and Project Runway, there has to be the ability to translate design into a piece that is both art and ready-to-wear. Too many costume designers come into the auditions and show their costumes and ask the panel to trust them that they can design ready-to-wear, but for the sake of the show and the other contestants, they can not just blindly trust these designers. He also stated that Chris had the skills needed to be a fashion designer, not just a costume designer. He also mentioned that he knew the exact moment when Rami would be chosen as the last finalist. When the judges asked both Rami and Chris who their client was, Rami responded very clearly and concisely as to whom his exact client was; whereas, Chris admitted that he did not know who his client was.
As for Season Four's winner, Tim was definitely pleased with the success that Siriano is achieving. Tim was not surprised by the amount of press that Christian Siriano was receiving after the show, because he is a truly talented and passionate designer. "He is this generation's Marc Jacobs," answered Tim. As for the future for Siriano, Tim says one of the first things he needs to do is find a business partner and continue focusing on designing in his style. In regards to the rest of the finalists, Tim thinks they are doing just fine for themselves, getting work and growing their name. Both Jillian and Rami are equally great designers. Rami has already established his niche market, and Jillian is figuring her niche market out.
I also asked Tim about his first reaction to Chris's collection with the use of human hair. Tim was afraid of how the judges would respond to this decision. He also noted that it was walking a thin line, because Bravo and Project Runway prohibit the use of animal fur in their designs. Chris's first idea was to use monkey fur, but opted to use human hair instead. Tim even asked him why he did not just use synthetic hair, and Chris's response was that using human hair was no different that being in a wig shop.
As for the challenges on Season Four, Tim found all of the challenges to be very successful, and had specific opinions on certain challenges. When asked about the "Trendsetter" challenge, Tim said it was the brain-child of Nina Garcia and Elle Magazine, but of course it went through many different people and iterations to get to the final challenge. At the same time, he was not really sure where the idea for the "Fashion Giant" episode came from, but it surely went through all the great staff at Bravo to reach the final idea for the challenge.
Tim's favorite episode of the season was most definitely "The Art of Fashion." He loved watching the designer be inspired by the art, and seeing how they interpreted this into their designs. Plus, Tim thought this challenge really worked to influence the designers as they moved into designing their final runway collections. The two other challenges that Tim felt were going to be the most difficult were the Hershey's challenge and the WWE Divas challenge. In the Hershey's challenge, Tim said working with food or food products is always challenging in fashion, although Jillian was the only one to truly utilize food. From the WWE challenge, Tim was likewise unsure of how the designers would respond to designing wrestling attire.
On the mind of every Project Runway fan is Jack Mackenroth and whether or not he would be able to return for Season Five. When asked about the possibility of Jack Mackenroth returning to Season Five, Tim stated that it would be up to Jack to even audition again. In Jack's interest, Tim would hope that both the show and Jack would consult with a doctor before Jack takes on the stress associated with the show again.
With auditions for Season Five just getting underway, there was a great deal of excitement for the upcoming season. Tim was pleasantly surprised with the spectacular turnout that included a record number of designers showing up for the auditions for Season 5, so far. As in every season of auditions, there were definitely a number of colorful designers. "It wouldn't be fashion without colorful designers," Tim followed this by saying he was extremely proud of the number of truly qualified designers at the auditions.
On the panel with Tim in Los Angeles were Rami Kashou on both Saturday and Sunday, and Nick Verreos on Friday. As for future auditions in Chicago, Miami and New York, Tim was unaware as to which designers would be sitting on the panel with him, and probably would not know until he showed up to each audition.
We asked about the next season of Tim's Guide to Style. He was unsure of the future of the show, but Bravo plans to release their decision on April 15th. Top Chef remains one of Tim's favorite shows on Bravo, although he is a little behind on this season's episodes. He has also been following Make Me a Supermodel, and the new season of The Real Housewives of New York City. "I wonder where they get these ladies from, but they are true to New York," said Gunn about Real Housewives. He finished by saying he really enjoys watching the Bravo network.
Team BPR thanks Jonathan and Alitia Trimm for this wonderful coverage of the Season Five auditions. We also thank Tim Gunn for his unceasing generosity and kindness.
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