Project Runway Season 8 Premieres Tonight: A Look Back at Past Designers
With Season 8 upon us, the hype surrounding this new chapter of "Project Runway" has been a little more calm than seasons past. Have we forgotten how amazingly hilarious it can be to watch these contestants go at each other like piranhas on the catwalk? Or the Tim Gunn impressions? The goodbye tears?
Personally, the dawn of this new nighttime TV season is always exciting. Yes, the contestants are bigger Prima Donnas than the models, there can be a lot of cattiness in the workroom, and the competition is fierce. But that's what makes good TV, and while other design shows have tried to follow the foot steps, "Project Runway" remains Top Dog because of the talent! These people (I suppose I should say "these people usually..." Every once in awhile there's a bell ringer you know was cast by the producers only for ratings, but we'll get to that.) are talented and passionate; dangling a life-long dream in front of their noses and watching them battle it out as emotions run high is what keeps viewers coming back year after year, even when we have to shamefully admit to having Lifetime TV on TiVo.
In honor of this new season, I've pulled together some of the best (and my favorite) contestants of years past.
In this gallery
How could you not love the signature scarf tied pimly around Austin Scarlett's neck? His severe cheekbones and eye contact were almost as intense as his extravagant designs 
Back off, haters. Santino's impression of Tim Gunn was sufficiently endearing, but he caught slack for his attitude. Bottom line: Santino's comeback in the finale was a series best - he worked it out for Bryant Park but saw no love from the judges.
Don't remember this guy? He's the idiot who was kicked off for hiding "help" books in his room. Ultimate no-no.
Queen of the Rosettes. Let it go, girl. Nobody over age 10 wants rosettes hanging off of an outfit 
Loved Christian from the beginning. Yes, he was cocky for being such a tiny person, but more than any other designer, he was the master of his own designs. That kind of confidence and persistence of vision always wins out in the end. 
Um, yeah. Remember Wendy Pepper's dowdy designs and off-beat personality? This picture alone should spark your memory.
Leather, studs, fringe and spikes - Stella was channeling Joan Jett in a borderline obsessive fashion
A series best: after lies, excuses and tears, Johnny was eliminiated and a backstage "we hate that guy" party ensued. All the contestants (plus Tim Gunn) were clearly happy to see him leave...there was even a little spite in Tim's eyes. 
Happiest contestant in history. 
Remember Ping Wu's barely-there dress and weird draping methods of envisioning the design? Bell Ringer.
Anthony's southern drawl and positive attitude were lovable. But surpisingly, his designs were not as ostentatious and loud as his personality - a lot of feminine elegance.
"Project Runway" Season 1, Austin Scarlett. Photo: Andrew H. Walker/Getty
How could you not love the signature scarf tied pimly around Austin Scarlett's neck? His severe cheekbones and eye contact were almost as intense as his extravagant designs
"Project Runway" Season 8 premieres tonight on Lifetime at 9pm et. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on who you think will be the bell ringer or the surprising star!
In the meantime, who were your favorite past contestants?
4 Comments
lrafferty said:
Love this!
I can't wait for Santino Rice & Austin Scarlett to terrorize Middle America with their fashion help. Should be pretty entertaining. "Andrae!"
Driven Diva said:
Haha! I can hear his voice saying that, "Annnndre." That was such a great season.
Caroline said:
What about Meana Irina? I mostly remember her because I was heartbroken Carol Hannah didn't win. Irina was definitely in it to win it. That season also had Logan who was nice on the eyes for all the single ladies (and maybe the not-so-single ones as well) Was it just me, or was anybody else hoping to see Carol Hannah and Logan get together?
Driven Diva said:
Very true - Irina was a snake. And I didn't think her final collection deserved to win, but she was consistently decent throughout the competition. I think Logan and Carol Hannah did get together but they edited it out of the show to steer it away from that storyline...just a hunch! But I did love Carol Hannah in the end.
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