project runway update/tgif top 10

I'm taking today's top ten list as an opportunity to update on a very important issue: the fate of Project Runway. According to a Washington Post article yesterday, things aren't looking good for season six, which is actually filming finale scenes during New York Fashion Week right now. But we ain't seen it, have we? Normally, by this time, we would nearly on time with filming having started to watch in October or November. Not so much this season because the show's producers, the Weinstein brothers, are still in a legal battle with Bravo.

You may remember the Weinsteins sold Project Runway to Lifetime (I know, what?) last April for $200 million for five seasons. Brave/NBC sued for breach of contract claiming they were not offered the right of first refusal (a chance to submit a counter-bid before it was sold). Then, Lifetime entered the ring with it's own lawsuit, one that I don't quite understand.

The Post article explains the situation well, but sufficed to say, we are at the mercy of the New York court system with no end in sight, and the finalist designers had to hide back stage for anonymous fashion shows in New York this week, so the ending wouldn't be leaked in the case that this season (the first to be set in LA) ever sees the light of day. How sad.

I guess business is business, but this all seems a little greedy to me. I never liked that Harvey Weinstein - does he even have anything else to fall back on? And Bravo did make Project Runway their "brand," as many other shows mimic the format. They would be lost without it. And personally, I don't think Angela Lansbury needs a party dress fashioned from a ficus plant on Lifetime.

Anyway, here are my top 10 favorite Runway designers just for fun. I'm guilty of loving the obvious ones - not necessarily the winners, but the most flamboyant and/or endearing.

In no particular order...

1. Austin Scarlett (Season 1) There's a man who owns his style


2. Daniel Vosovic (Season 2) Just cute and talented.


3. Robert Best (Season 3) LOVED HIM
   
4. Kayne Gillaspie (Season 3) LOVED HIM TOO


5. Christian Siriano (Season 4) I know, I can't help it.


6. Chris March (Season 4) Please be my friend.


7. Jack Mackenroth (Season 4) Wish we could have seen more...


8. Jerell Scott (Season 5) Sunshine and happiness.


9. Stella Zotis (Season 5) Badass.


10. Kelli Martin (Season 5) Not as well known, but I just liked her style.