Project Runway Season 13: Fuss and Muss or Creative Brilliance?

Season 13 of “Project Runway” debuts tonight on Lifetime at 9 p.m. ET, providing fashion fans with another round of debates about who’s in, who’s out, and should we care.

While it’s still up in the air which one of this new crop of designers will join the list of past winners, long-time observers know it’s anyone’s guess which of these designers will be able to parlay their exposure on national television into some modicum of success in the fashion world. Those who have crossed that bar include names like Christian Siriano, Chloe Dao, Malan Breton, bridal designer Austin Scarlett, and Emilio Sosa, who has found success designing for Broadway.

While not much is known about this new season, here are some things we do know:

Tim Gunn will be back in his customary role as an adviser to the designers and a voice of reason and background information for the judges. He will also have his one-time save power again.

The regular judging panel will feature Nina Garcia, Zac Posen, and Heidi Klum. Expect a stream of fashion and pop culture figures to filter in as guest judges.

While there will always be the usual “Project Runway” surprises and gimmicks, one gimmick—last season’s disastrous team format—appears to be history. Expect the team challenge to only be for one week, not the entire season.

There is one designer—Amanda Valentine from Season 11—who was selected by fans to return for a second try.
The premiere episode, which aired Thursday, actually featured 18 designers but only 15 actually made the cut to compete for the season.
Lifetime also has scheduled an odd show called “Undone” which billed itself as an after-show for “Project Runway” but seemed to be a wan imitation of Bravo’s “Watch What Happens Live.” (The commercials for “B.O.R.N. To Style” on the new fyi network were much more entertaining; that’s a show worth watching, folks).

“Project Runway” Season 13 contestant Mitchell Perry

So what’s all the fuss about anyway?

For one thing, despite the naysayers who point out—correctly—that the show has yet to produce a Michael Kors or Marc-Jacobs–level fashion superstar, “Project Runway” does give previously unknown designers exposure to an international audience. Presumably, the finalists will, as in past years, get to show a line in September during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, for additional exposure.

“Project Runway” Season 13 contestant Kristine Guico

And the official prizes are considerable including:

$100,000 from Red Robin to launch a business (okay, after business, that’s not a lot, but it’s enough to maybe purchase some materials or go on a great trip for inspiration)
The opportunity to design a fashion accessory for all the Red Robin servers
A complete sewing and crafting studio from Brother International Corporation
A fashion spread in Marie Claire magazine
A brand new Lexus
A year’s worth of beauty products for their fashion shows from Mary Kay
Travel and hotel freebies from Best Western International

“Project Runway” Season 13 contestant Korina Emmerich. Images courtesy of Lifetime Entertainment

The Project Runway Season 13 designers are:

Alexander Knox, 22 – Hometown: Chicago, IL; Resides in Chicago, IL
Angela Sum, 32 – Hometown: Toronto, Canada; Resides in Los Angeles, CA
Carrie Sleutskaya, 24 – Hometown: San Diego, CA; Resides in Los Angeles, CA
Char Glover, 37 – Hometown: Detroit, MI; Resides in Detroit, MI
Emily Payne, 40 – Hometown: Temple, TX; Resides in San Francisco, CA
Emmanuel Tobias, 29 – Hometown: Dallas, TX; Resides in Dallas, TX
fäde zu grau, 45 – Hometown: Coral Gables, FL; Resides in Coral Gables, FL
Hernan Lander, 33 – Hometown: San Francisco De Macoris, Dominican Republic; Resides in New York, NY
Jefferson Musanda, 25 – Hometown: Lynn, MA; Resides in Brooklyn, NY
Kiniokahokula Zamora, 30 – Hometown: Kapolei, HI; Resides in Honolulu, HI
Korina Emmerich, 28 – Hometown: Eugene, OR; Resides in Brooklyn, NY
Kristine Guico, 26 – Hometown: Naperville, Illinois; Resides in Brooklyn, NY
The Mitchell Perry, 25 – Hometown: Jacksonville, FL; Resides in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Nzinga Knight, 33 – Hometown: Brooklyn, NY; Resides in Brooklyn, NY
Samantha Plasencia, 27 – Hometown: San Antonio, TX; Resides in San Antonio, TX
Sandhya Garg, 28 – Hometown: Birmingham, AL; Resides in Birmingham, AL
Sean Kelly, 25– Hometown: Wellington, New Zealand; Resides in Brooklyn, NY
Tim Navarro, 32 – Hometown: Rochester, MN; Resides in Minneapolis, MN
Runway Redemption Contestant – TBA