★★★★★ 0/5

Project Runway Australia

If it ain't broke don't fix it. The fashion reality series is back with diverse contestants, product placement and that line about "passion in your fashion."

2
Leave a comment

yopie‘Sew time’ again already? Where does the non-sew time go?

Arena’s second locally-produced season of the American Project Runway series returns early next month, with a new batch of fashionistas set to stitch up the competition.

If you loved this the first time round, and there was really no reason not to, then chances are you’ll be just as hooked this year. Because by the looks of things, not much as changed. I guess if it ain’t broke…

Once again the show is hosted by Kristy Hinze. Once again it is set in Melbourne at the Whitehouse Institute of Design. Once again Jayson Brunsdon and Sarah Gale are judges. Once again Henry Roth is mentor with that line about “I wanna see the passion in your fashion.” At best it’s his catchphrase. At worst it’s a line that was frequently touted in Season One and might have been better staying there.

anthonyBut Roth knows how to turn it on for the cameras. His persona is big and memorable, and like most reality shows these days, especially those produced by FremantleMedia, he is very supportive of the contestants.

Thankfully the new batch of 12 look just as talented as last year’s too. It has to be said they are a very diverse bunch. Refreshingly, several are aged in their 40s. They are varied in design styles, ethnic backgrounds, physical size and probably sexuality. One contestant is permanently on crutches due to a childhood battling Polio. Yopie (pictured) assures us it’s part of who she is and like the rest of the contestants, just gets on with the business of designing. And winning, bitch.

pra1Yes there is a little of stitching and bitching in this format, it would almost be remiss not to include it, and it wouldn’t live up to the US brand without it. Thankfully it isn’t layed on too thick, at least so far. The focus is on talent, drama, a visual feast…. and product placement. Oh well, can’t have ’em all.

The experienced Hinze now hosts from a more relaxed position than her first year. I still have some issues with reality television that blurs the lines between host / judge and mentor / judge (and even mentor / host) -call me a purist. When times are tough on contestants, as is often the case in the genre, how does the host play Switzerland if they are also a judge? How does a mentor / judge support a contestant when they are getting a grilling? Won’t somebody think of the children?

pra2But none gets in the way of an entertaining debut. Before the contestants even get a chance to bond, Episode One sees them thrown into the deep end with a Red Carpet challenge. The pressure is on, the clock is ticking and frocks are frantically fabricated. Put the needle on it.

4_starsProject Runway Australia premieres 8:30pm Wednesday July 8th on Arena.

2 Responses

  1. Have to say, David, that I have to disagree with your host/mentor/judge/Switzerland concerns: Roth (and Tim Gunn) as mentors make it clear that they do not take part in judging, except when JLo pulls out of the finale at the last minute. Kristy Hinze has nothing on Heidi Klum, but as hosts they both maintain ‘presenters distance’ from the contenstants; after all, the mentor is there to be their buddy, not the host. The BravoTV method works for a reason.

    Mind you, the producers of homeMADE need to decide what they’re doing with David Hyneman. He’s not really a host, he’s not really a judge, and he’s only a ‘mentor’ once everything’s finished.

Leave a Reply