Brooke is sassy enough to match wits with Heidi, Michael and Nina. That said–team challenges are kind of annoying. The dynamics go all a-crazy and eliminations seem, well, unfair. If you believe Michael Kors– “The best part of a team is having another set of eyes.” However, I don’t see Michael leaning on a design partner. Of course, who would have thought that Stella and Jerell would play so well together.

Tim, as usual had the best lines of the night, including: “It looks like a big sweet potato.” Kenley is lucky she didn’t go home for picking a weird floral fabric and inappropriately cracking up on the runway.

My other favorite: Heidi on Blayne’s design: “She looks like a woman who didn’t have a mirror.”

Enough about this week. Next up: Chris March returns! With a parade of drag queens. And Tim: “It’s a pterodactyl out of a gay Jurassic Park.”

I just knew it was going to be Emily’s night from about 25 minutes into the episode. The clue was in the Elle cover directly behind her workspace that was shown about 10 times while she was working on her design. Notice the dress on the magazine–black, fitted with ruffle details in shades of pink. Eerily similar to Emily’s, no?

For the most part, I was pretty impressed with last night’s challenge. Most of the designers drew from their inspirations without being literal. I kind of liked Leanne for the win, but wasn’t shocked when judges went with the more avant-garde look. I say holla at cha Terri for making the top three.

That Natalie Portman-approved dress that won last week’s “Project Runway” is sold out. The 150 dresses they produced sold out in one day on bluefly.com.
If you’ll recall, it was an eco-friendly design that retailed for $280.
That said, eager collectors can still buy Christian Siriano’s collection, also on bluefly.com. I’m kind of overwhelmed. Yes, there are jackets with interesting sleeve details, but I’m not sure I need to own any of the pieces.

Am I the only one who was a little bored by last night’s premiere episode? When Tim Gunn said, “you guys are a bunch of slackers,” I wanted to embrace him. So far, these designers aren’t the sharpest needles in the sewing kit.
Table clothes at a grocery store? Not innovative.
My money after week one is on Jerell, Korto, Kelli and Daniel. Yeah, I basically picked the top three plus one, but it’s slim pickings! Seasons later, Austen Scarlett would still win the grocery store challenge.

Here are a few quotes:
“I got tired of making millions for the rest of the world and decided Suede needed to make millions for Suede. so I’m here to go to that next step and Suede is going to rock it!”
– Suede

“I was embarrassed to be standing in a towel next to Tim Gunn. And I didn’t brush my teeth, which I regret.” –Jennifer

“She’s girlicious.” — Blayne

“I’m not quite sure what Blayne’s trying to sell with his licious this and licious that, but I wish he’d put it back in his case, close it up and take it to the girl next door.” — Jerell

“To fusilli or not to fusilli.” — Joe

“I’d like to introduce you to girlicious.” — Blayne
“Girlicious?” — Tim

“Those judges don’t want to see a black garbage bag walk down the runway.” [Grave head shake.] — Tim

“The good news is that it’s a shower curtain. The bad news is –table cloth.” –Jerry [I’d say that’s a lot of bad news!]

I was so happy yesterday to hear from Kathleen Stevens of Maplewood. Her daughter, Terri Stevens, is a contestant on the new season of “Project Runway.” What took us so long to figure it out? Terri was born and raised in Chicago and now lives in Columbus. Her mother’s residence was not included on her online bio. Go figure!

Lucky for us–Terri has enough personality to have her own show. We must make her our adopted MNer for the season. I spoke to her yesterday and here’s the scoop:

TS: Did my mom call you?
SG: Yes! And I was so happy she did!
TS: She’s happy. I love Minneapolis/St. Paul. I haven’t been there in a while. I have other friends there too. We’d the go see Prince at his club. Glam slam often. Uh, huh.

SG: You live in Ohio and grew up in Chicago—you’re such a Midwestern girl.
TS: I’m still a Midwestern girl in the heart. I always felt like I had this global side to me. My mom too—she’s a traveler. I love getting a stamp on my passport.

SG: You’re married?
TS: For over a year. I met him in Rio and I said, come on, you’re coming home. It was all about the dance. He was dancing. We got married last April [2007].

SG: You’re a dancer and a designer. What are your other hidden talents?
TS: I’m a female Michael Jackson impersonator. I can’t sing a lick, but I can lip sync my butt off. I can dance, just like Michael.

SG: Will you take dance breaks on “Project Runway”?
TS: I think you’ll find me full of lots of energy, personality, but someone who is loveable. I’m very individual. Never complicated, never duplicated…
They probably thought I was like Christian, but I’m not.

SG: Are you like any of the previous characters?
TS: Absolutely not! If you’re going to compare me, compare me to Diana ross.

SG: Please describe your aesthetic.
TS: I really truly am one of a kind, I do not drape. I do not make patterns. I get an idea in my head and I truly just cut and sew. I’ve always kind of done that. I’m always inspired by everything around me. Music is a huge part of it. I have lots of dance breaks. Because if the music is good, it keeps me energized. My design aesthetic is free flowing.

SG: Will you take dance breaks on the show?
TS: You may see a dance or tow. There’s always music playing my head.

SG: I can’t wait to see the premiere.
TS: The first outfit is something you have to be very confident to wear.

SG: What about Tim, Heidi, Michael and Nina?
TS: Tim – I love me some Tim. He could be my bff. The judges—you’ll love them but you fear what might come out their mouth.

SG: When are you going to come visit us?
TS: My mom’s going to make me come A.S.A.P.

SG: What are wearing right now?
TS: I’m wearing holey jeans. You can see my entire butt crack and a black t-shirt. I can put my jeans on without unzipping them. It’s scary. People say, go eat something. I’m on the “Project Runway” diet. That’s what I say.

SG: Did you like being in New York?
TS: Who doesn’t. New York is the place to be. If you’re not in new york, you have to be in Chicago or Minnesota.

SG: Last season was all about “fierce,” what will we say this time?
TS: I always say—it is OVAH. O-V-A-H and all in caps. When something is done, it is beautiful and don’t touch it.

Don’t forget– new season starts tonight. For summaries of every episode (including guest judge info), click here. It’s on the official website. Updates tomorrow on this blog. Oooh… the suspense.

Boo hoo! No Minnesotans on this season of “Project Runway.” There are lots of midwesterners and lots of crazy hair–thank you Christian. Based on appearances and not-so-revealing bios, here are the first impressions of the unofficial focus group who was studying the contestants with me this morning.
– First to go: Jennifer. She’s wearing a turtleneck in her photo.
– Best name: Suede. Say it out loud. Swwwwaaaaade. (Love streak of blue hair.)
– Best hair: Too hard to pick. There are lots mohawks. PR is all about “edgy.”
– Kept on for entertainment value: Joe
– Look I dig: Korto
– Too cool for school: Daniel

Please add to the superficial fortune telling.