I'm going to have to say that Alexandra & Nora are my favorites. I really loved Nora's dress. I'm not sure Starr is going to be able to handle the stress! She doesn't seem to have enough cofidence, but I hope she can pull it together so we can see what kind of things she produces. She must have great potential to have made it this far.

Here is my top 12
I love clean lines and mdern clothes. I think Austins was best but Daniel did not need to go. The form got lost under the jacket but there were so many others that were just atroscious! at least he likes tailoring and I thought the collar was cool.

1. Austin
2. nora
3. Daniel
4. Alexandra
5. kevin
6. mario
7. vanessa
8. wendy
9. kara
10. robert
11.jay
12. star

Finally someone who didn’t put Daniel last – he did have a kick-ass farewell.
I thought he put a lot of work into it and I thought the judges would have thought more of that. But it was a contest in concept - and that was my only complaint with Daniel. He didn’t seem to follow the direction of designing evening-wear. I’m sad I won’t see more of him and his work. Daniel wasn’t the lazy one though – that prize goes to Mario but I can’t front – it was brilliant on the runway. I was glad they gave it to Austin – obviously the most work and the most innovation. I like the idea of ranking so here’s mine:

1. Austin – my heart broke for his dried up husks but I’m glad the judges saw through it.
2. Nora – just brilliant – I knew it would be hot when she picked out the materials.
3. Jay – nothing really achieved the whimsy of jacks. Everyone else trying whimsy (candy/ribbons/etc.) almost put their design out of the evening category and couldn’t touch him. He’s really creative.
4. Alexandra – I didn’t know hosiery would come out that nicely – but it still could have been more “evening”
5. Kara – really creative and very fashion forward. She was nearly as successful as Nora in this achievement.

That’s the end of real innovation in my opinion. The following all went with a much easier route – only because trash bag or plastic wrap has been done.
6. Daniel – the only reason he wasn’t in my top five was because it wasn’t evening – you could tell the judges wanted to give him a chance but the dress underneath was too simple. If he’d made a different jacket out of that butcher paper – or went total metaphor and tried some red w/ the paper – I think he may have won. I’d have gotten some red-colored plastic wrap, maybe a bit of clear, and palm rolled it into skinny ropes, and used that for a dress of "veiny meat".
7. Vanessa – she actually ties w/ Kevin. I’m giving her an extra point for a more evening look.
8. Kevin – It was cute – I liked the tailoring on neck and sleeves, but it didn’t bowl me over
9. Mario – obviously the leader of just wrapping someone up – really great but I can’t put him above Vanessa and Kevin.
10. Robert – I had such high hopes for the mop strings – his was the biggest disappointment based on what he could have done w/ the resources he had.
11. Wendy – I actually have a lot of appreciation for a carnival costume. Unfortunately, it was nowhere near evening. I am still not sure if she shouldn’t have been sent home.
12. Starr – What a disaster – that clown collar killed it for me.

I am SO with you! Austin was by far the most amazing, and especially with the risk he took using a perishable material. I was nervous for him for a bit, but when I saw his dress before it dried out I was astonished! It looked great, but it was only on camera for like 5 seconds. I wonder if they took any pictures? I'm am Austin all the way, the minute he got out of the car in that fantastic suit I was in love with him.

I googled Daniel and found his site. check out www.danielfranco.com it's really cool. what a shame.

Ive never really watched these type of shows before but when i was flipping channels this caught my eye. I think everyone did a great job but i was intrigued by Mario and his ways of working. I feel he will be a up and comer, because he seems like he wont take anyones b.s or opinions to heart. Thats what true leaders are made of, show no fear. My vote goes for him all the way and the rest were great also i cant lie.

Reve

Austin is interesting... He looks like the portrait of Dorian Grey - well, more precisely, like Dorian Grey - years after the portrait was painted.

My own order, style-wise, and from the challenge of Episode 1:
KEVIN
Mario
Austin
Vanessa
(oops ! this is not about "innovative approach", just about what I'd like to wear)

From their portfolios, my fav's are:
KEVIN
Vanessa
Austin

I was totally glued to the television because I went to high school with Nora. She was always making her own clothes. I thought her design was really good. I am a little upset that you don't get to see the designs close up on the show, when you go to the website its a whole difference dress.
I was a little relieved that Daniel got booted because his antics were a little exhausting. I think Austin is fabulous, and I am still trying to figure out the rest of the cast.

GO JAY, WE ALL LOVE YOU!!!! I am rooting for this guy all the way!!! He is seriously the best guy in the entire solar system - funny, creative, joyous and full of personality!! He is a real space man from a past future that most people can not comprehend.

i gotta say i'm kinda glad that that annoying daniel 'BLISS' guy got the boot. i wonder who's gonna be next? maybe that law school girl who cried her face off? who knows?

I am already addicted to this show and i can't wait until next week. Wednesday can not come soon enough!! MORE, MORE, MORE!!!

yes! he totally looks like a young ysl - and youre right about his great bone structure. austin is really a very striking young lad.

I went to HS with Austin and what he did last night on the show was nothing short of the amazing fabulous self that he was when we were in school. I am trying to get in touch with austin, I want him to make my wedding dress as his fashiono sense and style is absolutely fabulous and I cannot wait to see him win Project Runway! I will be his first customer for his first line collection!! Keep up the Great Work Austin!!!

austin is "the artist". seems like he's got lots of potential, alexandra and kevin, too!

I used to work in the same law firm with Starr and have to say that she is a much better attorney than she is a fashion designer (sorry Starr).

Austin's creation was 'fabu.' I loved it before it dried up and even when it dried, it still looked great. I wouldn't have thought to refrigerate the corn husks either. Austin can you design some clothes for us 'big girls' please???

I also liked the design that the woman (I think it was Nora)designed out of the lawn chair and place mats. Very original and funky!

Well done, people!
Don't know who I like the best yet.
I was at the Greely Square Promo Event in NYC on Tuesday.
Daniel was there (along with a few other designers and all 12 models)
Daniel's outfit on the model at the event wasn't all that much different from the garbage bag outfit from the first epsode.
I didn't think he'd last out the series, but I also didn't
think he'd be the first to go.
Austin's creation on the show was true excellence.
Though he was really distraught when it "dried out", the lines were
still there. The model wore it well.

Please don't tell me i was the only one lying awake in bed last night, going over in my mind what i would use if i was tossed in a grocery store with $50 to make a dress????....hehe......Anyways, as far as designs go, definitely with the judges on Austin & Nora, fab job.....But then again, i think Robert is a hottie, so no matter what he did, he still has his looks, hehehe.......

I want to say congrats to Starr....She is one of my Shady Ladies (she wore our jacket on the show ,proud last night, even though you could hardly see the writing on the back).....although she has never met us west coast girls we are all crossing out fingers for her...SHADY LADIES ROCK....

austin should have his own fan site. Im all about that boy.

Great creativity from all of the designers. Nora's a definite favorite...she has the personality, talent and charisma to take her all the way to the runway. Your fan club is rooting for you...go out and show them how its done 'shire style!!!

I looked at his site- I think like in the show, he does a little too much posing. It is a little too much.

Austin is so effin' hot. Seriously, I was watching last night for the sole purpose of looking at that hot man. What a gorgeous man, really, I couldn't stop thinking about it.

I completely agree with LizzyJ. Everyone's designs were awesome but Nora is Fab!!!! Her designs are so creative and full of talent. And lucky for me I have had the pleasure of enjoying them for six years and even wearing a Nora original !!!! We are all totally rooting for you and I quote LizzyJ...."show them how it's done 'shire style!!!!"

Ooh, The Golden Girls is like my favorite show ever XD XD XD

I wasn't expecting it, but I was totally drawn into the first episode. Starr looks overmatched with little confidence; she's a lawyer? I wouldn't want her representing me. Jay is a bit of a nut case. You could tell Nora's creation was going to be a hit when you saw the lawn chair up on the shelf. Austin had by far the best lines (creatively and speaking). That young man is destined for great achievements. He also had the vision to pick Olga. What a fun show!

I absolutely loved Austin.. i thought he was truly amazing. I was also a big fan of Nora. She did a great job creating that lawn chair into an outfit. I also like Kara and Robert so far. Too bad Daniel had to go.. i too thought he made an awesome speech at the end!

noras dress was sooo gaultier. austins was okay but materials were very creative.

Kudos needs to go out to Kara, Starr, Vanessa and Austin. Everyone was told to, "Design a sexy, glamorous outfit for a night on the town."
Kara's and Starr's are Dior like. Some didn't even design a gown/dress. Needless to say sexy...Wendys...ugh.....
It should get better when everyone can use fabric!

O my---robbie is so hot...he would look better with shorter hair tho

and i want to see better work from him.

Oh, Gabby, where is Jay's store in LA? I live in LA, and I will make it my business to go there. Of course, if he worked in porn, I guess his store is probably in the Valley. Oh, well, it would be worth the trip!

How can we write the designer Austin.
I knew him when I lived in the East Village a few
years back. I knew he was going places.
His old friend ,Pete

Even though Daniel left, he was still my fave from the very beginning. I think Starr should have gone home way before Daniel, just because she looked like she was dressing a professional clown, not someone going out on the town. I think Austin's O.K., but his designs are awesome, and how he used the left over corn husks, made crumbs, and covered the tape was absolutely GENIUS. Jay is gonna get on my nerves, althugh he would be awesome to hang out with. But, my new fave is probably Mario. I think all the designers are good, but Daniel is still the best

Not to be a [expletive deleted], but is it me or does Wendy look like Cruella Deville?????

I grew up with Jay and knew him almost all my life. I am so happy to see him!! I know it's corny.. but I'm proud he made it on TV. He's someone America needs to see out there! He always has been.. LOL

I think it's rather strange that people are evaluating Nora's designs simply based upon the fact that they went to high school with her and that she has given them freebies. It would probably be best to evaluate designers on their merits and their proven ability to show that they can do quality work. This is pretty difficult to judge after one episode that displayed Nora's ability to work with lawn chairs and place mats...though I do think it trumps a certain day glow pink prom potato sack with gigantic sequins... This pretty much applies to ALL of the designers. I mean, the show JUST started and designers usually aren't asked to make supermarket creations on a daily basis. Plus, these designs are so far away from "shire style" that they are not even on the same continuum.

Wow, episode one was FABULOUS! Who knew you could make so many great evening outfits out of supermarket materials? Let's see, there is tons of talent on the show, but I'd have to say that my faves are Austin (how adorable, and talented, is he?), Nora, Jay, and Alexandra. The others weren't bad either.

I was quite suprised with Mario's dress, but it actually didn't turn out as bad as I thought. I liked Vanessa's dress, but I don't understand what Wendy was thinking with her creation, or lack thereof.

I felt terrible for both Kara and her model. Also, Starr needs to get her act together and stop crying. She should stand behind her creation and be proud of it. Don't let the judges see you in a weak spot, hun.

I can't wait for the next episode!!! Let's see...studying for finals...or watching Project Runway? That's an easy one.

WOW, i am sooo jealous. I think he is fabulous! How did you know him, like friends, high school, same town, etc??

I hope he goes pretty far; i would love to see further creations from him! His first one i loved!

Totally, i mean, the minute i set eyes on austin, i knew he would be fantastic and fabulous. He is pure genius. I have to give him props on weavin corn husks, because i sure as hell can't do that.

Who wouldn't have a crush on him? He is adorable!

I am glad that what's-his-name got "cut"; he was just way to into his butcher paper vest coat thing and that lapel trim. I could hear it crunching and crinkling down the runway. Get over it buddy!

I can't wait to see what austin concocts next week!

OH MY GOD... to hear someone jelouse of me knowing Jay.. it's really wierd. Wow.. to think of it.. LOL
I went to high school with him and we ran with the same crowd. We were friends back then but I haven't seen him in a while.. not since last year at our friend's wedding. I feel very lucky to have had him around growing up! He even designed costumes for me and a friend for a talent show. Ooooooohhhhhhhhhh... lol

Jay, if you read this at all, it's Tara and I'm really excited for you! -- GO JAY-- YAIY!! Madonna Madonna Madonna!

FINALLY! A reality show that has to do with aspiring fashion designers! Long overdue.

I loved the first episode and the fact that it is held at Parsons is so great.

Daniel was a corky character that had no substance but he had a great message and great hair.

My fav designers are Austin, Alexandra, Vanessa and Jay. Jay became on of my fav's when he said, "I didn't take the bitche's dye!" He-larious. Austin is a little weird but he has a nice style about him.

LOVE THIS SHOW!!!!!!!!!!

It is quite comical that people get all worked up over a silly little message. Not to mention,intended for the benefit of certain individuals that would appreciate the inside comments. It is true that designers aren't usually asked to go to a supermarket and whip up an evening dress out of food and other random materials. However, that was the challenge that was presented. Most people, especially those that have negative comments wouldn't have the creativity to go out and do it themselves. For example the pink prom dress which was original and stood out, unlike a dress that was made in mass quantities from Coopers. My opinion, however totally biased because she is one of my best friends is still MY opinion and doesn't need to have nasty rebuttals to my previous comment. In retrospect, she is obviously doing something right if she made it onto a television show beating out thousands of people, being recognized for her work, getting free publicity from it and even being discussed by people on this message board from all over the country. I would say that she has come along way from a "certain day glow pink prom potato sack with gigantic sequins."