I agree on the Nina Garcia comment,she didn't come across very interpersonal and seems like she already has certain agenda against so and so. Constance White, though, isn't just "ebay style person". Before this gig, she was the journalist for Washington Post (If I'm not mistaken) then she served as the host/journalist at Full Frontal Fashion; She is actually quite highly regarded by the fashion industry.

On Elle, I don't expect someone from Elle would be utterly embracing ground-breaking ideas of what fashion should be, the magazine is quite commerficial to begin with.

If I weren't a middle-aged, chubby woman, I would totally wear that blue dress.

I agree. I think Nora's royal suit was the best, with Austin no. 2. His corn husk outfit was pretty but not so practical when it started to molt. After 2 episodes, I think Nora, Kara, Austin and Vanessa are strongest. I really disliked both designs by Starr (garish innovation, heinous on the tumor frock--I'm thinking she's color-blind) and Wendy, who seems like she's got some personal issues and would be better off just concentrating on design. Her whiny monologues and devious plotting make me hope she gets the boot next. But so far, I love the show. The judging seems fair, and the two who were eliminated were cocky slackers who delighted in bugging out early before the work was polished.

I was surprised they didn't use coffee filters too. I would have done a "Coffee, Tea or Me" theme with coffee filters, tea bags and sweetener bags. Fashioning the filters into an Elizabethan style ruff and cuffs. Sprinkling sugar on their skin for a glitter effect. I loved the corn husk outfit by Austin.

On the second show for ENVY I would have done a lowcut front and lowcut back to show cleavage on both sides since the masses seem so obsessed these days with boobs and butts and implants.

Great to see that you're thinking ahead. I'll try to answer.
1) Pattern specialist - they're called patternmakers. You can hire people to make a pattern for your own designs, learn to do it yourself, alter a commercial pattern (ie. McCalls, etc), or copy existing garments. As far as which direction you should go, that depends on where you are in designing. One garment to wear to a party or ready to design your own line? Designers need at least some patternmaking ability of their own and I would encourage you to get as much as you can. Do a search on Amazon for Patternmaking books.
2) Classes - If you want a college degree, Parson's and, my alma mater, FIT are the 2 top schools. Local colleges can offer things like a single patternmaking class now.
3) Manican - called a dress form or mannequin. The ones you see on the show are professional versions, expensive around $400 - 1000 new. I bought a used one on ebay for very little $. You can also find home sewing versions, check at JoAnn fabrics. They're not as sturdy. Some people also make them out of duct tape/paper tape. Do a web search for instructions, I don't have a link. Yes you do need a dress form!!! Ask mom for a xmas gift! A big part of designing is draping and really hard to do on live body. Use real people to check fit after sample is made.
4) Fabric - Again the web is great. Do you get Threads magazine? Lots of fabric web site ads. Another good xmas gift.

Good luck.

Thank you soo much for your support...and I will get started right away!! Yes, there is a JoAnns in my area. And I have already asked my mom for a dress form (she just didn't know where to find them). But she does now!!
Ohh,...I have one last question. In order for my talents to be discovered, I need to express my designs in an "Amateur Fashion Show." (Is there such a thing?)
I was wondering if there was such a thing as this (for amateurs who have designs). I have already contacted three local fashion show managers. (was this the right thing to do?). One of them, named Stacy, responded to my e-mail, but when I came in late one night, and recieved it, (she had left me her #), I called and left her a message. I also reassured and made clear to all of them that I am a persistent person when it comes to fulfilling my dreams.
I thank you again and please reply (anyone)

I re-vamp alot of my patterns. It's sometimes more of a trial and error, but with practice you can modifiy your pattern until you get it to your liking.
It's worth the effort, and you can use the same pattern over and over to make your clothing custom fitted.

I guess I'm not sure what you mean by "have your talents discovered". What is your goal? Do you hope to have your own label that is sold in stores? Are you looking to do a custom line? Looking for a backer? Define that before you start doing shows so you know what kind to do.
1) If you want your own label you don't need a fashion show yet. You need to design a small line that you know you can produce in a full size range, that is priced to sell at wholesale prices, make samples, take them to small local stores in your area and try to get orders. Do fashion shows later as marketing but you have to be able to produce first and work out fit, etc.
2)Custom work - need a biz card, brochures, garment samples to show quality, then try to get names of potential women who might need your designs. Use them to get more referals, etc. Don't know what your designs are like to direct you to how to get names.
3) Looking for a backer - fashion shows help but you have to have your production issues worked out or the backer won't take you seriously.
Don't know what your goals are but it sounds like you have a fair amount of pre-lim work to do before you start marketing. Can you sketch? Can you make patterns? Do you know how to fit a garment? To cost a garment? Not trying to burst your bubble just to let you know that the foundation needs to be in place before you start marketing.

No offense, but before you start working on amatuer fashion shows, don't you think you need a little bit more sewing exprience?

I myself thought it would be a snap to make a dress when I first started out. Needless to say I was wrong. Take at least one sewing class. I came to find out that a serger would be my new best friend.

ohhh...
well, yes. My goals are to start my own line, but that's years away! I just want to make a few dresses, and put them in fashion shows, and mabe i don't know what I am talking about, but i was hoping that mabe this could be a great scholarship opportunity.
Yes I can sketch! I have sketched 13 dresses. Is this enough to get started? And I have enough sewing experience, because my grandmother already gave me classes. I have also taken a class at school. (So you didn't burst my bubble).
Yes, I can sew, and I can sketch. I am also very persistent when it comes to fulfilling my dreams.
What I mean by, "having my talents discovered..." is...
I want people to see what I can do. I want to be given the opportunity of a life time. And don't get me wrong. I'm not looking for short cuts. I am going to go to school, in the future. And I don't mean fashion shows, like big and expensive fashion shows. I just mean local ones, like at EXPO centers. There is an EXPO in Nashiville. Their shows are called "Southern Shows" and I have contacted a woman who takes care of the fashion shows in that EXPO center.
So, can you give me help, not accusations?

....it seems obvious that some of the contestants are only on the show for entertainment not because they have notable fashion design skill...Wendy is one of them...the judges have told her 2 weeks running that her designs are unfinished...she lacks the skills of other contestants....the lawyer also seems lacking in skills....her dramatics and whining I think are viewed are entertaining for the show....I hope next go round that all of the contestants are serious fashion design picks....what do you think?

I like the variety of talent. I haven't counted Wendy or Starr out yet. Yes, they are there for dramatic effect too. Jay is a solid designer, but I think he was partially chosen for his sense of humor. I don't think anyone expected him to cry when Mario left - not even Jay. A genuine touching moment...
Who's ready to start making predictions? Let's call the top five. I would say Jay, Austin, Nora, Kara, and Mr. Sexy Smile will be the top five. How bout yall?

I appoligize "fashionicon143".I did not mean to start something. Here you guyz are trying to help an amateur like me, and here I am acting like a [expletive deleted]. I am very greatful for all the help you all have been giving me. From now on I will talk about the show and leave my problems for me to worry about.
Thank you again

Well the first contest, when they went to the grocery store, i just knew they weren't to buy any thread of clothes, i knew they were going for a real challenge, when they step there in the vegetable area, i was laughing out loud, couldn't contain my laugh. I though "oh my god, what that hell they suppose to do with fruits and vegetables"
First tought, i just tried to give them a tip, hoping they would listen to me, go to home article area, there's always, some piece of cloth or something to use, oh no (when kara, started to get all the ribbon)no, forget it, don't take em all, you only would need a few, no all of them, leave some, for the other contestants, they might need them too. All that stuff, but they didn't listen, oh i remembered i said, get some foil, or foam is good too, what about plastic, people invent a lot of thing with plastic. Don't get me wrong. Ok and Wendy got all those candy, i though,"what she's gonna do with candy, eat them". The fun part was when Vanessa run out of money. And Austin thought he got a unique creation, and next day is was all dried up, oh oh, i wish i don't have to sing him the oops i didnt again, britney spear song. So remember the fact and natural cycle of your material next time, ok boy. Does anybody here think the same way as me, i'm praying am not the only one.

Second runway test. It was a real surprise for them, to hear the new, that they were to an auction. I felt sorry, for Jay , but at the same time, i was laughing at him. Cause, just looking at him, trying to get people to see his design, it made me giggle inside and out, really loud. He have to do like Vanessa, go out there and haunt them, men this is after all a business, you have to do whatever, is on your reach, to sell your stuff. Kara, militar?, with the war we are confronting, i know is envy the theme, but i envy you, that the judges were blind not see this. Please i beg you to not bring again your militar education onto fashion, never, ever again.
Austin, could have done, another thing, because i don't see envy in that dress.
I do envy Starr dress....not!
like if!
The tumor thing, don't promote cancer on fashion. It sucks!
Why? Starr, Why?
Oh my god what is it with the pregnant thing, can somebody explain it to me, please. A pregnant woman is reason for envy? Is that what she meant to do on this dress?
I got shocked, because she supposed to be the experience of all, in the contest, and then she do something like this...
If there's more, i just can't handle it no more, i got enough for now.

....I think one of the ultimate challenges is menswear....if a person can create a men's suit then they have skills....men's tailoring it seems cannot be faked like it seemed was implied by the judges about the first person eliminated, their trash bag dress or about the lawyer's tin foil dress that Patricia Field did not think was innovative....what do you think?

.....I agree....I think menwear and tailoring takes lots of design skill and I feel if they ever have a menswear or tailored garment challenge that will separate those with great skills from those with sublevel skills....what do you think?

ok, so first off your location, like i said, may make a difference on which schools you can attend. if you are able to move anywhere, then it is just a matter of being accepted to the schools, if that is the case. i have not attended the art institutes (of seattle) myself, but in my opinion i don't think it is worth the money....i think that about most high priced schools however, so grads don't flip out on me for saying so...i just mean there is affordable, comparable education out there besides ai. it is more than 10K a year to go there, and i don't feel (by comparing the course schedule) that you get as much bang for your buck as you might at a cheaper school. i went to a private small school (NYFA in seattle), but eventually could not afford it. i received one on one education however, and feel i did most of my learning there. i transferred to seattle central's apparel program, which is only about 2500 a year (for in state resident). the program didn't fit my needs specifically, but was perfect for a lot of people i knew there. their prog is very regimented and structured, little room for "interpretation"- but you learn a lot. i honed in on many of my skills, and learned more in depth techniques. it is mostly sewing and patterning oriented- very little in the way of design...of course, design concepts could be a major in its own, so an art background of some sort comes in handy! you dabble in textiles, and computer applications for apparel industry too. i am guessing that you can find something similar at other state or community colleges you may seek. an internet search will help you find one in a location that interests you. try these sites: http://www.fashion-design-school-info.com/ , http://espheres.com/fashion.html , http://design-schools.org/&ovmkt=A0PJEP983...d=ovr0000038564 , http://www.fashion-schools.com/careers-in-...arel-design.htm . different search engines will result in different searches. as for finding a pattern maker- this is an investment. it is a business that you would be starting- and can be quite costly, success or no. i would suggest taking business classes in your college schedule as well- since you may eventually want to be on your own, rather than just working for a company already out there. this is not to be taken lightly however, either way- and i think as you attend classes and find out more about your specific interests and needs in your career (and in life), you will find out whether or not you are an entrepreneur...even with your own business, it is hard to do everything yourself, so you may not want to be the sole pattern maker- but its all about the $$. you got it= more choices....you don't= do everything yourself!! the dress forms are expensive (about $1K new) and you don't NEED one. i just checked and here is a site selling them cheaper in a sale: http://www.sewtrue.com/Dressforms.html .it is useful to have one- mine is a foam one, rather than padded/ wire frame. mine is called "uniquely you" one on that same page. it is not perfect and is a little difficult to make to your size, but it is better than nothing! i don't drape for patterning too much- but i like to, and this works well for it. if you can afford the other, then great! i'd go for that! to get fabric cheaper, buying in bulk is best. to do this you need a business licence (your mom may have to be the "owner" since you are young). then you can buy fabric wholesale, like the big companies do- as long as you meet their minimums (usually 10 yards)...so this means you pick a few fabrics and get a lot of them. then you make everything out of those. if you want lots of frabcis, you will have no choice except to go to the fabric stores around. i like online stores like http://store.yahoo.com/phoenixtextiles/ . they have smaller runs of fabric at good prices. so i hope this helped. you have a lot of planning, and by attending school you will gain knowledge and experience- just by passing time. a lot of this can't be told- you just have to go learn...never bad to start early as you are!

My top five predictions are:
Vanessa
Nora
Kara
Austin
Robert

oh and also whoever that was who wrote that Vanessa's maternity dress didnt havent anything to do with envy...ermmm....u should bury your head in embarrasment!! Havent u seen how many couples there are who unfortunatly cannot have a child of their own and how it must affect them when they see a pregnant woman. I believe that this concept by vanessa was the most unique of the lot and from the standard of her work so far she has become my favourite and i believe she deserves a place amoung the top three!!!

THIS MESSAGE BOARD IS SO HARD TO READ AND NAVIGATE...

I put up a new board just for Project Runway talk @

http://projectrunway.proboards42.com/

It's free and much easier to use... I'd really like to chat with everyone about the show, but the Bravo board is so hard to use!

Hope to see people soon - kiel

....there were a few dresses that were better than Wendy's in my opinion on show #3....she was smart to have a cape included when she noticed the store had dresses with capes...plus it looked like she had enough time to finish the dress this time....I don't think her skills go beyond basic fashion design though...I think the other more skilled designers will show her up as the weeks progress....notice that Austin did not finish his garment this week...I was surprised that Jay's design was so good....what do all of you think?

I can see why Wendy won this week...but to me she just seems weak and I agree that her skills are very basic. Austin got critisized for following his own idea too completely, which, although "inappropriate" for this episode, is a much more valuble asset in a fashion designer than adherence to a pre-established trend (ie Banana Republic). I'm surprised Wendy even pulled it together. She seems to emotional about it all as well...like too much of it is riding on her personal confidence, as opposed to the desire for creative expression. I think she's in it for the wrong reasons, and she lacks the imagination that some of the others have. Also concerning Austin's design this week, when someone said, "I can't picture a real woman wearing that," I was shocked! I would give anything to wear a dress like that!

I was surprised Jay's dress was so glamorous this week. I thought it was great and I'd like to see more of it from him.

Sorry, I seem to be a bit confused about how this works. I just have a question. The last episode referred to a store in NYC that sells non-famous starting designer goods - but i didn't catch the name. Does someone know and the adddress?