(no subject)

[trinityvixen]

Ooh, a documentary about Jay McCarroll, the first winner of Project Runway, you say?

I remember reading a Time Out New York piece about the various winners and runners-up on Project Runway over the years and it sounds like they get a bum rap. I mean, we all know that they're there for the exposure, which should, theoretically, help their careers. But I think we all know what happens when your season is up--people look for the new thing. They get new favorites (hell, I cheated on Jeffrey by falling even more madly in love with Biddell on Project Runway Canada). Then they have to scrounge for jobs that they may be qualified for but are given shit about because a) they're not real designers, and, perversely, b) Hey, you're a REAL designer, why aren't you out there making fashion? Jay had it especially bad because he turned down the prize money--ostensibly the only thing besides the exposure that makes the hell of living on reality TV worth it--because it meant that PR would, essentially, have a percentage of everything he ever did EVER if he did. Sucks, man.

It's a conundrum, no doubt. I wonder what the winner of tonight's season will face? Because this has been the most blah-blah boring season yet. If someone like femme-bot Jillian wins or DON'T QUESTION ME Rami? Aiyah. Yes, I'm pulling for Christian, why do you ask?

Comments

[anomilygrace.livejournal.com]

Biddell! I loved him.

I think the winners/runners up of PR do get a nice amount of exposure though it hasn't always (nor I think, was meant to) translate into superstardom.

The contestants as a whole though have been notably more successful than say ANTM contestants (which is really the only possibly comparison). Even looking at the number of past contestants - as well as the present season - who had shows at Bryant Park this February shows a pretty impressive number.

[trinityvixen.livejournal.com]

I have to wonder about ANTM. They have so many cycles that it just seems impossible that the modeling world could absorb so many. Hence, the title of the show is a lie. Most are only returning faces on later cycles to pretend that the prize is worth it for the current litter going for the gold. That's certainly the only place I've ever seen them.

But there's a different level of standing out you get when you are the designer rather than the wearer. I suppose you are right--no one promised these people superstardom, and this is a fickle industry (I hate her saying it every week, but Heidi's "one day you're in and the next you're out" is absolutely true). Still, is it any more ADD-esque than the world of pop music? American Idol cast-offs seem to do better than most PR contestants. Granted, there's an order of magnitude of difference in the number of people as watch each show, but still.

[anomilygrace.livejournal.com]

Though also it's much easier to buy a CD to support a pop star than to attend a fashion show, write a piece, buy a high end gown, etc.

From the contestants I know about (and admittedly, one only hears about the ones who are doing something), Austin works for a high end wedding designer (whose name I should know), Kara Saun's been dressing people on the red carpet, Malan had a Bryant Park show this season, Chloe expanded her Houston store (and to be fair, she never had any intentions of moving to New York), Laura is selling a line on QVC, VictorYA and Alise had a show in Bryant Park, Daniel was at least offered a job by Michael Kors - and I'd imagine others, Santino is shilling for Saturn (which CRACKS ME UP).

...I can't believe I know random stuff about all those people. The winners don't seem to do much though. I remember an interview with Jeffery a while back where he was really struggling. It's an interesting comparison.

[trinityvixen.livejournal.com]

I think I read that interview--he was making clothes for Bratz (the movie or the doll, I can't remember, but I laughed myself to pieces when that was a challenge on PR Canada).

And you're right of course about the ease of supporting oneself as a high-brow designer. I'm sure Michael Kors is doing a lot better for his exposure, better than the contestants anyway.

[anomilygrace.livejournal.com]

Are you watching Project Catwalk? I'm enjoying the differences from PR like one did with Project Runway: Canada. Also it's hilarious because there's a whole "oh noes, the Canadians are taking over" due to a few of the contestants are Canadian.

Nina Garcia's also gotten some interesting exposure. I got her 'Black Book of Style' from the library and have been looking through it. It's pretty good!

[trinityvixen.livejournal.com]

No, but I should, definitely, since I hear good things from all over. Well, one more to add to the pile :)

[glvalentine.livejournal.com]

Jay McCarroll was the best contestant they ever had, and if I ever get to go to the Oscars I'm wearing the Chrysler building dress.

[trinityvixen.livejournal.com]

I've not even seen all of season one. I caught on in season three and watched reruns of most of the other two seasons. Jay, that I've seen, is fabulous. Especially since he seems to have no filter or self-consciousness about what he says. He says it and deals with consequences later. Sucks if you screw yourself that way, but it's refreshingly real. I got used to and jaded about reality stars play-acting and making shit up a long time ago

I will have to take a look at more of his stuff, clearly.

[glvalentine.livejournal.com]

I didn't even mean contestant in terms of television personality - I meant in terms of design.

http://projectrungay.blogspot.com/2006/11/jaysus-chrysler.html

Look at that dress. LOOK AT THAT DRESS.

[trinityvixen.livejournal.com]

Minus the bow, it is an entirely awesome garment, I must say.

Jay's documentary in Canada

[(Anonymous)]

I can't quite tell, but it seems you are writing from Canada. You may be interested to know that two upcoming Canadian festivals will be showing the documentary on Jay, "Eleven Minutes," in the near future. This is not to be coy, but official announcements have not been made. Check our site in about a week to find out more. Thanks. -Rob Tate, co-director/editor, "Eleven Minutes." www.jaymccarrolldocumentary.com