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First Look: Tim Gunn & Iron Man In ‘Models, Inc.’

It's Trent, Bitch! — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 16:47:27 +0000

Last May we learned that Tim Gunn, the fashion mentor extraordinaire on Project Runway, would be making a special appearance in a Marvel Comics comic book series called Models, Inc. where he teams up with Iron Man to save New York Fashion Week. Today we get our first look at Tim’s issue of the series, titled Loaded Gunn, and learn some more info about the comic:

If there’s anyone suited to fight a crime involving fashion, it’s style guru Tim Gunn. This fall, the Project Runway fashion mentor will shed his designer suits for an edgier look in Loaded Gunn, the first of four comics in Marvel’s limited edition fashion-themed comic series, Models, Inc. “Isn’t it just utterly and totally surreal?” says Gunn, who is thrilled with his likeness as a superhero. “This is one of those make-a-wish things that could never happen.” In the story, when a special museum retrospective of superhero style is attacked, Gunn comes to the rescue — with a little help from Iron Man. (”It’s because I don’t have any superpowers of my own!”) “There are lots of debates about how much it looks like me,” says Gunn, who chose to leave the creative process to the experts at Marvel. “I said, ‘Gentleman, this is your business. This is not what I do. I do not even want to remotely weigh in on it or micromanage it.’ ” Gunn’s comic-book likeness sounds like him as well, and Runway fans will recognize catchphrases such as “Gather ’round, everyone” woven into his polite way of speaking. Could a superhero-themed design challenge be in Runway’s future? “You never know,” Gunn says. “I think it would be wonderful to do.” As for ratings, Runway’s first season in Los Angeles — and on Lifetime — drew a record 4.2 million viewers for its premiere. “People seem to love it,” Gunn says. “I honestly haven’t heard anything negative. If they did hate it, then I’d like to know.” Gunn says he has loved comic books since childhood. If he were to choose a favorite based solely on style, it’s Gotham’s own Batman, “the most debonair of superheroes.” “He’s sort of the James Bond of superheroes,” Gunn says.

Is there anything that Tim Gunn cannot do? Not only has he caught the hearts of Project Runway designers AND viewers alike but now he’s teaming up with one of the most iconic superheroes of all time to feature in a fun new comic book? Seriously, I can’t think of anyone who doesn’t like Tim Gunn and, to be honest, I don’t think I’d want to even be friends with such a person. Tim just emanates pure positivity and bends over backwards to pass along that positivity to everyone he encounters. I was fortunate enough to meet Tim Gunn at a GLAAD event here in SoCal a couple of years ago (you can see a pic HERE) and he is truly as nice as he seems on TV. As for Project Runway, I agree that people who are watching seem to love it. It’s the same great show we’ve come to love over the years, I’m totally hooked again!! I love to support Gunn’s endeavors whatever they may be. As a comic book fan, I’ll deffo be picking up Loaded Gunn when it becomes available. If you would like to order this issue online, you can do so HERE.

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Lifetime TV Releases The First Batch Of Promo Pics From ‘Project Runway: All-Star Challenge’

It's Trent, Bitch! — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 20:30:06 +0000

Last month we learned that Lifetime TV will be airing a one-off episode called Project Runway: All-Star Challenge which will pit some of our fave designers from previous seasons in an ultimate challenge for design supremacy … as well as lead into the much-anticipated new season of Project Runway on August 20. Here is our first look at the cast of PR: ASC gathered together with hosts Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn:

While I am VERY excited for Season 6 of Project Runway to debut on Lifetime TV, I’m just about as excited to see the All-Star Challenge as well. Lifetime managed to cull together some of my all time fave designers and I cannot wait to see them go at it again. After the jump, check out individual promo photos of each of the 8 designers who will be competing in this new challenge …

I cannot get over how great everyone looks … but do they still have what it takes to bring the fabulous to the design table? OMG, I can’t wait to find out. I’m kinda bummed that the challenge is just a one-ep thing … I wouldn’t mind a special series of eps where these contestants get weeded out over time. Man, I’ve been dying for Project Runway for so long … I’ll take everything I can get! I’m SOOO excited!! August 20 can’t get here soon enough for me!

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Lifetime TV Releases New Stills From ‘Project Runway’ Season 6

It's Trent, Bitch! — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 21:00:49 +0000

Last week, Lifetime TV launched the official online presence of the new season of Project Runway, the first for their network, by teasing with a new promo video that I (in all honestly) wasn’t too impressed by. Today, Lifetime releases the official promo poster for the new season of PR along with a few exclusive stills from upcoming episodes of the new season. First up, the poster:

I do love the poster … but it is the stills that are most interesting to me. I love them … and I think longtime fans of Project Runway will love them as well. After the jump, check them out …

The thing that struck me the most about these stills from the new season of Project Runway is how much everything looks like the older seasons of Project Runway. Lifetime is not yet ready to show off what the designers look like but these are familiar faces that we all know and really love. Host Heidi Klum, mentor Tim Gunn and fabulous judges Nina Garcia and Michael Kors. If these stills are any indication, then the new season of PR will still have the same feel of the previous seasons that we all adore so much. I am very much heartened from this first look at the new season. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Project Runway when it premieres on its new network Lifetime on August 20th!

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Tim Gunn Teams Up With Iron Man To Save Fashion Week

It's Trent, Bitch! — Fri, 22 May 2009 15:57:16 +0000

How’s this for strange bedfellows … Tim Gunn, the mentor and all around cheerleader for contestants on Project Runway, will be featured in an upcoming special edition Marvel Comics issue where Tim teams up with Iron Man to help foil a plot to ruin New York Fashion Week. Actually … Gunn does more than just “team up” with Iron Man, as I understand it — he actually dons the Iron Man suit and saves the day himself:

THE heroes of Marvel Entertainment have foiled everything from bank robberies to alien invasions — usually with their fists. But when a young set designer is murdered during New York Fashion Week, solving the crime falls to more delicate hands. On Aug. 26, Marvel will release the first issue of “Models Inc.,” a sartorially minded mini-series that unites some of its fashion-friendly supporting characters and pushes them into new starring roles. The runway divas include Millicent Collins (a k a Millie the Model), Patsy Walker, also known as the superheroine Hellcat, and Mary Jane, the model-turned actress who is the sometimes wife of Peter Parker, the Amazing Spider-Man. The women team up to clear Millicent, who is the prime suspect in the murder of the set designer. Think of it as “Charlie’s Angels” set in the fashion world. But what would the angels be without someone to guide them? Enter Tim Gunn of “Project Runway.” In the debut issue’s second story, Mr. Gunn becomes an action figure — jumping into Iron Man’s suit of armor to save a fashion exhibition from evildoers. It’s certainly a departure from Mr. Gunn’s usual role as a mentor to aspiring designers, but there is a connection. Mr. Gunn said he remembered comic books with Millicent, who first appeared in 1945. She was a comic romantic figure, who worked as a model for the Hanover agency. Mr. Gunn will grace one version of the first cover of “Models Inc.,” drawn by Phil Jimenez, a popular comic book artist who also illustrated the cover of “Amazing Spider-Man” No. 583, which paired Spidey with President Obama. A sales analysis on the Beat, the comic blog of Publishers Weekly, estimated that more than 520,000 copies of the issue were sold. Can Mr. Gunn persuade fashionistas that these comic books are as valuable as the September issue of Vogue? Mr. Gunn doesn’t claim to know, but he is as surprised as your average Hulk reader that he is now a Marvel action figure. “I’m not certain of the particulars of how I’ll be portrayed, but I’m really excited about it,” Mr. Gunn said. “To say I’m a character in a comic book is wild!”

See, I always knew Tim Gunn was cool but this just settles everything — he is freakin’ awesome! Lawd, what can’t Tim Gunn do? If he can put up with Kenley Collins’s bullshizz on Project Runway then surely he has the mettle to defeat any nasty evil-doers who try to ruin Fashion Week (which, in a sense, is what Kenley tried to do herself). What a fantastic idea for a comic book … I can’t say that I ever envisioned Tim Gunn as a comic book hero but seeing him in animated form makes me a believer. Love it!!!

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The ‘Project Runway’ Season 6 Finale Fashion Show

It's Trent, Bitch! — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 20:11:19 +0000

Earlier today, we learned from Heidi Klum that the 6th season of her competitive reality TV series Project Runway is in a place of limbo since legal matters are keeping the show off the air. That said, the 6th season was still filmed and the Finale Fashion Show took place inside The Tent at Bryant Park to close out NY Fashion Week earlier today. Here are a few photos of Heidi and her PR cohorts Nina Garcia, Tim Gunn and Michael Kors at this morning’s Project Runway Season 6 Finale Fashion Show:

Whoa! Open-mouth kissing between Heidi and Tim!

What the heck is going on there you two?! HMMM??? Because the show was taped for eventual air (hopefully), the final 3 designers were not allowed to come out on stage to show their faces … their final collections had to do all the talking for them. And so … I’ve selected a few pieces from the show to post behind the cut for those of you interested in taking a peek. After all, who knows how long we’re gonna have to wait to see the show on TV. After the jump, check out some pieces from this morning’s PR Finale show …

It’s impossible to know which designs belong to which designer so I don’t think these photos are too spoilery … it just speaks, again, to the real bummer-ness that this 6th season cannot be shown on TV just yet. From the looks of these designs, it looks like the quality of talent is still really high on Project Runway. Here’s hoping we’ll eventually be able to see this talent in action when the show eventually airs on Lifetime … or Bravo … or … wherever.

[Photo credit: Splash News, Wireimage]

David Hauslaib, Tim Gunn Show Off Where They Work

It's Trent, Bitch! — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 18:45:04 +0000

The New York Post has a semi-regular feature that showcases prominent New Yorkers photographed at their desks and explains the work that they do, in the environment where they do it. This week, the NYP features two people who I am very fond of … Tim Gunn from Project Runway and David Hauslaib, my boo:

On the face of it, a desk doesn’t amount to much. It’s a flat slab of wood or glass on legs, with maybe a few drawers attached. But given the number of hours many of us spend at them, they take on styles as idiosyncratic and varied as our dwellings, reflecting not only someone’s aesthetic sensibility, but also their working habits and the rituals that shape their day. With that in mind, we asked five notable city folks for what you might call a desktop tour:

Tim Gunn — Gunn’s known worldwide as the tough-love mentor to aspiring designers on “Project Runway,” but in 2007 he also assumed the role of chief creative officer at Liz Claiborne Inc. As debonair in person as on TV, Gunn wore a pinstriped suit and a bright smile when we visited his Midtown office.

Desk: Sea-foam green glass suspended by metal, rounded on one side, straight on the other. On the desktop is a book on Tom Ford, a Liz Claiborne collection catalog, “1001 Buildings You Must See Before You Die” and a fastidiously stacked paper pile.

“I don’t usually sit behind the desk when people are here. It creates a barrier. When someone sits in the traditional spot I think, ‘What are they doing back there?’”

Décor: Built-ins bulge with books on one side, an Asian screen and a stone-colored couch sit on the other, and a wall of windows provides an expansive view. A floor-to-ceiling portrait of Gunn wearing a stern expression dominates the space behind the door. “This is meant to be a minimalist environment, but I’m not a minimalist,” he says.

Detritus: A press pass for the Oscars, framed shots of Gunn with Heidi Klum and Oprah, a PETA award and multiple Tim Gunn bobbleheads, one of which delivers his signature lines “Make it work” and “Carry on.”

Pet: A fake goldfish encased in a plastic orb sits on a side table.

Current project: “I split my time between running to meetings, making showroom visits and writing. Right now I’m retooling the budget.”

Philosophy: Claiborne execs have suggested Gunn hold meetings in a “neutral” place, but he refuses, citing an aversion to conference rooms. “I believe in the semiology of clothes. Similarly, the way we live and work should send a message.”

Routine: In by 8 or 8:30, Gunn gets a doughnut and coffee and from the deli downstairs. He transfers the java into his “Ellen” (DeGeneres) mug, then eats at his desk. The doughnuts: “Whole-wheat – not glazed. My theory on glazed doughnuts is one is too many, a dozen is not enough.”

What’s next: Gunn’s a nomad. “I’m in my third office here.” He’s preparing for another office move and a new assignment in corporate design and merchandizing.

David Hauslaib — Hauslaib started Jossip, a celebrity and media gossip blog, in 2003 from his dorm room at Syracuse University. Today, through Jossip and its younger sibling, the gay lifestyle blog Queerty, the 25-year-old reaches 3 million readers a month. Though he maintains a staff and an office, Hauslaib works predominantly from his alcove studio in a prewar doorman building on Christopher Street.

Desk: A small, basic Pottery Barn piece with contrasting light and dark mahogany, tucked into an office nook that abuts the kitchen.

Décor: “It’s a smorgasbord.”

Detritus: A Starbucks coffee mug (”I collect them from around the world”), Gumby and Pokey figurines, miniature baby pictures of David and his brother, and his Sony Vaio. “I like to keep whimsical things around,” he says, picking up an Etch A Sketch. “When I struggle to find the right words, I play around on it a while.”

Current project: Keeping his blogs constantly updated and staying ahead of the buzz.

Routine: “I have a full staff. We all work from home in the mornings. Some days we go into the office at 1 or 2, but this is where the magic happens.” Hauslaib starts work around 7 a.m. and usually eats at his desk. A Tassimo coffee maker feeds his 4-to-5-cups-a-day habit.

Pet: A teddy bear perched on a nearby table.

What’s next: Applying more of a magazine model to the blogs. “Our editorial calendar used to be 24 hours long, but we’re planning packages ahead of time now.”

Yay! What a great piece and doesn’t David look hawt in his photo (Tim’s not bad either). Regarding David’s piece … I have to admit that I’ve never seen him EVER play with that Etch-A-Sketch (which came from his Xmas stocking) but the bit about the “4-to-5-cups-a-day habit” … yeah, that’s totally right on. On a really exciting day, it’s more like 7-to-8 cups a day. The window behind him looks out onto the corner of 6th Ave. and Greenwich Ave. and, I have to share, a framed photo of the two of us (the first photo we ever took together, on the day we met in Amsterdam in 2006) is on the table next to his desk … not that I’m AT ALL bothered that fact didn’t make the piece ;) In any event, I totally love this little NYP piece on David and Tim. Click HERE to see which other notable New Yorkers and their desks are featured this week.

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‘Project Runway’ Season 5 Finale Fashion Show

It's Trent, Bitch! — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 16:11:09 +0000

So … the Project Runway Season 5 Finale Fashion Show took place at The Tent in Bryant Park on the last day of New York Fashion Week yesterday morning which is making it difficult for those of us who wish to remain unspoiled before the finale show actually airs on TV in a few weeks. In order to do my best to not spoil anything for fans of the show who wish to remain unspoiled, I’ll keep all info that I unwittingly learned about yesterday’s show (it’s not much, since I’m trying to remain unspoiled, but there is some info I can pass along for those of you who are interested) behind the cut. Here are a few pics of the Project Runway mentor (Tim Gunn) and judges (Heidi Klum, Nina Garcia & Michael Kors) at yesterday’s show:

After the cut see a great pic of the finale judges (including the person who filled in for the celebrity guest judge who had to pull out due to a mysterious “injury”) and find out who showed at yesterday’s finale show …

OK … even tho I tried to learn NOTHING about yesterday’s show, I accidentally found out that all 6 of the remaining contestants — LeAnne, Kenley, Korto, Joe, Jerell and Suede — showed collections at yesterday’s finale show. Much like they did earlier this year for the previous season of Project Runway, all of the remaining contestants by the time New York Fashion Week took place were allowed to show collections — it still remains to be seen which of the final 6 are actually the final 3 in competition. I have NOT looked at any of the photos from yesterday’s show nor have I watched any video … BUT you can head over to the Newdsay blog HERE and watch video of each of the final 6 contestants’ runway shows … SHHH! don’t tell me anything ;)

Here is a great pic of all of the judges from yesterday’s finale show:

You may recall that yesterday it was reported that Tim Gunn stepped in to replace Jennifer Lopez as the celebrity guest judge since she had to withdraw from her duties due to an ankle injury (that her trainer ended up denying even existed in the first place). Again, I love that Tim is finally able to act as judge. I know he can be totally impartial and will be an amazing voice in the final deliberations.

Here are a couple pics of some of Bravo’s other reality TV stars as they made their way to the Project Runway show yesterday in a show of support:

I gotta say … I really like Rachel Zoe’s reality show (it debuted earlier this week) … I mean, it’s not anything spectacular but I do like watching people kinda freak out on TV. It’s fun! I love Padma Lakshmi on Top Chef … she’s just hot, I had to post her pic too :)

So yeah … I’m staying away from all other PR spoilers until the shows actually air. I may go back and watch the contestants’ Fashion Show videos as they are eliminated from competition on the show (ie. if Suede gets cut next week, I’ll watch is video to see what mess he put up on the runway, etc.) but I don’t want to see anything until it happens on TV first.

[Photo credit: Splash News]

‘Project Runway’ Season 6 Delayed Until 2009

It's Trent, Bitch! — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 16:41:34 +0000

Entertainment Weekly magazine is reporting that the 6th season of Project Runway, the first at its new network Lifetime TV, is being delayed for a few months and instead of rushing to premiere this year in November has decided to premiere next January to fit in with the regular Project Runway yearly TV season schedule:

In a surprise development, Lifetime has confirmed that it won’t debut the sixth season of Project Runway until January so it has more time to promote the show that it swiped from Bravo last spring. It had been expected the show would debut on its new network sometime this autumn. “With this move, the series will resume its traditional cycle of two seasons per year,” according to a Lifetime spokeperson. “We look forward to ringing in the New Year by giving Project Runway loyal fans a superlative season six with Heidi, Tim, Nina, and Michael. The new date and time will be announced soon.” The news comes as a lawsuit over the rights to Project Runway continues to wind its way through the New York courts … One source familiar with the lawsuit believes the delay (the show had been set to debut sometime in late fall) has less to do with the ongoing litigation and more to do with Lifetime’s inability to get the production together for an autumn start. Bunim-Murray Productions, the company behind The Real World, is now producing Runway since Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz of Magical Elves left the show when it moved networks. A Lifetime insider, however, says production is on schedule and the new cycle has already been cast.

As much as I was really looking forward to having 3 seasons of Project Runway all in the same year (season 4 aired earlier this year, season 5 is currently airing now and season 6 would’ve begun airing in November, according to reports) I think this is a smart move. More time to promote the show on Lifetime’s part is very integral to the success of the migration. I wish I could believe that the new cycle “has already been cast” but I’m not sure about that. I’m also very worried that Bunim-Murray Productions is taking over … no offense to them but they’ve been in this biz for so long, I doubt they will be able to come up with a fresh new look for the show. At best, I think they’re gonna just try to copy the look created by Magical Elves Productions … which isn’t a good thing necessarily. In the end, tho, more time means more chance that they will somehow get “it” right. Here’s hoping …

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Holler At Your Boy, Tim Gunn

It's Trent, Bitch! — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 21:05:13 +0000

Just for LOLs:

Personally, I’d prefer if Tim Gunn just started saying, Holler, Bitches!

Meet The Cast Of ‘Project Runway’ Season 5

It's Trent, Bitch! — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:26:15 +0000

Bravo TV has *finally* unveiled the cast of Project Runway Season 5 just 2 days ahead of the show’s premiere on Wednesday night. In previous seasons, Bravo did everything they could to promote and build hype for their most successful competitive reality TV show, releasing photos and bios of the designers weeks ahead of the season’s premiere. It appears that since this 5th season is the last on Bravo (it will move to Lifetime in the Fall for the next season) they seem uninterested in hyping up a show that will be leaving their network at the end of this season. In any event, the new cast of Project Runway has finally been announced … here is a promo photo of the assembled cast of designers and new promo images for the PR judges Heidi Klum, Tim Gunn, Michael Kors and Nina Garcia:

Now, I know that some of you may be waiting until the show’s premiere on Wednesday night to meet the new cast of designers but for those of you who are anxious to get your first look at who’s in competition this season, read on. After the jump, meet the cast …

The official Project Runway website lists 16 designers … and here are 15 of them:

There is a designer named Kenley who is listed among the group but her bio is curiously missing her promo photo … HMMM … could she be the first designer to get the ax or is her missing photo just an error on Bravo’s part? Additionally, AfterElton.com published an article this morning revealing that 7 of the 8 male contestants are gay … imagine that. Despite Bravo’s apparent lack of enthusiasm for this new season of Project Runway, I am geeked beyond belief. Project Runway is my fave competitive reality TV show (ever) and I am very much looking forward to this new season of the show. I’m still not sure how I feel about the new LA version that is set to debut on Lifetime in November but, well, I’ll deal with that when the time comes. As for now … I’m all about Project Runway Season 5!!! As usual, I’ll be doing my own recaps after each new ep, so be on the look out for those :)

UPDATE: Pink reader Meg gave me the head’s up that Bravo has posted a short synopsis of EVERY SINGLE EPISODE for the upcoming season HERE. Why would they do that? Giving away all the ep surprises is the stupidest thing ever! I have not read these synopses … it seems a sure way to take ALL OF THE FUN out of watching the entire season. Bravo is really dropping the ball here. It’s starting to feel like Bravo may be trying to sabotage the brand while they still can … they already made their money from this 5th season (they’ve already been paid and the advertising has already been sold) … what a disappointment :(

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