Project Runway: First Impressions
March 16, 2019 12:20 PM - Season 17, Episode 1 - Subscribe

Sixteen designers arrive in New York City; the designers showcase their best looks, then, they meet their mentor, Christian Siriano; the designers must create a look inspired by some of the the biggest names in fashion but with a twist.

*I miss Tim Gunn
posted by Anonymous (12 comments total)
 
Wow, no kidding Siriano. Will have to see if I can find somewhere to watch it.
posted by Glinn at 1:16 PM on March 16, 2019


Anyone else’s DVR cut this episode weird? It was like it started halfway through the intro challenge. Still, I enjoyed the episode. Christian seemed a little stiff (or maybe I am just missing Tim’s huge vocabulary), but I think he will be a fine mentor.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 1:24 PM on March 16, 2019


I like the reboot. Christian doesn’t have anything on Tim but his perspective of having been in their shoes is neat. Also, PR All stars is going on at the same time and Christian’s voice is very very similar to their mentor, Anne Fulenwider.
posted by supercres at 3:41 PM on March 16, 2019


It started with a show of each of the designer's work, which I'd never seen before. It was nice to see where they're coming from, style-wise, and they all seem talented, with credible and polished clothes.
My First Impressions of the show weren't so positive.Tim is missed, although I like Christian Siriano; I wish we could have the two of them co-mentoring instead. And I wish they'd found a host with more pizzazz and personality on camera, like an Alyssa Milano-type, or even a Kelly Osbourne-type. Instead it seems like maybe they just stuck another blonde model with a German name up there and hoped we wouldn't notice?
Still, at its heart it'll still be Project Runway and I'm happy to see it back.
That woman who got aufed was nasty, but I thought that meant they'd want to keep her around.
posted by Flashman at 4:58 PM on March 16, 2019


I read the Tom & Lorenzo review that absolutely gushed about how wonderful the reboot was and how much useful advice Christian gave and how things focused so much more on the technical aspects of the challenge. Sadly, I didn't really find that to be the case.

I want a mentor that can really coach the contestants and offer them advice about construction and design, and not just say stuff like, if you don't have time, don't do the jacket.

I guess Carlie was polished and competent but I didn't really get too much sense of her and her personality. Maybe that will change as she grows into the role but at this stage, it just feels like you could swap in any actress or spokesmodel and get the same effect.

The workroom was terrible. I don't think it's fair to make the contestants share a tiny table. That must be so infuriating.

For whatever reason, this one felt like a chore to watch, even though I'm mostly in favour of the changes (longer, two-day design periods, promoting the dresses via photos, the introduction via a runway showcase, etc.). I'm sure I'll keep watching, and I'm curious to see how this plays out, but I didn't really enjoy it. Maybe it's just hard to compare to All-Stars right now, based on where the second show is in the season (final four or five--I've lost count--contestants) versus a whole herd of newbies we don't know.
posted by sardonyx at 4:59 PM on March 16, 2019


I didn’t like the new host - Heidi Klum had way more pizazz. Christian was ok and I actually felt he’d picked up a lot of Tim Gunn mannerisms, if not the vocabulary.

That Muslim woman was ROBBED of the win; I literally gasped and said “That collar!!!!!!!” when her model came down the runway.
posted by chainsofreedom at 6:46 PM on March 16, 2019 [1 favorite]


I love Christian, ever since his own season when Tim visited him at home and found him sleeping in a closet. But he needs to be a bit more critical, I think. Likewise with the judges, there needs to be a bit more snark. I'm sure Nina will soon ramp it up.

I'm so glad Cavanagh went home over Frankie. Even though Frankie's outfit was dreadful, at least it showed some creativity. A plain black crop top and a simple skirt is never going to cut it on the runway. But until they announced it, I still wasn't sure. As Flashman said, Cavanagh was awful, and we've seen designers stay before who we know are there just for the drama.

I already can't stand Hester Sunshine. She has a very 'Erin' vibe about her (and we all know she was, as Dmitri would call it, a one-way monkey). I suspect Hester's schtick will be puffy skirts, fitted tops and horribly mis-matched fabrics that the judges will think are brilliant.

It'd be interesting if they run a 'Last Chance Kitchen' kind of side competition, with someone coming back into the competition later on.
posted by essexjan at 1:23 PM on March 17, 2019 [2 favorites]


I guess I was expecting more. I liked the designers portfolio piece runway at the beginning. (Already don't like Brandon Maxwell who was shown blowing off meeting one of them in a very quick edit.) I'm glad they got more (?) time at Mood and two whole days to create. Karlie Kloss doesn't have much of a personality and Christian is much more constrained than Tim. I hope in future episodes we'll see more of his interactions and advice.

One thing that never changes is designating three top and three bottom looks, even when there are more or fewer deserving designs. Or sending home two failing designers which is what should've happened this episode. Or not sending anyone home for the first challenge or two because they are still finding their way in NYC/Mood/Reality TV Land.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 2:43 PM on March 17, 2019


I liked it fine, I think the judges and hosts will grow into it.
I don't miss Tim at all. I felt he'd become a caricature of himself in later seasons.
posted by gaspode at 7:43 PM on March 17, 2019 [1 favorite]


If you were going to be on Project Runway wouldn’t you take a trip to Mood before the season started?

Also, that bodysuit was just awful. It was falling apart on the runway! Yes it maybe had a little more creativity than that black dress but still...
posted by lyssabee at 5:18 PM on March 18, 2019


I thought the same thing, lyssabee! Hell, I’ve been to Mood! Anyone can go!
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 9:30 PM on March 18, 2019 [2 favorites]


Yes, I've always thought that, lyssabee. Once I knew I was going to be on the show, I'd have a weekend in New York spending the entire time in Mood scoping out where everything is (and petting Swatch, of course!).
posted by essexjan at 1:48 PM on March 19, 2019 [1 favorite]


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