Fall TV Blog

Project Runway is returning to television this summer — and it will air on Lifetime.

According to the network, legal battles surrounding beleaguered reality show’s already-filmed sixth season have been amicably resolved. “The Weinstein Company will pay NBCU for the right to move Project Runway to Lifetime. All of the parties are pleased with the outcome,” the networks say in a joint statement.

Changing gears, the upcoming season of Project Runway relocated from New York to Los Angeles, though it will continue to be hosted by Heidi Klum and judged by Michael Kors and Nina Garcia. Tim Gunn will also mentor the designers. As usual, the finale was shot during New York Fashion Week — this year on Feb. 20.

But ongoing legal disputes prevented producers from revealing any information about the cast, and the three final collections were shown blindly, with their designers unidentified. International Herald Tribute editor Suzy Menkes acted as the guest judge at the show.

In addition, sources close to the show have told PEOPLE that Project Runway’s season 6 will utilize “local resources” in Los Angeles — namely focusing more on Hollywood — and will feature appearances by Christina Aguilera, Eva Longoria Parker and Rebecca Romijn. (more…)

With a protracted legal battle still raging, and no air date in sight, Project Runway filmed its season 6 finale Friday under the tents of Bryant Park, where three unidentified designers sent collections down the runway during New York Fashion Week.

“This year is going to be a little different,” Runway host Heidi Klum told the crowd. “This is [the designer's] moment and unfortunately nobody has seen the show yet. I’m a little bit sad for our designers that they don’t get that recognition today. We’re all in a bit of a limbo.”

International Herald Tribune editor — and fashion industry veteran — Suzy Menkes acted as guest judge for the show. Runway sources tell PEOPLE that producers had been trying to nab Menkes as a guest judge in the past.

Although reports that Lindsay Lohan would do the honor proved false, PEOPLE can also exclusively confirm that Christina Aguilera, Eva Longoria Parker and Rebecca Romijn did lend their star power as guest judges on several of the season’s challenges.

Since the cast has not been announced, producers did not introduce the designers Friday. “We wish we could bring out the three designers but we can’t,” Tim Gunn said at the show. Sources tell PEOPLE that when Runway eventually airs, it still will not be clear which designer showed first, second and third. (more…)

You might think winning Project Runway would have taught Leanne Marshall a thing or two about time management. Not so much says Marshall, who’s scrambling more than ever to complete her Fall 2009 collection in time to show at New York Fashion Week Thursday night. But if the recent NYC transplant’s nearly flawless run on Runway showed us anything, it’s that she’s good — actually, pretty amazing — under pressure. Back in Brooklyn, PEOPLE caught up with Marshall to talk how how her style has evolved, which celebs are craving her designs (Paula Abdul! Brooke Shields! Sarah Jessica Parker!), and how a visit to Mood Fabric can quickly turn into a Runway alumni reunion. – Stacey Wilson

You just re-located to New York from Portland, Ore., a month ago. What has that been like?
Really stressful. It’s a big move. I don’t recommend it unless you really, really have to do it! No, I am really glad I did. But our stuff, which we shipped, was delayed by two weeks. It’s been the biggest deal. That’s why I’m so behind on my collection.

So you’re creating everything now, in your apartment, just days before your show?
Yes! It’s the only place I can work right now. I would love to have a work studio because my boyfriend Nathan has a cat and she’s into everything. It’s a challenge keeping her out of the room. We love her, but working and being home with her is not working out too well. (more…)

She kept her cool and came out on top. Leanne Marshall, the former graphic designer who triumphed over Korto Momolu and Kenley Collins, is still pinching herself about being the season 5 winner of Project Runway. Calling from New York, the 28-year-old designer opened up about what she’ll do with her $100,000 winnings, her relationship with Kenley and the fabulous lunch date she can’t wait to have. – Serena Kappes

Congratulations! How does it feel to win Project Runway?
Amazing! It’s so great to finally be having it out there and be able to celebrate it. It’s an amazing feeling.

Where did you watch the finale?
I was at the NBC studios. My boyfriend Nathan [McKee] was with me. He’s an independent composer. He did my runway music. I told him before I even went to do the show that, “If I make it to the final three, I want you to do my runway music.”

Why do you think you won over Korto and Kenley? (more…)

The fashion world watched as Leanne, Korto and Kenley showed their collections under the tents of Bryant Park for New York Fashion Week. But four people, Project Runway judges Heidi Klum, Michael Kors, Nina Garcia and — surprise! — Tim Gunn, decided who was in and who was out of the competition.

SPOILER ALERT: Keep reading to find out the season 5 winner of Project Runway. And talk about the results.

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Jerell won the challenge that was supposed to send him to Bryant Park – but then the judges couldn’t make a decision about who to send home. When the cast reconvened – after creating collections (plus a wedding dress) at home – they faced a second challenge. This time, the designer, 28, stood in the bottom – and was auf’d, leaving the remaining ladies to compete at Bryant Park. Calling from New York, the characteristically good-humored designer opened up about the curveball wedding dress challenge, whether he felt robbed from showing his collection at Fashion Week and yes, what he thinks of Kenley. –Brian Orloff

Talk about the surprise challenge of creating a wedding dress. Were you happy with what you came up with?
The show itself was full of surprises, so I think the whole thing was to expect the unexpected. It’s a TV show; it’s gotta be entertaining. For me, I’m the kind of designer, I like to have my materials and I like to work off that. I don’t even sketch. So the wedding dress was the third thing that I made. I loved my wedding dress. I think it’s gorgeous. I’m really proud of it.

Was Tim’s visit helpful? Was it fun to have him meet your family and friends? (more…)

Did Kenley’s wedding dress look familiar? On Wednesday night’s Project Runway, the judges seemed to think so. After sending her feathered concoction down the runway, judges Michael Kors and Nina Garcia zeroed in on the similarity, comparing it to a recent Alexander McQueen gown. Kenely said she didn’t know what they were talking about, and the judges finally capitulated a bit, deciding that no matter the similarity, they loved the dress. Kenley, along with Leanne and Korto, made it to the Runway finale and will show her collection at Fashion Week, while Jerell was auf’d for his unique — if garish — gown. – Brian Orloff

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Scott Gries/Getty; Karl Prouse/Getty

When we left our four remaining designers, they were prepared for a honeymoon period — a time to create a full collection reflecting their unique creative voice without the stress of incessant intervention. The finalists knew one would be eliminated before Fashion Week. But they didn’t suspect there would be one more challenge that would determine their fate.

Yet the four remaining Project Runway contestants — Jerell, Kenley, Leanne and Korto — were not to be assessed based on their entire collections. Instead, host Heidi Klum told them they would have to compete for a spot at Bryant Park with a wedding dress that should represent their entire collection, which they would have to create in a month with a budget of $8,000.

So, the designers went to work, and Tim Gunn hit the road (as he does every year), dropping in on the contestants in their home bases, meeting their families and offering his sartorial critique. This season, Tim must have wracked up the mileage on his Saturn (curiously, a show sponsor; did they pay for his gas?): In Little Rock, Ark., he saw Korto; in Portland, Ore., he stopped by Leanne’s work space; in Los Angeles, he met with Jerell; and in Brooklyn, N.Y., he reunited with Kenley. (more…)

Everything was supposed to be coming up roses for three designers on Wednesday’s Project Runway. Instead, all four of the remaining contestants broke down in tears and recriminations on the runway.

But in the end, all four of the remaining contestants were spared elimination.

The panel – plus guest judge Georgina Chapman of Marchesa – could not determine a loser for this challenge. So, all four were temporarily safe, sent home to create Fashion Week collections. Next week one designer will be auf’d, leaving only three to officially show at Bryant Park.

As for the challenge this week, the remaining four–Leanne, Korto, Jerell and Kenley– were shuttled to the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx, where they had one hour to commune with nature and design an evening gown inspired by their organic outdoor experience. Each designer drew on a leafy or floral visual cue, then returned to Mood, grabbed some fabric and began sewing.
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Last night’s Runway challenge was a double whammy: Not only would the remaining contestants be designing a musically-inspired look, but they’d be modeling too. Unfortunately for Suede, while he excelled at the modeling part, his design didn’t past muster with the judges. Calling from New York, the 37-year-old designer opened up about his swan song, Kenley’s showdown with Tim Gunn and–we had to ask –if he actually refers to himself in the third person when the cameras aren’t rolling. –Brian Orloff

Did you enjoy watching yourself last night?
I was dying to see how I worked the runway because all the designers loved the fact that I totally rocked out the runway. So I was excited to see that. I owned that outfit. I sold it. That was my job there. I was to sell Korto’s look–and I gave it my all. And she won. Even though I was eliminated, I also won at the same time.

What was your initial reaction to the challenge and the genre of music? (more…)