New season of ‘Project Runway’ includes models of all sizes
All women welcome: Arguably the most popular fashion series on television, “Project Runway” has taken a big step for its 16th season. The latest installment includes models ranging from size 0 to 22 for the entire season rather than airing just one inclusive episode during its run, and you can catch a new episode airing Thursday, Aug. 31, on Lifetime. Many fans are hoping this change is a sign that the fashion industry as a whole will begin making changes and move towards including “regular women” in their designs.
For those who are unfamiliar with the popular series, “Project Runway” contestants compete to create the best clothes under pressures such as strict time constraints and difficult assigned materials or themes. One or more of the designers are eliminated each week, based on the judges’ assessments. Each season, the final few get to produce full collections for New York Fashion Week, and the ultimate winner is decided from there.
“Project Runway” is hosted by supermodel Heidi Klum and judged by critic Nina Garcia and designer Zac Posen, while world-class designer Tim
Gunn returns as the workroom mentor. This season includes an impressive list of guest judges, too, such as Olivia Munn (“The Newsroom”), model Kate Upton and recording artist Demi Lovato.
The winning garments from this season will be publicly available in stores — specifically retailer JCPenney, with which the show has partnered this season. This is a big deal for many viewers, thanks to the new policy of catering to sizes 0 to 22, and means many more fans will get a chance to wear exquisite clothing made by (or inspired by) the featured up-and-coming designers. Get in on the ground floor when a new episode of “Project Runway” airs Thursday, Aug. 31, on Lifetime.
Parental pressure: There are family changes taking place in this season of “Flipping Out.” The reality TV series follows Jeff Lewis, owner of a construction company that flips houses, as well as his project manager, Jenni Pulos, and his business manager/boyfriend, Gage Edward, as they give houses much-needed interior design upgrades. A new episode of the reality TV series airs Thursday, Aug. 31, on Bravo.
At the end of last season, Jeff and Gage welcomed a baby into their lives, and Jeff’s housekeeper, Zoila (who is more like a mother), moved out, reducing her hours to three days a week. As Jeff tries to repair his relationship with Zoila after their big fight, he struggles to balance work and family life and does his best to be a good dad.
Though she was just a newborn the last time we saw her, the adorable little girl is now about a year old. Sources report that the guys needed some time to get used to the changes parenthood brought into their lives before filming began for these new episodes — a wise decision to be sure. Fans who have kids of their own will find themselves relating to the guys on a whole new level this season as the ups and downs of fatherhood play out on the small screen.
Parents will also know that a baby can put a lot of pressure on even the happiest, most balanced relationships, and Jeff and Gage are feeling that pressure now.As they struggle to work things out and keep their family together, I hope it’s comforting to them to know that fans everywhere are rooting for the pair.
Watch this season to find out how Jeff fares, and if he can mend his faltering relationships.The next episode of “Flipping Out” airs Thursday, Aug. 31, on Bravo.
From rusted to fab: Have you ever heard of Lynden, Washington? That’s OK, neither have we. But car fans may want to take note — Lynden is where a talented trio of guys and their crew run an impressive business. They hunt for old cars that still have a little spark of potential, refurbish them until they’re pristine and then sell them for a healthy profit.You can follow all the action in a new episode of “Carspotting,” airing Monday, Aug. 28, on Discovery.
Brothers Carlos and Pedro Becerra, along with their friend Niko Weaver, run the shop and headline the series, which feels almost like an interior design show for cars. Discovery gave the show a limited run earlier this year and, thanks to its success, has now picked it up for an entire season. It’s part of its Motor Mondays lineup, an all-cars-all-the-time programming block aimed at ramping up male viewership.
It’s been a two-way street for the stars of the show, whose businesses — Imports & Classics and Cascadia Customs, both based in Lynden — have received some great exposure from the show.
Watch as these impressive young men seek out the diamonds in the rough and help them meet their potential when a new episode of “Carspotting” airs Monday, Aug. 28, on Discovery.