13x01 - Road to the Runway

[bunniefuu]

[traffic din]

[upbeat music]

Welcome to New York City
and Project Runway, season 13.

This is the road to the runway.

♪♪♪

We're about to reveal
exactly what the designers go

through to make it here
to this very stage.

It takes talent and
tenacity to snag a coveted spot

on Project Runway .

But what you may not
realize is that the journey

to get here
is almost as challenging

as making
it to New York Fashion Week.

The selection
process begins with

a nationwide casting
call where hundreds

of aspiring fashion designers

submit their
portfolios and home videos.

It's recording!

Project Runway is
definitely my next step.

From there, the most promising
designers are invited to

audition
before a panel of judges,

including some of
our Project Runway alums.

Your shirt
is probably my favorite.

I love that you're
living your design.

She's perfect, perfect,
perfect.

As designers anxiously wait
for their name to be called,

the room is filled with
a mix of excitement

-and nervous energy.
-I am super excited to be here.

I was so pleased and honored to
have a hand in selecting

the incredibly gifted
designers you're about to meet.

They're
a very complimentary bunch.

I totally geeked out
when I saw Tim Gunn.

I was not expecting to see you.

I'm happy to be here to see you.

Thanks for being here.

To see him on TV is one way,
but to see him in person,

-it just really got real.
-Hello, Alexander.

Hello. Get out of here.

He says what he thinks
and he's often quite right.

So, it was quite nice
then to be like, well,

he's critiquing my stuff
in a positive manner.

It means
so much coming from you.

-Thank you.
-Thank you so much, guys.

I cannot wait for you to
meet this season's designers.

They're a talented
and a colorful group,

and I know you're going
to love them as much as I do.

I've got colored hair,
which clearly means

I'm a creative type.

And like last season,

we gave you, the fans,
the opportunity to vote

and bring back one of
three former designers,

Ken Lawrence and Alexander Pope
from season 12

and Amanda Valentine from
season 11.

Who was lucky enough to receive
a second chance on the runway?

-You will find out very soon.
-Little wink wink right there.

But first, allow me to
introduce you to the 18 new

and fabulous fashion
designers of Season 13.

We begin with a group
of Brazilian designers.

No stranger to the casting call.

All of them have auditioned
for Project Runway before,

but didn't make the cut.

Undeterred,
they weren't willing to

give up on
their fashion or their dreams.

These designers have
the moxie it takes to make

it in such a tough
and unforgiving industry.

Let's meet them now.

Hi! Should I just start?

Oh, hi, I'm Korina.

I tried out
for Project Runway Season

seven back when
I was living in Portland.

And then didn't get
it because I was right after

I graduated college.

And I've just felt like it's
been a huge missed opportunity.

So I wanted to come back.

-Korina Emmerich.
-Hi, Korina.

-Hi.
-Nice to see you again.

It's been a long time.

-Yeah, I'm back.
-So what have you been doing?

Last time,
I only had black and white.

And then, as you can see,
I have color this time.

Let's see what you have.

This is
like a little clutch bag.

Let me see?

It's inspired
by a medicine wheel,

which is,
like, a Native American symbol.

My father is American Indian,

also rides a motorcycle
and his nickname is Lone Hog.

My recent collection
was designed with him

as my main influence.

I've been
really into fringe lately.

I did a striped fringe
over a striped skirt.

So, when you move,
you can kind of see, like, all

-the different--
-That is clever.

Welcome to my home.

This is the first
mannequin I ever got.

It's a vintage form from 1972.

This is one of the first
things that

I probably ever chopped
up and redesigned.

This is half Pendleton
wool and half deerskin leather.

My dad actually sent me all the
Pendleton fabric from Oregon.

The Crossroads pattern,
probably my most favorite coat.

This jacket is, like,
$489 wholesale because

it's so expensive to make.

-But it looks expensive.
-Yeah.

I'm just going to say it. I'm
throwing in all the cards.

I love you. You're refreshing.

-And I'm sold.
-Awesome.

She has to be on the show.

She has to be.

So I applied
for the very first season ever.

"You didn't bring enough
pieces, so no."

Then I tried it out
for season seven.

I got really far.

But then they called
back and said

I was no longer being
considered.

Then I tried out for
season eight and they, like,

completely ripped me apart.
That was deflating.

Now I feel I'm at this place
where I can rock it this time.

She was on
the World Wrestling Foundation?

Hi. My name is Emily Payne.

She was a geisha girl
with a sumo wrestler.

I'm 41 years old,
I'm from San Francisco.

Some people think she's
mean and aggressive.

-Ooh.
-Let's see, sister.

So tell us about you.

I like minimalism, kind
of a punk gothic edge to it,

inspired by Asian culture.

Talk to us about your work.
Wanna start with your model?

This was one of the pieces
that actually inspired me to do

the whole collection.

It's a laminated
basket weave cotton.

The pockets are lined with fur.

I try to pay really
great attention

to the details, like the lining.

-That's actually a nice look.
-Mm-hmm. It is.

It's modern. What's underneath?

A viscose and metal dress.

The inside is lined with
silk organza. I love this vest.

I started getting really
into this whole, like,

sort of origami thing.

It's polyurethane over wool.

I love the fact that you really
invented this textile.

This is my apartment in
San Francisco's Chinatown.

I live here with my husband,
Isaac, and my daughter Devin.

This is my fabric stash.

Hologram silk. Sparkly
black. Matches my hair.

This is your fourth time
coming. Why do you want this?

I want it because I need
the exposure. I need the money.

I've been working, like, trying
to put lines together forever.

I have to tell you,
I'm crazy about your work.

Yeah, there's
huge potential here.

You're at a high taste level.

-Thank you.
-And a lot of sophistication.

Yes. We're moving you forward.

Thank you so much. Awesome.

You can get back to
San Francisco with a smile.

-Have a good morning, guys.
-Wow. That was a nice surprise.

-We've seen Kini before.
-Yes.

-Hello, Kini.
-Hello.

-You're back.
-Back again to show you

-what I've been working on.
-Great.

I'm trying to make
non-luxurious fabric

look more luxurious.

I'm all about the fit
and making a woman feel right.

Just making a pencil skirt.
Accentuate the curves.

I love working with denim.

-Can we see it?
-Sure.

And we tried to make it more

for a business girl,
that she could use it this way.

What is that textile?

Almost looks like rubber,
doesn't it?

Aloha and welcome
to Kapolei, Hawaii.

Come inside my house.

Welcome to my room/work area,
bed and closet.

I'm stepping on my bed.

Gives me inspiration
while I'm sleeping.

My style is, I guess,
against all the fashion.

I like to just throw colors
together that kind of don't

match sometimes,
but I just like to do

it 'cause it's comfortable.

Sometimes I just close
my eyes and just pick out--

and if I fit it.

Good?

Simple c*ck dress,
again with the detailing,

-with the denim.
-It looks short.

It's actually not. It comes,
like, right above the knee.

-Really?
-Yeah.

Quilted stitch was,
like, my thing that I was

-kind of working with, like--
-Can we see?

Okay, thank you.

I have a positive
response to the denim.

Mm-hmm.

I fundamentally don't
understand the black

stretch pleather and how
that fits in with this.

This is like...

Okay. We're going to take
you forward to the next level.

Thank you so much.
I'm so excited.

And I won't
let you guys down for sure.

Get rid of that pleather.

-Might leave this here.
-Don't leave it with us.

Hi,
my name is Tim Novarro, I'm 32.

I'm a self-taught tailor
from Minneapolis, Minnesota.

When I came here the last time,
I felt really disappointed.

I thought I was better
than where I was at the time,

but I definitely feel
stronger now.

And that I have
a stronger voice.

-So tell us about you.
-I'm a self-taught tailor.

I was the lead for alterations

for Macy's
in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Wow. Were you working
with men and women?

Yup. I learned a lot.

That's incredible
experience to have.

Since I don't have
traditional training, I--

That's graduate school.
Tell us what you brought in.

So this is just
a men's tailored piece,

which is what I'm more
used to working with.

And this is a dress that I made.

It's just a really
cute backless dress.

I make statement pieces
for your everyday person.

I want to make clothes
that are durable.

This is one of my
first, like, lady pieces.

Lady pieces!

-It's a lady piece, Heidi.
-Right?

So why do
you want Project Runway?

I actually didn't think
I would ever apply again.

Out of bitterness, or...?

No, I just felt that maybe
it wasn't the right venue

for me. And then I started
working on the things that

I was suggested to work on.

I found myself getting better
and realizing, "Oh, I could

actually do this."

We're moving
you forward to the next phase.

-Awesome.
-Congrats.

-Thank you.
-Do well with it.

I would
not want to disappoint you.

Up next, designers who come from

nothing but won't stop
until they have it all.

My dad was in jail a lot
throughout my childhood.

Sometimes I think the biggest

challenge is knowing
that you are enough.

Welcome back
to Project Runway Season 13.

This is the Road to the Runway.

Some people are given
a head start in life,

while others are not
afforded that luxury.

But that hasn't stopped
this gutsy group of designers.

They refuse to let difficult
circumstances stand in

the way of pursuing fashion
and realizing their dream.

Here are their stories.

Detroit is right
now going through

a financial hardship.

We actually
went through a bankruptcy,

one of the largest major cities
to go through bankruptcy.

You know, so to me,
that's the hardest thing,

to keep this positive attitude,

to be hopeful and say,
"You know what,

I'mma try out for
Project Runway."

I'm a little chocolate girl.

And, you know,
I'm from the east side

of Detroit,
but I deserve a chance.

Char Glover.

My name is Charketa Glover.

I'm 37 years old.

I'm from Detroit, Michigan,
and I'm a self-taught designer.

And...?

I make, like, one-of-a-kind
pieces for the everyday

girl that likes to have
stuff with a twist.

Tell us what you brought.

Okay, so this is a peplum,
with a sweetheart lining.

And it's short in the front
and longer in the back.

Looks really short.

Well, no, it's a shirt.

-Oh, it's the--
-Yeah, it's a shirt.

Tim!

Thank the lord, baby Jesus.

Oh, my goodness,
who would wear that?

And this is one of my favorite

pieces because it's
a ponte knit and it stretches.

So, a lot of my line
is kind of vintage inspired.

With having limited resources,
I will go, like, to the thrift

-store and reconstruct pieces.
-That's smart, though.

Let's talk
a bit about growing up.

My mother gave me to my father,
when I was two months old.

My dad was in jail a lot
throughout my childhood.

My grandmother raised me.

She sewed, so I grew up in
a house with her sewing.

Did you make
what you're wearing?

Yes, I did. I'll turn
around so you can see the back.

-It's got a good fit.
-I'm amazed by your fit talent.

We're moving forward.

Oh, Okay. Thank you.
Oh, my goodness.

All right, I hope
I don't fall out of here, I'm--

You're in perfect control.

-I love her.
-Yeah.

Hi, guys. I'm Emmanuel Tobias.

I'm 29 years old
and I live in Dallas, Texas.

I started my fashion
journey 10 years ago.

It's been a struggle.

I've wanted to give up so
many times, but I'm still here.

#TheStruggle. Currently,
I have three jobs to help me

keep following my dream.

Talk about your childhood,
like, where you grew up,

who's in your family.
\N
\N \N

I come from an immigrant family.

We grew up poor,
so we had nothing.

I think right now in my life,
I'm at a good place

emotionally as a designer,

and I'm ready to take
it to the next level.

Here I go.

Laura Kathleen.
I'm a big fan of her.

Thanks.

I design a lot of stuff

like what I'm wearing,
progressive and edgy,

but it's very understandable.

I perspire a lot. So,
I designed this with a purpose.

The first look I brought
is a silk lurex

top and it has snaps.

I like to do a lot of stuff
with snaps because it's so easy

to take off when you
go home from work.

I paired it with a basic
pant and it's made out of silk.

It's very clean,
very simple, easy to wear.

Hey, guys, come on in, y'all.

This is Betty, and this is Sue.

This is my closet.

I could try this on
for you guys if you want.

My next look,
I brought this kimono style

kaftan and I hand cut
each of those little

butterflies and they're
all made out of pleather.

Your shirt
is probably my favorite.

My favorite
is the little kaftan.

The story behind that--

I always thought
of myself as a cocoon.

I had trouble fitting
in with people and I wanted

to showcase
butterflies because to me,

I am blooming
and I am now a butterfly.

My work usually comes from
a very deep place in my heart,

and all
I have to bring is my best.

My name is Samantha Plasencia,

I'm 27 years
old and I'm from Texas.

I'm trying to pursue
this to prove that I could do

this and make something
of myself from this.

-How many garments do you have?
-I have six.

-Hi. How are you?
-Good.

I like to say that my
girl's very urban.

She's still chic, just like me.

Like, this
is how I am every day.

But at night,
I do like to get dolled up

and make my boyfriend smile, so.

This, I did a really
cool netting with

a bralette that has elastic.
This is a detachable hood.

So if you take it off,

it actually makes it into,
like, this really chic cut

in the front.

On this one,
I did lambskin cut-outs

and stitched
them on here by hand.

Pretty.

Give me a real short
version of your childhood.

We grew up in a trailer home,
very poor.

My dad got hurt on the job.

He fell off a ladder
from way the heck up

there, hurt his back.

So my mom was always
the one to provide for us.

That I'm trying to pursue
this to make everyone's

lives better, you know.

I know what you're thinking.

This looks like a boy's closet.
I'm a big tomboy.

That's just me. A t-shirt
and jeans type of girl.

I love wearing long sleeve
with plaid and, you know,

just a pair of jeans and my
chucks and we're ready to go.

But, you know, when I do go out
and it's a special occasion...

So, I'm
coming out of the closet.

I am a girl.

This was the first time
I had worked with neoprene

and I just wanted to
do something crazy with it.

-Let me see that close.
-Did you--

Stamped it, yeah. I burned it
with a burner and did this

stamping process and painted it.

I tried it with acrylic,
but since it's water-based,

it all went crazy. So, I did
another one. But this one has,

you know, it gives it just--
you have to look at it twice.

-Your construction's great.
-Great job.

Thank you so much.
Okay. Okay, bye.

Hi. My name's Angela Sum.
\N
\N \N

I'm 32 years old and right
now I'm living in Los Angeles.

Tell us about you.

I'm actually
a computer engineer,

but I wanted to do fashion
design ever since I was 12,

but growing up,
the finances was really tough,

so I went into computer
engineering instead and after

first year, I knew I still had
my passion for fashion design.

And so I started going
to fashion classes

and I made my way to New York,
started taking classes at FIT.

I wanted to play around
with the idea of a dress shirt.

I put the collars on the bottom.

-May we see that?
-I love your vest too.

Yeah, this I made yesterday.

You made the vest yesterday?

I did the pattern
making on Sunday night.

And then Monday,
I sewed it all day.

I was born in Hong Kong.

I got horrible clothes
when I was a kid.

I had these, like, sweat pants,
and as an immigrant child,

so I looked
like an immigrant child.

Like, fresh off the boat.

My mom tried to provide
us as good life as possible,

but we were in a lot of debt.

Growing up,
I took care of myself a lot.

My first job was me
working in a factory

packaging designer sweaters
for three cents a bag.

You stand there all day,
and then all day I'd make,

like, 30, $40.

By the time I was 18,
I was working 80 hours

a week to pay for college.

I think my aesthetic is modern,
feminine,

ready to wear with
a little bit of an edge.

But it's like a soft edge.

I got married last year,
and of course,

me being the fashionista,

I made my wedding into
a whole fashion project.

I did my own wedding dress
and I got it into a magazine.

Let me tell you something.

If you don't pursue this,
I'm going to come get you.

Thank you.

Because
you really have something.

And it's very exciting to see.

Up next, you're going to hear
from our next two designers,

whether you like it or not.

I absolutely have a sassy vibe.

I don't really like
to give attitude to people

unless they deserve it.

Welcome back
to Project Runway Season 13.

This is the Road to the Runway.

Our next two designers
have a lot to say to

everyone, all the time.

Fashion forward or
just plain forward?

You decide.

All my friends
call me The Mitchell Perry.

I absolutely have a sassy vibe.

I don't really like to give
attitude to people unless

they deserve it.
\N
\N \N

I make my own prints.

The print inspiration came from
after I cut myself cooking.

After I bandaged myself up,
I went back with watercolors,

and I was like, "This is gonna
make a really pretty print."

So, this is my first dress.

Just a really cute
c*ck number.

My girl's, like, an edgy female.

I have a really fun,
edgy sweater that I put

-together with safety pins.
-Cool.

Welcome to my walk-in closet
in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

I'd like to define my style as
kind of hobo chic, only because

I don't really spend a lot of
money on buying my own clothes,

I like to make them.
I love jumpsuits.

And I think men's jumpsuits
are so cool and nifty.

I don't know why guys
don't wear them more.

I have another one
that's a female version.

The last one's my, like,
edgy girl's princess gown.

It wouldn't be a Mitchell Perry
if there wasn't a ruffle

-in here somewhere.
-I'm gonna do one thing.

Because we're trying to help
here. So, this goes away.

If you brought
that to the show, I--

Oh, take the front?

This right here, this is
what you need to bring.

For me, it's a yes.
I like what he's doing to it.

-I'm going to give you a yes.
-Thank you.

-I really appreciate it.
-For me it's a maybe.

Jessica. I came all the way
from south Florida for a maybe?

That's better than a no.

You're right.
It is better than a no.

Well, thank you. You will
hear back from one of us.

I'm supposed to fly
out Wednesday first thing in

the morning so make
it be tomorrow, please.

Okay, thank you guys so much.

Hi. My name is Carrie Sleutskaya

and I'm 24 years old
and I'm from Los Angeles.

I just can't take it when
somebody says, "You don't know

how to do this."
I take that as a challenge.

As Tim Gunn says,
"I make it work."

Tell us about you.

I have my
own company called Halcion.

It is what you see here.

I love leather
and I also love it

next to soft feminine fabrics
like chiffons, Jersey knits,

and it makes you look
like a tough girl.

Where would you wear this?

Of course, you can wear
it to the club, if you want.

Probably not the beach,
but I would say streetwear

in L.A., New York.

How did you get into
fashion to begin with?

When I was 13, a couple of my
friends gave me a birthday

present. It was
a Japanese comic series.

Main character happens
to have my name, my haircut,

and it happened to be
a fashion design comic.

I was just like,
"Oh, my God, this is amazing!

I want to make this,
I want to draw this.

I want to do this."

That comic
book literally changed my life.

Welcome to my
little home studio.

This is where I sketch,
pattern, I drape,

leather work, tailor.
I am also a mom.

This is my baby.

High five. Good girl.

I also love architecture

and I'm inspired
by all the angles.

These are very popular
leggings of mine.

If you can turn around.

I love emphasizing
the muscle structure

and basically flattering
the body as much as possible.

I love the hard versus soft.

The fact that you can do
the leather so well with

the trapunto stitching
and the draping of the jersey.

It's sensual, yet
masculine at the same time.

Carrie, we're moving forward.

-Congrats.
-Thank you.

-You deserve it.
-Have a great day.

-Thank you.
-Thank you.

Bye Project Runway !

Up next, straight laced
and strictly business.

Women are going
to see the clothes

and they're going to be like,

maybe I don't have to walk
around half naked in order

for somebody to
think that I'm pretty.

Welcome back to
Project Runway Season 13.

This is the Road to the Runway.

On the opposite end
of the spectrum are

a few designers
who are more reserved.

They might appear
quiet by comparison,

but make no mistake,

they bring a no nonsense
attitude to this competition

that comes across
loud and clear.

Hi, my name is Alexander Knox,

I am 22 years old and I
live in Chicago, Illinois.

Being in design, I have
become so focused on things

I forget to eat.
Oh, it's 8:00 in the morning.

Like, you know,
I have my coffee.

I'm going, next
thing I know, holy crap.

It's five o'clock
in the afternoon.

-Hello, Alexander.
-Hello. Get out of here.

Oh, my lord.

-Don't you get out of here.
-For real.

-So, show us what you have.
-For this look,

I was inspired by the
process of metamorphosis,

and I find this
fascination with bugs.

Hence the cocoon coat.

I wanted to really emulate
the process of metamorphosis

on the runway.
So the coat fully closes,

underneath is a larva inspired
dress stuffed with the taffeta.

You know,
it doesn't look forced.

Right.

It has a visual ease
about it and a polish.

Thank you. The third piece
to this look was this vest.

It's artmesh hand sewn onto
this leather bolero style vest.

I like sinister.
I like it to be dark.

And that woman with an
edge that you can look at,

but you can't touch her.
You can't have her.

The next one is my coat,

and it's actually one
of my favorite pieces.

I was born
and raised in Kankakee

which is an hour
south of Chicago.

My mother's been like

the constant support
system in my life.

She was also really
the reason that

I got started in fashion.

She would just buy
all these magazines for me,

and I would sit
there and I would try

and sketch these
beautiful dresses

by Galliano and like Yamamoto.

-What else do you have?
-So, this is another one.

My little black dress.
I like things to look sexy.

That's my woman. She's
sexy, but is a little off.

I just hope you know
how profoundly good this is.

Thank you. It feels, it means
so much coming from you, so.

I haven't this excited since,

I'll be blunt,
Christian Siriano, his audition

and since I talked
to the Proenza Schouler boy.

Wow.

-Thank you.
-I got chills.

Literally,
that's so... It's true.

Thank you.

My name is Nzinga Knight,
I'm 32 years old,

and I'm from Brooklyn, New York.

I pray five times a day,

and I feel like that
really balances me.

It allows my work to feel
graceful and more beautiful.

And I feel like women are
going to see the clothes

and they're going to
be like, "You know what,

maybe I don't have to walk
around half naked in order

for somebody to
think that I'm pretty."

-How are you?
-I'm great.

-How are you?
-Excellent. We're good.

So, tell us about you.

I studied at Pratt Institute.

From there, I interned. I work
for some different companies,

including Marc Jacobs,
Jones New York.

I'm Muslim, and I
really infuse a lot of

who I am into my work.

So, talk to us about your work.

This one is
called the Your Girl.

So chiffon and nylon mesh.
It has flow and it has lines.

I grew up in a
family where my mom

and dad converted to Islam.

I can dress the way that
I wanted to when I was a kid.

But when I started
to become a young woman,

choosing to dress in a way
that was more modest was like

a real struggle.
But when I started studying

fashion design, then I realized
that I could use my creativity

as a problem solving mechanism,
which I think great design

is mostly about.

This gown here.
I call this the Tuareg.

The woman can wear
this hanging to the back,

or she could take it and she
could wrap it around her head,

bring it around, or just like
swing it around to the front.

I'm so pleased, you're
thinking about these options.

-It's smart.
-Yeah. Yeah. Thank you.

Like what if you're
designing for Heidi,

who everyone knows Heidi
likes short and tight.

You know?

I have pieces that,
it's so great.

And it's covered, that Heidi is
like, "I just need that dress.

I love that dress."

I'm intrigued, but we're
going to move you forward.

Thank you so much.
It was a pleasure.

My name is Kristine Guico,

I am 26 and I live
in Brooklyn, New York.

\N
So, I was kind of researching

the times of when people
would start lining up.

So, I went over there like five
and I went over there at six,

and there's no one there.
So, I was like, okay.

-In the morning?
-Yeah, in the morning.

So I was kind of prepared.
So it was around 7:30

that I went back and there
was people there and I was

a third rack in, and I'm like,

"They better pick me
because I believe that

I can do this."
Your loss if you don't.

-Hi, Kristine.
-Hello.

So tell us about you.

I came here to New York
for fashion design.

-I went to FIT.
-Can we see the first jacket?

-This one?
-Yeah.

And what does that made out of?

The sleeves are silk organza.

It's lined in silk charmeuse.

-Who is your customer?
-She's a more fashion forward

woman who likes to
invest in high end clothing.

Welcome to Brooklyn.

Let's check out my apartment

Outfit time!

Crop top, skater skirt,
motorcycle jacket.

This is my summery day outfit.

I kind of like mixing the modern

and sleek with vintage and cozy.

This is quilted and it
has like yarn stuffing inside.

Can I see it? This is cool.

This is awesome. I want it.

Do you think you have what it
takes to win Project Runway ?

Of course. I'm a hard worker.

When I watch the show, I feel
like that was me in school.

I would literally sleep at
school. I'm ready for it.

Rolling on Jefferson Musanda.

Tell us a little
bit about yourself.

OK, so I'm from
Boston, Massachusetts,

and I moved to Brooklyn
to go to Pratt Institute.

I was a dancer for about
like eight years.

Show us a good move.

Show you a good move?

Yeah, you used to do hiphop!

One, two, three,
four, five, six, seven,

eight, one, two,
three, four, five.

Yeah. So that's kind
of where like I shined

and I became my own.
And when I got to Pratt,

I was able to incorporate
that dance into my fashion.

These pants come
with these little

spandex inserts in the knee.

You made these that you have on?

Yeah. There's elastic.

So when I bend my knee,
it kind of like snaps back.

When I started this collection,

I was 40 pounds heavier.
When I would run,

I'd feel these pains
like, oh, my knees.

And those are kind of the places

that kind of
don't get attention to.

This collection really
had a lot to do with finding

out who I was as a designer.
What makes Jefferson Jefferson?

The collection
I'm working on now

is called Hop Hopping
Saved My Life.

This is like a nylon gore tex.

And then in the back here,
I have the wax nylon here.

This is probably like
one of my favorite pieces.

I'm going to invite you
into my closet. Don't laugh.

My door doesn't work.

I have quite a collection
of dropped crotch joggers.

Here's another, here's another.
I have on a pair right now.

Another thing that I
experimented with is this

detached waistband.
So I bring the sexy hip

bones or, you know,
in the midriff here.

I love that you're
living your design

because you are an
extension of your collection.

-Thank you.
-Great dancer, too.

Yes. Bring your
own music next time.

Coming up, our international

designers infuse
Project Runway with their

own unique brand
of sophistication.

My client would be a
misfit with a message.

A man, woman, alien.

Our next group of
fashionistas hail from

the four corners of the world.

They share a desire to
make it in this country

as a fashion designer.
It's the American dream,

and Project Runway
is the ultimate platform.

Hi, my name is Sandhya Garg.

I live in Birmingham,
Alabama, and I'm 29 years old.

Oh, I'm 28! I'm sorry!
\N
\N \N

What are you doing?
\N
\N \N

I grew up in India.

I was born in a very small town.

And we moved to Delhi.

Oh, it was an arranged marriage.

So, we saw his details
in the newspaper clipping.

Called his parents
and he liked my details.

We met for five
minutes and he said,

"Yeah, I want to
marry this girl."

It was like shopping,

like you go for a
dress and pick a dress.

And he said he
wanted to get married.

We were engaged
the very next day.

And then in a month
and a half, we got married.

And that's when
I moved to the States.

Tell us a little
bit about yourself.

I have been in the US
for more than a year now,

and I've launched my label here.

This collection was
inspired by Morocco.

A lot of my collection
inspiration comes from

how humans feel in general.

And I think all of us
are a bit sacred.

We are superstitious.

In Morocco, people
paint their houses

this turquoise blue
to keep the evil eye out.

Wear your own talisman.

The collection
is called Talisman.

It's your lucky eye.
So I wear my luck on me.

Welcome to my home.
Let me show you around.

This is my studio space,
my idea board.

This is one of my hand painted

silk, you know, hand
sketching, scribbling on it.

This is my bedroom where my
husband is pretending to work.

Hi, I'm pretending.

Let me take you to my closet.

And that's my Label.
Look out for Sandhya Garg.

We're going to cut
to the chase, for me,

I love, love, love, love.

Thank you.

I want to see you
on the show, period.

-Oh, thank you so much.
-She's perfect.

Perfect, perfect, perfect.

She's probably
my favorite I've ever seen.

-Really?
-Yeah.

Just look right into the
camera

and introduce yourself,
your name, your age

-and where you're from.
-Not my age.

No, I don't want
people to know this.

Okay. I'm going to say 29.
Okay, and that's it.

Okay. My name is Hernan Lander.

I'm from Dominican
Republic and 29 years old

and living in New York.

So tell us about you.

I won a full scholarship

to come to the United States
to come to Parsons.

And you showed at
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

Tell us about this work.

-I made all these by hand.
-What materials have you used?

-It's a print?
-Yes.

-On the leather.
-Yeah.

How interesting.

-It's a beautiful effect.
-Thank.

Beautiful.

So you do both menswear as well?

Yeah. This is, too, I made it.

Very you, Tim.

All that pattern mixing.

Yeah, I also love
the leather jacket.

This isn't leather.
This is denim.

-Wax.
-It's coating.

Wow! I like it more.

Do you think you can win?

I will win.

- How are you so sure?
-I know myself.

Welcome to the world
of Fade Zu Grau.

That's me.

I'm an artist in
Coral Gables, Florida.

I'm originally from Germany.

I escaped East Germany
when I was 19.

That was before
the wall came down.

Because you grew
up in East Germany,

what was that like
to be the artist?

Anybody who wanted to express
themselves in East Germany

was just hopeless.
It was hopeless.

It was really I don't know,

like every day I was thinking
about it somehow to get out.

Describe who your client
is.

My client would be a misfit.

A misfit with a message.
A man, woman, alien.

It doesn't matter, anybody.
Mostly I'm doing men's designs.

I think it's all
easily translated

into women's designs.

I'm doing a lot of
T-shirts where everything is

sort of like hundreds of pieces,

and then I print on top of it

and they all have
some kind of a saying.

Some kind of a statement.

This is an old shoe

I ripped apart and then stained

and put on the shirt.

Being on Project Runway
would mean that

I finally can explode on to
the creativity starved Earth.

So, choose wisely, people.
The world is in your hands.

Sean Kelly.

Tell us about you.

I am from
New Zealand originally.

I just moved to New York
two months ago.

I decided to come
make it in the Big Apple.

So, talk to us about
what you brought with you.

This piece here is
tailored jacket with

an inserted lapel
in it with play pockets.

Inserted lapel?

So the lapel sits inside.

It's like inverted.
I'm intrigued.

I specializes at Alexander
McQueen in menswear.

That really told me
about tailoring.

-In London?
-Yes.

That's an experience.

My school training
was 100% women's wear.

I just chose to
go on a menswear path

because I felt like I could
connect with the audience.

My menswear isn't traditional.

It's being a little
bit more androgynous.

The next piece that
I have is a knitwear piece.

I did the space dye myself,
so this could be an awesome

women's wear piece,
I think, as well.

It could be.

This is all hand cut,
like all these stripes.

This fabric is then
over locked together.

Good God. Beautiful work.

And completely
fresh and different.

-Thank you.
-Completely.

It's from New Zealand.

That's why. I knew some
designers from New Zealand,

and they're excellent.
But you stand out.

-Thank you very much.
-See you, bye.

Up next, 18 designers in
less than four minutes.

Your final recap

before Project Runway
Season 13 begins.

Welcome back to
Project Runway Season 13.

This year, we also decided to
give one former Project Runway

designer a second chance
to compete on the show,

a runway redemption,
if you will.

We invited you to cast your vote

for either Amanda Valentine
from season 11,

Ken Lawrence from season 12,

or Alexander Pope
from season 12.

Which lucky designer will
be back by popular demand?

The answer when Project
Runway
Season 13 begins.

But before we leave you,

here is a brief
recap of each designer.

Who will be in? Who will be out?

And which one of
these talented people

will win
Project Runway Season 13?

I'm very competitive.
I love challenges.

I love leather
and I also love it

next to soft feminine fabrics
like chiffons, Jersey knits,

Charmeuses.
I can't help but be confident.

The collection
I'm working on now is called

Hip Hopping Saved My Life.
I was just thinking about range

of motion mobility,
minimalistic,

a deviation from
like all of the fuss.

Fashion is what helps
you become who you want to be.

It's something that is
beautiful, glamorous,

edgy and uplifting for women.

I make statement pieces
for your everyday person,

clothes that are durable,
easy and interchangeable.

I'm really confident.

I really think that I would win.

I feel like I have an edge
over other designers.

I have all this
sewing experience.

I have a life experience.

I like minimalism, kind of
a punk gothic edge to it.

And everything feels
right, right now.

And I know
I'm on the right path.

\N
I can't stand being average.

My client would be a misfit,

no matter man, woman,
alien, anybody.

I want to be respected.
As for like having your vision,

but also having
very high quality.

I kind of like mixing the modern

and sleek with vintage and cozy.

I believe that I can do this.

So, like,
your loss if you don't.

My personal direction
with my design aesthetic

is going into more of
like an edgier urban girl.

She's kind of like
a warrior princess.

I'm talented and
I'm prepared to go

into battle
and come out victorious.

When it comes to competing,
I know what I can do.

I'm all about the fit
and making a woman feel right.

I'm trying to make
non luxurious fabrics

look more luxurious.

I know I could go very
far in this competition.

The first thing I ever
made was my jingle dress.

I used to be a powwow dancer
when I was in high school,

my father's Native American.
So, that's where a lot of the

inspiration came from.
If I want something,

the only person who's going
to get it for me is me.

\N
I'm very, very detail oriented.

I think my aesthetic
is modern, feminine,

ready to wear with a
bit of a soft edge.

And there's a bit of
a romantic feeling.

To be a designer,
you have to be passionate.

I would describe my style
as modern vintage chic.

I might come across
a little strong,

but I'm literally a goofball.

But know that you're
going to have to really

work hard to beat me.

I'm not settling
for second best.

My menswear isn't traditional,

but I'm always
interested in like

a little bit more
androgynous perspective.

I have nothing to lose.

I love color and I have
the ability to put them

together in a very nice manner.

I have the skills,
I have the determination.

I think I practice my
winning speech sometimes.

My design aesthetic is very
forward, but understandable.

I have progressed from couture

to evening tow
now ready to wear.

If there's one thing
holding me back,

it's nothing right now.

I love what I do.
\N
\N \N

A lot of detail
and I do a lot of

the pattern making
and the draping.

I don't do this because
I want to be famous.

I don't want to be rich.

I'm more about like
how much I enjoy this.

When I design,
I look at the silhouette.

I like it to be dark, sinister.

That woman with an edge
that you can look at,

but you can't touch her.
You can't have her.

I like to be very urban,
but still chic.

So a lot of the pieces
I do can transform

from day to night.
Like tomboy by day.

But at night
I want to look nice.

And that's just how I see
myself as the designer.

Project Runway!

Many thanks for joining me.

Project Runway
Season 13 starts now.