Last night’s premiere episode of Project Runway Canada had everything a reality show producer could want, interesting characters, instant tension, loads of drama, harsh, polarized judging and even two medical emergencies.
The show started with fourteen designers and already we are down to eleven. Since it began with so many (and the medical emergencies took up a lot of screen time) we didn’t really get a chance to get to know all the designers. Here, based on last night’s episode alone, are my initial impressions!
Adejoke
I’m calling for an Adejoke win right now. She’s got the skills, she took Brian’s critiques to heart and made an amazing tailored dress that impressed the rock star in Iman. It should have impressed Rita more than it did, but whatever. (Rita cried over Lucien’s final collection last year, remember. Cried over something that, while beautiful, we’ve seen before.) She’s the complete opposite of Biddell-not-white, not-male, not-egomaniacal-which will go a long way in a franchise that prides itself on the diversity of it’s winners.
There’s potential for craziness here. But if Adejoke keeps it in check, she should be fine.
Baylor
We hardly saw Baylor last night, which was too bad. At first, I was horrified there was a designer willingly going by the name Baylor. But he seems quiet, talented and sweet and will ease into the designer-filler role. I’m expecting Baylor to either fizzle quickly or be a solid dark horse contender.
Brandon
This cocky little asswad is gunning to be the next Biddell. I’m certain he’s not in it to win it, but in it to become a household name. Oh Brandon, he’s so edgy and confident. Oh Brandon, he so knows what he wants. Stuff it, Brandon. At least Biddell’s designs backed up his ego. That frothy cocktail dress you made last night? It won’t cut it.
Camille
Camille is the pretty girl in town everyone thinks should be a model because they have no clue what real models look like. I’m sure she’s a wonderful dressmaker, but somewhere along the way confused the ability to sew with the ability to design. It didn’t help her cotton-candy sweet personality only backs up the small-town-model-trying-make-it-in-the-big-city metaphor I’m going for. She wasn’t going to add anything to the show, design-wise or personality-wise. I’ve got nothing against her, but I’m glad she’s gone.
Christie
Oh, Christie’s sooo kooky, don’t you think? I, like, so, totally love her. If Christie can bring the talent to back-up her space-invader aesthetic, she is going to be an exciting one to watch. However, I’m banking on more hot pink messes from the twelve-year-old in a thirty-year-old body. If you’re too old to be on Gossip Girl, you’re too old to wear headbands, sweetie.
Danio
I’m genuinely disappointed Danio opted to leave the competition. I completely understand why he did (and completely support it), but he had a super-strong narrative that would draw viewers in, seemed to be sweet AND competitive and had the design credentials to back it all up. Get better Danio!
Genevieve
We didn’t see much of Genevieve last night. She’s an art school type who fancies herself creative and artsy (there are always several interchangeable versions of this girl on the Project Runways. Did you watch Season 5? I couldn’t tell half the cast apart!). I doubt she will be as intriguing or as polarizing as Kim or Christie. She seems talented enough, but perhaps not enough so to push the envelope on the show. It’s too early and there’s not enough screen time to make a decision on this one.
Jaclyn
What a waste of time and space casting Jaclyn was. My guess: she’s a moderately talented designer the producers cast because they felt her anxiety issues would make for awesome television, not even thinking she would breakdown in THE FIRST HOUR. For someone who completely changed their hair and wardrobe to be on the show (go watch her audition video), I’m deeply disappointed.
Jason
Jason is Marco from America’s Season 1? Remember him? The bravado, the super-literal interpretation of the challenge? The arguing? The lack of hard work and insight that makes a designer exciting? Attitude is a big part of being a PR designer, but it ain’t everything. He’s not going to last, and I’m glad for that.
Jeff
Jeff is a designer I’m excited to see more of He really sees this show as an opportunity, he’s quietly confident and genuinely grateful for this experience. (He reminds me a bit of Shawn from PR Australia.) I’m hoping he’s a strong enough designer to make it far and hasn’t just made a career simply through his longevity in the industry.
Jessica
Jessica could go either way for me. She could be the token plus-sized girl cast for one-dimensional commentary on the state of the industry and for comic relief. Or she could be a vivacious and exciting designer and personality. I liked her a lot this episode, but hope she has the opportunity to become a real person on this show and isn’t pigeon-holed into being a character.
Kim
Kim, for me, is the most exciting designer of the hipster twenty-something set on this show. Her dress was interesting and had potential, it suffered from lack of experience and not knowing how to edit one’s work. She seems to have a bit of an attitude, but if she can keep bringing it on the runway, this attitude can become engaging. If she starts flopping, she’ll become a whiny, bitchy baby.
Margarita
Margarita is so tough, isn’t she? She has so many hard edges with those piercings, black clothing and tube top. Margarita is boring, Margarita has been done. Stopping giving everyone the finger and start focusing on your designs. You’ll be more interesting and more liked if you do.
Sunny
Sunny’s got it. He’s got talent, the fashion background, the personality. He just needs a platform to take his career to the next level. He’s going to be interesting and exciting on the runway (probably less so on the screen) and give Adejoke a run for her money. There’s he possibility of him totally tanking a challenge and getting sent home inappropriately early because of it, but I have faith he’ll be a top three contender.
So excited for next week already!!
Images via Global
