Although the Fifth Season of Bravo's smash-hit Project Runway is set to premiere this Wednesday, producers have kept the identities of the 16 contestants completely under-wraps.
That is... Until now!
The names and biographies of this season's cast have finally been released! (And not a second too soon, we couldn't hold our breaths any longer!)
This season's designers vary in experience, training, and outlook but they all have one thing in common... they are in it to win it!
We are proud to announce that TWO FIDM graduates have made the cut and will fight for their shot at the title! Let's take a closer look at these two lovely FIDM alumni...
According to the Bravo website, Kelli Martin is a 27 year old from Columbus, OH and her favorite designers include Thierry Mugler, Yohji Yamamoto, and Betsey Johnson. She considers a party dress to be a fashion must. Bravo's designer bio on Kelli reads as follows...
"Growing up in Columbus, Ohio, Kelli turned to retail at the age of 15 as a form of escapism and to create a unique look all her own. She fought her way through adversity receiving a full scholarship from Bob Mackie at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles. Once there, she was accepted into the Advanced Design Program where she was able to design and show a small collection in 2006. Kelli went on to design a guitar for Kevan Hall during Los Angeles Fashion Week and just recently started her own empire, Black Market -- a cutting edge boutique in her hometown."
Leanne Marshall is also 27 years old and is from Yuta, CA. Her favorite designers include Rodarte, Maison Martin Margiela, and Zac Posen. Leanne's fashion must is a plain white or gray t-shirt. Her Bravo designer bio says...
"This Portland native first got her itch for design at the early age of 12, after designing ballet costumes. A graduate from FIDM in San Francisco, Leanne was the recipient of the Levis/Dockers Fashion Designer of Tomorrow scholarship. Much of her designs are influenced by her five-plus years as a graphic designer and can be described as innovative, structural and sophisticated, resulting in a style that's unquestionably her own. Her feverish appetite for fashion and creation probably lent a hand in naming her line "Leanimal," currently being sold in Portland, New York, and Seattle."
Scholarships, accolades, fashion weeks and acceptance into an advanced study program. These ladies aren't messing around, so watch out, designers!
Project Runway's Fifth Season premieres this Wednesday, July 16th at 9/8c with an episode aptly named "Let's Start from the Beginning." This episode boasts Austin Scarlett, a finalist from season 1, as the guest judge.
Stay tuned for weekly Project Runway blog posts and Watch What Happens!
-- Alaythia