Meet the Season 9 Project Runway Designers – Part 4

Posted on Jul 22, 2011 in Fashion

It’s too hot for an introduction! Hit it, fresh meat!

Bryce Black

When did you realize you had designer potential?
At a young age, I made dresses for my sister’s Barbies out of anything I could get my hands on, like toilet paper, old socks and denim scraps.
What’s influenced your designs over the years?
Always, hyperbolic super egos like comic book super villains, rock stars and eccentric fashionistas. Right now, the idea of a revolution or the shifting of power.
What celebrity would you like to design for?
Lady Gaga. I would design a dress that would be so overdesigned it would be offensive.
Why do you think you will win Project Runway?
I can win Project Runway because I can design anything.

Oh, good. A nerd to root for. But, as much as we enjoy the idea of offensively overdesigning something, we have two names for you, kid: Ari Fish and Blayne Walsh. Since the most likely response to that is “Who?” we’ll just reply with “Exactly.”

There’s a lot of drama to his work, which could keep the judges from getting bored, but Seth A’s right to point out that the “student” criticism will be made.

More info on Bryce here.

Kimberly Goldson

What is your design training?
I did attend FIT, but I majored in fashion merchandising management. My design training is self-taught with a lot of trial and error.
What’s influenced your designs over the years?
My structure aesthetic was heavily influenced early on by Oscar de la Renta. My mom has always been my inspiration. I look at pictures of her from the ’70s and marvel at her style. Now, as I’ve developed as a designer, I no longer am influenced solely by one designer or one thing.
Project Runway challenge you hope they bring back for your season?
I’d like to do a wedding dress challenge and a plant store challenge.
Why do you think you will win Project Runway?
I have creative design ideas with a fresh perspective. Also, I think I have the personality (fun, bubbly, tough when necessary, sensitive at times) to win the TV portion of the competition

See? Now there’s a girl who understands the whole point: “I think I have the personality to win the TV portion of the competition.” Brilliance. How refreshing to see someone be so upfront about it. Next year they’ll be openly complaining about their lack of camera time.

She’s very sweet, we’ll give her that. Her point of view looks a bit narrow, but one major thing in her favor is that a lot of her stuff is right on trend and Nina’s gonna love that, so long as she doesn’t rip anyone off.

More info on Kimberly here.

Julie Tierney

When did you realize you had designer potential?
After my Intro. to Accessories Class at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD).
What’s influenced your designs over the years?
Snowboarding and skiing influence my work all the time. Also, after becoming an equestrian, that started influencing my work.
What is a fashion must?
Contrast zippers.
Why do you think you will win Project Runway?
I have a strong style that has a point of view. It makes sense, and is not like everything else. I’m a competitor and used to competing in a variety of things.

Ooooh! THIS one’s gonna be sassy and in everyone’s face, we can just smell it!

We are SO not feeling the Mexican blanket aesthetic. Seth A seemed to be dancing around how ill-suited her work seemed for the show, but somehow she got in. Nina is NOT going to be kind.

More info on Julie here.

[Photo/Q&A/Video Credit: myLifetime.com]

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Project Runway Season 9

Rand Ortega

Hell, I can drive 20 minutes to Mexico, but a crap load of serapes & drape ‘em around a model. If that’s all she’s got, I’m not even going to bother to remember her name.
There. Already forgotten.
- Anonymous
  
  I agree. And that 3rd pic-it looks like she tied the feet of 2 sport socks together and wrapped it around the model’s neck.
  - Rand Ortega
    
    LOL!
    I was so over her by the 2nd pic I didn’t even notice that!Apparently my brother was designer when he was 14 coming home from gym class!
    - Anonymous
      
      Yeah, those were pretty ugly clothes. And that poofy jacket will make anyone but a model look like the Michelin Man.
- Anonymous
  
  They forgot another name: Ping Wu
Anonymous

one legged jeans? would anyone wear that? Creative only for the sake of being creative will not get Bryce very far. Kimberly seems like she is best prepared for the competition.
Anonymous

Julie kinda looks like Wendy Pepper’s daughter. And her clothes are less than interesting. They look like what Bryce might have done as a 5 year old to his sister’s Barbie. I bet she’s first to go.
Judy_J

Two reasons to not be excited about Julie: Mexican serapes and contrast zippers. I like Kimberly’s designs…the pinstripe dress really caught my eye. Bryce is cute, but drama will only get you so far. Hope he’s not a one-trick pony.
Anonymous

Don’t know that I’m too excited about any of the new crop so far…but I’ve been enjoying the bluesy “There’ll be judgement in the morning” promos. Sadistic Heidi with a gigantic pair of scissors and “you’re gonna reap for what you sew.” Cute, cute.

Of these three, Bryce looks most promising. Hopefully he’d reserve the really offensively overdesigned for Lady Gaga herself, and on the off chance they get to design for her, we’d expect no less. An unconventional materials challenge for LG might be fun, but probably dangerous for the models to wear….
Anonymous

I like Kimberly. I have a feeling she is going to be one of the more talented/ quiet, sane ones to temper some of the cra-cra I can smell coming down the pipe from the other designers.
scottyf

I desperately want to root for a sistah, but I’m getting a STRONG Qristyl (god, the way she spelled her name gave me the downright willies!) vibe from Kimberly’s designs. They’re both from Brooklyn and her style sense unfortunately reminds me of Qristyl’s aesthetic–which honestly (and I don’t make these kinds of statements often) made me feel like I drank milk two weeks after the expiration date every time one of her garments hit the runway.

Kimberly seems however to have a lovely personality and an intelligent, clear head on her shoulders. Prove me wrong Miss Gurl: kick out some fierce fashion!
- Anonymous
  
  I don’t know, I’m not getting a Qristyl vibe. I don’t really care for the clothes, and some are a little sparkly for my taste, but she seems to have a good head on her shoulders. I’m not saying the others don’t, but she can name an actual designer! And as soulbrothers TLo pointed out, she’s on trend and understands that being telekinetic (poetically speaking) is all part of it.
- MilaXX
  
  Nah, Qristyl and her obnoxiously spelled name gave off a MonifC vibe to me and as much as I want to root for a designer who can do plus sized fashions, I hate their clothing.
  
  Kimberly appears to have a bit more fashion sense than that.
- scottyf
  
  I dunno y’all
  
  When I saw the outfit she’s wearing in her profile pic, I immediately thought of Ms. Q’s (I can’t bear to spell her name again) garment for the first challenge: shiny fabrics, a mishmash of design elements and bold colors. I’m not saying Kimberly’s work is as garish as ~~she who cannot spell~~ Ms. Frazier’s, but I’m getting a similar (and I HATE using this stereotypical term–but it seems appropriate) ghetto fabulous vibe from her designs. Ms. Goldson’s work is much better tailored and executed, but I still get whiffs of Ms. ~~all talk and no action~~ F.
  
  Maybe I’m reading too much into one or two garments. Guess we’ll see.
MilaXX

Bryce Black – Yup, he seems as clueless and precious as Ari Flash. Kimberly Goldson – As much as I hate the outfit she’s wearing in her promo shot. I like her stuff and she seems to “get’ what you need to do to be successful on this show.Julie Tierney – Uh-oh, “speak my mind” is often code for ‘telling like it is” or “I’m gonna be obnoxious about my POV.” Hate the blanket theme of her work and I hope that her citing contrast zippers as a must have doesn’t mean another season of ass zippers.
- Anonymous
  
  YES! About the ass zippers. Dear God, we cannot take another season of those!
Anonymous

I’m calling it right now: Kimberly Goldson will win (or at least make the finals).

Maybe it’s just the 102º temps, but Julie’s blanket aesthetic is just a no. They look like costumes for some old Mexican cowboy movie.

–GothamTomato
- Anonymous
  
  You might be right. Go Brooklyn.
- http://profiles.google.com/dchockeyguy Trevor Burroughs
  
  It’s not the temp. That blanket aesthetic is a “no” without a doubt.
- Anonymous
  
  I keep expecting to see Clint Eastwood in a serape from one of his awful western movies.
Anonymous

TLo said (re Kimberly): “How refreshing to see someone be so upfront about it. ”

But, also, how refreshing that she mentioned Oscar de la Renta. I think she’s the first to mention a designer as inspiration or influence.
- Lori B
  
  I’m sure you know this but in case you don’t, the full interviews and portfolios are on the Lifetime web site. They all have to name favorite designers, inspirations, even favorite PR designer. Stella was someone’s. Cindy Crawford was someone’s muse model. Julie said Chelsea Handler is her dream celebrity. And Bryce is verrrrrry into those one-legged jeans.
Anonymous

One-legged jeans? is he fucking kidding me? I would love to see a model walking in those. Probably like a tight skirt, but wow…
Anonymous

Julie, sadly, struck me immediately as the next (Oh My G–I’ve truly forgotten her name!!!) Gretchen, that’s it, only with color. And she’s from Colorado, but that’s probably not a saving grace. I’m at work so I couldn’t listen to the audio but the look on her face makes me think SA really ripped into her. These other two??? Meh.
Anonymous

I’m SO feeling the Mexican blanket aesthetic! I love it!
http://visceralresponse.com Dina dV

Bryce gets points for not being a low-flow granola cruncher with bad posture from Portland, but really, the greatest criticism of his clothes came from the guy who’s not Seth Aaron. “A one-legged…jean (deeply pregnant pause).”

What more can you say when someone sincerely designs a one-legged jean and points out that he has no fit issues on the half of the ass missing a pant leg?

As for Julie? Someone has to be the first one out.
- Anonymous
  
  “A one legged jean……” is my mantra for the new season. Perfect comment, delivered in a perfect tone of amused “whatthefuck!” ery.
Anonymous

I think the judges’ reaction to Bryce’s “one-legged jeans” says it all about his chances.
Anonymous

Julie. Girl is throwing an awful lot of attitude for someone who shows up at her PR audition in a cheesey, machine-embroidered hoodie. She is giving off a Wendy Pepper/Gretchen Whatever-her-name-was vibe that is chilling my blood. (So, given the temperature today, thank you!)

Bryce is so sweet and earnest–he’s really got that “This is my aesthetic…. Here is my metallic jumpsuit” thing going on. Kind of endearing, but I think he’ll be gone early. Nina will eat him for lunch.

Now, Ms. Kimberly–there’s some competition for everyone. She seems centered and composed and…yikes!…talented. But she’s going to have to let herself run a little wild if she hopes to win.
Anonymous

I had a Mexican blanket just like the one in the first photo that I used as a seat cover in my beat up old pickup. I think they’re pretty, but probably made more sense on the bench seat of my truck.
- Anonymous
  
  Yeah, she said she was into horses and all I can see are western style saddleblankets. What’s worse, I can practically smell them. (Had horses myself and love them, but dirty sweaty saddleblankets – not so much.)
http://profiles.google.com/sara.e.munoz Sara Munoz

Well….. someone’s gotta go home first.
Anonymous

ONE LEGGED JEANS!
- margaret meyers
  
  I know. You could see it wasn’t going over with “the board.”
Anonymous

Contrast zippers are a must? Not in my world!
Anonymous

Bryce: I like some of his ideas and he definitely has some drama to his work, but watching the video there was a little inner Tim Gunn voice saying “student work”, even before Seth Aaron used the word.

Kimberly: I like her work, for the most part, though it does seem a little narrow. I suspect she might overuse specific details and design elements in the course of the competition, which will work against her.

Oh, and it is refreshingly honest for her to treat it as a TV show, though I suppose it’s inevitable with the show being quite established now.

Julie: Okay, I am not a fan of the aesthetic (and how!), but I can see something to it, there is something fascinating about it – or maybe I’m just so confused by it that I think there must be some substance to it.

Having seen her home visit and closet tour, though, she’s quite funny, so she has that going for her.
Anonymous

FYI, I just saw on Tim Gunn’s FB page / video post of 07/22 that they are going to auf 4 designers at the beginning of the first episode. I assume one more will go at the end of the episode. There goes 25% of the cast right there!
http://profiles.google.com/shannonlstewart Shannon Stewart

Well, Julie seems well-posed to be my least favorite of the season — contrast zippers? active wear inspiration? This does not sound appealing to me… And then the ugly blanket looks on top of it? Oh yeah, I’m pretty sure I’m gonna hate her.
Anonymous

FYI, I just saw on Tim Gunn’s FB page / video post of 07/22 that they are going to auf 4 designers at the beginning of the first episode. I assume one more will go at the end of the episode. There goes 25% of the cast right there!
- Anonymous
  
  Oooh, now that’s interesting. I’ve actually wondered if they would pull some high drama fashion hijinks with the first episode. There are just way too many designers and too broad of a range this season. Looking forward to the first episode.
Anonymous

I think Kimberly will be one to watch. I like the pieces she showed, but when she turned the dress around and I saw that zipper… well, a very loud “NOOOOOOOOO” is now hanging over the Upper East Side.

Julie’s is a point of view that I don’t think has been seen previously on PR. I’m interested in seeing what she can do, but honestly, I don’t think she’l get very far.
- http://pulse.yahoo.com/_OSYAJATXUH3QX7ZDDF52GXG4PU Janie R
  
  Her stuff reminds me of Gretchen’s.
Eclectic Mayhem

So, here I am, currently spending my days redecorating our townhouse (and attempting to keep two small Mayhem boys away from wet paint with limited success) and I constantly have a little ticklish frisson of excitement in my stomach that I only get when Project Runway is on the radar.

*sigh* So much for my fit of pique last season, it looks like I will be watching again. For the moment, however, we’re stuck in a hotel room – sans the Lifetime channel – and all our stuff is still in San Diego so even when the house is habitable again we’ll still be here, in a hotel, sans Lifetime.

Oh the irony…

Eclectic

PS Can’t watch the videos for this lot as apparently everyone else is using the hotels wifi. So I will reserve my judgement on these three. Except for the last lass – sheesh!
Anonymous

Does anyone know more biographical scoop on Kimberly? At first it said White Plains, MD, under her pic, which is ONE TOWN OVER from me so I was excited for a homegirl, but then her bio said Brookly, NY, and she talks about living in NY, but then her at-home visit video opens with the Bowie water tower, which is ONE COUNTY over from me so I could still be excited for a homegirl … Google was not helping. Sigh, it’s not really important but I want to root for someone I possibly could have stood in line next to at Target!
Anonymous

She got in because her stuff is such a contrast to the rest of the cast.
She’ll be gone by week 3.
Anonymous

She got in because her stuff is such a contrast to the rest of the cast.
She’ll be gone by week 3.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_6YKBGSJPVAK3AG44ASGX5UMMB4 Em Web

Ooh I am definitely rooting for Bryce and Kimberly this season. I like them and their interviews. Hopefully the first ep. goes well!

Also, Seth Aaron seems pissed off in all of these.
- Anonymous
  
  Yeah, I thought Seth Aaron seemed a bit annoyed or running out of patience, too.
http://twitter.com/ShelfAfterlife Shelf Afterlife

Julie seems interesting & all, but her stuff looks…I dunno, weirdo, Gretchen-y wack-a-doo ugly stuff I’d never wear, EVER.
http://profiles.google.com/trashilove { edi } ilovetrash

as per:
it may be a runway show but, so help me, most of it is horribly unattractive. my first reaction was oy vey, those blankets–which seems about right. wait, my first reaction was actually she thinks contrasting zippers are a necessary & original design element? oy vey, those zippers.

i wish she were better cos she seems almost nice. then again, perhaps they wanted her cos she was willing to immediately dish, designer to designer, if you will, re catherine malandrino.

the uptop guy w/ the always expendable gaga fixation may do better work than it seems. then again: stretch denim w/ feathers.

i’m afraid i couldnt get the middle tape to load & i dont wanna guess from what shows up as stills cos, oh heavens, that stuff is h o r r i b l e.
Anonymous

I think the one legged jean was Mr. Black’s best piece. I would like to see it on a model. It’s a long tube skirt made to look like a jean leg, right?
Miss Goldson has some nice pieces but they are, I agree, too similar to each other. I have the feeling that some of these designers only have a 3 or 4 piece body of work.
Miss Tierney made terrible choice when it came to her own wardrobe for the photo shoot. Her collection is also very narrow. But I like that she used silhouettes that got away from the body. She should have shown some in solid colors at least.
- http://profiles.google.com/trashilove { edi } ilovetrash
  
  is it really a skirt? cos that could be interesting. i am afraid i couldnt see it very well; tho my monitor is big, the video was little. i only heard the description & thought, you know, that has gotta be one of the silliest things ever. but if it’s a skirt he renamed it could be different.
Anonymous

First impressions:
Bryce–kudos for being the first designer with a cat and not a dog. I don’t like his clothes personally. I think he’ll get the first “taste issues” mention on the runway.
Kimberly–I want to be her new best friend. Honestly, she seems like a wonderful person. I did find it funny that the home visit video mid-point still on her page caught her in the “birthing chair. Poor dear. I see shades of Leanne’s noodle love in her clothes. I think I need to see more. I do not like peplums though and think she’s behind the times and not in a particularly good way. A jean jacket with a cocktail dress? 1994. I hope she can modernize it, at least.
Julie–Southwestern Ping! I think she’s probably got the fashion taste as far beyond mine as can possibly be. A Megadeath t-shirt with clear plastic heels for a first date? YIKES. I do think she’ll pick fights too. So she may be interesting to watch and I think they may keep her around for drama, but she’ll leave mid-way through.
- Anonymous
  
  Kimberly is growing on me too. She cracked me up in the home video how she would say “I chill”. Again, I am getting a voice of reason, non drama queen vibe.
Anonymous

I’m rooting for Kimberly. She has the right attitude about this being a game show, and I hope she shows growth throughout the season.
http://twitter.com/boricuaintexas Ingrid

Ugh, those re-purposed serape fashions are ugly.
Anonymous

I admire you for having something to say about each designer, T Lo. I think I have designer fatigue already, and the show hasn’t even started yet.
Amanda in Austin

Mexican blankets?!? Oof.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_FBWVL3ODP4ALKHBY24G6HVXS2I Chris

New poster, long time lurker here. And I’m sure I’m going to get some hate here, but I don’t see why Julie is getting so much hate. She’s something refreshing compared to the types of designers we’ve had over the past few seasons. She’s the only one out of all these designers whose sparked even an ounce of interest in me. On top of that she seems like not only a real person, but I also get that Amy Poehler vibe, which is amazing. She has a vision and an aesthetic, and that’s a wonderful thing to have. Of course I’m not sure if she’d get too far, though I can always hope. Regardless, the only ones I see near the end are Becky, David, Danielle, Laura Kathleen or whatever her name is, maybe Mr. Crazy Shoes, and possibly Bert. And I want Julie there. But who knows. To each their own.

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Meet the Season 9 Project Runway Designers – Part 4

Bryce Black

Kimberly Goldson

Julie Tierney

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