PRINTCalling on Bravo’s couturiers
A career began at the runway’s end for these TV designers
Photo courtesy Bravo
Victoria’s Secret model Heidi Klum serves as host and judge on Project Runway. Who could be upset after a goodbye kiss from her?
November 30, 2006 | 12:00 a.m. CST
In fashion, either you’re in, or you’re out. And just as fashions come and go, so do contestants on Bravo’s hit Project Runway. During the show’s three seasons, contestants Daniel Franco, Santino Rice and Keith Michael were fan favorites as well as hot topics among gossipers.
Daniel Franco
Santino Rice
Keith Michael
Designing, cutting and sewing weren’t that simple for these outspoken contestants, whose TV debuts were surrounded with controversy and speculation. Each design challenge, from creating a dress out of plants to fabricating an outfit from household items, pushed the contestants to their limits and created sparks of competition. One by one, they were eliminated with a flick of host Heidi Klum’s hand, but they left behind a design room thick with tension
Controversies aside, these Runway alums have already established themselves on TV among celebrities and with other designers. Their styles will no longer catwalk down television runways every Wednesday, but these designers are still out in the fashion world trying to make a name for themselves. Although none of them was lucky enough to be the last designer standing, each has gone on to continue working in the fashion industry. Their TV appearances might have helped spark careers, but most were working in the fashion world before their Runway days. And they have continued to create fashions long after the cameras quit rolling.
Daniel Franco
As tough as it is to keep up with the fast-paced fashion world, Franco managed to grab a spot on the runway two seasons in a row. Although he was cut in the first season, he returned, ready for more late-night design frenzies, in the second. “I was thinking it was time for a little redemption,” Franco told USA Today.
As much as he yearned to prove himself, Franco was sent home after a mere four episodes. But he doesn’t seem to think he’s out of the spotlight yet. After being “auffed” for the second time, Franco began work on a collection for L.A.’s fashion week in March 2006. He is currently designing his own line and pitching a TV series, in which he would star, to various Hollywood producers. In addition, he is collaborating with Nike and Louis Vuitton to design potential men’s and women’s-wear lines for upcoming seasons.
Vox verdict:
Franco seems to think he’s ready for more small-screen fame, but his 15 minutes have, in fact, elapsed.
Santino Rice
His blunt comments and condescending attitude might have tempted viewers to strangle him with a tape measure, but no true Runway fan could deny the beauty and originality behind Missouri native Rice’s designs.
When contacted by Vox, Rice replied via e-mail, “I am extremely busy. In the past six months I’ve done about 15 ‘where are they now’ interviews.” He recently judged the Miss Universe Pageant, hosted St. Louis Magazine’s FEVER Fall Fashion Show and appeared with fellow designers Robert Best and Jeffrey Sebella (season three winner) on NBC’s The Megan Mullally Show. But fashion design still remains Rice’s No. 1 goal, and Rice helped to create MTV News host SuChin Pak’s dress for MTV’s 2006 Movie Awards. He is currently designing custom-made gowns and looking for an investor to back his ready-to-wear line.
Vox verdict:
Although Rice is too busy hosting and guest-starring on the show circuit to talk, he’s not A-list yet.
Keith Michael
When this season three contestant was found in possession of pattern-making books and he disappeared during production for several hours, Klum and other executives asked Michael to leave for violating the show’s rules. In an interview with Andy Cohen, Bravo TV’s senior vice president of production and programming, Michael insisted he was innocent. “I feel like there was a lack of integrity on behalf of the production,” he said. “I thought it was one-sided.” Before being dismissed, Michael expressed worry over what the incident would do to his image.
His TV career was short-lived, but his work as a designer continues. His freelance men’s designs can be found at boutiques in Los Angeles and Manhattan, and he was nominated by Sportswear International as a top newcomer in 2006.
Vox verdict:
Michael might be a little dramatic, but pattern books be damned — the man has work.
