Project Runway: If losers are showing at NY Fashion Week, why are we watching?

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‘You’re out,’ trills Heidi Klum and we watch the rejected designer’s eyes shimmer like sequins, as the tears start. Well, guess what? Nina Garcia--with her perfectly tanned shins--and Michaels Kors (‘It looks farty!’) may be doing a burgeoning clothier a favor when they hand over a pink slip.

Two dumped designers from the current season--Elisa Jimenez and Victorya Hong--surfaced at NY Fashion Week and presented veritable shows. Maybe not at Bryant Park, but they still received coverage.

No matter how their shows are received, we now know that even the losers can claim the prize awarded to the so-called winner. (Project Runway promises the winners a chance to present their own collections at these very shows.) So why bother enduring all that crap as a contestant? If I was on Project Runway, I would send a dress made of bloody post-its down the runway and call it a day.

Jimenez’ presentation, right, was a unicornucopia of ethereal and diaphonous looks--of course. Hong, left, derived her inspiration from the ‘tuxedo’ and quite frankly, the show was anything but dramatic and standout. Another Project Runway alum, Malan Breton, showed too. He chose to have his models saunter down the runway with umbrellas. I like that idea, if you’re Michael Kors or Proenza Schouler. But when you’re a newbie, don’t distract from the clothes. ‘The Umbrellas of Cherbourg’ may be your inspiration, but show us the colors and whimsy in your design.

Who thinks Ricky is going DOWN tonight? Um, me.

photos: WireImage.