'Project Runway': Bravo announces 'Project Runway' season five cast members and guest judges

"Project Runway" fans who enjoyed last seasons' guest judge appearances by Sarah Jessica Parker and Victoria Beckham will have a lot to look forward to during the fifth season, which premieres Wednesday.  Fashionistas such as Diane Von Furstenberg and Rachel Zoe are due to appear, as well as celebrities not exactly known for their role in the fashion world, like Sandra Bernhard, Apolo Ohno and LL Cool J.

Other than the plethora of luminaries, what sets this new season apart from the rest, according to host Heidi Klum, is the wide span of the contestants.

"We've got some truly talented, innovative and deeply creative designers this year, and I think it's fair to say, the most diverse -- everyone from a rocker chick who mostly works with leather to a more bohemian surfer boy -- and everything in between," Klum said in a news release. Among the contestants is Blayne, who has designed an athletic apparel line with Seattle Seahawks' running back Shaun Alexander; Daniel, who combines his love of science with his love of fashion; Jerrell, a former model; Korto, who hails from Liberia; and Stella, a former punk-rock makeup artist. 

The challenges this season draw upon real-life inspirations, such as entering the working world to current-event issues such as the green movement and the Olympics to more lighthearted topics such as the zodiac.

The 16 "Project Runway" contestants will be whittled down to the finalists who will show their lines in front of an audience of fashion industry movers and shakers at New York Fashion Week. As part of the winner's prize package, an editorial feature on the winning designer will run in an issue of Elle magazine, the winner will get $100,000 in seed money to start his or her own line and will have the opportunity to sell a fashion line on Bluefly.com. The winner also will get a 2009 Saturn VUE Hybrid.

May the best designer win, and may he or she have a catchphrase than can suitably replace season four winner Christian Siriano's "fierce!"

 

-- Claire Zulkey

(Photo courtesy Bravo)

Comments

[love_potion9]

hey ONTD bb! I can't check the site at work, but I remember you interviewing some Top Model girls! Lovely article, can't wait to see who becomes the new ONTD darling, hahahaha
xoxo
love_potion9

[Claire Zulkey]

thanks! If I get interviews this season I'll definitely keep everyone in the loop.