Something that is not missed from the first season of Project Runway is the poorly lit, oddly edited, and very quick runway portion of the show. Considering the entire episode was only an hour (which lasted through Season 7), I can understand as much, but it does make assessing the garments and gathering screen-grabs pretty difficult. Interestingly enough, not every designer has a voice-over describing their creation as it hits the stage, though that would change soon.
One thing that is phenomenal about the first season is the models! Re-watching this episode, I was reminded how fantastic many of the models were in the first season, the energy they brought to the runway, and the personality they injected into their garments. Arguably, this season had the best crop of models ever (though Seasons 2 and 3 were pretty good too).
VANESSA
A great look to start a lineage of runway shows! While monochromatic and notably lacking crawfish (crayfish?), it is a striking use of texture, volume, and flirtatiousness. I love the high-waisted skirt, the mesh bodice, and the fascinator. A strong start.
My Scorecard: 4.5/5
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AUSTIN
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A triumph! Though the dress certainly looks shriveled, and probably lost a lot of its color due to dehydration, this is a perfect example of innovation from supermarket goods. One, if not the only, example of using commonly thought of grocery items and making it into clothing. Remember, this is also before the days of gluing crap to muslin. While the dress is a simple shape, the bodice weaving, and skirt texture elevate the peice to first Project Runway classic.
My Scorecard: 5/5
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WENDY
Not a good entry at all. While I get her inspiration of Carnival, it comes mostly from the Model's nakedness. Heidi's reaction sums it up well...
I'm not even sure this qualifies as a garment, but it arguably has a feeling, a look, so to speak... Perhaps not buying anything from the supermarket with actual yardage wasn't too great of a start.
My Scorecard: 1/5
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STARR
It's gaudy, it's over the top, it's kind of spectacularly kitschy. Totally overworked and eye-searing. The taste level is not there, but it is oddly quirky, that is something, right?\
My Scorecard: 2/5
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JAY
Kind of rocking. This is a great entry, and would be adored even more if it wasn't so foily. The garment is hip, young, and that shawl is killer. Jay's voice-over though is a little over-confident, essentially stating "if these people remotely have an eye for creativity, they won't eliminate me." Modest, no. Correct, yes.
My Scorecard: 3.5/5
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ROBERT
Robert sure was lucky to choose Melissa for this runway, as she elevates his ho-hum garment with her over-the-top sexy runway. While standing still, this look is boxy and unflattering, by twirling on stage and shaking her hips as much as possible, Melissa injects enough life into the look to make it appear somewhat appealing. Still, that crop top made of pita bread, while innovative in concept, is not flattering in the slightest. The hair curlers are an ... interesting ... styling choice.
My Scorecard: 2/5
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KARA SAUN
My Scorecard: 4.5/5
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KEVIN
I like it. It's not exactly innovating anything, as it looks just like a shower curtain, it seems well made, and is quite cute. The bodice bow is fetching, the shoulder straps are in the right place, and the right width, and the view from the back isn't bad either.
My Scorecard: 3/5
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NORA
Not a bad entry at all! This is an exciting dress, color, shape, and even innovation of materials. She somehow managed to make her lawn chair material fit the body in an hourglass form. I wish, however, it had as much visual interest from the back as it does the front.
My Scorecard: 3.5/5
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DANIEL
Poor, poor Daniel. He was all in on his garment, dancing around it on the form, comparing it to Picasso and DuChamp, when really, its an ugly, boxy, nothing. While it's seemingly well constructed, even finished (!), it does nothing for the model to make her look fashionable. It's aging, ill fitting, and accessorized terribly.
My Scorecard: 1/5
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ALEXANDRA
This isn't too much of a dress, and it isn't spectacularly innovative ... I mean, she used pantyhose and socks ... aren't those actual clothes to begin with? Still, the dress is young, appears to made well, and is very figure flatting (pantyhose as a prime material will do that.) Too bad the color is awful.
My Scorecard: 2.5/5
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MARIO
How nice for the first runway to end with a wedding gown. Too bad it's a simple, drab, and unimaginative gown at that. While he gets some credit for finishing his work the quickest, and claims to not compromise his art, the overall look is too basic and boring. It also looks overtly constricted at the chest, but perhaps fitting the actual model would have meant compromise.
My Scorecard 2/5
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With the runway show over, the judges bring out the top three and bottom three for further critique, which you already knew being a fan of the show. On top, Vanessa, Nora, and Austin. On bottom: Wendy, Starr, and Daniel. While these don't exactly mesh with my selections (I would have had Kara instead of Nora on top), it does show the judges adherence to the theme of Inspiration.
In the end, Austin wins, justifiably!
Way to go (from ten years ago), buddy!
And somehow, Wendy escapes the bottom two, which I blame on Guest Judge Patricia Field. Instead it is Daniel who is Auf'ed in the first episode ever.
Nevertheless, he leaves wishing viewers bliss and other platitudes, some of which he would get to spew again in the reunion special and even on Season 2. I would spoiler warning that, but really, it was ten years ago.
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