Bravo TV has debuted The Fashion Show, where 15 professional designers compete for a chance to win $125,000 and have their designs sold by retail. It was Nunn on One times three as judges Isaac Mizrahi, Kelly Rowland and Fern Mallis discussed the runway.
Windy City Times: Hello, everyone. It's Jerry from Windy City Times on the phone.
Isaac Mizrahi: Hi. You must be from Chicago. Oh, I love Chicago.
WCT: Congratulations on the new show. What makes The Fashion Show different than Project Runway?
IM: I don't even necessarily know that we were trying any—in any way to sort of like compete with "Project Runway," except for the fact that the show was sort of created by the producers of Bravo.
Fern Mallis: But like every other kinds of show on television, there are several doctor shows, lots of detective shows, lots of cop shows. You know there's room for lots of fashion shows, but this [ is ] "The Fashion Show." Also, what's it's done is you know it has a reference to Project Runway, because that's what people are familiar with in this genre, but it's made it modern and brought it up to speed for right now, in that each week there is a winner who has clothing made, and manufactured and sold on bravotv.com .
WCT: What's your take on local talent Kristen, from Orland Park, Ill.?
IM: Well, I mean what can we say about Kristin? I think the good thing about Kristin is she's really, really strong-willed, you know. I think no matter what we said to her it wouldn't matter. I think she's going to do exactly as she pleases you know going forward, which is I think really good, because you know that's sometimes the mark of talent is the ability to not listen to anyone. God knows that was the case in my case you know kind of like really digging in and believing in something that no one else does believe in. So I think that Kristin will benefit from her kind of obstinacy.
WCT: What was the hardest part about judging?
FM: Having to send somebody home all the time …
Kelly Rowland: Yes, that's it.
FM: … because they all wanted it so much and they all of them had something to offer, and if they all could continue to be nurtured and advised you know would all turn into good designers, we think.
IM: It's so funny you said that, Fern, because like usually when we would eliminate someone, I would say to myself, "God, if only that person could come back after learning what they learned from being eliminated they'd be the best competitor in the world, you know."
FM: Yes, it's almost like you know "I'm the Biggest Loser," when the people leave, and then they go home and they have to say on the diet by themselves, and then they come back and you see that they've been able to do it. You know …
IM: Or not, yes.
FM: … or not, but most of them really you know worked double hard at home and they wanted to come back at the finale and show that they've lost weight too you know. I mean, it's that element that, like you're saying Isaac, when they leave we wish we have a chance to see them doing something again at the end that they've taken all that advice and look now what they're doing better.
IM: Totally.
WCT: Kelly, it seemed like you were advising the designers for the everyday woman and not just supermodels.
KR: Oh, definitely. I think that every week when myself, Isaac and Fern were talking to these designers and letting them know you know whether it was the body shape that they were designing for, or the color that they should use, or you know even the way they basically present their clothes down the runway. We made sure that every single thing that we could possibly do to get them to better themselves, or to grow, or to even stay in the competition, we wanted to get that point across, and I think they got it. Some got it, some didn't.
WCT: Do you think being gay influences a designer, Isaac?
IM: Well, just because you're gay doesn't make you stylish or good at fashion. But it just so happens that a lot of men in the industry are homosexual. That's just like ballet dancers or like chefs a lot of times. I mean, that doesn't make it across the board like just because you're gay you're cute, or just because you're gay you're a good kisser. You know what I mean?
WCT: Yes. Did everyone get along as judges?
FM: We hate each other. We completely hate each other.
IM: Yes, exactly, we hate each other, but—you know we love each other.
FM: I was surprised at how often we did actually agree on things.
KR: We were a great balance for each other you know. I think that that's what's so interesting to watch on the show, as well.
WCT: Miss Kelly, I love your music. Are you coming on tour to Chicago any time soon?
KR: Not that I know of. Definitely when I know I'm going to be on tour, you'll be the first person to know.
For more information on The Fashion Show, visit www.BravoTV.com .
