11/11/2007

in

15 Contestants Open the Hit Show Wednesday

Stacey Eisenberg

This Wednesday, the hit show "Project Runway" returns to the small screen for its fourth season on Bravo. Hosted by Heidi Klum and a panel of expert judges, including Tim Gunn -- who recently debuted his own fashion makeover show -- "Project Runway" has drawn a huge cult following presenting contestants with design challenge after challenge.  
  
Typically, the "Project Runway" premieres challenge the designer contestants, all from various backgrounds, to design a garment out of everyday objects. According to the Los Angeles Times, the fourth season opener takes a different path.  
  
Rather than having the contestants design from nothing, designers are offered a rich array of spectacular fabrics with which to create a first impression of their core design personalities.  
  
Los Angeles Times TV critic, Mary McNamara, is disappointed by the premiere's change in direction. She claims that this scenario produces predictable designs instead of the surprising outcomes that result from the usual opening challenge.  
  
This season begins with 15 contestants that Tim Gunn calls the "strongest group yet," according to the Mercury News. The always-diverse group features a multimedia artist, a costume designer, a model-turned-designer and an ex-biker. Gunn claims that any one of the talented mix could feasibly win the show.