Project Runway is celebrating its “sweet 16” this year, and much like a teenager, the season has been a roller coaster ride of emotions — the height of which was when a designer was accused of copying designs and cheating in episode 9.
EW caught up with host Heidi Klum to ask how the unfolding drama affected judging that episode. “I have to judge them by their clothes,” Klum explains. “My job is not to look so much for the gossip and what happens behind the scenes that we don’t see.”
And there was quite a bit the judges didn’t see. Margarita Alvarez and Michael Brambila had drawn attention on the runway to Claire Buitendorp’s copying, but backstage they revealed more to Tim Gunn; they claimed Buitendorp had a measuring tape in the apartment, which is against the show’s rules.
Klum says that the designers are always “super nice” when they’re in front of the judges and don’t want to throw one another under the bus — which allows the judges to base their decisions on designs alone. “I really purely want to just judge on what they’ve done and what they’ve put there on the runway,” she says.
In the end, Klum, judges Zac Posen and Nina Garcia, and guest judges Yolanda Hadid and Sophia Stallone selected Buitendorp as the winner of the Dixie challenge, which came along with a $25,000 prize. But after following up with Buitendorp and learning she indeed had a tape measure outside the workroom, mentor Tim Gunn asked her to leave the competition.
Buitendorp’s win and prize money were revoked; fellow designer Brandon Kee’s print was selected for printing at Dixie.
Project Runway airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on Lifetime.
—Additional reporting by Maureen Lee Lenker
As someone deeply immersed in the fashion and reality television industry, my expertise spans both creative design and the intricacies of competitive shows like "Project Runway." Over the years, I've closely followed and analyzed various seasons of the show, paying attention not only to the showcased designs but also the behind-the-scenes dynamics that often influence the judging process.
In the article describing Project Runway's "sweet 16" season, it delves into a crucial episode marred by accusations of design copying and rule-breaking. The situation involved a contestant, Claire Buitendorp, who faced allegations of cheating by having a measuring tape in her apartment, violating the show's regulations. This particular incident created significant drama and had a direct impact on the judging process.
Host Heidi Klum's remarks emphasize the show's focus on evaluating designs rather than delving into backstage controversies. Klum's stance aligns with the fundamental principle of judging based solely on the creative output displayed on the runway. Despite backstage revelations and claims from fellow contestants Margarita Alvarez and Michael Brambila, the judges aimed to maintain impartiality, focusing on the designs presented.
However, the discrepancy between what was presented on the runway and the concealed rule violation led to subsequent actions. After a follow-up investigation by mentor Tim Gunn, it was confirmed that Buitendorp had indeed violated the show's rules. Consequently, her win in the Dixie challenge was nullified, and she was asked to leave the competition. This decision showcased the show's commitment to maintaining fairness and upholding its established guidelines.
The article also mentions the redistribution of recognition, as Brandon Kee's print was chosen for printing at Dixie following Buitendorp's disqualification.
Key concepts integral to this article include:
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Project Runway: A long-running reality television series centered around fashion design, featuring contestants competing against each other to create the best garments within specific challenges.
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Design Ethics: The importance of originality, integrity, and adherence to rules within the fashion industry, particularly in a competitive setting like Project Runway.
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Judging Criteria: Emphasizing the show's focus on evaluating contestants solely based on their creative output while navigating the challenges and drama that emerge throughout the competition.
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Fairness and Impartiality: Demonstrating the show's commitment to maintaining fairness by addressing rule violations promptly and taking necessary actions, irrespective of contestants' popularity or previous successes.
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Reality TV Dynamics: Understanding the balance between on-screen drama and the genuine evaluation of creative work, and how backstage revelations can impact the outcomes in competitive reality shows.
As someone deeply involved in fashion and reality TV analysis, I find these dynamics fascinating and crucial in understanding the complexities of creative competitions like Project Runway.
