In its fifth and final season for Bravo, Project Runway premieres this week with a whole new slew of wannabe designers ready to live out their wildest fashion fantasies. We figured the best people to talk to about this undoubtedly benchmark season are two guys who seem to know it best–Tom Fitzgerald and Lorenzo Marquez of noted fan blog “Project Rungay.” Not only does the pair extensively blog about every style that goes down the runway (don’t get too comfy in those judging chairs Nina Garcia and Michael Kors), but they also keep fans updated on any and all Project Runway mumblings during the season. Project Rungay doesn’t take a break when the series does, Tom and Lorenzo (they write together as “TLo”) update the blog almost daily with news and correspondence from past contestants and judges, exclusive contests for PR swag, and their own “in or out” observations on celebrity fashion. Read on to find out their opinions on Runway’s Season 5, the show’s move to Lifetime, and what to wear what NOT to wear this summer. Give your own opinions on Project Rungay here.

Q: In any other context this would sound creepy, but what are you wearing right now?
Oh, so it’s gonna be THAT kind of interview, is it? We’re gonna wind up killing our image by admitting this, but we are currently sporting shorts, t-shirts and flip-flops. Hey, blogging is hard work and you have to dress comfortably.

Q: Was it one episode, or one personality that began your initial blogging romance with Project Runway?
Oh, one personality, definitely. That juggernaut of fabulosity and attitude, Miss Laura Bennett. Truth be told, it was the vintage Louis Vuitton that hooked us, but then it turned out she’s a fantastic designer and a hoot to boot.

Q: Do you watch many reality shows? What makes Project Runway different from other competition reality shows?
Define “many.” We tend to check out all the reality shows on Bravo at least once, but we’ve only ever become fans of PR, Top Design and Shear Genius with Top Chef getting an honorable mention. As for other networks, we don’t watch American Idol but we can admit we have a guilty pleasure in The Biggest Loser. Yes, yes, it’s inspirational but really, we tune in to watch fat people cry.

Q: If you could create a challenge to be aired on the show, what would it entail?
Drag queens. And lots of them.

Q: What mistakes do you think that real men and women make with everyday fashion?
It all boils down to one mistake: not knowing their bodies and what looks good on them. Sometimes that means not dressing age appropriately but more commonly, it means not wearing the right sizes and colors.

Q: Have you ever been confronted by a celebrity that you have blogged about? (Perhaps “Frau Seal” [Heidi Klum]?)
Darling, this may come as something of a shock to you, but blogging isn’t generally all that glamorous. Fabulous as we are, we don’t tend to run in the same circles as celebrities. Unless you’re talking about reality show “celebrities,” in which case they just refuse to have their pictures taken with us.

Q: As you’ve blogged about, Project Runway is going through a lot of changes next season. How do you feel about the show’s move to Lifetime? How do you think the Season 6 contestants’ experience will change by being in LA instead of New York?
We’re…wary about the Lifetime deal. We won’t make a lot of doom and gloom predictions, but there’s a major demographic shift when you move from a network like Bravo to one like Lifetime and with that shift, inevitable concessions will come. It remains to be seen what, if anything will change about the show once it’s in L.A. We’re dreading one dreary red carpet challenge after another.

Q: Which coast has better style, east or west?
East. Definitely.

Q: What TV show or TV character do you think has the best style?
Pushing Daisies looks like nothing else on TV but for sheer visual orgasmia, we have to go with Mad Men. Bullet bras and skinny ties are HOT.

Q: What did you think of the Christian Siriano-designed outfits that Whoopi Goldberg wore to the Tony awards?
Sloppy looking, but better than almost anything the Whoopster’s worn in public.

Q: What are your competitor blogs? Who do you aspire to be like?
It’s all one big, happy blogging pool. The water’s fine and all are welcome. There’s no such thing as competitors in blogging. As for who we aspire to be like, we’re not ashamed to admit that we learned a lot from the Fug Girls. They showed us how to be bitchy without being nasty.

Q: What are your thoughts on Michelle and Barack Obama’s fashion? How about Cindy and John McCain? Bill and Hilary Clinton?
To be honest, we haven’t thought about it much. Too much emphasis is put on style in the political arena. They all dress appropriately for themselves and the circles in which they travel. They’re politicians (and co-politicians). So long as they’re well-presented and not showing up in an “I’m With Stupid” t-shirt, it’s all good.

Q: Who are the biggest divas in the fashion world right now?
Miss Karl Lagerfeld. Although she was a bigger diva when she was fat. We miss the fan.

Q: What do you think Ellen Degeneres and Portia de Rossi should wear to their wedding?
Whatever flatters them and makes them feel comfortable. But no tuxes. Or sneakers.

Q: What styles are in and out for summer? (Or, should we really toss our cargo shorts and wedged espadrilles?)
You can probably still get some wear out of the espadrilles, but the cargo shorts and the capris need to go. A walking short is more flattering than the capris, which gives even the slimmest women cankles and the cargo is just so OVER.

Check out a preview of Season 5 here.

5 Responses to “Project Rungay Make It Work”

  1. Gorgeous Things Says:

    “A walking short is more flattering than the capris, which gives even the slimmest women cankles”

    Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!!!! I have never liked capris. Capris make me look like I have piano legs - and I have good gams.

  2. Runway LOVA Says:

    I absolutely love how H!N is able to get all of my favorite Bloggers to comment on pop culture issues! As an avid fan of Project RunGAY I was thrilled to see that two of my favorite sites were able to join forces for one FIERCE interview.

    aufheizen,

    Marcus

  3. sixgables Says:

    I run with the car-line and swim-team set and I swear if I see another pair of cargo capris I will kill a kitten. Love ya, boys. Having PR and Shear Genius at the same time is just an embarrassment of riches.

  4. EMMA P Says:

    TLo.
    Don’t EVAH shut up!
    What fresh & honest commentary! Rungay is my 1st & still favorite blog! Pls tell me what’s it gonna take to get you guys a show on Bravo? Sandwich board? Streaking? I’ll do it!
    Love you guys!

  5. Sewing Siren Says:

    In future interviews I would like to know the name(s) of your cat(s) and if you were ever spanked by a nun.

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