Project Runway - Come and get me!

I still remember watching “Project Runway’s” very first episode in December of 2004. I was absolutely drawn to the show because of my love of fashion. I was living in NYC, had just left my full-time job at Donna Karan after having my first son William, and just needed to be around fashion -- even if it just meant watching it on TV.

I've never had the talent to design or sketch.  My very first job out of college was working as Donna Karan's personal assistant, and I used to be blown away when I would see Donna's sketches. I couldn't even fathom where she found the inspiration and the creativity to design such amazing clothing... first on paper. It was thrilling to see and be around. I loved it. When I was interviewing for that very position, I remember telling the Human Resources woman at the time, "I will pick up paper clips off the floor, I just want to be here and be around this." Fortunately, I didn't have to do that, but I would have. Being in that fashion atmosphere was contagious. And watching it on TV through “Project Runway,” it's just as contagious. Fashion can be what you want it to be... it can be subtle, romantic, edgy, bold, sexy, chic, trendy and wild. It's anything and everything, and a “Project Runway” show really brings that to life.

That's what appealed to me immediately about “Project Runway.” The show focuses on fashion design. You quite literally must have that something, that raw talent to be able to even compete on the show. You need to be able to pull ideas and draw from inspiration and be creative enough to design a fashion line (each week!) with a small budget. It's the weekly challenges that leave me speechless. I mean, each contestant comes to the table with his/her own personal style and design, so the show's "wow factor" for me has always been seeing this personal piece of each translate to face challenges. And not to be forgotten is that the designers are not allowed to bring any of their pattern books with them. Everything has to be off the cuff, so to speak, and from memory, imagination and creativity. When you think of the show from that very angle, you truly begin to appreciate the talent of each competing designer. Imagine. Sketch. Create. Fit the model. Runway it. They do it all. It's such an amazing opportunity and platform for all the designers to showcase their love, talent and skills for fashion.

Jay McCarroll. Chloe Dao. Jeffrey Sebelia. Christian Siriano. Leanne Marshall. Each of these designers has made a mark on the fashion world through Project Runway. Watching each of them perform the final challenge -- which was to create a complete collection in 12 weeks with only $8000 -- viewers truly got to see why these lucky 5 were chosen as Project Runway winners. My absolute favorite designer from Project Runway is Christian Siriano. I love him! Project Runway catapulted him and made him a household name. Christian's Fall 2009 Ready-To-Wear Collection is STUNNING. He's grown as a designer on Project Runway from creating fashions that were, maybe, not so wearable for someone like ME as a mom... to his latest collection in which I would wear all and everything. He brings ruffles (I love a good ruffle) and ruching into his Fall 2009 RTW collection and it's truly a home run. Gorgeous!

This is why I am so excited and pumped for the premiere of “Project Runway” Season 6 on August 20 at 10PM ET /PT on Lifetime! I'm actually counting down. Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn are exceptional hosts. “Project Runway” really captures their essence, beauty, appreciation and love of fashion. It is that central piece that connects everyone and everything, and they are fantastic bringing their own separate components and expertise to the table. And let's face it, who hasn't tried to mimic Tim Gunn's fabulous voice. (Please tell me I'm not the only one!) I even love tuning in just to see what Heidi Klum is wearing. I was pregnant the same time she was pregnant with her 2 sons, so it was always fun to tune in to her fashion sense and it really made me stay on top of my maternity-style A-game.

So have some fashion fun with “Project Runway.” See soon not-to-be-missed trends and styles created right on the show. Get to know the 16 designers and track and follow their progress and work. It's such a fun, relaxing show. Just the kind of show that is perfect to kick off towards the end of the summer as we make our way into Back to School. We'll fashion party “Project Runway” together! My

“Project Runway” winner prediction? Carol Hannah.