Running with Scissors

Project Runway, the reality television juggernaut that made Tim Gunn a star and took him from academia to the house of Claiborne just began its fifth season and as has been the case in most years, Otis has an alum in the mix.

Emily Brandle ('02) is one of 16 contestants vying for success in the weekly fashion challenges that eventually will land one designer $100,000 worth of seed money for their own line, a spot in ELLE magazine and all manner of fashion 'cred and web fame.

I think one mis-conception that some folks have about the series is that the contestants are new to the fashion industry. Sure you have the "self taught" entrants but most are grads of respected fashion programs and many have already achieved some level of notoriety in the field.

Brandle is no exception. Along with fellow alum Michelle Chaplin she designs under her own label Smoke and Mirrors and the blog Racked LA lists several of the other people and labels she has worked for including Jeremy Scott, Rozae Nichols and DKNY.

The show airs on Bravo Wednesdays at 9PM EST. Brandle has made it past the first challenge so tune in for the rest of the season to see how she does!

*image of Emily Brandle from BravoTV website episode 1 photo gallery, click on the image to see the rest of the gallery.