Friday, February 03, 2006

Here We Are!

Ever wonder about the inmates here at the BPR Asylum? Is AJ a man or a woman? (She's a young woman named Adrienne.) Is Ourboydaniel really a boy named Daniel or a fan of Daniel V? Here is our chance to reveal all. You know enough about me. Laura K, happily married, mother of five. I teach sewing out of my house. Obsessed with Project Runway. That's about it. Now, how about you?

39 comments:

Kimmer said...

I'm Kim--constant reader, occasional poster, PR addict. Married, homescooling mom of two, really interested in hearing about teaching sewing from your home, though I know that isn't the point of your blog.

I also teach computers part time, am an avid digital scrapbooker, and really like sewing for my kids and neices and nephews.

grudge girl said...

Hey everyone! My actual name is Beth, I'm a married mom of three with 3 part-time/freelance jobs, including teaching literature at the college level, and freelance course writing for a textbook company.

I can't sew or design, but as a child I got hooked on my mom's Town & Country for the fashion photos, especially when they'd do these huge issues profiling runway shows around the world. I guess I just like looking at pretty and interesting clothes! I also like honest, tough competition, and marveling at really talented people like the designers on PR.

I also love the confidently fabulous and elegantly well-spoken, exemplified in our guru Tim Gunn. I like to fantasize that I'm even a fraction as cool.

AJ said...

Hooray, ask and you shall receive:) Thanks Laura!

As Laura mentioned, I'm Adrienne, female, 23 years old. I'm working at a job I hate and want to get back into something having to do with fashion.

I spent a year and half in design school, but to be blunt, I didn't have the vision to do it full time. So I switched into business, even though I should have done Design and Merchandising, because now I miss it! I'm job searching to try to find a career that's based around fashion or some other form of art.

I love Project Runway, because I love everything about fashion and a reality show about it...forget it, I'm there!

On another note, I just got my sewing machine back from a friend and am excited to see if I can remember any skills. I haven't sewn anything in about 4 years! Who knows, maybe my "vision" is back:)

LauraK said...

Mike, if you do get your friend to try out for next season - we could all follow along. It would give us someone to root for! Keep us posted.

Anonymous said...

I'm Gigi. I used to teach sewing and fit. These days I run my own embroidery business and write about sewing. I love designing and sewing and will blab about it to anyone who will listen. I also collect industrial machines and fabric. Is it any wonder I'm addicted to PR?

AlexG said...

I am Alexandria. I am a Psyhology professor at a New England university. I usually only lurk in this blog...but I LOVE IT!! And I love PR!!! I love Nick!!! I am totally useless with a needle and thread and I have no design talent.

The Scarlett said...

I'm Scarlett, obsessive reader, frequent poster, PR lover. Married mom of four with a BFA in graphic design. I used to design catalogs for a gift food retailer but at present I'm not working by choice. Instead I use my design skills to help my children's schools with their fundraising events.


Project Runway reminds me of the people I studied with in art school. It was so energizing to be in a room full of talented people with varying degrees of ego.

Anonymous said...

I am a 33 yr old female living in dallas, sometime blog poster , fanatic reader. I am a knitter and I used to sew so this show touches on my creative side that I don't always get to show in my daily work. I love beautiful clothes and I love watching anyone's process. And I don't feel guilty that I have hooked others as well on the greatness of PR.

Tbone said...

Tbone is actually Patrick, happily married 41-yo father of two living in DV's home state of Michigan. I can vouch for his description of the ultra-conservative West Michigan/Grand Rapids area, although I live in suburban Detroit. Like Chloe, I am the 6th of 8 kids, with 7 (!) sisters.

I have zero fashion backround but love seeing the creative process in action, which PR shows so well. I even have my wife(who hates TV)hooked!

I am a proud, founding member of the BPR insane asylum. I love the knowledgeable, funny community that LK has fostered here. I have learned so much from all of you!

Anonymous said...

I will stick with Philly as my name, but I am a 27 year old male who has a BFA in Design. I am currently an Art Director, but am moving onto a creative role in commercial spot advertising. I used to do modeling in NYC, which is what turned me into a clotheshorse. I love women's clothing style as much as the male side...hence, Project Runway.

Anonymous said...

I'm a college student majoring in architecture. Kara also majored in the same, so it's comforting to know my options are still wide open.

memee said...

I'm Ellen - recent film school graduate and obviously obsessed with PR2. I've never sewed much more than buttons but I can knit a pretty neat scarf. I'm also an artist on my own time so I love to watch the design process, but the drama is what got me hooked! :)

Katey said...

I'm Katey, 21-year old college student in Connecticut studying film and English. I know absolutely nothing about fashion, but I enjoy pretending I do. I had no idea Project Runway had so much power to take over my life!

eric3000 said...

Good idea Adrienne!

I'm Eric. I have a BA in fashion design but I really wasn't very good; in fact, one teacher only gave me a passing grade if I promised her I wouldn't actually become a fashion designer. I was more interested in the history of fashion. I could have gone into costume design but instead I got a graduate degree in art history. I worked in the fashion industry for a short while during graduate school but now now I'm an art historian, working as an editor on a research database.

I always hated reality shows because I can't stand watching people fight and they mostly seem so pointless but my boyfriend, who watches lots of reality television forced me to watch PR last season and he got me completely hooked!

So that's me: gay, living in Los Angeles, virtually married, no kids (but if anyone has any to spare, I'm happy to take one!)

Anonymous said...

JayKay said...
I'm Jayne...29 years old,engaged to Drew, first time poster, long time reader, Project Runway fanatic...
I have a degree in sports medicine and am currently working as an accountant for a company that sells fire fighting and rescue equipment. Confused? Yeah, me too...
I have NO sewing experience, I can't really follow recipes, and I've never been able to actually *make* something with my own hands...But I am SO fascinated with people who can. I LOVE shows like Iron Chef, Project Runway, American Chopper (where they make motorcyles), Trading Spaces, and Extreme Makeover Home Edition...I really enjoy seeing the finished product evolve out of seemingly random pieces of material.
My fiance thinks I am obsessed, but really, I'm just admire talented people who can make their vision into something tangable.

8:12 AM, February 03, 2006

Anonymous said...

Well, I'm Bettie Bloodshed. (My myspace name, the place that takes most of my soul) It is kind of interesting, because I am a mini celeberty on there. I'm a crappy speller, but I do try.

My real name is Lindsey. I'm a 21 year old college student studying Literature and Accounting. I make my own clothing at times, and I'm obsessed with fashion, music, and just asthetically pleasing things. I have various music projects everywhere, as well as a VERY fledgling clothing line. (It's basically just me making clothing and shirts by myself)

I love PR, not just for the fashion, but for the personalities as well. I am so happy that these contestants are genuinely nice. I converse with Daniel F now and again.

Anonymous said...

I'm a 33 year old single mom living in Kansas. Watched all of season one and haven't missed any of season two either!

My sewing experience consists of eighth grade home ec projects, but I could sew if I have a pattern to follow. My mom is/was a sewer. I still have some Easter dresses she made for me.

I have a question too. Does anyone know, or could anyone ask the designers [Laura K], what the model names of that Olympus digital camera and printing station might be? Thanks!

BG said...

Hi! I am a 33 year old mother of one and live in the southeastern part of the States. I am currently a graduate student in Information Sciences writing my thesis (focus is on homeland security and the role of information science). I also work at the research library at a national laboratory.

I totally love fashion and PR! Just recently became a fan. The show really does remind me of the graduate school experience in design - I also have an MFA in graphic design.

This blog is great! Thanks for doing an amazing job!!!

praddicted said...

Hi!-

I'm Kathy-I'm 52, work full time in a corporate setting and I love fashion. I sew a little, knit and am currently learning crochet so I can combine the two. I love fashion and have passed my obsession on to my 20 year old son, LOL!! I love the creative process-one of the reasons I love knitting and sewing is choosing patterns and materials and seeing the different results-I so wish I were that creative! I love Project Runway and find this blog to be a great forum with a terrific *Mom*, Laura K. I live in CT and am thinking of trying to skulk into the city and see what I can see!!

Carry on, bloggers!

Curly Glamour Girlie said...

Hi! Avid reader, sometime poster!

My name is Tiffany, a 30 year old married musician from Lawn Gisland NY - like the Scarlett I have a BFA in graphic design (which I use very little of in my database administration!) and PR reminds me of the studio atmosphere we had in college. The collaboration, the competition, it's hysterical to watch it all over again!

Coincidentally, my nemesis in design school had originally attened RISD before my college, my friends and I nicknamed her RISD-girl, so I was rooting real hard against Diana since that was her alma mater as well. I'm so rotten.

erin said...

I'm Erin - frequent show poster, avid reader, and PR addict. Oh, and I'm also a 24-yo Chicagoan working in media/advertising.

I cannot sew to save my life, but I have loved fashion ever since I was a small child (I used to try and do my own designs with limited artistic ability). I used to be a House of Style addict back in the heyday of Cindy Crawford, so I think that is what draws me to PR. I love watching the designers sketch, create, collaborate, and produce. I don't watch many reality shows, but this one hooked me with the creative challenges and hilarious, honest contestants.

JohnK said...

Yes John is John. I am 48 yo artist and I work with textiles. I wish Diana was still on the show. I sell antiques to make ends meet. My BF calls you all my imaginary friends. Laura I love this site.

Anonymous said...

I am a relatively infrequent poster but avid reader and watcher. It is interesting to watch the same episode multiple times and see what line might be in or out of a later rerun due to slight differences in air time for PR itself among the different viewings even if it is just a difference of seconds. I love seeing what is added or deleted in later viewings and trying to speculate on why that was chosen.

I am a 55 year old male who, even though gay, is not at all skilled in fashion design or in sewing. (How is that for stereotype?) I do know and love Broadway though and have imagined how the contestants would design costumes for certain musicals.

But as the resident gay guy in my office, I am known as the one who will wear "less conservative" outfits to work. Not as "over the top" as Santino's. But enough that some persons have said, "you are gay, aren't you?" Obviously, I loved the open discussion about Daniel coming out.

Sam said...

Hi everyone. Sam's my real name, I wasn't original enough to come up with something else. I'm a 40-something Dallasite. I never liked reality shows until Bravo got into the business, first with Boy Meets Boy (which I hated but watched every episode), then Queer Eye and now Project Runway. My boyfriend tells me I'm obsessed with the show and he's probably right. But every day he asks me "was there someting interesting on Blogging PR today?" He loves it that I know so inside scoop.
If Nick gets aufed, I may have to stop watching.

Plumbum said...

I'm Coral, I don't post here as much as i'd like to, but i'm an avid reader. I fell in love with the first season of PR, but I too watch most of the Bravo shows.

I'm a 20 year old college student going into graphic design, but I love sewing and crafting in general, which is why I loved this show (i'm hoping to maybe recreate some stuff they may have done for my little cousins). I'm my sewing machine's b***h, so i'm constantly on it.

Anonymous said...

Hi,

This is my first post. I discovered BPR a few weeks ago and now visit every day, multiple times a day. I watched most of PR1 and ALL of PR2. Even my husband is starting to watch with me, and that's a first!

Anyway, my name is Erika. I'm a 29-year old mother of one, have a Ph.D. in Genetics and am doing postdoctoral work at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Hence the alias SciMommy - my two identities in one word. I can't sew but when I was a kid, I loved "designing" and sketching women's clothes. What's funny is that one of my favorite things to design was outfits for figure skating. :) I'm getting majorly hooked on PR and after every challenge I try to think of what I would've designed. Maybe I should get a sewing machine and actually learn how to sew? Are there any good books to teach basic sewing techniques?

Anonymous said...

Wow, I read all your comments with much more respect for art and your creative backgrounds..

I am an English teacher with a MA in Tesl (teaching english as a second language) and a BA in Asian American Lit. so I have no background in fashion or the Arts.
But I love PR and can't seem to get enough of it on Wed. so I really appreciate this blog.

oh. and I am Japanese american.. so I really appreciate it when TV reveals the other sides of Asians like both Diane and Chloe.

Jan the Dan Fan said...

Hello, my name is Jan and I am a BPR addict. Found this site a few weeks ago while searching for anything about Daniel V, and now I'm hooked.

My mother is an artist and I grew up experimenting with all different types of art medium. The art room was always my favorite place to be, and now as an elementary art teacher, I get to be there almost everyday. I have THE best job.

I also have a ton of fun being a married mother of one. My husband and I still feel like we're playing "house" sometimes. Are we really adults now? Will we ever be?

As mentioned by others, I love watching PR to see the creative process and the studio time reminds me of my college art classes. Watching Daniel V is an added bonus this season!

Anonymous said...

I've never posted but since I've had a few emails back and forth with Laura I thought I should write something!

I'm a 20-year old art history student with an emphasis on costume history. Currently this translates to working with the opera and ballet on designing historical costumes. I design more than I sew so I'm trying to get better so that I can audition for PR! Ha!

Oh, and although everyone told me I would love it, I've never seen (gasp!) Season One! I will get caught up on the DVD one of these days.

Thanks for the fun site Laura and to everyone for the great reading!

PhillyKat said...

Hey, I'm a 30something female from Philadelphia who would love to move to Arizona or Nevada (LV area). I have a degree, but I don't use it. In other words, I despise my job.

I happened upon PR last season during a marathon before the final episode thank goodness. I can't draw, but it's never stopped me from doodling some designs. My sister went to design school, my mother used to make clothes for me, my aunt sews, and that all means I've been stuck with my fair share of stick pins.

I used to have my own domain and a blog that apparently became too big cuz my domain name was stolen. Currently, I post whatever comes to my twisty innards on a livejournal.

Anonymous said...

Denizen of the Mojave Desert. Transplant from LA film industry, where I was told (for real) "you'll never work in this town again!" ...

I love clothes, but haven't the money for the expensive stuff or the patience to sew my own. I'm of the modify-what-you-bought-at-the-thrift-store type of clotheshorse.

I love "things" and seeing how they're made.

-- desertwind

Robin said...

Hey--I'm Robin posting with the highly original name of Robin. Clever, no? I blog on Banter Basement. I'm a midwesterner recently transplanted to the Mid-Atlantic; living near Baltimore. The shift to the coast was not as big a cultural shift as you might imagine, which was certainly a surprise to me. I'm a speech pathologist working in the public schools. (A great field, I highly recommend it.)

I'm single, 45, and live with my identical twin sister. I aspire to be like one of those old lady moonshiner sisters on the Walton's tv show someday--calling my twin "Sister" in a quavery voice and being thought of by all as eccentric.

I still have not seen PR Season 1 because I discovered PR 2 first and now I'm saving it for when PR 2 is over. I fear the effects of cold turkey withdrawal.

I do watch quite a bit of reality television, but naturally, I think I watch the "good" ones as opposed to all the "bad" ones. Survivor, Amazing Race, PR, okay---Big Brother (but only because my sister watches it) and the 'Apprenti' as Randall would say, both Donald and Martha. In my younger days I watched MTV's the Real World but now it just annoys me. I guess I'm official old.

Lorraine said...

That's my real name. I'm an at-home mom of one 12 year old. My mother sewed all our clothes, including most of my Barbie outfits. I thought it was genetic. Until I tried to sew. Hate it. But love the Runway. Love watching every week with my neighbor and working on our Tim Gunn impersonations during commercial breaks. "Designers, gather 'round".

TiredMama said...

Ok, I'll do it. Hi, I'm Karishma and I'm a PR-aholic. 25 y/o engineer turned RN with not much in the way of fashion background (or fashion sense).

Caught Road to the Runway accidentally while channel surfing, and was hooked by the beautiful clothes on display.

Found this site linked from someone else's blog, and now compulsively check it dozens of times a day.

pdogshreds said...

Hi everyone! I'm a 39 yr old Texan gal living in California. Most days you'll find me on a mountain snowboarding (hence the "shreds" in my name)or consulting on high tech strategy but...every Wednesday night i'm jonesin' for the new BP episode.

Like Karishma, I stumbled onto PR's Season 2 season opener while bored one evening. Since I can barely sew a button, it wasn't the design work that caught my attention but, rather, I was enthralled by how the producers were able to capture the essence of daily human interaction without coating it with artifical drama or unrealistic conversations.

Found BPR through another site and was just as entralled with the manner in which Laura handles this "asylum" of folks. Hats off to Laura and all of you for the work you do to make this blogs one of the most informed and entertaining around.

Robin said...

Another Robin checking in (what was with Blogspot yesterday??) I am a nurse in Massachusetts. My mother was and still is a creative fabric/textile genius when I was growing up. I don't take after her, per se, but my new found interest (in the last 10 years or so) is directly from her. I have always been interested in fashion, but am anything but fashionable! I didn't watch PR_1, but look forward to buying it on DVD. I think that I identify and love Santino so much because I love embellishments...ruffles, ruching, ribbons, buttons, beads!

Anonymous said...

i'm bethanne, i'm obsessed with this show. i keep a music-themed blog - clever titles are so last summer - and i've been reading this blog since i found it while reading fourfour one day. i'm a secretary at my family's produce delivery business by day and by night, i hang out with bands and/or hang out in my apartment and watch cartoons - and project runway!

i have my college degree in english and i also love reading, art, and decoration. i'm also learning the guitar and like to go to shows and hang out with friends.

i read this blog several times a day, i comment rarely, but i just read a lot. :)

Phil said...

I'm Phil, a newcomer to Project Runway since the beginning of this season. Correction: I caught the final round of last season and regretted that I'd missed the whole first series. So, I made sure to watch PR2 from the beginning, and I'M LOVING IT!

I live in the 'burbs of Detroit (tbone, might we be neighbors?). While I'm in no way involved in fashion, I am an avid Banana Republic shopper. Too bad there wasn't a challenge to design for Banana's MALE customers!

H said...

I'm Jennie (oh em gee, so secretive with my posting name!) & I have been crazy in love with PR since season one. I watched it religiously, which occasionally involved me actually cancelling plans with friends just so I could see Wendy cry (although I kind of liked her...).

I found this site via a livejournal community (I think?) & started posting during the show right away.

I'm only seventeen years old ( but only a month & a half til the big one-eight!), but I've been told I'm quite well spoken for my age. I go to a huge high school (5000 kids yet we pull off top 100 schools in the country, snap!) which means lots of people watching & fashion commentary at lunch (or in class, at rehearsal, pretty much anywhere). There are only three or four other people I know that watch PR, so the pickings are slim for next day discussion. Hence, I spend the episodes typing frantically in here.

I don't design, nor do I sew, but I DO love fashion & my obsession with scrapbooking keeps me creative. I'll be in California next year for college studying psychology, film, & women's studies... needless to say, I cannot wait to get out of the snowy midwest & into the West Coast sunshine.

Quite sure I'm the youngest one here,
Jennie