I have been a dedicated Project Runway viewer addict since the first season. Some families watch baseball together and some watch Desperate Housewives — my family watches Project Runway. More specially, my dad and I watch. Even though I started college during season five, we Facebook chat about the show on a weekly basis about the should-have-been-aufs and our loyal fan favorites. I definitely think that some seasons have provided a more talented crop of designers, which creates a more entertaining show than Lifetime‘s staged workroom drama of the last few seasons. Project Runway just debuted its second season of All Stars, but I’ve got to say that I disagree with some of their casting choices. If I could have my own All Star dream team cast, it would look something like this.  


Season One: Austin Scarlett. I’m just going to say it — no man has ever made me feel less pretty than Austin Scarlett. On the other hand, his understanding of the female form could make any girl feel like a princess. Austin so meticulously dresses himself, so I can be sure that he would put at least as much effort into someone else’s garments. If nothing else, he knows how to style an outfit.


Season Two: Santino Rice. I am admittedly not a huge fan of season two, but I am an enormous fan of RuPaul’s Drag Race where Santino has graced his presence as a judge. Santino also paired up with Austin Scarlett last year for a darling little show called On The Road With Austin & Santino. First, these two make an adorable pair because Austin is the fairy princess to Santino’s offbeat Renaissance-grunge — the two make a stellar team.


Season Three: Jeffery Sebelia, Laura Bennett. Jeffery is all youthful rebellion and Laura is all motherly wisdom, but these two stood above the rest throughout season three. Jefferey designs clothes that all women will want to wear because they haven’t ever seen anything like it. Laura’s designs, on the other hand, are for all women because they are classically beautiful and timeless without needing a trend. Both designers undoubtedly know their client and her story, which has always been an important skill in the workroom and on the runway. 


Season Four: Christian Siriano, Jillian Lewis, Chris March. This list would be completely invalid without Christian Siriano, because he has obviously been the most beloved and successful PR contestant in the history of the show. Season four is easily my favorite season, so I had to include three designers instead of just two. I would personally love to wear every garment Jillian created and I have faith that she would have won the season if Prince Siriano had not been a contestant. Chris March, on the other hand, makes the cut because he is my favorite character to come out of the reality show. Some of his outfits were better than others, though I would totally wear one of his human hair pieces from the finale, but Chris always put on a phenomenal show. So far, All Stars is really lacking personality, and that’s where Chris comes in.


Season Five: Leanne Marshall, Kenley Collins. While I know that many people truly adored season five and think it was chock-full of talent, I have to disagree. I thought it was a bit of a bore-fest and couldn’t wait for the majority of the designers to be sent home because they didn’t deserve to have made it on the show. However, something about Leanne and Kenley always tickled my fashion fancy and I would love for them to be included in my dream team. What Leanne lacks in personality, she makes up for with beautiful fashion. Kenley, on the other hand, is loud in person and in her designs. She may be known for her bad attitude on the runway, but the girl deserves credit for using patterns in unconventional and figure-flattering ways. 


Season Six: Althea Harper, Carol Hannah Whitfield. I was never an Irina fan, but I appreciated season six’s strong female voice. Never before had three women made up the fashion week attendees. Both Althea and Carol Hannah have gone on to be, though more quietly that Christian, super successful in their fashion pursuits. Althea has produced lines for every season since the show that have been really well received for their wearable appeal. Althea was recently married and designed her own dress. Carol Hannah found her niche in a different sect of the fashion world and designs ridiculously beautiful wedding gowns. 


Season Seven: Anthony Williams, Jay Nicholas Sario. So far, the best part of All Stars is Anthony Atlanta Williams. (Amen, girl!) How hilarious is he? His aesthetic isn’t exactly my cup of tea, but his sense of humor is. Oh, he isn’t trying to be funny? Well then I just want to bottle him up and listen to him all day, every day. Jay Nicholas, on the other hand, makes beautiful clothing and I was honestly surprised when he didn’t make it to the final three. Regardless, he’s been successful and has been better off having not won the show.


Season Eight:  Mondo Guerra, Gretchen Jones. Mondo is the Christian that even Christian may not be able to reach. Mondo has a point of view that we have never seen in another contestant and abilities that outshine established designers. I won’t get into the misjudging debacle of season eight, but I will say that I do respect Gretchen as a designer and believe in her voice as well. Her garments shouldn’t be compared to Mondo’s because they come from such different perspectives. Both are extremely talented and I want them to make all of my clothes for me. Is that too much to ask? 


Season Nine: Laura Kathleen After a season with Mondo Guerra, Gretchen Jones and Andy South (not to mention Michael Costello and April Johnston), season nine was such a disappointment. Not a single contestant was as talented as anyone in the top half of season eight. I would have left this season off entirely, except that I think Laura has something. It might just be her snobby girl knowledge of other designers or her educated sewing skills, but she should have had a shot at the final three. Though she’ll be near the bottom of the totem pole, Laura still appears in my dream team cast.

Are you a longtime PR fan? Who would be on your dream team?