Auf Wiedersehen Project Runway

Few things bring me pure pleasure. Sewing is one. Design and sewing competitions are another. In the 2 decades I've watched these competitions, only one episode angered me enough that I almost quit watching. Season 3, Episode 5 of Making the Cut (Festival Wear) was marred by Jeremy Scott pitching a tantrum in a leopard print only Quinta Brunson should be allowed to wear where he tears up his notebook and throws it to the ground. Unfortunately, that episode made me lose all respect for the judges, who spent more time trying to smooth everything over instead of outright chiding Scott for his behavior. I was so appalled at his bullying behavior that I nearly quit watching. The only reason I didn't--Tim Gunn.

Tim Gunn has offered fashion advice and provided nuggets of knowledge through books and on TV.

Recently, I heard that Freeform, a Disney-owned cable and satellite television channel, brought Heidi Klum back into the Project Runway fold. When I read that, I got super excited as I assumed the return of Klum also meant the return of Gunn after the two had left to produce Making the Cut for 3 seasons. Sadly, I was wrong. News quickly spread that Gunn wasn't offered a contract to return as a mentor to next season's designers. Instead, they would stay with fashion designer Christian Siriano, the Project Runway mentor during the Making the Cut years. I can't be mad at this because I love Siriano's sass and flare. But Gunn was always the calm in the storm. He gave solid advice, critiques, and encouragement through his catchphrase, "Make It Work!"

Siriano has style, sass, and sparkle. Everything needed for a Project Runway host, a role he took on for 2 seasons.

That's not to say that I think Siriano should lose a spot on the show. If anyone could be subtracted from this show, it's Klum, as she adds the least to this show, just as she was the person who added the least to Making the Cut. Yes, she is beautiful, talented, and wears clothes beautifully. But her wide-eyed, sing-songy hosting style reminds me of a middle school assembly presentation where someone is telling me the reasons I shouldn't do drugs. Gunn and, later, Siriano, did the heavy lifting as they worked the closest with designers, followed by judges Nina Garcia and Michael Kors, who offered the most articulate explanation as to why something didn't work on a garment. And with the addition of Law Roach this season... I mean, there is a reason why Zendeya looks as amazing as she does 24/7. Project Runway survived despite Klum's absence. Karlie Kloss (Seasons 17 and 18) and Christian Siriano (Seasons 19 and 20) did bang-up jobs as hosts. Personally, I think Siriano should continue in this role as host, with Tim Gunn in the role of mentor. Klum's presence seems superfluous, and Project Runway producers should follow Garcia's advice of 'Edit, Edit, Edit.'

With Tim Gunn uninvited from Project Runway, I may say "Auf Wiedersehen" to what was one of my favorite shows.

If I sound like sour grapes, I should. The decision to keep Klum and not Gunn is another example of America's dying meritocracy. No doubt Klum paid her dues as a model and knows her way around an outfit, but Gunn actually taught at Parsons School of Design. But deep down, I get it. Klum's bubbly personality and star power keep American audiences engaged. With Gunn at the helm, the show would take on a more lowkey, educational feel, focused on the process of design and sewing and less on the drama of winning a design competition.