FINALLY the word is out and I don't have to hold on this lil secret anymore....the lineup for the new season is finally out and this year there are few faces that are familiar to me!!
Qristyl FrazierAge: 42
Birthplace: St. Louis, MO
Current Home: Brooklyn, NY
Favorite Designers: Gaultier, Halston, Oscar De La Renta, Givenchy, Doo Ri, Zac Posen
Style Icons: Halle Berry, Whitney Houston, Gwyneth Paltrow
Favorite Past Project Runway Designer: None
Qristyl has been intrigued with fashion and design since the age of 15 when she sewed a black and white print cheerleader-style mini skirt. She studied fashion design at Stephens College in Columbia, MO, and went on to work as a stylist assistant and technical designer before making designs for her own company, Qristyl Frazier Designs. She has designed clothes for Queen Latifah, Angie Stone and Wendy Williams and is extremely proud that she can step out of the box and create beautiful designs for plus-sized women which, she terms, “plus sexy.”
Why she’ll win?
Qristyl believes she is a well-rounded and well-respected fashion designer and has been waiting for an opportunity like Project Runway since she first arrived to New York.
Qristyl believes she is a well-rounded and well-respected fashion designer and has been waiting for an opportunity like Project Runway since she first arrived to New York.
Tim Gunn: "Hailing from St. Louis, Mo., her style icons include Halle Berry, Whitney Houston and Gwyneth Paltrow. "Qristyl is a hoot," says Gunn. "She likes a lot of color, and print. She's entertaining to watch."
And I was shocked, surprised & pleased all at once to see another friend (and fellow Harlemite), Designer Epperson also in the lineup for season 6:
Rodney EppersonAge: 50
Birthplace: New York, NYCurrent Home: New York, NY
Favorite Designer: Yohji Yamamoto
Style Icon: None
Favorite Past Project Runway Designer: Christian Siriano, Season 4
Rodney, who likes to go by his last name, Epperson, is a self-taught designer who grew up in Harlem. In the early 70’s, while still in high school, Epperson began designing and focused on the deconstructed look. He later enrolled at the Fashion Institute of Technology, and, although he never completed his formal training, he went on to become a window dresser for Charivari in the 80’s and 90’s and currently does visual design for retailer H&M. He has designed clothes for some high profile clients, one being India.Arie. Epperson and his wife are parents to four kids.
Why he’ll win?
Epperson believes he’ll win because he is coming to the series with a unique approach and feels that it’s all about timing: “It’s my time to shine.”
Why he’ll win?
Epperson believes he’ll win because he is coming to the series with a unique approach and feels that it’s all about timing: “It’s my time to shine.”
Tim Gunn: "He is the most senior in terms of design career and reputation," Gunn says of this self-taught designer who grew up in Harlem, N.Y. "He has a distinguished career. He's elder-statesmanlike."
I can't WAIT for this new season to be aired....what EVER goes on here...it's GOTTA be better than season 5 which was a total mess......
Congrats to both Qristyl & Epperson and good luck to you both!
2 comments:
this is great news for the plus community and black designers as a whole. (not that there haven't been black designers on Project Runway before), but knowing of these two individuals' work sets the stage for something different. Can't wait to see the show. I met Qristyl in passing a few times in Harlem and at some plus industry events, I must send her a message!
It's about time they put a plus size designer up on they white bread show! I ain't been able to watch none these fashion shows since Toccara got kicked off Top Model. Hopefully us real women with curves will get some screen time!
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