Whether a fashionista or a devotee of Project Runway, it's easy to plan an upfront and personal self-guided tour of the New York City venues and shops frequented by the contestants, especially since the city is an epicenter of fashion.
The mega-hit TV program began in the Big Apple but moved to Los Angeles for Season 6 only to have lackluster results. Season 7 debuts January 14, 2010 on Lifetime Television with Manhattan again as the backdrop and, for the first time, the series will be shot in High-Definition (HD). Regulars Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn are at the helm with judges Nina Garcia and Michael Kors returning for the entirety of Season 7.
Start in the Garment District Also Known as the Fashion Center
Parsons, The New School for Design is the studio space for the Project Runway designers and located on 7th Avenue at 40th Street, which is close to Times Square. View the school from the outside or consider one of its month-long classes. Prospective students are given tours. Tim Gunn was on the Parsons' faculty from 1982 to 2007. Across the street is the 31-foot "Needle Threading a Button" sculpture that pinpoints the Fashion District kiosk. The district houses more than 1,000 showrooms and couture houses, many of which have sample sales. Racks of clothing are still rolled through the streets for a genuine New York feel.
The "Fashion Walk of Fame" honors New York's most influential designers and is located on 7th Avenue between 35th and 41st Streets. To date, 26 recipients have a commemorative plague made of white bronze that is set in granite and embedded in the sidewalk. Norma Kamali, Bill Blass and Marc Jacobs are some of the honored designers.
Mood for Designer Fabrics, MJ Trimmings for Accents and The Flower District for the Unusual
Plan a full day to explore Mood's 40,000 square feet of space that sells fabric, leathers, alpaca wool, velvet and even mannequins. Best buys are often the "leftover inventory" from Donna Karan, Roberto Cavalli and other fashion luminaries. Mood is located at 225 West 35th Street. For Season 5 and the "Grass is Always Greener" episode, the designers used environmentally friendly fabrics from Mood.
MJ Trimmings is a 5,000-square-foot emporium located at 1008 Sixth Avenue between 37th and 38th Streets. It sells to Vera Wang, Betsey Johnson, the Metropolitan Opera, many other top names and to the public. The products come from around the world and include ribbons from France, laces from Switzerland, Austrian Swarovski crystals, buttons from Italy and more.
The three-block Flower District is along Sixth Avenue between 26th and 29th Streets and overflows into the side streets. Best to arrive early at this open-air marketplace that sells both wholesale and retail. During Season 2, contestants used petals and greens from the Flower District to fashion garden party dresses.
Project Runway Shops in New York City
Episode challenges involve shopping for materials or as in the case of Macy's (Season 3) having the winning designs displayed in their windows. Project Runway fans can relive Season 5 at The Shops at Columbus Circle/Time Warner Center. Twizzlers and York Peppermint wrappers from Hersey's Store at Times Square won a challenge in Season 4. The Michael Kors shop in SoHo is located at 101 Prince Street and has a wide selection of his signature handbags and accessories. Fifth Avenue between 34th and 59th Streets is one of the premier shopping streets in the world. Madison Avenue between 57th and 86th Streets has countless designer shops for high-end shopping.
Fashion Week at Bryant Park
This spring fashion extravaganza begins February 13, 2010 and highlights 70 shows under the white tents set up in Bryant Park. Located on Sixth Avenue between 41st and 42nd Streets, the quiet oasis is behind the New York Public Library. However, the spring show is the last one at the Park. Beginning September 2010, Fashion Week will be held in an open plaza at Lincoln Center located on the Upper West Side. Lucky Project Runway contestants show their collections at Fashion Week.
For More Information and Where to Stay
Contact New York City's Official Tourism Center for maps, brochures and personal advice. The perfect hotel is the Westin New York at Times Square located at Eighth Avenue and 43rd Street, which is near Project Runway shops, venues and the incredible Fashion Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology.
Judith Glynn - I've written travel articles for years. See more and my novel about romance and travel at www.facebook.com/judglynn
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