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Project Runway: Can You Guess the Designer?

How well do you know the new crop of contestants? See if you can pick out this season's 16 designers and discover their fears, strengths, and what they really think of Tim Gunn!

Aug 9, 2011

How well do you know the new crop of contestants? See if you can pick out this season's 16 designers — and discover their fears, strengths, and what they really think of Tim Gunn!

Nana's Boy

This TP-happy little squirt discovered his love of sewing when crafting a quilt with his nana.

Barbara Nitke/Lifetime Television

Anthony Ryan Auld

Age: 28
Hometown: Linden, Texas; Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Celebrity look-alike: Johnny Depp
Fave designer: Alexander McQueen
Signature materials: Natural fabrics and prints
Weirdest material: A bird's nest
First project: A quilt with my grandmother
Personal aesthetic: Wearable yet forward, sometimes random
Fashion motto: Final touches can make or break a look
Pump-up song: Anything by Lady Gaga
Favorite Project Runway challenge from a previous season: Fabric design
Judge you're the most scared of: Heidi — you never know what she's going to say
Most-worn item in your closet: Jeans
Movie inspiration: The Devil Wears Prada
One word for Tim Gunn: Inspiring

Frida Fan

Today, this adorable beach bunny fears pageant dresses and screens Frida for inspiration.

Barbara Nitke/Lifetime Television

Anya Ayoung-Chee

Age: 29
Hometown: Port-of-Spain, Trinidad
Childhood nickname: Anz
Workroom nickname: Sexy (according to fellow contestant Viktor)
Celebrity look-alike: Angelina Jolie
Dream guest judge: Rihanna
Fave designers:Tom Ford, Stella McCartney
Signature material: 100 percent cotton
Weirdest material: Dog toys
First project: A doll
Personal aesthetic: Edgy, sexy, vibrant, dynamic
Secret Weapon: Composure
Pump-up song: "I Wanna Go" by Britney Spears
Most-dreaded challenge/twist: Pageant dresses
Most-worn item in your closet: An H&M maxi dress
Movie inspiration: Frida
One word for Tim Gunn: Genuine

"The Edge"

Well-dressed from the start, this composed contestant promises to "bring the edge" to the runway.

Barbara Nitke/Lifetime Television

Olivier Green

Age: 22
Hometown: New York, New York
Fave designer: Raf Simons
Signature material: Fine wool
Weirdest material: Plastic sheets
First project: Toile in college
Personal aesthetic: Clean, modern, structured
Fashion motto: Bring the edge
Secret weapon: Yet to figure it out
Pump-up song: Anything by Robyn
Most-dreaded challenge/twist: Anything commercial-driven
Judge you're the most scared of: Heidi
Most-worn item in your closet: An old trench
One word for Tim Gunn: Composed

Super Smile

He's all smiles here, but now his greatest fear is the unpredictable guest judge.

Barbara Nitke/Lifetime Television

Bert Keeter

Age: 57
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Childhood nickname: Ralph
Workroom nickname: Old Man
Celebrity look-alike: Alec Baldwin
Dream guest judge: Helen Mirren
Fave designer: Valentino Garavani
Signature material: Lightweight wools
Weirdest material: Anything polyester
First project: A plaid teddy bear
Personal aesthetic: Clean, sleek, modern
Fashion motto: Less is much, much more!
Secret weapon: Staying calm
Pump-up song: "Viva La Vida" by Coldplay
Favorite Project Runway challenge from a previous season: The travel look for the Paris challenge
Judge you're the most scared of: The guest judge — an unknown entity
Most-worn item in your closet: Gray corduroy Gap jeans
Movie inspiration: Dinner at Eight
One word for Tim Gunn: Fast!

Pixie Power

This modern-day pixie loves little boy's clothes and can't watch enough Boardwalk Empire.

Megan Tantillo/Lifetime Television

Fallene Wells

Age: 29
Hometown: Denver, Colorado
Workroom nickname: Pixie
Celebrity look-alike: If Maggie Gyllenhaal and Shirley Temple had a baby
Dream guest judge: Zooey Deschanel
Fave designer: Alexander McQueen
Signature materials: Cotton blends, wool
Weirdest material: Plastic seaweed
First project: Rainbow-striped shorts
Personal aesthetic: Modern, vintage-inspired
Secret weapon: Creativity and style
Pump-up song: "5 Years Time" by Noah and the Whale
Judge you're the most scared of: Nina Garcia
Most-worn item in your closet: A vintage little boy's sweater that cost $16
TV inspiration: Boardwalk Empire
One word for Tim Gunn: Sincere

Ballerina Baby

Her dance days must have formed this prima ballerina's love of jeggings back in Colorado.

Barbara Nitke/Lifetime Television

Julie Tierney

Age: 28
Hometown: Wheat Ridge, Colorado
Workroom nickname: Julie Jeggings
Celebrity look-alike: Amy Poehler
Fave designer: Christian Lacroix
Signature material: Wool
Weirdest material: Dog-food bags
Personal aesthetic: Sophisticated utilitarian
Fashion motto: Let it go
Secret weapon: Good ideas
Pump-up song: "Bring Beer or Go Home" by Shr3d Crust
Most-dreaded challenge/twist: Making a garment for other competitors
Judge you're the most scared of: Nina — she's sassy
Most-worn item in your closet: Shr3d Crust T-shirt
Movie inspiration: Easy Rider
One word for Tim Gunn: Poignant

Barbie Girl

A Vivienne Westwood fanatic, this Barbie-loving seamstress claims a retro edge.

Barbara Nitke/Lifetime Television

Rebecca Sue Ross

Age: 38
Hometown: Pinckney, Michigan
Workroom nickname: Gluten-free
Celebrity look-alike: Cyndi Lauper
Dream guest judge: Zooey Deschanel
Fave designer: Vivienne Westwood
Signature material: Cotton
Weirdest material: Cigarette boxes
First project: Barbie clothes
Personal aesthetic: Retro, artsy, and a bit rockabilly
Secret weapon: 30 years of sewing experience — plus I'm a grounded adult
Pump-up song: "Sail" by Awolnation
Favorite Project Runway challenge from a previous season: Barbie
Most-dreaded challenge/twist: Menswear
Judge you're the most scared of: Nina — she knows what women wear, and she's opinionated
Movie inspiration: The Notebook
One word for Tim Gunn: Adorbs

Nutty for Neoprene

Neoprene is the material of choice for this Robyn-listening New York native.

Barbara Nitke/Lifetime Television

Viktor Luna

Age: 30
Hometown: New York, New York
Childhood nickname: Piolin
Celebrity look-alike: Beyoncé
Dream guest judge: Robyn
Fave designer: Alexander McQueen
Signature material: Neoprene
Weirdest material: Velvet
First project: Deconstructing garments
Personal aesthetic: Experimental/classic
Fashion motto: Keep it high fashion
Secret weapon: I'm fast and edit well
Pump-up song: "I Wanna Go" by Britney Spears
Most-dreaded challenge/twist: Prom dresses
Judge you're the most scared of: None
Movie inspiration: Too Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar
One word for Tim Gunn: Werk

Western Wearer

Today, you can often find her watching Westerns in her favorite Zebra-striped T-shirt.

Barbara Nitke/Lifetime Television

Danielle Everine

Age: 26
Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Celebrity look-alike: Josephine Foster
Fave designer: Alexander McQueen
Signature materials: Chiffon, wool, and leather
Weirdest material: Dog toys
First project: Doll clothes
Personal aesthetic: Feminine, tailored, and easy cool
Fashion motto: Make an effort
Secret weapon: Emotional composure
Pump-up song: Anything by Ratatat
Most-dreaded challenge/twist: Making a second outfit in one day
Judge you're the most scared of: Heidi — brutal critiques
Most-worn item in your closet: A zebra-print T-shirt
Movie inspiration: The Good, the Bad, and The Ugly (or any Western film)
One word for Tim Gunn: Articulate

Secret Weapon

Using her secret weapon — her construction skills — she once made a garment from a wire hanger.

Barbara Nitke/Lifetime Television

Cecilia Motwani

Age: 37
Hometown: New York, New York
Childhood nickname: Chi-Chi
Workroom nickname: CC
Celebrity look-alike: Penélope Cruz
Signature material: Silk
Weirdest material: A wire hanger
First project: My yellow oversized skirt
Personal aesthetic: Seductive sophistication
Secret weapon: Construction skills
Pump-up song: A mix of '80s hits
Favorite Project Runway challenge from a previous season: Philip Treacy's hat
Most-dreaded challenge/twist: Team challenges
Judge you're the most scared of: Heidi — she won't let go of you
Most-worn item in your closet: Sheath dresses
One word for Tim Gunn: Supportive

Prince Runway

This grade-school cutie first created pillows in Home Ec and says he passes for Prince.

Barbara Nitke/Lifetime Television

Rafael Lewis Cox

Age: 27
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Childhood nickname: Ralph
Workroom nickname: Beyoncé
Celebrity look-alike: Prince
Dream guest judge: Tilda Swinton
Fave designer: Alexander McQueen
Signature material: Knits
Weirdest material: Trash bags
First project: Pillows in Home Economics
Personal aesthetic: Very architectural and structured
Fashion motto: I make clothes for everyone, leaving no one unclothed!
Secret weapon: I think quickly on my feet
Pump-up song: "Run the World (Girls)" by Beyoncé
Most-worn item in your closet: Creative recreation boots
Movie inspiration: Mommie Dearest
One word for Tim Gunn: Interesting

Shy Sweetie

A comfort-loving tailor from the Northwest, this shy guy once used an umbrella as material.

Barbara Nitke/Lifetime Television

Joshua Christensen

Age: 29
Hometown: Snohomish, Washington
Childhood nickname: My dad used to call me Hairy (ironically)
Workroom nickname: Joshy
Celebrity look-alike: Kiefer Sutherland
Dream guest judge: Milla Jovovich or Sarah Michelle Gellar
Fave designer: Etro
Signature material: Cotton shirting
Weirdest material: An umbrella
Personal aesthetic: Classic with architectural elements
Fashion motto: It should feel good
Secret weapon: My heart and integrity
Pump-up song: "Time Machine" by Robyn
Most-dreaded challenge/twist: Wedding dresses
Judge you're the most scared of: Heidi — she's the voice
Movie inspiration: Equilibrium
One word for Tim Gunn: Genuine

Dress-up Diva

More is more for this budding fashionista who loves Adele and calls the Midwest home.

Barbara Nitke/Lifetime Television

Laura Kathleen Planck

Age: 26
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Childhood nickname: Laura Lou, Woobie
Workroom nickname: Barbie
Celebrity look-alike: Kristin Chenoweth
Dream guest judge: Nicole Kidman
Fave fashion designers: YSL, Balenciaga, Valentino
Signature material: Chiffon
Weirdest material: Leaves
First project: A pair of pajamas
Personal aesthetic: Vintage silhouettes with modern fabric, highly tailored pieces
Secret weapon: Speed and taste
Pump-up song: Anything by Adele or Amy Winehouse
Judge you're the most scared of: Michael Kors — he has the biggest bite
Most-worn item in your closet: St. John blazer
One word for Tim Gunn: Genuine

Dapper Dan

This dapper chap hopes Blake Lively shows up to guest judge, and once made garbagemen stylish.

Barbara Nitke/Lifetime Television

Joshua McKinley

Age: 25
Hometown: Sunnyside, New York
Celebrity look-alike: Ryan Reynolds
Dream guest judge: Blake Lively
Fave designers: Jean Paul Gaultier, Jeremy Scott
Signature material: Neoprene
Weirdest material: Hair extensions
First project: A garbageman's one-piece
Personal aesthetic: Colorful with beautiful craftsmanship
Fashion motto: Confidence is clothing!
Pump-up song: "Torn Down" by Brandy
Judge you're the most scared of: Nina — she has the ability to keep you on her radar and show your work
Most-worn item in your closet: My 2(X)ist collection of underwear
One word for Tim Gunn: Undeniably brilliant

Goo Goo for Gaga

With his overall days behind him, this Lady Gaga fan now calls Heidi "The Klum of Doom."

Barbara Nitke/Lifetime Television

Bryce Black

Age: 26
Hometown: Twin Falls, Idaho
Workroom nickname: Brycey
Dream guest judge: Lady Gaga
Signature material: Denim
Weirdest material: Puppy pee pads
First project: An apron
Personal aesthetic: Mixing textures and interesting silhouettes
Fashion motto: Fashion is not for snobs
Pump-up song: "Bloody Mary" by Lady Gaga
Most-dreaded challenge/twist: Making clothes for a fellow designer
Judge you're the most scared of: Heidi! She cuts to your soul — "The Klum of Doom."
Most-worn item in your closet: Jeans
Movie inspiration: Grey Gardens
One word for Tim Gunn: Amazing!

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