"In the
fashion world you're either in or you're
out," observed supermodel Heidi Klum during
last year's hit series, Project Runway, where
clothing designers competed for a chance to be
"in" with the big guns of the fashion
industry. Broadcast on the queer-friendly Bravo network,
season 2 premieres December 7, and this time seven gay
contestants prove that being "out"
isn't a bad thing.
Nick Verreos
"There were so many gay guys, we dubbed the show
'Project Run-Gay,' " laughs
Verreos, an instructor at the Fashion Institute of Design
and Merchandising in Los Angeles. "If
you're designing sexy European-looking dresses,
you need the New York exposure to trampoline yourself to
another level," he says. "I saw this
show as a way to do that."
Raymundo Baltazar-Flores
Baltazar-Flores says his Roman Catholic father is
against his working in fashion because "he
thinks this is really gay." Nevertheless, the
24-year-old graduated from FIDM and lives in Los Angeles,
where he founded Young Balls, a line of leading-edge
youth wear.
Andrae Gonzalo
Gonzalo delivers some stunning designs as well as a
delicious emotional breakdown early on. "Now
I'm the weepy homosexual on the show,"
he says ironically. "I do show different facets of my
personality and my design ability, so in that way I
feel vindicated."
John Wade
Wade is unsure if his career will tilt toward costumes
or couture, but on Project Runway he's gaining
experience, especially when the judges question his
design in the first challenge.
Daniel John Vosovic
Described by one contestant as the "hipster
designer," Vosovic recently graduated from the
Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and
travels the world to broaden his ideas on fashion.
Emmett McCarthy
"I think they chose me to be the spokesperson of
the industry," says McCarthy, 42, who designed
menswear before coming to Project Runway. "I'm
not willing to do theatrics. I bring a body of professional
knowledge that is held up against the other creative
talent, but what I'm not willing to risk is my
professional integrity."
Santino Rice
Another FIDM graduate, Rice creates both hot designs and
explosive drama. "I can see people looking at
my reactions about [criticism] of my work as being
arrogant," he says with a knowing laugh.
"Ultimately, you're your own boss, and
when you let people know that you can look like an
asshole, [but] you need to stay true to yourself."