Project Accessory is an American reality television series, a spin-off of the series Project Runway. It began airing on Lifetime on October 28, 2011. On the show, 12 contestants were given challenges in which they must create various fashion accessories (ranging from jewelry and headpieces to handbags and shoes) with restrictions for materials, subject matter, and time. One or more contestants were eliminated each episode after appearing before a judging panel. Brian Burkhardt won the show and the $100,000 prize.
Judges and mentor Molly Sims - Host and judge Kenneth Cole - American fashion designer, activist Ariel Foxman - Editor, InStyle Magazine Eva Jeanbart-Lorenzotti - Mentor
Contestants Source:Project Accessory Designers at official site Archived from the original on December 18, 2011. DesignerAgePlace of ResidenceFinishCotrice Simpson38Georgia12thKelly Horton32Pennsylvania11thDavid Grieco40California10thNicolina Royale30California9thJames Sommerfeldt29Illinois8thShea Curry38California7thAdrian Dana41Georgia6thChristina Caruso33New York5thDiego Rocha36Illinois4thRich Sandomeno40California3rdNina Cortes26FloridaRunner-upBrian Burkhardt40FloridaWinner
Progress Source: +Designer Elimination Table Contestant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 BrianHIGHHIGH INHIGH WIN WIN LOW WINNER Nina WIN IN IN INHIGH HIGH HIGHRUNNER-UP Rich IN IN HIGH LOW LOW LOW WIN3RD PLACE Diego HIGH INHIGH WIN HIGH LOWOUT Christina IN IN WINHIGH INHIGHOUT Adrian INLOW LOW INLOWOUT Shea IN IN LOW LOWOUT James LOWWIN INOUT Nicolina LOWHIGHOUT David INLOWOUT Kelly INOUT CotriceOUT The designer won Project Accessory. The designer won the challenge. The designer was in the top two, or the first announced into the top 3, but did not win. The designer had one of the highest scores for that challenge, but did not place in the top two. The designer had one of the lowest scores for that challenge, but was not in the bottom two. The designer was in the bottom two, but was not eliminated. The designer was eliminated from the competition.
Elimination process The judges announce the safe designers. The remaining designers are labeled as either the highest or lowest scoring designers. These designers are given critiques and are then told to leave the runway. Once they are brought back, the other designers that aren't in the top two are announced safe. Then the winner is announced, and the remaining top designer is in the top 2. The remaining designers are the lowest scoring designers. The people who aren't in the bottom two are announced safe. The bottom two remain, and one is then eliminated.
Episodes
Episode 1: Accessorize This?! The 12 designers were welcomed by host and mentor at a storage facility in which they had to make a necklace, a belt and another accessory of their choice using materials found in the storage facilities. Original Airdate: October 27, 2011 Guest Judge: Debra Messing
WINNER: Nina Cortes ELIMINATED: Cotrice Simpson
Episode 2: Sole Searching The remaining 11 designers were sent to the Swarovski Crystal store where they picked a piece to inspire them. They had to make a pair of shoes as well as two accessories. Original Airdate: November 3, 2011 Guest Judge: Nadja Swarovski
WINNER: James Sommerfeldt ELIMINATED: Kelly Horton
Episode 3: Bling It On The designers are given 24 hours to complete their next challenge, but Eva drops a surprise on them. Original Airdate: November 10, 2011 Guest Judge: Kelly Osbourne
WINNER: Christina Caruso ELIMINATED: David Grieco, Nicolina Royale
Episode 4: Its in the Bag The designers are matched with an eBay customer featured on the site for their unique fashion sense. Original Airdate: November 17, 2011 Guest Judge: Kara Ross, Rebecca Minkoff
WINNER: Diego Rocha ELIMINATED: James Sommerfeldt
Episode 5: Beach Blanket Blingo The designers go to the beach for a challenge. Original Airdate: December 1, 2011 Guest Judge: Rachel Roy, Jenna Lyons
WINNER: Brian Burkhardt ELIMINATED: Shea Curry
Episode 6: Fall for Kenneth The designers go on a field trip to a fashion magnate's headquarters and discover a coveted prize. Original Airdate: December 8, 2011 Guest Judge: Alexa Chung
WINNER: Brian Burkhardt ELIMINATED: Adrian Dana
Episode 7: Bugging Out The designers search for inspiration at a curiosity shop to create a signature accessory. Original Airdate: December 15, 2011 Guest Judge: Brian Atwood
WINNER: Rich Sandomeno ELIMINATED: Christina Curoso, Diego Rocha
Episode 8: Finale The season concludes with the final three designers presenting their creations to New York's fashion elite. In a plot twist, each of the three finalists is allowed to choose a partner to help finish their collections. Brian Burkhardt enlists shoemaker James Sommerfeldt, Rich Sandomeno chooses handbag designer Diego Rocha, and Nina Cortes picks handbag designer Kelly Horton. Later, the winner is selected by the judges. Original Airdate: December 22, 2011 Guest Judge: Lorraine Schwartz
WINNER: Brian Burkhardt, with shoes and accessories made by James Sommerfeldt ELIMINATED: Nina Cortes, Rich Sandomeno
Reception In a mixed review, Common Sense Media's Elka Karl wrote, "While this competitive reality show is a bit rough around the edges, Project Accessory is worth a look, especially for teens who are interested in jewelry making, sewing, or other creative, crafty endeavors. Fans of Project Runway will likely tune in, and while the show benefits from the relationship with the original program, it also suffers from the inevitable comparisons. Neither Molly Sims or mentor Eva Jeanbart-Lorenzotti are anywhere near as charismatic or helpful as Heidi Klum or Tim Gunn. Luckily, the designers are engaging and represent an eclectic mix of styles." In a negative review, Brandon Nowalk of The A.V. Club stated, "As television, this is some pretty uninspiring stuff, the point of which, apparently, is to see how far a successful model can take an entirely different show."
References
External links The Huffington Post Finale Recap Official website