The INs and OUTs of the S9 Designers

It's exciting that a new Project Runway season is upon us. We can blank if we want to; we can leave the past behind. If the new preview ads on Lifetime are anything to go by, there's a renewed creative spirit to look forward to. Here's a preview rundown what's in and what's out about the new crop of designers, based solely on their audition clips and portfolios. I'm hoping to save you from watching the audition videos, because the ad that begins them features Dean Winters (Mayhem) as a racoon, and it's disturbing.

Amanda University of Alabama fashion grad, 24, NYC IN: The colorblocked dress she wore to her audition OUT: Her annoying speech pattern, complete with sing-song greetings and up-talking Based on Amanda's audition garments, she might be prone to the dreaded "student work."
Anthony Ryan LSU fashion grad, 28, Baton Rouge IN: Funky casual clothes in great prints and a natural, sweet manner OUT: He showed a convertible top in his audition - something the judges love the first time they see it, and then call gimmicky. Very charming, I hope he goes far.
Anya Parsons grad, 29, Port of Spain Trinidad and Tobago IN: Beautiful jumpsuit/caftan she wore at the audition OUT: Can't sew. She says she'll work all night, but that doesn't help when there's a time limit. Her work is pretty and commercial. Even if she doesn't go far in the competition, she might get a design deal out of it.
Becky Trained in interior design, theater set design, apparel design, 38, Portland Oregon IN: Very detailed construction; obviously very skilled OUT: "Real bodies" focus doesn't usually get very far with the judges It's interesting to me how many fuller-figured designers are drawn to retro, especially since vintage clothes tend to be small.
Bert Attended Parsons and The New School back when it was actually new, 57, LA  IN: The audition judges called his work "still young," which bodes well for anyone over 40 OUT: His stuff looks kind of 70s Halston to me Bert could break the oldsters curse. I'm lusting after his silver burlap sheath dress - it looks like updated chain mail. Women of every age and size would want this dress.
Bryce BA in Fine Arts of Apparel Design from The Art Institute of Portland, 26, Portland OR  IN: Interesting ideas and fabrics OUT: Rock and roll focus, inspired by David Bowie? Why do these young designers insist on harkening back to the icons of their parents (iow, my age)  Bryce showed one-legged pants in his casting session. 'Nuff said.
Cecelia "Mostly" self-taught, 34, NYC IN: She can definitely sew and tailor OUT: The casting judges tolder her that her work is old-fashioned and lacks focus    I think it's a bit cruel to bring Cecelia to New York when the audition judges were so negative about her work. It looks like she's being set up to be cut immediately. Seems mean, and Project runway has never been mean before.
Danielle 26, Minneapolis IN: Some very interesting pieces OUT: Her point of view has something to do with women's liberation through androgynous clothing. I think they called that Dress Reform circa 1860. She's extremely conceptual, which could be a barrier to fitting her philosophy into challenges or visa versa.
David Self-taught designer, 29, Boston IN: His clothes are functional, edgy, ageless and commercial OUT: Possible construction issues I hope his newly-acquired construction skills can keep up with the challenges, because his clothing is very cool.
Fallene 29, Denver IN: She takes inspiration from materials and makes them in something very interesting OUT: It's hard to find a downside for her. She should go very far.
Gunnar Self-taught designer and hairdresser, 21, Louisville IN: Entertainingly silly (I like to give back with my fashion) OUT: Taste level? Gunnar likes the shiny. If he can work in short and tight, Heidi should be a fan.
Joshua C FIDM-LA grad, 29, Snohomish WA IN: Very clean but not boring OUT: When he gets architectural, his work is not very wearable Who would actually wear this?
Joshua M BFA from The Fashion Institute of Technology in Florence IT, 25, Sunnyside NY IN: The menswear he brought to the audition was well-constructed OUT: Brought menswear to the audition? And there's, um, a taste level issue Totally drama queen - stripped to change at the audition, cried when he got the"You're in" phone call. He'll either be very entertaining or totally annoying.
Julie SCAD fashion design grad, 35, Grand Junction, CO  IN: The clothes she showed at her audition really constitued a line OUT: She simultaneously name-dropped and dissed Catherine Malandrino - tacky She's a wild card - is there more there than just Southwest?
Kimberly Majored in fashion merchandising at FIT, 35, Brooklyn IN: The camera loves Kimberly, and the audition judges loved her clothes OUT: She seems to have made clothes mainly for herself and family members Kimberly showed some print dresses in a sort of African-American churchgoing style that the Project Runway judges have not shown an affinity for in the past (Qristal, Christina). PR could use some more diversity among the judges.
Laura BS in design, merchandising, textiles, 26, St. Louis IN: Interesting pannelled construction OUT: Her work is not very ambitious, designwise She'll need to show more imagination to deal with the challenges.
Olivier Attended design schools in London and Milan, 22, NYC IN: Amazing construction skills OUT: He only brought a few pieces to the audition. Versatility? Olivier might be a tough affected. He reminds me of Malan a bit. but Malan turned out to be quite a mensch, and so there's hope for Olivier.
Rafael Majored in fashion design and marketing at American Intercontinental University, 27, Atlanta IN: Very detailed shapes OUT: The shapes he uses are interesting, but are they wearable? He can definitely make clothes that are sexy and cool.
Serena FIDM, San Francisco grad, 31, Brooklyn IN: Interesting lingerie details OUT: Her looks might be too simple to win challenges She seems to gravitate to neutrals, so some color would really help her out.
Viktor Attended FIT, 30, NYC IN: Cool prints custom done on organic fabric OUT: Cliche shapes (cropped studded neoprene jacket) Interesting how the name Viktor looks so much more intimidating with a "k" than a "c." He kould be a kontender.

While no one in this group had me slavering to see more, I'm looking forward to being surprised by their unexpected talents, creativity and ability to produce under pressure.

Bon chance, designers!