First Look: ‘Project Runway’ Season 6 Contestants Unveiled

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Project Runway,Reality TV,Tim Gunn,TV,Heidi Klum,Style
 
 
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  • ‘Project Runway’ Season 6 contestants
  • Heidi Klum hosts ‘Project Runway’ Season 6
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  • Lifetime

    ‘Project Runway’ Season 6 contestants
  • Lifetime

    Heidi Klum hosts ‘Project Runway’ Season 6
  • Lifetime

    Style and fashion mentor Tim Gunn on ‘Project Runway’ Season 6
  • Lifetime

    Judges Nina Garcia and Michael Kors on ‘Project Runway’ Season 6
 
 

FIRST PUBLISHED: July 9, 2009 4:43 PM EDT
LAST UPDATED: July 9, 2009 5:30 PM EDT

LOS ANGELES, Calif. --

“Project Runway” finally makes it’s highly anticipated return to TV, now airing on Lifetime, on August 20 – and Access has the first glimpse of the 16 contestants who will be vying to be most “in” with judges Heidi Klum, Michael Kors and Nina Garcia.

The crop of couture hopefuls ranges in age from 24 to 50 and come from as far away as Yugoslavia, the Republic of Georgia and Russia.

For the first time, the reality competition will take place in LA and is said to involve Hollywood and various red carpets events during the course of the season.

“Runway’s” style guru and mentor Tim Gunn returns and gave People his thoughts on the contestants. Tim told the mag that LA native Johnny Sakalis “will be polarizing. People will love him, or hate him.”

Meanwhile, 25-year-old blonde bombshell Althea Harper isn’t just a pretty face according to Tim.

“Everyone [thinks] she’s only on the show because she’s a tall blond beauty. But she’s extremely talented. She’s going to blow people away,” he said.

Qristyl Frazier, 42, lists Halle Berry, Whitney Houston and Gwyneth Paltrow as her style icons and according to Tim, “likes a lot of color, and print,” along with being a “hoot.”

Seattle native Logan Neitzel might surprise audiences with his interests. Tim describes him as “guy’s guy” who digs snowboarding and cars while still loving John Galliano and Tom Ford.

(To see all 16 “Project Runway” Season 6 contestants, CLICK HERE!)

Ari Fish is sure to be controversial in the design room, as she doesn’t drape or sketch any of her designs. Tim describes the self-taught Kansas City, Mo., native as “deeply conceptual.” Some of her influences include geometry, ergonomics and nomadic tribal wear.

The tears might flow from 30-year-old Christopher Straub, who Tim says is “very sensitive, very emotional [and] wears his emotions on his sleeve.” The Shakopee, Minnesota resident is major fan of former “Runway” guest judge and style icon Victoria Beckham.

And Yugoslavia-born Gordana Gehlhausen, who already owns her own boutique in San Diego, should keep the judges and audiences on their toes with her “textile development,” Tim explained. “It wouldn’t be a case of going shopping and using the fabric she brought back. She’d do things to it.”

Catch all the design drama starting on August 20 at 10 PM EST on Lifetime.

Copyright 2009 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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