''Project Runway Canada Season 1'' is the first season of ''
Project Runway Canada
''Project Runway Canada'' is a Gemini Award-winning Canadian television adaptation of the American reality television series ''Project Runway'', which debuted on the Slice network on October 8, 2007. The second season aired on Global. The series ...
'', a
reality competition show
Reality television is a genre of television programming that documents purportedly unscripted real-life situations, often starring unfamiliar people rather than professional actors. Reality television emerged as a distinct genre in the early 19 ...
for fashion designers that is part of the ''
Project Runway
''Project Runway'' is an American reality television series that premiered on Bravo on December 1, 2004. The series focuses on fashion design.
The contestants compete with each other to create the best clothes and are restricted by time, mate ...
'' franchise. It aired in late 2007 on the
Slice channel, which had relaunched earlier that year. The season received critical acclaim, and won the
2008 Gemini Award for Best Reality Program or Series. ''Project Runway Canada'' gave Slice one of its most successful series since the launch of its new branding.
The winning designer of the first season was
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan ( ; ) is a province in western Canada, bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, to the northeast by Nunavut, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North ...
-based designer Evan Biddell. As his prize for winning the competition among 12 designers, Biddell won $100,000 to start his own fashion line, a professional portfolio photo shoot provided by
L'Oreal Paris, a retail mentorship with
Winners
Winners Merchants International L.P is a chain of off-price Canadian department stores owned by TJX Companies.
It offers brand name clothing, footwear, bedding, furniture, fine jewelry, beauty products, and housewares. Products are at a 20-60% ...
and a cover and feature spread showing his winning collection in ''Elle Canada''.
In 2019, Evan Biddell competed on
season 7
A season is a division of the year based on changes in weather, ecology, and the number of daylight hours in a given region. On Earth, seasons are the result of the axial parallelism of Earth's tilted orbit around the Sun. In temperate and ...
of ''
Project Runway All Stars
''Project Runway All Stars'' is a spin-off of ''Project Runway'', featuring returning designers competing for grand prizes. Angela Lindvall and Carolyn Murphy have each hosted one season before Alyssa Milano became the staple host of the past fiv ...
'' against other worldwide ''
Project Runway
''Project Runway'' is an American reality television series that premiered on Bravo on December 1, 2004. The series focuses on fashion design.
The contestants compete with each other to create the best clothes and are restricted by time, mate ...
'' winners. He placed 4th.
Season 1 contestants
The 12 fashion designers competing in the first season were:
*Evan Biddell, 23, from
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Saskatoon () is the largest city in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It straddles a bend in the South Saskatchewan River in the central region of the province. It is located along the Trans-Canada Yellowhead Highway, and has served as ...
*Lincoln Cheung, 26, from
Montreal
Montreal ( ; officially Montréal, ) is the second-most populous city in Canada and most populous city in the Canadian province of Quebec. Founded in 1642 as '' Ville-Marie'', or "City of Mary", it is named after Mount Royal, the triple- ...
,
Quebec
Quebec ( ; )According to the Government of Canada, Canadian government, ''Québec'' (with the acute accent) is the official name in Canadian French and ''Quebec'' (without the accent) is the province's official name in Canadian English is ...
*Marie Genevieve Cyr, 25, from
Montreal
Montreal ( ; officially Montréal, ) is the second-most populous city in Canada and most populous city in the Canadian province of Quebec. Founded in 1642 as '' Ville-Marie'', or "City of Mary", it is named after Mount Royal, the triple- ...
,
Quebec
Quebec ( ; )According to the Government of Canada, Canadian government, ''Québec'' (with the acute accent) is the official name in Canadian French and ''Quebec'' (without the accent) is the province's official name in Canadian English is ...
*Sofia Duncan, 34, from
Ottawa, Ontario
Ottawa (, ; Canadian French: ) is the capital city of Canada. It is located at the confluence of the Ottawa River and the Rideau River in the southern portion of the province of Ontario. Ottawa borders Gatineau, Quebec, and forms the core ...
*Megan Fischer, 25, from
Calgary, Alberta
Calgary ( ) is the largest city in the western Canadian province of Alberta and the largest metro area of the three Canadian Prairies, Prairie Provinces. As of 2021, the city proper had a population of 1,306,784 and a metropolitan population ...
*Kendra Francis, 35, from
Toronto
Toronto ( ; or ) is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a recorded population of 2,794,356 in 2021, it is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most pop ...
,
Ontario
Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in the geographic eastern half of Canada, but it has historically and politically been considered to be part of Central Canada. Located in Central C ...
*Darin Hartmann, 43, from
Bashaw, Alberta
Bashaw is a town in central Alberta, Canada. It is at the junction of Alberta Highway 21, Highway 21 and Alberta Highway 53, Highway 53.
The community has the name of Eugene Bashaw, an original owner of the town site.
Post office dates from 191 ...
*Michael Hatley, 25, from
Toronto
Toronto ( ; or ) is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a recorded population of 2,794,356 in 2021, it is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most pop ...
,
Ontario
Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in the geographic eastern half of Canada, but it has historically and politically been considered to be part of Central Canada. Located in Central C ...
*Lucian Matis, 27, from
Toronto
Toronto ( ; or ) is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a recorded population of 2,794,356 in 2021, it is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most pop ...
,
Ontario
Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in the geographic eastern half of Canada, but it has historically and politically been considered to be part of Central Canada. Located in Central C ...
*
Shernett Swaby, 30, from
Toronto
Toronto ( ; or ) is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a recorded population of 2,794,356 in 2021, it is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most pop ...
,
Ontario
Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in the geographic eastern half of Canada, but it has historically and politically been considered to be part of Central Canada. Located in Central C ...
*Carlie Wong, 22, from
Vancouver, British Columbia
Vancouver ( ) is a major city in western Canada, located in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia. As the List of cities in British Columbia, most populous city in the province, the 2021 Canadian census recorded 662,248 people in the ...
*Stephen Wong, 38, from
Toronto
Toronto ( ; or ) is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a recorded population of 2,794,356 in 2021, it is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most pop ...
,
Ontario
Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in the geographic eastern half of Canada, but it has historically and politically been considered to be part of Central Canada. Located in Central C ...
The 12 models competing for an ''Elle Canada'' spread in the first season were:
*Shandel Chakalall, 24
*Lauren Cummins, 24
*Shani Feldman, 27
*Ashley Hart, 19
*Renée Holford, 25
*Amanda La Magna, 17
*Joelle Litt, 25
*Chanel Michaels, 26
*Jessica Romano, 22
*Jaclyn Vens, 18
*Drea Vujovic, 23
*Gigi Young, 22
Season 1 challenges
: Blue background and WIN means the designer was marked as the strongest performer and won that challenge.
: Turquoise background and HIGH means the designer was marked as the second strongest performer, but did not win.
: Light blue background and HIGH means the designer was marked as one of the strongest performers, but did not win.
: Pink background and LOW means the designer was marked as one of the weakest performers, but was not eliminated.
: Orange background and LOW means the designer was marked as the second weakest performer and was in the bottom two, but was not eliminated.
: Red background and OUT means the designer was marked as the weakest performer and was eliminated.
: Crimson background means the designer was eliminated, but was brought back.
: Teal background and ADV means the designer advanced to the finale.
: Green background and WINNER means the designer won the entire competition.
1 - Although Lucian, Megan, and Shernett designed in the winning collection, they did not win immunity or a prize. They were just the team with the best showing; the judges were not impressed by any of the collections.
2 - Marie Genevieve was eliminated in the "Dressing the Diva" episode, but then was brought back when the next challenge required splitting into teams of two. There were only seven designers, so the leftover designer (Shernett) had to choose amongst the eliminated designers to work with. Shernett initially chose Michael Hatley, but Michael then explained that she did not want to return to the show. Shernett's next choice was Marie Genevieve, who returned to the runway.
Season 1 Fashion models
: Blue background and WIN means the model wore the winning design that episode.
: Red background and IN means the model wore the losing design that episode.
: Yellow background and OUT means the model quit the competition.
: Pink background and OUT means the model wore the winning design that episode, but was eliminated.
: Dark gray background and OUT means the model was eliminated in this episode.
: Green background and WIN means the model was paired with the winning designer, and won the competition.
Episode 1: Clothes Off Their Backs
''Original Airdate:'' October 8, 2007
13 designers meet their host, Iman, who informs them that one of them will be going home immediately. Their challenge is to create an outfit in 30 minutes with very limited materials. After one designer (Tyler Longshaw) is cut, the remaining 12 designers learn the competition has only just begun and they must now each create an innovative look using only the clothes from another competitor's suitcase. Marie Genevieve wins the first challenge and Darin and Stephen are in the bottom two. Darin is eliminated.
*Guest Judge: Arthur Mendonça
*Winner: Marie Genevieve Cyr
*Eliminated: Darin Hartmann
Episode 2: When It Rains It Pours
''Original Airdate:'' October 15, 2007
On a trip to the park, a mass of lost and broken umbrellas is revealed as the challenge fabric. The designers race to choose the best of the broken umbrellas to create a cocktail dress. The twist is that the designers must utilize all of the fabric from the umbrellas they have chosen.
*Guest Judge:
Heatherette
Heatherette was an American fashion company that closed in 2008. It was founded in 1999 by Club Kid Richie Rich and Traver Rains. The pair first began designing T-shirts and leather goods. When Rich wore one of their leather tops to a party, he ...
*Winner: Kendra Francis
*Eliminated: Lincoln Cheung
Episode 3: Passion For Fashion
''Original Airdate:'' October 22, 2007
Faced with the challenge of creating a new look for a Bratz doll, the designers go to a party to consult with the "experts": 12-year-old girls!
*Guest Judge: Jasmin Larian
*Winner: Shernett Swaby
*Eliminated: Sofia Duncan
Episode 4: The Thrill Of The Hunt
''Original Airdate:'' October 29, 2007
The designers have to design the season's must-have item. After a visit to a Winners flagship store, they are split into groups of three and told that they're designing a three-piece look based on a piece that they find at Winners.
The teams:
:*Michael, Stephen and Kendra
:*Marie Genevieve, Biddell and Carlie
:*Megan, Lucian and Shernett
*Guest Judge: Shannon Johnson
*Winners: Megan Fischer
*Eliminated: Michael Hatley
Episode 5. Dressing The Diva
''Original Airdate:'' November 5, 2007
The eight remaining designers are challenged to create a performance outfit for Canada's opera darling
Measha Brueggergosman
Measha Brueggergosman (née Gosman; June 28, 1977) is a Canadian soprano who performs both as an opera singer and concert artist. She has performed internationally and won numerous awards. Her recordings of both classical and popular music h ...
to wear during her upcoming North American tour. The twist is that Maesha is known for only singing barefoot.
*Guest Judge:
Measha Brueggergosman
Measha Brueggergosman (née Gosman; June 28, 1977) is a Canadian soprano who performs both as an opera singer and concert artist. She has performed internationally and won numerous awards. Her recordings of both classical and popular music h ...
*Winner: Megan Fischer
*Eliminated: Marie Genevieve Cyr
Episode 6: Opposites Attract
''Original Airdate:'' November 12, 2007
The designers are required to pair off into teams, which means one of the five previously eliminated contestants gets a second chance. Since the numbers of contestants are now odd, Shernett gets to pick a previously eliminated contestant to be her partner and re-enter the competition. She selects Michael first but it is later revealed that Michael does not feel capable of re-entering. Shernett's other choice is Marie Genevieve, who accepts. The designers must choose a pair of opposites to drive their design, but later discover that their two cohesive looks must also reflect day and evening wear.
*Guest Judge: Ian Hylton
*Winner: Lucian Matis
*Eliminated: Carlie Wong
Episode 7: Keep A Child Alive
''Original Airdate:'' November 19, 2007
The designers are challenged to design a dress inspired by the word "hope". The final creations are to be presented at a "Keep a Child Alive" event hosted by Iman, where the dresses are bid on in a silent auction to raise money for AIDS research in Africa. Marie Genevieve's dress was auctioned for $10,000 and Biddell's dress was invited to be part of a collection. Every cent from the sale of the dress will go to charity.
*Guest Judge: Wayne Clarke
*Winner: Evan Biddell
*Eliminated: Megan Fischer
Episode 8: Splash From The Past
''Original Airdate:'' November 26, 2007
It's a lesson in fashion history as the designers take inspiration from some famous historical looks. They must use their costume inspiration to create two swimsuits: one for their model and one for a plus-size model.
During model selection, the models were dressed in costume to represent the inspiration for the bathing suits. The designers picked as follows:
*Guest Judge: Tu Ly
*Winner: Marie Genevieve Cyr
*Eliminated: Kendra Francis
Episode 9: Resort Wear Galore
''Original Airdate:'' December 3, 2007
The remaining five designers are challenged to create resort wear. After travelling to southern California for inspiration, they head to L.A. to meet special guest Nick Verreos from season two of Project Runway U.S. He reveals that the designers must make 2 outfits, one for their model and one for themselves.
*Guest Judge: Joe Mimran, Kimberley Newport-Mimran
*Winner: Marie Genevieve Cyr
*Eliminated: Shernett Swaby
Episode 10: Listen To Iman
''Original Airdate:'' December 10, 2007
In the final challenge that will determine which three finalists will compete at L’Oréal Fashion Week, the four remaining designers are tasked with designing an outfit for Iman. The winning design will be worn by Iman at the fashion show finale.
*Guest Judge: Robin Kay
*Winner: Lucian Matis
*Eliminated: Stephen Wong
Episode 11: Finale
''Original Airdate:'' December 17, 2007
The three finalists show their collections at L’Oréal Fashion Week in Toronto to determine the winner of the first Project Runway Canada.
*Guest Judge: None
*Winner of Project Runway Canada: Evan Biddell
*Winner of Fashion Model Competition: Ashley Hart
Judges
*
Iman
*
Brian Bailey
Brian Bailey is a Toronto, Ontario, Canada based fashion designer. He designs for women and has bridal and evening collections in addition to day-wear and ready-to-wear, sportswear and plus sizes.
Career
Bailey started out in the fashion busin ...
(mentor)
*Shawn Hewson
*Rita Silvan
References
External links
Official website for Season 1
{{DEFAULTSORT:Project Runway Canada (Season 1)
2007 Canadian television seasons
Season 01
2007 in fashion