Been There/Done That

Runway Project

by Rebecca Grites

Every Wed., 11 p.m., $7 to play, National Mechanics, 23 S. Third St., 215-701-4883, nationalmechanics.com

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After entering National Mechanics last Wednesday, I knew the task at hand wouldn’t be simple. A large group of Runway Project vets had already assembled, and my dear friend and fellow fashionista Amber and I were new to the game. Either we’d be quickly out-designed, or we’d pull out some serious arts and crafts skills to wow this crowd. By the night’s end, the latter proved to be true … well, kind of.

Runway Project is National Mechanics’ screening party for the fifth season of Bravo’s fierce reality TV show. Getting into the game is easy: Name your team (the more ProjRun-related the better) and name your “model,” a hysterically disproportionate knockoff Barbie that gives a whole new meaning to the phrase “hot tranny mess.” When hostess Franny Klum gives the OK, teams make a mad dash for the fabric table and grab the best materials they can find. While all of us Runway Project participants designed (and drank) away, the real Project Runway contestants created duds and drama behind us on a large drop-down screen. (And yes, Tim Gunn is even more beautiful in hi-def.)

The evening’s challenge — a day-to-evening look for Brooke Shields’ character on Lipstick Jungle — left plenty of room for interpretation. My team, Team Wunderbar, designed a chic, teal cheetah sheath and capelet ensemble, while others made multilayer tear-off skirts, elaborate feather trains and sparkling, oversize totes.

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When the show reached the runway, the entire bar watched, judged and waited. After a fond farewell to Kelli and a victory for Keith, it was our turn. The models were stuffed on a foamcore stage, and each team had a chance to explain and defend their designs while everyone willing to vote cast their ballots. Team Wunderbar didn’t win the challenge or the $50 restaurant gift certificate, but we did score an honorable mention and a free game next week. So until then, auf Wiedersehen, bitches.