Like Heidi Kum says, “In fashion, one day you’re in. The next day, you’re out.” Well, Zac Posen is in and Michael Kors is out!
Michael Kors is saying “auf wiedershen” to Project Runway after serving on the judges’ panel alongside Heidi Klum and Nina Garcia for 10 seasons. It was announced today that Kors is leaving the show due to scheduling conflicts (Kors’ December 2011 IPO was the biggest-ever in US fashion history, so he’s pretty busy).
Fellow fashion designer Zac Posen will be replacing Kors. He tweeted earlier today “So excited to be the new judge on @ProjectRunway Season 11!! Joining @heidiklum @ninagarcia and @TimGunn.” Posen is no stranger to Project Runway, he previously appeared as a guest judge during seasons 3 and 4. Viewers won’t have to wait long to hear Kors’ famously hilarious critiques; he will return as a guest judge for the show’s season finale.
Other guest judges for the season will include Bette Midler, Susan Sarandon, Miranda Lambert, John Legend, Kristin Davis, Emmy Rossum, Jordana Brewster, Joan and Melissa Rivers and designers Rachel Roy, Tracy Reese, Chris Benz and season 4 “Project Runway” winner Christian Siriano.
The addition of Posen to the judges’ panel is not the only change in store for viewers this season. For the first time, contestants will compete as teams rather than as individuals. They will have to work together during all of the challenges but will have to make their individual garments stand out on the runway.
Zac Posen steps into the judges chair when Project Runway premiers of Lifetime January 24th.
As a tribute to Michael Kors, check out some of his most hilarious designer critiques from the past 10 seasons.
- “She looks like barefoot Appalachian Li’l Abner Barbie.”
- “He looks like reggae Jesus.”
- “She looks like toilet paper in a windstorm.”
- “She looks like a Amish cocktail waitress.”
- “The dress is just sadness personified.”
- “I think if the challenge was to make something for a 70-year-old woman to go sit in a mall, then get back to the house early so she can watch television, you succeeded.”