Project Runway Interview: Tim Gunn Continues Making it Work

Having mentors on reality shows is nothing new – we’re all familiar with American Idol’s celebrity mentors who are there for no other reason than to show their pretty face and publicize their latest album.

Enter Tim Gunn.

When Gunn first began working with Project Runway during season one, he was an Associate Dean at Parsons The New School for Design in New York City. He was already a mentor for hundreds of students, so when it came to appearing on television, he had nothing to promote. Gunn was –and is still there – for the sole benefit of the designers.

Now in its eighth season, Project Runway is changing the way it does some things. For the first time in the show’s history, there will be 17 contestants instead of 16. The show has also been lengthened to a full 90 minutes. It’s definitely a bit of a gamble; is there enough interesting footage to fill up the time without losing the audience’s attention?

According to Gunn, there’s more than enough!

“When I reflect upon season seven, we barely see the Q&A between the judges and the designers,” he says. “We barely hear anything out of the deliberation. You get a sound bite, when in fact the Q&A and the deliberation go on anywhere from four to six hours.”

And of course, a 90 minute episode also means more Tim Gunn! Gunn spends more time in the workroom mentoring and supporting the designers than is actually shown on TV. “You would think that I check in with four designers, sometimes only three, when, in fact, I’m giving equal time to everybody,” he explains.

Not only will viewers have the chance to see Gunn interacting more with the contestants this season, but Gunn also revealed he’ll be getting his own “beat” – that’s fancy talk for a one-on-one camera interview.

“I’m my candid, honest, truth-telling self and that means I don’t know much of what they’re actually going to put in the show!” he dished. Why has it taken them eight seasons to introduce this?!

If there’s anyone who has a better understanding of the contestants on the show, it’s Gunn. And while he was very mum on details about this season’s crop of designers, Gunn did air his grievances (already!) about one contestant who takes it upon themselves to critique the other designers after Gunn has already done his rounds in the workroom. The nerve!

While there were no specifics about individual designers, as a whole Gunn described the group as “fragile” and admitted he became very fond of them. Gunn’s relationship with the designers sometimes continues even after the show has wrapped. “I’m very careful not to force myself upon anyone, but the designers do get back in touch with me either about professional advice or they just want to have a cup of coffee or glass of wine, and I’m thrilled to see them,” he says.

So what three words would Gunn use to describe this season? Hot – “because New York has never been hotter, and we’ve spent a lot of time outdoors.” Emotional – “It has to do with how hard everyone’s working and how – I’m welling up right now – how lovely everyone is. And lastly, frustrating – “it goes back to the judging.” Ohhhhh, drama during judging? This season already has plenty of potential!

The new season of Project Runway begins Thursday, July 29 at 9 pm (EST) on Lifetime.