Project Runway to Nowhere – Reality Torture Show

Project Runway the show on Bravo as we know has become a very popular reality show. BUT, I just don’t get it!

On the whole it seems to me that reality shows, and Project Runway is a typical example are really shows that publicly demean, belittle, humiliating and generally are mean spirited that people love to watch! Why do people like to enjoy watching people get tortured? It is almost medieval mentality where people would gather in the village square to watch someone being flogged or branded or worse still to watch heads roll off the block!  Or the Gladiators wrestle lions in the coliseum!  Don’t we try and teach our children to be kind to one another?

But, I get off the real reason to my writing this blog. How many of the tortured designers that have been on the show are now famous and running a successful business of their own???? NOT ONE? So, why do they still line up and want to be part of these shows? I can only assume that they all hope they will be the ONE to make it! I actually have either had as a student while teaching at FIDM or Otis or met through my nonprofit Fashion Business Incorporated five contestants. One of which told me some details that back up my statement. Of course they are sworn to secrecy and could get sued if they were to tell the torture they were subjected to while being part of the show.

It seems obvious to me that the big missing part and the real reason they don’t make it in the REAL world is that none of them seem to really understand the business side of running a successful apparel business! Take a look at the many successful apparel companies who have been around for more than a few years and you will see that they are run by people who understand how to run a successful fashion business. You need to understand a cost sheet, and financial planning. Without knowing where the money is coming from you will lose your life saves very fast. The streets of most major fashion centers around the world are overflowing with “Wanabe” designers.  There are fashion courses taught at most colleges around the western world, but not enough jobs for them when they graduate. School loans to pay back and no way to pay them back.

We need to emphasis and teach more business skills. It amazes me how many creative designers I meet who have a great idea and a natural talent to design but JUST do not get the concept that without money it is near impossible to start an apparel business, let alone sustain it as it grows.  Where do the funds come from when there is more money going out to produce the good before you are paid for the goods sold? Then as you grow your company where will the funding come from for the healthy growth of that company?

As I continually talk about and which my books all explain you must have a business and a financial plan. Fully understand cost sheet, production costs, retail math and real overhead costs.  Maybe then you can apply for Project Runway! But I suspect by then you will not want to or need to!!