Ep 3. Commercial Appeal

Project Runway is a reality television show that follows aspiring fashion designers as they compete against each other in various challenges to win a grand prize. In season 1 episode 3, titled "Commercial Appeal," the contestants are tasked with creating a ready-to-wear look for the Banana Republic brand.

The episode starts with the designers arriving at the Banana Republic store in New York City. They are greeted by Banana Republic's senior vice president of design, Deborah Lloyd, who explains the challenge. The designers must create a look that is fashionable, functional and versatile, and embodies Banana Republic's aesthetic. The winning look will be sold in Banana Republic stores nationwide.

The designers are given a budget of $150 and one day to complete the challenge. They go fabric shopping at Mood, a popular fabric store in the Garment District, and then proceed to sketch and create their designs.

The designers face various obstacles throughout the challenge. Some struggle with finding the right fabric, while others struggle with designing something that is both fashionable and functional. One designer, Wendy, is particularly struggling with the time constraint and the pressure of the challenge. She is worried that her design will not be good enough to win.

As the day progresses, the designers start to feel the pressure of the looming deadline. Some are able to complete their designs on time, while others struggle to finish. The judges for the challenge are Banana Republic's vice president of public relations, Sheik Majed Al-Sabah, and fashion designer Cynthia Rowley.

During the runway show, the judges are impressed with the overall caliber of the designs. They comment on the designers' ability to create pieces that are both fashionable and functional. However, some of the designs are not quite up to Banana Republic's standards.

After much deliberation, the judges select four designers to move on to the next round of the competition. They compliment the designers on their ability to create commercial designs that are both fashion-forward and functional. The winning design will be sold in Banana Republic stores nationwide, providing a huge opportunity for the winning designer to gain exposure and recognition.

As the episode comes to a close, the remaining designers are pleased with their performance on the challenge. Some are elated to have made it to the next round, while others are disappointed to have fallen short. All of the designers are eager to continue competing and proving themselves as fashion industry professionals.

Overall, Project Runway season 1 episode 3 "Commercial Appeal" provides a glimpse into the challenges and pressures faced by aspiring fashion designers. The episode showcases the designers' abilities to create fashionable and functional designs that appeal to a commercial market, and highlights the importance of versatility and adaptability in the fashion industry.