"Project Runway" airs Thursday nights at 9/8 p.m. on the ‘Lifetime’ cable TV network. The fashion reality show is now in its’ 11th season & Patricia Michaels is the first Native American designer to appear on the show. She is from the small town of ‘Taos’ in the state of New Mexico who is of Taos/Pueblo Indian descent. She has impressed the judges including the two hosts of the show - super model Heidi Klume & fashion guru Tim Gunn. Patricia has made it to the 4th round episode which airs this Thursday Feb. 14, 2013. Heidi says each week that within the fashion industry - “One day you’re in & the next day you’re out.” Each contestant has to create from scratch some impressive ideas or they will be sent home. ‘3’ contestants have gone home so far this TV season.
Patricia has come a long way to this point in her life & is receiving a much deserved exposure from “Project Runway.” According to the official website of ‘Taos.org.’ There is a profile on remarkable women in business. They say - “In 1985, Patricia apprenticed with the Santa Fe Opera’s costume designer - then went on to study at the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA). Nearly a decade later - after working in Chicago at the field museum and an art gallery - she apprenticed with a tailor in Milan, Italy in 2001. When she returned to the States - Patricia headed to New York’s garment district with her ‘design team’ (her young son and daughter) in tow.”
“Knowing the financial sacrifices she would have to make - and the hard work it would take to become known in the competitive world of fashion - Patricia settled her family in New York. She now had the experience and opportunity to become an innovator - to do for fashion what ‘Nampeyo’ had done for pottery. And she wanted her children - her other source of inspiration - to be part of it. Two years and two collections later (2003) - hers was the first Native American label featured in the prestigious New York Fashion Week.”
On last weeks “Project Runway” episode (Feb. 7) entitled, ‘Surprise Me.’ Patricia designed a dress for the Heidi Klume public relations event & made the top ‘3’ designs Heidi would choose from. When you watch the episode you will see the respect Patricia has received from her group team called -‘keeping it real.’ You will also see the admiration she had received from each judge. Patricia is a perfectionist & very hard on herself. She works diligently on her fashion designs that have to be different than what other designers can imagine. She succeeds on this 100%. Let’s hope that Patricia makes it to the next round or possibly winning this year’s “Project Runway” competition.
Below is a list of "Patricia Michaels" Internet links to learn more about this innovative fashion designer.
- “Taos.org” article on remarkable women in business
- “Project Runway” official website where you can watch repeat episodes.
- “Project Runway” website that spotlights Patricia Michaels episode '3' design.
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