How to Host a "Project Runway" Theme Party

Supermodel Heidi Klum is the host of "Project Runway."

"Project Runway" is an American television program that features fashion designers competing for money, recognition and a chance to design and produce their own fashion line. The show is hosted by German supermodel Heidi Klum, and the designers are mentored by Tim Gunn, chief creative officer for Liz Claiborne. The drama of "Project Runway" makes for a great party theme---all it takes to "make it work" is your own creativity.

Things You'll Need

• Co-host and party planner.
• A budget for location, supplies, and food.
• Party invitations.
• Prizes.

Instructions

1. Send out invitations that play on some of the show's famous catchphrases. The front of the invitation can play on Heidi Klum's runway warning, "In fashion, one day you're in, and the next day you're out," or on Tim Gunn's famous edict, "Make it work!" For added fashion fun, assign a famous style icon (Madonna, Jackie O., etc.) to each guest in the invitation and instruct her to show up dressed as her style diva. Have guests try to guess the identity of each other's fashion maven by attire alone as your first party game.

2. Serve food that pokes sly fun at the fashion industry. Models are notoriously slender, so serve vegetable sticks, fruit wedges and low-fat, yogurt-based dips. A bowl of rice cakes, glasses of champagne and diet sodas complete the fashionable, if sparse, snack table. For a more festive menu, remember that the models may have to fit into a sample-size garment but you do not. Consider serving a junk-food fanatic's favorites such as brownies, chips and ice cream for a hit of self-indulgence.

3. Play games inspired by some of the challenges on "Project Runway." Several seasons have featured competitions that required designers to use everyday objects as the unconventional fabric of their outfits. Divide your guests into teams and have them construct a no-sew, runway-ready look out of items found in your apartment or out of unconventional materials such as paper towels, paper coffee filters or pages from old phone books. After time runs out, have a model from each team strut their team's creation, using a hallway as your own personal runway. Crank up the music, and have the paparazzi (your guests and their cameras) stationed at the end of the runway. Give awards for Most Creative Outfit, Most Wearable Outfit and the Outfit Most Likely to Earn an Auf Wiedersen from Heidi.

Tips & Warnings

• A Project Runway party is perfect for team building with co-workers, especially if you work in the Fashion Industry.

• Hosts should be sure to circulate between break out groups, take photos, and make sure the drama level is manageable.

• Host responsibilities include making sure everyone gets home safe. Don't let friends drink and drive, ever.

References

• MyLifetime: About Project Runway Season 9
• MyLifetime: Tim Gunn Profile
• Mitzvah-licious; Project Runway Party; July 11, 2009
• AZ Central; Throw a Fashionable Project Runway Party; August 9, 2008