Summer TV: Project Runway

Last season, Houston's Chloe Dao was the winner of Project Runway, picking up a show at NYC's prestigious Fashion Week, a new convertible, and $100,000 to start her own line. You can check in on Chloe at Lot 8, her fab Village-area boutique, but if her prices are a little steep, get in on the ground floor of Season 3 of Bravo's fantastic reality show instead.

Project Runway follows the fates of a diverse group of designers of all ages and experience levels. Each week they perform in a challenge, the object of which is to make a piece of women'swear. Tasks have included making a skating dress for Sasha Cohen, making clothes based upon the aesthetic of another designer, and last week, creating an outfit entirely out of items foud in their apartments. The designs are critiqued at a runway show by an elite panel which includes designer Michael Kors and rotating guest judges. The contestants are mentored by the sarcastic-yet-supportive Tim Gunn, who admonishes them to "make it work" weekly, giving critiques during the creative process.

Why Runway? Unlike many reality shows, this one can be watched casually. You don't need to have seen last week's evening gown fiasco, in other words, to enjoy's this week's coat-related meltdown. When someting from a past challenge is occasionally referred to, the editors are good about providing the relevant video clip.

The thing is, though, you won't want to watch it casually. From reading Tim Gunn's blog, you'll progress to bidding on the one-of-a-kind designs. And from there? Well, Tim's got a podcast too...

The second episode of season 3 of Project Runway will air tonight on Bravo at 9 central time, with a repeat at 11. If you want to watch last week's episode, it'll air at 6 and 8 pm and at midnight.