‘Project Runway Latin America’ to move to Miami

Project Runway Latin America is moving to Miami, further cementing the area’s international fashion prominence. The show will start filming in July.

Worldwide, the fashion capitals are Paris, New York and Milan. For Latin America, it’s increasingly Miami.

The latest evidence: The Spanish-language version of the hit TV show, Project Runway, will begin filming in Miami on July 11, bringing a new roster of burgeoning fashion designers with Latin flair to compete for a top prize against a backdrop of palm trees and Art Deco architecture.

Project Runway Latin America joins other local fashion events, such as Mercedez-Benz Fashion Week Swim, Funkshion Fashion Week Miami Beach and Miami Beach International Fashion Week, that lend Miami international fashion cachet.

“We’re very excited,’’ said Jack Alfandary, the show’s Miami-based executive producer. “I think it [filming in Miami] will add a lot to the show, and we’re super looking forward to it.’’

Project Runway Latin America will feature 15 designers ages 20 to 35 from Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Venezuela and Guatemala, culled from 2,000 applicants from all over Latin American, Alfandary said.

In a series of themed competitions, the designers will be pitted against each other to produce garments, which are then strutted out onto the runway as judges pick apart the designs and eliminate contestants, one by one.

Produced by the Miami-based Latin American headquarters of London-based FremantleMedia — the largest content creation and television production company in world and producer of American Idol — the show has all the same music, look and feel of the U.S. show. Last year’s inaugural show was filmed in Buenos Aires.

Taking the role of host Heidi Klum: Mexican model and TV presenter Rebecca de Alba. Mentor Tim Gunn’s position is filled by Argentine designer Mariano Toledo. One of the judges is renowned Venezuelan designer Angel Sánchez, and there will be additional guest judges.

WINNER

Last season, Colombian Jorge Duque won the $20,000 top prize, a spread and cover in Elle Magazine Mexico and the chance to show his collection at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Mexico.

Alfandary said that this year’s prize is still being negotiated.

Project Runway Latin America will film at the Miami International University of Art & Design, at a private studio in Doral and places around the community, he said.

For the Miami fashion school, it’s a chance to appear in the spotlight.

“I think it’s fantastic,’’ said Charlene Parsons, the school’s department chair of fashion.

Contestants will stay in apartments near downtown Miami, and Alfandary said he hopes to shoot at the beach, at an iconic hotel, at an entertainment venue and in Miami Beach’s Art Deco District.

“We’re looking to show the color of Miami,’’ he said.

That look — a palette of bright colors, form-fitting dresses, sexy swimwear and breezy fabrics — has molded Miami into the epicenter of fashion for Latin America.

“All the designers come here. They’re much more comfortable coming here than to New York or other U.S. gateways,’’ said Beth Sobol, president and executive producer of Miami Beach International Fashion Week, now in its 14th year and credited with boosting the presence of Latin American fashion in Miami.

“Many have homes here, have friends and family here, and it is much more of a friendly atmosphere to do business here,’’ Sobol said.

By Ina Paiva Cordle

Posted in Latin America Project Runway 2011 , Mariano Toledo , Project Runway Latin America , Rebecca de Alba