Christian Siriano

Fashion reality shows have had a big payoff for some participants, catapulting them to full-fledged stardom in the world of style. Christian Siriano was a design student who had apprenticed with industry bigs Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood before he won "Project Runway's" Season 4. Since then, his independent label has become a powerhouse, showing in New York each season, appearing in fashion magazines around the world and dressing stars...

They've worked the "Runway" and become "Fashion Stars. " And while an appearance on reality television is no guarantee of increased success in the fashion world, it has provided a definite boost to a few fortunate stylists and designers. Here's what some of the most successful television fashion personalities and alumni are up to. BRAD GORESKI: Rachel Zoe's right-hand man in the first seasons of her show went on to star in his own Bravo series, "It's a Brad, Brad World," and was appointed brand stylist for Kate Spade N.Y. RACHEL ZOE: The Hollywood stylist and star (above, with colleague Michael Ward)

TV to film: Christian Siriano, the winner of last season's "Project Runway" TV competition, has been chosen to design the clothes for a fashion show that will be seen in the forthcoming film "Eloise in Paris," starring Uma Thurman and Jordana Beatty.

Ever wondered what it takes to make it in the fashion industry? On Oct. 19-21, 525 young women will gather at the Hudson Theater in New York City to hear from top designers, editors and entrepreneurs. These fashionistas, who aspire to work in the fashion industry themselves one day, will take part in the annual three-day Teen Vogue Fashion University for some "Fashion 101" classes. If you can't make it to NYC for the event, don't sweat it. Teen Vogue is offering a webinar of the sold-out event online.

At the Human Rights Campaign's annual L.A. gala at the Hyatt Century Plaza Hotel on March 15, 6. Anne Hathaway, with her Ally for Equality Award, let loose onstage with a story about her brother coming out to her accepting family. Also receiving recognition: Bravo, which received the Corporate Visibility Award from this season's "Project Runway" winner, 7. Christian Siriano, left, and previous contestant Nick Verreos.

One day, in the possibly not so far future, anything that you can do that I can do better, or that I can do that you can do better, or anyone can do better than somebody else, will have been made into a television show. Every profession, any pursuit — all you'll have to do is add "Top" or "Project" to it and you'll have created another reality competition: "Top Undertaker," "Project Unicycle," I could sit here all day making up these things. (Indeed, I believe that people do.) In some ways it's better than actually watching television.

Ever wondered what it takes to make it in the fashion industry? On Oct. 19-21, 525 young women will gather at the Hudson Theater in New York City to hear from top designers, editors and entrepreneurs. These fashionistas, who aspire to work in the fashion industry themselves one day, will take part in the annual three-day Teen Vogue Fashion University for some "Fashion 101" classes. If you can't make it to NYC for the event, don't sweat it. Teen Vogue is offering a webinar of the sold-out event online.

Do talk about: "Date Night" Really! Disregard the flat trailer and consider this: Tina Fey and Steve Carell, together at last. Having seen the goods, it's obvious director Shawn Levy gave his stars plenty of leeway to work their magic in this action comedy about an overworked couple who try to rekindle their marriage only to be caught up in a deadly plot. Watch for one heck of a tag-team stripper pole dance. (Friday) You should talk about: "Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans."

They've worked the "Runway" and become "Fashion Stars. " And while an appearance on reality television is no guarantee of increased success in the fashion world, it has provided a definite boost to a few fortunate stylists and designers. Here's what some of the most successful television fashion personalities and alumni are up to. BRAD GORESKI: Rachel Zoe's right-hand man in the first seasons of her show went on to star in his own Bravo series, "It's a Brad, Brad World," and was appointed brand stylist for Kate Spade N.Y. RACHEL ZOE: The Hollywood stylist and star (above, with colleague Michael Ward)

Season 1 Wendy Pepper Pepper was perhaps best known for attempting to use various alliances on "Project Runway" to her advantage, which only served to alienate her from the other contestants. After "Runway," Pepper appeared in two other Bravo shows: "Celebrity Poker Showdown" and "Battle of the Network Reality Stars." She now sells her clothing line out of her gallery and a boutique in Middleburg, Va. Season 2 Santino Rice Although respected as a designer on "Project Runway," Rice will forever be known for his uncanny impression of Tim Gunn, especially uttering the phrase, "Where's Andrae?"

Reality show stars-turned designers! Olympians fresh from performing feats of strength at the Summer Games! Peacockish bloggers taking pictures and typing on smartphones while walking on death-defying stilettos! There is all that and more at the three-ring circus that is New York Fashion Week, which kicked off Thursday with designers, retailers and media new and old converging in Manhattan for the spring-summer 2013 collections. The seven-day-long photo op includes runway shows and presentations held in warehouse spaces on Hudson River piers and at Chelsea art galleries, the Park Avenue Armory and tony places such as the Carlyle Hotel -- as well as under the big top at Lincoln Center, the hub of fashion week.

Fashion reality shows have had a big payoff for some participants, catapulting them to full-fledged stardom in the world of style. Christian Siriano was a design student who had apprenticed with industry bigs Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood before he won "Project Runway's" Season 4. Since then, his independent label has become a powerhouse, showing in New York each season, appearing in fashion magazines around the world and dressing stars...

One day, in the possibly not so far future, anything that you can do that I can do better, or that I can do that you can do better, or anyone can do better than somebody else, will have been made into a television show. Every profession, any pursuit — all you'll have to do is add "Top" or "Project" to it and you'll have created another reality competition: "Top Undertaker," "Project Unicycle," I could sit here all day making up these things. (Indeed, I believe that people do.) In some ways it's better than actually watching television.

Do talk about: "Date Night" Really! Disregard the flat trailer and consider this: Tina Fey and Steve Carell, together at last. Having seen the goods, it's obvious director Shawn Levy gave his stars plenty of leeway to work their magic in this action comedy about an overworked couple who try to rekindle their marriage only to be caught up in a deadly plot. Watch for one heck of a tag-team stripper pole dance. (Friday) You should talk about: "Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans."

Season 1 Wendy Pepper Pepper was perhaps best known for attempting to use various alliances on "Project Runway" to her advantage, which only served to alienate her from the other contestants. After "Runway," Pepper appeared in two other Bravo shows: "Celebrity Poker Showdown" and "Battle of the Network Reality Stars." She now sells her clothing line out of her gallery and a boutique in Middleburg, Va. Season 2 Santino Rice Although respected as a designer on "Project Runway," Rice will forever be known for his uncanny impression of Tim Gunn, especially uttering the phrase, "Where's Andrae?"

TV to film: Christian Siriano, the winner of last season's "Project Runway" TV competition, has been chosen to design the clothes for a fashion show that will be seen in the forthcoming film "Eloise in Paris," starring Uma Thurman and Jordana Beatty.

Christian was on his way, someone promised. He forgot something, another publicist whispered. The event, a small dinner hosted by Full Picture Productions for "Project Runway" winner Christian Siriano, had started almost an hour ago, and many guests were wondering if the designer had gone diva. A situation not yet "fierce," but hardly a "hot mess." "Ugly Betty" star Becki Newton wasn't budging until he showed. "I knew he was going to win on the first day, right?" she said, nudging her husband.

Reality show stars-turned designers! Olympians fresh from performing feats of strength at the Summer Games! Peacockish bloggers taking pictures and typing on smartphones while walking on death-defying stilettos! There is all that and more at the three-ring circus that is New York Fashion Week, which kicked off Thursday with designers, retailers and media new and old converging in Manhattan for the spring-summer 2013 collections. The seven-day-long photo op includes runway shows and presentations held in warehouse spaces on Hudson River piers and at Chelsea art galleries, the Park Avenue Armory and tony places such as the Carlyle Hotel -- as well as under the big top at Lincoln Center, the hub of fashion week.

Christian was on his way, someone promised. He forgot something, another publicist whispered. The event, a small dinner hosted by Full Picture Productions for "Project Runway" winner Christian Siriano, had started almost an hour ago, and many guests were wondering if the designer had gone diva. A situation not yet "fierce," but hardly a "hot mess." "Ugly Betty" star Becki Newton wasn't budging until he showed. "I knew he was going to win on the first day, right?" she said, nudging her husband.

At the Human Rights Campaign's annual L.A. gala at the Hyatt Century Plaza Hotel on March 15, 6. Anne Hathaway, with her Ally for Equality Award, let loose onstage with a story about her brother coming out to her accepting family. Also receiving recognition: Bravo, which received the Corporate Visibility Award from this season's "Project Runway" winner, 7. Christian Siriano, left, and previous contestant Nick Verreos.