Supermodel Elizabeth Hurley hosts Project Catwalk to premiere in april New Programs / Slice Posted by RAD on Mar 03, 2006 - 12:00 AM International style icon Elizabeth Hurley hosts the first ever U.K.-based TV competition to focus on the world of fashion design. The British version of the hugely popular Project Runway gives 12 talented and hungry fashion designers the chance to see if they have what it takes to cut it in the highly competitive fashion industry. Set in fashion-forward London, England, Project Catwalk is a hip and entertaining series that will break fashion’s next big name. The series begins Monday, April 10 at 10 p.m. ET/PT and airs weekly in that timeslot on Life Network. “I am thrilled to be hosting the show. It’s a brilliant and hugely entertaining format. The fledgling designers will really be put through their paces and will be getting advice and help from the very best the industry has to offer. The models will get a real insight into the business. I am genuinely excited at the prospect of being a part of the launch of a hot new U.K. designer,” says Hurley, who beat out Supermodel Elle Macpherson to front the competition. To earn the honour of being crowned the Project Catwalk winner, the chosen 12 have to compete against each other in a series of challenges that will determine who has what it takes to be the next “It” designer. They will be put through a range of experiences that measure their creativity as well as their character. The top three finalists will have the golden opportunity to show a womenswear collection in front of the global fashion community during London Fashion Week. The winning designer’s collection will be displayed in the pages of ELLE magazine and they will also receive a cash prize of £20,000 to start their own collection. “U.K. designers often set the tone for the trends that hit the rest of the world and we know Canadian viewers will tune in to see the best of British fashion, and stay for the captivating tension that results as twelve strong personalities compete to claim their place in London’s fashion spotlight,” says Vanessa Case, Vice President, Content, Life Network and National Geographic Channel. Designer Julien Macdonald and ELLE editor Lorraine Candy are permanent judges, while designer Ben de Lisi is the contestants' mentor. Leading British-supermodel Erin O'Connor, Sadie Frost and Jemima French of Frost French design fame, designer Giles Deacon and Isabella Blow, one of the industries most respected stylists, are among those setting the challenges and judging the contestants' performances. Meanwhile, in a parallel competition, 12 up-and-coming models battle it out to become the designers' muses and, like the designers, face weekly eliminations. Of the three finalists, one model will emerge from the pack and grace the pages of ELLE magazine in the winning designer’s clothes. This article is from CHANNEL CANADA   http://www.channelcanada.com/ The URL for this story is:   http://www.channelcanada.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1268