By Rya Backer

Stella Zotis had long been a fan favorite on "Project Runway," what with her declarations of living and dying rock and roll, incorporating leather and grommets to toughen up an otherwise-mundane design for the show's challenges and her big, inviting personality.

"I'm living my proudest moment right now," Stella said of being on the show and the opportunities that have been presented since. "I'm putting pressure on myself to cultivate new ideas," namely, preparing a line to coincide with the opening of her store next month on the Lower East Side. Flanked by her boyfriend, Ratbones (yes, just Ratbones), and legendary photographer and close friend Mick Rock, Stella sat down in the Chelsea apartment she shares with Rat to talk "Runway" and how her lifestyle has affected her work. Read more...

By Rya Backer

Well, was last night something or was it something? I took to this week's episode for a wealth of reasons, namely that I'm a recent college grad (Let's go — wait, does NYU have any athletic teams?), I started working right out of college and, like most other members of the animal kingdom, I have an opinionated mother. That said, this episode was about as exciting as my morning subway ride, which is to say, not very riveting at all. Was Stella's absence to blame for the 60-minute snoozer? Certainly. But I also think it's worth pointing out how lame the entire challenge was. If I wanted to watch a "makeover" episode, I'd watch some "Jenny Jones" clips on Youtube. And if I wanted advice on office clothing, I'd refer to this: Unless you're physically given a uniform, you can probably wear jeans and the shirt you wore to sleep last night to work and no one will care.

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By Rya Backer

Remember that line in the hip-hop/Sting tour de force "I'll Be Missing You," when Puff Daddy (that's what he went by in those days) says he'd "give anything to hear half your breath"? Well, that's how I felt last week. I gave anything, and last night, I heard Stella take a victory exhale all over this week's episode. To put it in simpler terms: Designers were paired up (thanks to the help of Tim's magical, black velvet satchel) with the season's eliminated contestants. The partners had to put together an avant-garde look that corresponded with one of the designer's zodiac signs. Obviously. So, before we get started on this week's ins and outs, I've got a quick question.
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By Sabrina Rojas Weiss

Unlike season-five designer Korto, most celebrities do not know a supermarket when they see one (then again, the tabs always seem to be catching them with a cart full of groceries, but whatever). But the kind of nutty fashions that come out of "Project Runway" challenges are pretty much suited only for people in the entertainment biz, not for those of us who actually shop at Gristedes. (Read a review of the season premiere here.)

As sad as early MTV News favorite Stella Zotis' garbage bag gown was, I immediately pictured one woman who could easily pull it off, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' Karen O, who rocked similar shredded-plastic looks on tour last summer. Stella said the trash bags ripped really easily, though, so Karen might want to don some more durable undergarments onstage.

Sorry, "Project Runway In 60 Seconds" fans, Jim Cantiello is being pulled in a million different directions this summer, so you'll have to settle for the critical eyes of other MTV News staffers — and with the number of "PR" fans in this office, the competition for who gets to write about the show is (dare we say it?) fierce.

First up, Ms. Rya Backer:

When new episodes of "Gossip Girl" aren't improving the general quality of my life, I find it in my heart to continue living and watching other shows. If you didn't catch the season premiere, or one of its 938 squillion reruns, don't come crying to me about how I spoiled it for you. With that said, grab your favorite patterned tablecloth, and let's get to talking about the Ins and Outs of season five so far (because, in fashion one day you're in, and the next day ... oh, you know).

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