Although Project Runway is wildly popular among its fanbase, it’s not necessarily a guaranteed ticket to success in the fashion business. "Reality TV isn't for me," Emmett McCarthy, a contestant on Season Two, recently told WWD. "In fact, if I had watched the first season of the show, I am sure I would have never even tried out." Unlike some of the less seasoned cast members, McCarthy had already worked in menswear at Nautica, Wrangler, and the men’s shirts division of fashion giant Kellwood. In fact, the only reason he admits to even trying out was because of Tim Gunn, previously the fashion design chair of Parsons The New School for Design, and now the chief creative officer at Liz Claiborne Inc. "Tim came to my high school and was the one who got me interested in Parsons, so his guidance has meant a great deal to me." However, fame has its perks, and McCarthy is quite a busy ex-reality TV show star. He will soon be launching emmettmccarthy.com; designs Elements by Emmett McCarthy label exclusively for QVC; has a boutique planned for Bleecker Street later in the year; will soon celebrate the first anniversary of EMc2, his Elizabeth Street boutique in downtown NYC – where he sells his line, along with designs from Project Runway participants Kara Janx, and the Season Two winner, Chloe Dao. Prices start at just under $200 (a top) on up to $4,500 (a shearling winter coat). But wait, there’s more! Also in the works is Emmett McCarthy Collection, a premium line of Italian made Monique Soeterboerg shoes, to be sold in fancy stores like Neiman Marcus. The current state of fashion is dominated by mass chains and apparel groups with deep pockets, making it nigh impossible for an indie designer to stay afloat. So, while newfangled and unorthodox, the good part of Project Runway is that it’s provided a platform for many legit small designers – like McCarthy, Janx & Dao - to gain exposure and sales for their designs.

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