Last week Bravo launched the second season of Project Runway - its Emmy-nominated reality series that features aspiring designers who compete in weekly rounds of fashion challenges in hopes of breaking into “the business.”

The wildly popular show first aired on Bravo in December 2004, and steadily grew to become Bravo's biggest “reality” hit ever. As a testimony to its wide appeal for all types of audiences, Project Runway's first season ratings even surpassed those of its gay older sister Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.

Those who are neither a slave to fashion nor a fan of “real life” TV may be pleasantly surprised by how watchable Project Runway is. More than just “reality TV”, it's a fascinating spotlight on the artistic and technical inventing process; revealing both the inspiration and the perspiration. Although its focus is on clothing designers, it brings to light the same smarts one would find in creators of architecture, painting, and sculpture.

With the special two-hour season premiere episode, the stage (or shall we say catwalk) was set for viewers to see which of 16 up and coming designers would follow in Jay McCarroll's fabulous footsteps. As in season one, contestants face elimination on a weekly basis, based on their execution of 13 Herculean design labors until only three remain. The three finalists face-off with full lines of their own design on the runway at New York 's Fall Fashion Week in February 2006.

The winner walks away with $100,000 in cash, a 2007 Saturn SkyRoadster, and a mentorship from the Banana Republic Design Team. Additionally, the winner's designs will be featured in prestigious ELLE Magazine.

Project Runway 2's cast includes some now-familiar faces recycled from its first season. Supermodel Heidi Klum returns as hostess/panel leader (while Elizabeth Hurley will preside over the UK's version of the show, Project Catwalk).

Klum was pregnant during season two's taping, and though very big with child, she still managed to show off an entire line of (rather loud), high-end maternity wear during the opening episodes. Perhaps as a result of her motherly condition, Klum has so far refrained from her Teutonic tendency to coldly bark out “Yooo Ah Outtt!” while banishing disqualified contestants (as she so often did in season one).

Also back on board this season, providing some academic gravitas to the often comically frantic proceedings, is Tim Gunn, Chair of the Department of Fashion Design at Parsons/The New School for Design. Gunn also functions as a kind of den mother to the budding designers, gently but sternly nudging them towards competition deadlines. One raised eyebrow from the distinguished Gunn, as he surveys entrants' works-in-progress, can convey volumes to TV audiences.

Once again top women's and men's wear designer Michael Kors and Elle Magazine fashion director Nina Garcia serve on the judging panel. The first of season two's guest judges was a somewhat stoic Diane von Furstenberg.

Also back, if only to help meet and greet new entrants, are Runway 1's winner Jay McCarroll and finalists Austin Scarlett and Kara Saun.

Token straight entrant Robert “the player” Plotkin also returns to assist new contestants. Along the way he will no doubt also provide some much needed eye candy for both gay male and straight female fans. Robert's appearance on PR has so far garnered the handsome, happy-go-lucky hetero an interview in Playgirl Magazine.

Special mention must be made for Project Runway's only return contestant - the at times annoying Daniel Franco, 31, of Los Angeles, CA. Daniel, the show's only straight male contestant, struck out in the very first round of season one, and almost repeated failing round one of season two. A bit too smiley and smug for his own good, Daniel exudes all the charm of an insufferably chipper Scientology student. I must admit though, when I saw his portfolio during the current show's opening interview/audition segment, I was duly impressed with his work.

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