Fashion Week El Paseo 2011 — Project Runway with Michael Costello, Mondo Guerra and Christopher Collins

The Project Runway alumni showcase at Fashion Week El Paso filled the tent Wednesday night with eager fans wanting to catch a glimpse of one-time Tim Gunn protégés Christopher Collins, Mondo Guerro, and Palm Springs local Michael Costello. The sold-out show left many with standing tickets, and procrastinators who didn’t secure their entrance in advance were turned away at the door.

The show started nearly 40 minutes late, providing plenty of time for guests to take Facebook photos with some of the Real Housewives of Orange County, who graced the front row as if they were Brad and Angelina. Once the show started, 2003 American Idol finalist Kimberley Locke belted songs between each collection. And, on the way out, fans could purchase a concert-style T-shirt stamped with Costello’s face for $25.

We got a more modern glimpse into our commercialized world of fashion through Collins’ 1970s-style abstract-printed shirtdresses, Guerro’s swingin ’60s patent leather skirts, and Michael Costello’s beautifully draped silk one-shoulder tent gown.

And when it was over and camera-phone pictures of the collections had sufficiently been snapped, the former television personalities dashed off to the ballroom of Riviera Palm Springs for an after-party featuring dancers in Black Swan garb, ice sculptures, and a photo booth.