Kini Zamora is in during 'Project Runway' Season 13 premiere

 Lifetime photos
Hawaii designer Kini Zamora, bottom row right, made it through the premiere episode of “Project Runway” Season 13.

Project Runway Season 13
Episode 1: “The Judges Decide”

The beginning of the 13th season of Lifetime’s “Project Runway” featured the designer’s final presentations before the judges last cast cut. The show started with 19 designers, but three would be cut before the first competition started.

In the audition segment, Hawaii designer Kini Zamora wins several “I love it!’s” from Nina for his collection that included an elaborately constructed fitted denim dress. His technical skills are unquestioned, and it’s no surprise that he is one of the lucky 16 who make it onto the show.

For the first competition each designer is assigned a trunk full of fabric, all different. They are allowed to beg or borrow from each other to get the fabric they want to create an outfit suitable for a spring collection.

Kini is given very little air time, which, if you’re familiar with “Project Runway,” is a good thing. Most of the air time tends to be devoted to the competition’s winners and losers.

Kini Zamora’s creation was very safe, but in opening rounds, the middle ground almost guarantees a designer will return the following week.

During the less than stellar runway show, Kini sends down a classic fitted sleeveless dress and jacket. Very safe, but well sewn. It easily puts him in the middle if the pack.

Judges determine the best looks to be by returning designer Amanda Valentine, Char Glover and Sandhya Garg. No one gets Sandhya’s design. When it came down the runway I thought it was hideous. But to the designers’ shock, the judges love it!!??

When they inspect it later, they find it is full of intricate hidden details that those of us watching on tiny screens can’t see. They love her creativity because it is something they’ve never seen before (because no one would wear it!) Actually, as they show the details and I see the torn details of the sleeve, I would be intrigued enough to try it on if I saw it on a rack. I like details and deconstruction.

Char Glover’s design was beautiful and well-constructed.

I think Char should have won. The decision came down to perfection or creativity, and the judges chose Sandhy as the winner. The other contestants are baffled.

As for the designer sent home, Jefferson Musanda’s ensemble was the clear-cut loser of the bunch. He showed a disproportionate crop top, and high-waisted shorts that looked like a diaper.

Keep watching to see how Kini fares. During previous season auditions, he’s been consistently told to edit, edit, edit. If he can keep his fantastical impulses in check, his technical skills may take him far.

Sandhya Garg had the winning look, which shocked the other designers. It looked sloppy, poorly constructed, and just plain weird.

Jefferson Musanda was rightly sent home for this heinous crime against womankind.

Keep up with episodes: http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/project-runway
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Nadine Kam is Style Editor and staff restaurant critic at the Honolulu Star-Advertiser; her coverage in print on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Contact her via email at nkam@staradvertiser.com and follow her on Twitter, Instagram and Rebel Mouse.