Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival 2008

Two years after designer Jay McCarroll’s big win on the first season of Project Runway, filmmakers Michael Selditch and Rob Tate go backstage to chronicle the year-long journey of “the next great American designer” preparing for his first independent show at New York’s Fashion Week. Why, everyone wants to know, is it taking him so long to show his first collection? Documenting the design and production of a line of clothing from sketch to sales, this entertaining exposé weaves together the drama, humor, stress, and contradictions implicit in turning out high-fashion on a low budget (not to mention getting friends to sew dresses, make shoes, style hair, design jewelry, deliver invitations, and provide publicity—all for free). A bitchy but resilient McCarroll pours sweat and tears into his life’s passion as numerous disasters threaten his moment in the spotlight—a show lasting eleven minutes. The high stakes of proving himself contrast with the absurdity of the fashion world, challenging our notions of art and industry, innovation and conformity, fame and talent, salesmanship and success.