Project Runway NZ. Photo / Supplied
We are in the midst of a surge of Kiwi reality television and in amongst the search for love, the frantic DIY and the quest to be the best cook, we have Project Runway NZ where a group of 14 ambitious designers compete for the opportunity of a lifetime.
After settling in to watch the first episode, we can report it certainly raised a few eyebrows - and hemlines.
As the first challenge unfolded, producers weren't coy about integrating their sponsors, challenging designers to create a cocktail dress inspired by the flavour of the soda they had unwittingly consumed at a welcoming party.
Contestants had to create an outfit that reflected one of four flavour combos; watermelon and mint, elderberry and herb, salted lychee or pear and basil.
Weird? One hundred per cent.
Viewers weren't the only ones left bemused. Designer Peni didn't know what the heck basil was.
"I know what pear is, but what is basil!?"
Poor Peni.
To be fair, the first challenge was a hot fruity mess - but never the less, all the designers gave it a good crack.
A cocktail dress should be simple, elegant and dressy – but trying to draw inspiration from a soda flavour proved a step too far for some of the designers.
Lenon left things to the very last minute when his ruffle designs didn't work out, instead grabbing some dishevelled tartan fabric to 'zjoosh' up his garment. The 'finished' look, looked far from finished.
Massey made it very clear from the beginning that he had never made womenswear before. His aesthetic is 'sporty and utilitarian' and he found sewing darting for breasts quite the challenge.
His design looked like a "high school ball dress" according to judges and was labelled "pedestrian" by Sally-Ann Mullin.
Matt's underground clubbing smock was also deemed a fail.
He missed the brief completely and created a grey, hooded outfit that didn't impress the judges at all.
"It's DEFINITELY NOT cocktail" says Georgia shaking her head. "It's technically an oversized jersey-jumper."
And we have to agree.
Not every model can successfully make the transition to television presenter but Victoria's Secret Angel Georgia Fowler gives it a good nudge on this season of Project Runway NZ.
She's no Tyra or Heidi but her enthusiasm shines through.
The Kiwi model lives in New York and looks to be taking a leaf out of Rachel Hunter's book, broadening her career by getting some television presenting skills under her belt.
Georgia commands the stage and smiles warmly when explaining to the contestants the rules of the competition and reminds them of the $50k reward.
23-year-old Aucklander Benjamin Alexander won the first challenge and was lost for words when the judges told him.
"How does it feel to win?" asked Georgia.
"It feels good, thank you," said a meek-yet-highly-competitive Benjamin.
His white jacket-styled dress with rounded shoulders and large ruffled sleeves was a favourite with the judges.
"I was taken by the shape and simplicity and the overall elegance of the silhouette... it was very impressive," said judge Benny Castles.
22-year-old Christchurch designer Caitlin Crisp also displayed impressive skills.
Crisp used her 'watermelon and mint' soda inspiration to create a peach coloured high-necked swing dress with a twist of green at the nape of the neck – a clear nod to 1960s fashion.
Judy Gao also impressed the fashion tutor with her intense detailing around the bust of her 'salted lychee' inspired frock.
"There is a level of sophistication and elegance with what you have done, but it does need one more element of surprise," said tutor Andreas Mikellis.
28-year-old Aucklander Nicole Schmidt was the first to be eliminated off Project Runway NZ.
"I am sad that I am the first one to go, it's definitely not where I wanted to be."
"It's so f**king hard and tiring" she said as she sniffed into a tissue as the other contestants gave her a farewell hug.
•Project Runway screens on TVNZ2, Mondays at 7.30pm. Plus, you can watch Models of Project Runway on TVNZ OnDemand.