(Budget Travel Online) -- We're not the only ones excited that Bravo's Emmy-nominated "Project Runway" is back for its third season. On the widely popular reality TV show, 15 up-and-coming designers compete in weekly challenges for the chance to show their collections at New York's Fall Fashion Week.
It's a fascinating inside peek at the fashion world and creative process -- what does judge Vera Wang think makes a gown work? How can you make an outfit from bed sheets? -- with all of the juicy back-stabbing, unexpected surprises, and theatrics you'd expect from reality TV.
And, of course, there's its endearing breakout star, Tim Gunn. At Budget Travel, we're smack in the midst of the Garment District (one lucky staffer spotted Gunn getting coffee next door!), and we know that fashion in New York doesn't have to be expensive.
To wit, we've rounded up a guide to all things "Project Runway," from alum Emmett McCarthy's downtown boutique to a hot new bar where contestants partied, plus our favorite stops for vintage shoes, make-your-own jewelry and more. Get details on where to go and consult our interactive map.
1. Atlas New York
66 W. 38th St. near Sixth Ave., 212/402-5300, atlasny.com
Tim Gunn and Heidi Klum kicked off Season Three on the Atlas rooftop, with a champagne toast and the first challenge -- create an innovative design from materials in the contestants' rooms. Hardly a mattress, chandelier or furry bathmat was spared in the mayhem. Long-term visitors can hole up in an Atlas apartment themselves and make use of the concierge services, gym, lounge and roof. Minimum one-year lease for studio, alcove, one- or two-bedroom apartments; $2,350-$6,200 per month.
2. Bryant Park
Between 42nd and 40th Sts. and Fifth and Sixth Aves., 212/768-4242, bryantpark.org
Each fall, designers, models, fashionistas and the "Project Runway" cast descend on this prim midtown park for Fashion Week (September 8-15) , where the lucky finalists showcase their collections under the signature white tents. The catwalks may be closed to the public, but we'd suggest avoiding the scene (and jacked-up hotel rates) anyway. Instead, make an outdoor lunch date; pack a picnic blanket for Monday night summer screenings of classics like "The Birds" and "High Noon"; or swing by at Christmastime for holiday markets and free ice skating.
3. Buddha Bar
25 Little W. 12th St., bet. Ninth Ave. and Washington Ave., 212/647-7314, buddha-bar.com; Open daily, 6 P.M.-4 A.M.
One of the buzzy Meatpacking District's hotspots du jour. An offshoot of the original Parisian Buddha Bar, the sprawling Asian fusion restaurant/lounge/sushi bar played host to the Season Three premiere party. A giant black lacquered Buddha looked on while contestants and glitterati threw back cocktails like the Komodo Dragon: Level Vodka, Godiva White, Kahlua, Frangelico and espresso, $15.
4. Chelsea Flower District
26th to 29th Sts. along Sixth Ave.
Exotic plants and flowers line the three-block-long Flower District, an open air market for wholesale and retail florists. During Season Two, contestants snapped up all sorts of petals and greens to fashion literal "garden party" dresses. The district is open to the public, and it's best to get there early for a perfumed morning stroll.
5. Emmett McCarthy EMc2
240 Elizabeth St., bet. Houston and Prince Sts., 212/431-4134, emmettmccarthy.com; 10 A.M. -- 8 PM Mon.-Sat. and 11 A.M.-- 7 P.M., Sun.
Emmett McCarthy, cut from Season Two, went on to open this boutique in Nolita, one of the city's hippest shopping destinations. His sophisticated women's dresses and jackets come with a hefty price tag; a slimming three-quarter length black jacket goes for $525 and printed shirt dresses are $225. The summer's most popular item? Bright linen and cotton halter A-line frocks from $340. McCarthy brought alums Kara Janx, Nick Verreos and Chloe Dao to the store in mid-July for a trunk show featuring fashions from all four up-and-coming designers. They sold a cheeky Tim Gunn Semi-Automatic T-shirt for the occasion, with the image of a gun and the words: "NYC Fashion Police -- Tim Gunn -- Make It Work" ($30, pink or black). Another trunk show is scheduled for September 16, when they'll debut the Tim Gunn doll ($25, also available online at projectrunway.com).
6. Macy's
151 W. 34th St., between Broadway and Seventh Aves., 212/695-4400, macys.com; Mon.-Sat., 10 A.M.-9 P.M., Sun., 11 A.M.-8 P.M.
Each Thursday morning throughout the course of Project Runway, the world's largest department store -- and an official sponsor of Season Three -- revamps its window display to make room for the latest winning outfit. Look for the winning designs in the window on 34th St., about half-way between Seventh Ave. and Broadway. On the store's Seventh Ave. side, a jumbotron airs promotions and simulcasts of select episodes.
7. Mood Designer Fabrics
225 W. 37th St., bet. Seventh and Eighth Aves., 3rd Fl., 212/730-5003, moodfabrics.com; Mon.-Fri., 9 A.M.-7 P.M., Sat. 10 A.M.-4 P.M.
Budding and seasoned designers alike flock to this 40,000-sq-ft megastore piled high with fabrics from alpaca to velvet, as well as leathers, fringes and trimmings. Even the mannequins are for sale. Mood purchases its inventory from the leftovers of Roberto Cavalli, Donna Karan, Marc Jacobs and other fashion luminaries. "Project Runway" contestants drop in regularly to pick up materials and, on a recent challenge, teammates Vincent and Angela bickered over the selection of earth-toned fabrics for a Miss Universe gown. Silks, for example, run anywhere from $6 to $70 per yard.
8. Parsons The New School for Design
560 Seventh Ave. at 40th St., 212/229-8950, parsons.newschool.edu
Contestants frantically sketch, pin and sew designs for the weekly challenges in a workroom at Parsons, where the panel of judges then mercilessly rates their efforts. Not much is visible from the sidewalk, but if the episodes leave you inspired, consider one of Parsons' month-long summer classes. A six-session crash course on knitting and crocheting handbags is $276.
9. Red Lobster
5 Times Sq., at the corner of 41st St. and Seventh Ave., 212/730-6706, redlobster.com; 11 A.M.-11 P.M., daily
Season Two's Santino did a killer impression of lovable mentor Tim Gunn and a fake scenario of Red Lobster dinner dates with cast member Andraé. Show Gunn your support! Stop by the all-American seafood chain's Times Square location to refuel with a Jumbo shrimp cocktail, $10.50.
10. Toys "R" Us
1514 Broadway at 44th St., 646/366-8800, toysrus.com; Mon.-Thurs., 10 A.M.-10 P.M., Fri-Sat, 10 A.M.-11 P.M.; Sun., 11 A.M.-9 P.M.
A sensory-overload inducing kids' mecca in once seedy Times Square, with a 60-foot-tall indoor Ferris wheel, a video game zone, ferocious T-Rex and cuddly plush animals. Make a beeline for the second floor's bubblegum-pink Barbie dollhouse. Project Runway alum Nick Verreos' "My Scene Project Runway Barbie" -- sporting a lime green halter, flouncy skirt and lace-up sandals--gets prime placement, $29.99.
10 more fashion finds