Pak ordered to pack bags

MELBOURNE: Sydney freelancer Deborah Pak last night (July 15) became the latest designer eliminated from reality television show Project Runway Australia after her design was slated as "bordering on unwearable". The 35-year-old - who specialises in women's ready to wear fashion - became the second designer booted off the reality show following the departure of Whitehouse Fashion Design student Alison Davis.

In last night's episode (July 15) contestants were charged with capturing the Australian lifestyle by designing an outfit - including swimwear - capable of taking the wearer from "the bar to the beach". Each was given a budget of just $50 and a time limit of just seven hours.

Despite having a meltdown midway through the task, during which she swore at mentor Henry Roth, Adelaide designer Sophie Spalding managed to avoid elimination. Self-confessed "frocker" Helen Manuell was classed in the bottom two alongside Pak after judges said Manuell's design was "unflattering and poorly constructed".

In naming 22-year-old childrenswear designer Mark Antonio as the episode winner, the four-strong judging panel - which included regulars designer Jayson Brunsdon, buyer Sarah Gale, host Kristy Hinze and guest judge Camilla Franks - described Antonio's design as "ticking all the boxes".

"It was very chic and very sophisticated and we loved it," Hinze said.

Ten contestants remain in the running to win the event, which offers the season one winner a Fiat car, a six page spread in Madison magazine, a $100,000 cash injection to invest in their own label and the opportunity to show at L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival 2009.

The remaining contestants are: Shane Garland (NSW), Juli Grbac (QLD), Leigh Buchanan (QLD), Brent Gary Zaicek (NSW), Lui Hon (VIC), Petrova Hammond (VIC) and Oren Nuri together with Spalding, Manuell and Antonio.