Heidi Klum will be portrayed by Angela Lindvall. The role of Nina Garcia will be played by Marchesa‘s Georgina Chapman. Joanna Coles, editor-in-chief of Marie Claire will star as mentor-in residence Tim Gunn. And returning to the fashion reality competition show stage is Isaac Mizrahi as Michael Kors. Guest judges will include Diane von Furstenberg, Miranda Kerr, Miss Piggy, Pharrell Williams, Nanette Lepore, Rachel Roy, Catherine Malandrino, and Mark Badgley and James Mischka.

The All-Stars in question are past Runway contestants who weren’t quite up to snuff, such as Austin Scarlett, Sweet P, Kara Janx and that much-reviled whiny copycat, Kenley Collins. Personally, I stopped watching Project Runway as soon as it hopped from Bravo to Lifetime,  deciding along the way that a season in L.A. was a good idea, but this new spin-off series could bring some much-needed fresh air into the franchise.

The All-Stars will compete for a handsome set of prizes, the most lucrative in Runway history: “an exclusive designer boutique in select Neiman Marcus stores and on neimanmarcus.com; $100,000 in technology and office space to help expand their business from HP and Intel; $100,000 cash from L’Oréal Paris; a feature spread in Marie Claire, for which he or she will serve as a guest editor for one year, and a sewing and embroidery studio provided by Brother International.” Well, at least they made returning to the scene of one’s former and very public embarrassment suitably enticing.

Will you watch Project Runway All-Stars when it premieres January 5 on Lifetime, television for women unemployed gay men? [WWD]

Although the only time I’ve ever looked at an issue of Marie Claire was offhandedly in the doctor’s waiting area, I am totally enthralled by this fashion-soaked reality show. It’s an entertaining, if not accurate depiction of what it’s like to work as an intern at a mainstream glossy. This show has done for me what Stylista didn’t—instead of nonsensical challenges and novelty, weekly eliminations (that by the way took place on a made for TV set) we see three, couldn’t-be-more-different fashion industry hopefuls tackle real (?) assignments and frenetically run around NYC in their respective heels all in an effort to please the dry, yet endearing editor-in-chief Joanna Coles.

With four episodes down, the characters are well in place. Samantha, who is by far my favorite, is the small-town, doe-eyed optimist whose positive attitude more than makes up for her naiveté. Despite some seeming body image issues—an ill-fitting sample size garment results in a teary breakdown—her sweet and carefree nature makes her stand out amidst the I-take-myself-way-too-seriously ilk. Talita is the opportunistic diva who definitely rocks the best outfits, and speaks with a deep, self-assured cadence. With a degree from the eponymous FIDM, she’s a little tense, but driven. Then there’s the deplorable wretch that is Ashley, who’s “bring the other girls down to make myself look good” approach will really get her far in this industry (insert sarcastic tone here). Instead of letting her experience speak for itself, which she’s failed to do thus far, she flagrantly whines and complains about the other girls getting more glamorous assignments while she gets stuck running mundane errands. Um, hello…that’s what interns do. Secondly, a negative disposition will only perpetuate a less than desirable situation; you get what you put out and being a hater gets you nowhere.

If you haven’t yet, I highly recommend checking it out. It’s as mind-numbingly addictive as Top Model reruns on Oxygen, but better.