Grabbing the Bull by the Horns/Merlin doesn't hold back when talking about his fellow designers.

I can not believe that I'm still competing in this incredible odyssey. Seriously, The Fashion Show is the most important thing that has happened in my life. So far the competition has been difficult but not that hard for me. The judges, for good or for bad, are always correct and very good and wise with their comments. Blessed be God that they are! I continue fighting in my world of fantasy galactic by keeping both feet on the ground and remembering that I'm only dressing humans, not God or goddesses.

I'm not going to make excuses that I don't have formal fashion school training or that I haven't worked with famous designers before but in the end it does not matter. What's important is that I show that I can do it, that I try to put the best of me in each challenge and get better and better.

Today we are not working in teams and I'm so happy. I admit those beautiful shoes of Giuseppe Zanotti have left me hypnotized for the colors. I have finished moving each aspect of the shoe and detail into my outfit which will be super gorgeous but the look will be exaggerated like always. The best thing I can do is to grab the bull by the horns.

Angel, I'm happy that she dresses like the general public and I hope she continues to do so.
Daniella, it doesn't surprise me that she won the other week, yet again, her outfit is safe and forgettable. She'll continue to win and gain a lot of success. Reco has a lot of talent and knows how to take risks. He is a diamond in the rough and I'm happy to know him. I'm happy for him that he won the right.

Finally Andrew is gone. It is obvious that he is not interested in the world of fashion. He is a "man" of business and is here only for the publicity and he's got that from this. "Lidia Lidia". Lidia doesn't listen to advice or allow help; she's always making excuses and complaining. Finally everyone will see and witness what I've been telling them all season.

In general, I feel tired to be here and that the products I've made has given me the opportunity to show what I can do and I'm not misleading anyone. I continue to try and give the best of me and may God help me!

Love,LIfe,Liberty,Merlin Castell

Love, Life, Liberty, Merlin Castell

Thursday, May 28, 2009 – By Laura Medina, West Hollywood

West Hollywood, California (Thursday, May 28, 2009) - During Memorial Day weekend, we vegetate on the beach, the barbeque, or chilling in front of the tube.


Merlin Castell of WeHo, a contestant in Bravo’s “The Fashion Show.” WeHo News.
It takes an unlikely man to remind us the true meaning of the holiday. A man so passionate about freedom and liberty, it comes out of the blue, Merlin Castell, haute couture women’s’ wear and a contestant in Bravo’s “The Fashion Show.”

Taking a breather from doing rounds of contests and promotions, he offers a very rare glimpse into his soul, a candid tale of growing up gay in a small Honduran village to loving Los Angeles and America then competing on a television show in New York.

The usually extroverted Mr. Castell unexpectedly becomes introspective, calmly reflecting on his passage of being an immigrant, being gay in a free society then equating it with his patriotism for his adopted country.

In a middle of a banana field, a tiny village lines up for a polio vaccination. A weeping eight-year old Castell begs not to be poked. A missionary nurse promises him a comic book if he please stops. He did. As a reward, he got it but it was not a comic book. It was a Forties Vogue Magazine.



As a forlorn gay boy, the magazine’s glamour and art gave him the desire to dream about a bigger world beyond his humble village.

Growing up, his family did not have a television. They walked over to a neighbor to watch one. The simple act of watching television was so exhilarating. This too, gave him the ambition to visualize about all sorts of possibilities.


Merlin Castell of WeHo, a contestant in Bravo’s “The Fashion Show.” WeHo News.
As for that vintage Vogue, Castell proudly states it is still with him to this day. Actually, it is his bible. It goes everywhere with him from Honduras to Los Angeles to Milan then to Manhattan.

People ask him where he gets his ideas. He matter-of-factly replies he tries to stimulate the looks from that magazine.

Most people misconstrue his enthusiasm for flamboyance, his drive for egotism. If you do, do not worry. He treasures the freedom for fashion, art, and beauty and the opportunity to exceed. Something he could never do in his native Honduras.

“I was discriminated against because I was gay. I was interested in fashion; loved fashion; and everybody in school made fun of me.”



When he was eleven, Mr. Castell begun to customized the clothes his mother bought them.

“In school, nobody gets it.”

This is where having the freedom to be gay intersects with America’s liberties, the freedom of expression that exists only here.


Merlin Castell of WeHo, a contestant in Bravo’s “The Fashion Show.” WeHo News.
Underneath the flash, there is a fierce patriotism and love for the United States.

“I am so thankful I live in a country to be whoever I want to be and express myself. We (designers) are artists. I dress for myself. I dress in the way I like. I am different.”

Mr. Castell loves America. He treasures its choices and the acceptance of having the right to be an individual.

“From where I come from, there’s a lot of discrimination and problems. America, it’s like Candyland. Thank god, I have the opportunities. It’s worth it. People are amazing. Americans, they have everything here. It’s normal for them. Thank god, I live in this beautiful country.”

Being different means seeing the world in a different perspective, Mr. Castell is very worldly.



Milan disappointed him. For Castell, Europe is very conservative, commenting old people are very much in control. It was a let down.

In America, a person can rebel. You can express yourself.


Merlin Castell of WeHo, a contestant in Bravo’s “The Fashion Show.” WeHo News.
“It is young. It is fresh. You make your mark.”

For all the distracters who mock his image, his style, his accent, and his zeal, there is a depth of astuteness a few have witnessed.

Defending his image, Mr. Castell unintentionally reinforced his love of liberty.

“I read the postings and I’m shocked. People are making fun of my English and the way I dress. I have an “unique English.”

He is grateful this country gives him the chance to express himself, dressing for himself, no one else.

Appearing in a nationwide show, Mr. Castell sees this as good fortune to exhibit his mettle, “What I love, I have the opportunity to show I’m doing my own thing. I have the talent. I am the full package.”



Despite his “unique English,” Castell articulately elaborates on the rigmarole of being a contestant.

“In the competition, they don’t give any details until the last minute.”

In addition to only having six to seven hours to finish an outfit, they still have to make appearances and conduct interviews.

“We have a lot of pressure in the show, but it’s worth it.”




Merlin Castell of WeHo, a contestant in Bravo’s “The Fashion Show.” WeHo News.
Mr. Castell was disenchanted by his fellow contestants, flabbergasted by their conservatism, and how commercial they are.

“They’re brainwashed with commercialism. All those kids confused business with fashion. Commercialism, that’s business. Fashion, it’s fantasy. Let the managers handle the business. We (designers) have nothing to do with it. In life, go all the way. In the second episode, I did that.”

He states that it is the designer’s challenge to be original, bringing something new to the table. Despite setbacks, they still have to keep on going.

As for designing for Manhattan socialite, Tinsley Mortimer, this is old hat for him. He is used to designing for celebrities and Beverly Hills socialites but the everyday woman inspires him.

Looking out his hotel window, Castell talked about how beautiful Central Park is, right across the street from him.



New York is a real city. This is his first time in the Big Apple. Fearing the preconceived notion of rudeness, Castell was overcome by the local’s openness and friendliness. For him, it is a refreshing change of pace from the Hollywood scensters.

But, there is no place like LA. Mr. Castell misses working out at 24 Hour Fitness, sipping smoothies, wearing shorts and sandals while scooting around in the beautiful weather.

For him, nothing beats WeHo.

Bravo TV Video - Hanging Man-Berries

Bravo TV Video - Get to Know Merlin

In Check

Since 5 a.m. the phone begins to ring. It’s a sign that it’s going to be one of those days: full of tension and adventure, in the world of the “mini-challenge” and the unknown. Cameras arrive at our doors and it’s a sign of exit. And for some of us without return because today is elimination day. The challenge this time is to create a jacket that has a hidden surprise, a trick that facilitates or satisfies the needs of who wears it.

But before the challenge we had a min challenge which was to repair a part of a jacket or skirt. Each of us had only a few minutes to fix the section we were given of the jacket or skirt.
I had to fix the zipper. And I have to accept that it didn’t go well for me. Well, Lidia was lucky, she had to fix the shoulder pads, James Paul, the buttons and Angel had to fix the hems, which he did flawlessly.

My team were the winners again of the mini challenge. We chose Lidia as a leader. Lidia is very organized I have to admit and put us all on check. We all agreed on the colors of the collection and the concept. (Angel) felt bad because when we had 15 minutes to discuss the concept he wanted to lead the conversation, and I didn’t let her, and told her that was Lidia’s job. I respect Angel because I consider her very talented but she has not discovered her own creativity. I feel that she is under a lot of pressure, and that she demands too much of herself for her capacity, in regards to execution. I think that frustrates her and irritable when she is under pressure.

Well, the thing is when we are buying the fabrics she attacked me directly without me knowing why and I had to put her on her place or as we say in Spanish “pintar mi raya y ponerla en su lugar.” Since then, I realized this is not going to work and will not have a happy ending.

In my team I have noticed the difference in our style, which is good. Therefore, we should not worry about competing amongst ourselves. What I worry about understanding the objective of the challenge, and all agreeing on tones and textures for the collection.

Why did our collection ended up being so separated without cohesiveness? The reason is that my teammates do not discuss the elements and materials amongst themselves, and do not make a connection among projects to at least create a story. On the runway, I noticed it the first time, everything was nicely created but each one with their own thing, and Lidia did not notice that disaster. On my mind, we are on death row. James’ materials are not included in my project. Lidia’s material is no where near ours .. HELLO!!!! James-Paul's project was very interesting and funny, with a very good sense of humor. Angel as always doesn’t know if the sleeve goes up or down, continues to be indecisive in the summer. My jacket didn’t even make it to the runway and that frustrated me because I put a lot of work into it, and it was not appreciated, not even evaluated. I felt discriminated, and I couldn’t do anything about it.
I am not worried about being on the elimination seat because this is a competition and sooner or later our end will come. What bothered me is that at the end my team was not connected in anything.

The Fashion Show - Bravo Takes Another Shot… Discovers Something Jamming Barrel

Merlin -

“After attending architecture school in his home country Honduras, Merlin became head designer of his own label. Celebrity clients include Paula Abdul, N’ Sync, Paris Hilton, and Marilyn Manson.”

Merlin is my favorite, because I swear to God he keeps standing like that. I can’t get past this wording though. Became head designer of his own label? What the hell does that mean? Why did he not just - start his own label? I can’t get over the suspicion that he started his own label and very nearly did NOT become the head designer. He’s so purposely odd that somehow that rings true to me, despite not knowing what it could mean.

PETER DAVIS' STATUS UPDATE: THE MAGIC OF MERLIN CASTELL

On Tuesday night at around 1 a.m. I watched the premiere episode of Bravo's Project Runway-esque The Fashion Show. I'm hooked. Here's why: 1. My friend, Fashion Week guru/IMG honcho Fern Mallis is a judge and Fern knows what she's talking about. 2. I'm also old pals with host Isaac Mizrahi who is reliably hilarious. 3. My sister-in-law Tinsley Mortimer is an upcoming guest judge (the designer hopefuls make a dress for her). 4. And finally, one name: Merlin, the 38-year-old contestant who is a snappy tyrant in crazy costumes. Honduran Merlin Castell is magical to watch. Anyone who dons capes, feathered hats and carries a riding crop gets my vote.