'Models of the Runway': Erika, Kojii and Vanessa top early faves

One of the best things about "Project Runway's" move from Bravo to Lifetime is that the show's models now get their own companion show, the 30-minute "Models of the Runway" that follows immediately after.

Whereas the past five "Project Runway" seasons would assure us that it was a competition for the models as well as the designers, we never got to know the walking clothes hangers. Heck, there were entire episodes where they weren't ever even used.

But "Models of the Runway" changes that. Two episodes in, not only do the designers seem to mixing up their choices more, swapping freely when it comes time to pick, but now we get to learn about who these women are and what they think about the contestants as well.

Here's our early favorites:

Erika Macke has the honor of being the very first dismissed designer's -- Ari Fish -- model. Lucky for her Qristyl Frazier picked her up for Week Two. The other girls seem to not be very fond of her as they sniffed at her constantly being on the phone trying to book other work. We say good for her having her own thing going on. On the second episode she was excited about being thisclose to booking her first national commercial for Arby's. Considering her online resume says she's done two of them, it appears she got the job.

Kojii Helnwein (pronounced ko-jee heln-wine) is an Irish model who walked for Carol Hannah Whitfield for the first two weeks. We love her striking dramatic look but worry about how friendly she is with resident model nutjob Fatma. Of course that friendship might not last much longer since Kojii is now working with Fatma's designer obsession, Logan Neitzel.

Vanessa Fitzgerald, on the other hand, does not get along with Fatma. One point to Vanessa. Another point for having a sense of humor. She's helpfully explained that her designer (still R'Amon Lawrence, even though he wavered about swapping her for Tanisha after episode two) has problems with getting his designs to fit on her since she's lacking in the chest area. "I hope the boobage situation gets fixed," she says earnestly.

Follow Zap2it on Twitter for the latest TV, movie and celebrity news.

Related:

All the 'Models of the Runway'
'Project Runway' Season 6
'Project Runway' alums: Where are they now?