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DISCUSSION ABOUT POSTAL REFORM usually involves a heated debate between government officials concerned about the U.S. Postal Services' financial crisis and corporate executives who don't want to pay increased postal rates. But such serious matters weren't the focus of the postal reform discussion taking place on a recent episode of Bravo TV's "Project Runway," a reality TV show that gives aspiring designers a chance to break into the fashion world. Each week, contestants participate in a fashion design challenge, which supermodel Heidi Klum and other fashionistas then judge. In Episode 8, contestants had to redesign the USPS carrier uniforms. Bravo chose the USPS as the perfect fit for the uniform challenge because postal carriers' ensembles are universally recognized in America, said Joanne Veto, senior public relations specialist for the USPS. Kara Saun, a 37-year-old designer who won the challenge, designed a comfortable winter uniform with a turtleneck sweater, a lined vest and drawstring pants. Unfortunately, the hip design will never see rain, nor sleet, nor snow. 'There was no commitment on our part to use the design," Veto said. "Postal service uniforms go through a very long selection process, and it always involves organized labor."





