'Fashion Show' designer Merlin.

Given: “The Fashion Show,” which made its debut tonight on Bravo, is a deliberate copy of “Project Runway” — a ripoff, if you will. When the Weinstein Co. decided to yank “Runway” from Bravo and hand it to Lifetime, while NBC Universal fought the move in court, Bravo proceeded to develop a strangely similar series in which budding fashion designers compete for fame and prizes.

Instead of Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn, Isaac Mizrahi and Kelly Rowland. Instead of a climactic runway show in front of judges, a climactic runway show in front of judges and a voting audience. Yada yada.

But if you’re a fan, you’ve missed “Project Runway.” And even with the legalities settled and the new season in the can, you’ll have to wait until August to see it on Lifetime. Even if you’re a little insulted by “The Fashion Show” and don’t think it’s nearly as good, you (and by you, I mean me) are probably going to watch.

Am I right here? Can “The Fashion Show” (which airs 13 more times before Episode 2 arrives next Thursday) replace “Runway” in your heart, even temporarily?