The tents were crowded and over-heated, the place was overrun with rude folks convinced they were too important to stand in line, and the guy sitting next to me reeked of booze — at 9 a.m.! But I still had a ball at the taping of the Project Runway finale at Bryant Park this morning. Who was on hand? More like, who wasn’t? Fighting my way to my seat, I spotted former contestants Kara Janx, Daniel Vosovic, Jay McCarroll, Chloe Dao, Jeffrey Sebelia, and Laura Bennett. The holy trinity of critique was also there, joined by guest judge Posh Spice. (pictured, between Michael Kors and Heidi Klum). Once I was safely in my seat, who should I spy with my little eye but Meryl Streep. Yes. The most nominated actor in Oscar history was at the Project Runway season 4 finale. Did The Devil Wears Prada ignite a passion for fashion in the thespian extraordinaire? If so, she chose the right show to attend today, since according to an even chirpier than usual Klum, it was "the best finale we’ve ever had!"
Oh yeah, the current contestants — they were there too. But before I divulge which ones got to parade their creations down the catwalk, I offer this warning: Do not read any further if you don’t want spoilers. Seriously. Don’t blame us if you end up regretting clicking forward past the jump.
Alright then.
In a new twist, all five contestants who were still in the runningafter Wednesday night’s episode showed collections today. This reallywas the only way Bravo could have played it without setting off a waveof spoilers for next week’s ep. In the past, four designers haveparticipated in the Bryant Park défilés, with one acting as adecoy. (Except for last season, when all four competed.) It’s hard toknow what kind of cloak-and-dagger game Bravo is playing this year. Howmany of the five were decoys? Or were they all legitimately in therace? So tricky, those Bravo folks.
Whatever scheme the network cooked up, there is little doubt as towhich designers came out strongest: Rami and Christian. Rami, who’sbeen on the downward spiral the past couple of episodes, delivered anabsolutely stunning collection that incorporated color and texture, and— shocker! — relied on none of his ho-hum draping. There was somedrape-ish folding, but not a hint of that tired thing he doeswith jersey or off-the-shoulder Grecian gowns. A particularly gorgeousblack-and-white polka-dot dress got a round of applause all its own, asdid two other gowns with the most intricate detailing on earth. (Do Iexaggerate? Nah….)
While Rami’s work was feminine and wearable, Christian’s wasdramatic and avant garde. Working in an almost exclusively blackpalette (there were a few beiges and browns here and there), he offeredthe audience one extraordinary piece of clothing after the next. Mostwere variations on the ruffle theme, which he echoed in striking hatswith huge brims. (I couldn’t even see one model’s face, her hat was sogigantic.) It’ll surprise no one to learn that there were a number oftailored jackets. And yes, he did utter his favorite word whileintroducing his collection: "Everybody looks fierce!" he said, beforescurrying off backstage.
I’d reserve third place for Jillian. After saying a few words with typically loooooowenergy, she unveiled a line that intermixed gold tones with greens andblacks. Nearly every piece seemed to tip its hat (so to speak) to theclassic tailoring of Ralph Lauren, which is of course her employer.Some exceptions: long, flowing silvery-black accordion pants, and afull-skirted dress in the same tones, the latter modeled by none otherthan Top Model season 8 winner Jaslene. (All together now: "This is my life…")
Making good on her name, Sweet P teared up while introducing hercollection, which was stronger than I’d expected, with lots ofmustard-y golds, purples, and plaids. Overall, though, it wasn’tparticularly memorable and really couldn’t compare to the two obviousfront runners. She herself looked fab in a sparkly black frock. I’msure she made her entire family proud — and I do mean entire.Before the show began, about 500 of her kin whisked past me to theother side of the velvet ropes while I was trying to get inside thetheater to my own seat.
And now to Chris. Those who read my Runway TV Watch know thatI’m a huge fan of the warm, witty guy who’s often caught loungingaround in his blue bathrobe. But it’s not just his personality that Idig. I’ve admired a number of his garments from this season, like themagnificent purple gown from challenge one. (He was robbed!) But whathe showed this morning? Oouf. It pains me to report that hiscollection was a costume-y parade of red and black crushed velvet,accented with what appeared to be horse hair. I repeat: crushed velvet and horse hair.Save for a few flowy gowns, everything was heavy — as in Victorian,festooned-with-brooches heavy. To quote my colleague Tim Stack: "Itlooked like the models took out their weaves and stapled them oncostumes from Sunset Boulevard." If Chris did incorporate weaves, perhaps he got a donation from Top Model’s ferocious Bianca, who was the first of his mannequins to strut down the catwalk. (What’s up with the Bravo-CW synergy?)
So there you have it, Popwatchers. If you had to guess, what do youthink Bravo’s up to, allowing all five designers to show? And based onthis report, who’s your pick for the top spot?
Comments (1-27) of 27 Add your comment
How cute is that hair do on Heidi. I’d fierce, but I think we’ve all heard that more than we’d like to admit at this point…
Is Posh SMILING? That may be the biggest twist of the episode. I didn’t know she had it in her!
I think the final three are Rami, Xtian and Jillian. Hoping either of the boyz win, I find Jillian boring.
I was really rooting for Chris (since he was kicked off and brought back) so I hate that his showing was not very good. I wanted Christian to show, but NOT win. He needs to be knocked down a peg. Jillian, total bore. Rami, i thought could be the dark horse to topple Christian, Fierce!
Missy how dare you not mention Danielle , aka best top model winner ever, in Chris’s show! Btw, loved Rami’s and Christians but leaning slightly toward Christian.
Posh Spice? A judge? I guess the skankiest collection wins this season. According to your write-up, Chris may have a shot after all, as long as the clothes are designed to show off implants and ride up the butt.
And based on this report, who’s your pick for the top spot?
Seriously? Clearly you think Rami and Christian should be in the top spot and want your readers to agree.
I checked out all the collections online and I actually liked a lot of Chris’s pieces significantly more than Sweet P’s entire collection (which only seemed to have a few hits) and I thought Christian’s had a lot of misses. I would go Rami for the win though, some of his dresses were stunning. And I want to know where I can buy Jillian’s coats.
I just have to say I came from another one of my favorite blogs and they blurred out the guest judge, but made it so that you could see the surprise if you clicked on a link.
I did not click on the link because I didn’t know. Cut to: PopWatch and the spoiler. Big disappointment. That really sucks. Thanks guys.
Rami’s maxi dresses are AMAZING. I have liked Christian since day one, though, because he does what he wants, he knows his style and he makes the most unique clothes. The fact that he’s young and his clothes were pretty much all black may hurt him in the end but I hope not.
Christian/Azriel was not my favorite but he has grown on me. Of course, how can you judge without seeing the collection, but he is now my favorite. Go Azriel!
the collections are all here:
http://bloggingprojectrunway.blogspot.com/
Stopped watchng when they got rid of Kevin, who had more talent then most but not the personality the producers wanted.
Dont care who wins now.
now, i don’t have to worry who wins or not..can just enjoy…love the show….
now, i don’t have to worry who wins or not..can just enjoy…love the show….
Who cares if the “guest judge” was spoiled?? It’s dumb Victoria Beckham…ew
I don’t know why they said they would judge Chris and Rami to see who goes to Bryant Park and then Sweet P was voted off….then I see on the Project Rumway website that all 5 showed at Bryant park. If it tis a competition….it should be a competition. There should have onlty been three….that would be exciting….not let all 5 show….how stupid
You missed Danielle also a winner on ANTM. I just don’t remember which cycle! She modeled for Chris March in a long black dress.
Cheryl–the reason for all five is that the fashion show in bryant park took place before the cut of sweet pea on the show aired…if sweet pea did not show then everyone would know before the show that she did not make it…
give chris a chanch’ bravo please dont pick julian her personality stinks we will never forget our chris march. he deserves it all he has a lot of love to giveand a lot of talent.we all love him
give chris a chanch’ bravo please dont pick julian her personality stinks we will never forget our chris march. he deserves it all he has a lot of love to giveand a lot of talent.we all love him
give chris a chanch’ bravo please dont pick julian her personality stinks we will never forget our chris march. he deserves it all he has a lot of love to giveand a lot of talent.we all love him
i want chris to win. at this point, more than anything, it’s because he doesn’t drape (rami), say “fierce” as though it’s the only word he’s mastered (christian) or make exclamations like “i’m so excited” or “i’m really worried” with the most deadpan, bored expression possible (jillian).
besides, the palette of his final collection was very rich. and entire collections of black just hint that you’re only good at structure and unable to handle texture and hue
I love Chris and was so surprised when he didn’t win fan favorite! What the heck?!?! I think Frau Klum made a mistake and said Christian instead of Chris. How could he not win?!?! Ok..I have a feeling Chris won’t win so if he can’t I would like to see Jillian even though she has the personality of a wet mop.
i think that it would be funny, if christian and chris had a show together, it would be really funny.
I think Jilian going to win. last season of project runway was all about boys. Now it will be girls.
I love watching project runway, i hope project runway will continue on on on.
Go Jilian
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