Calm down, spoiler-averse PopWatchers. Though the news is all across the Internet, I know how some of you react to information like this, so I won’t reveal anything until after the jump. In this space, I’ll simply say that this morning, at New York Fashion Week’s new Lincoln Center location, 10 designers from the eighth season of Project Runway showed collections at the finale taping. No, there aren’t 10 finalists this year. Like last season, the producers rounded up the six designers whom we fans at home have yet to see get kicked off as of this week’s episode. In other words, six decoys got to trot out their wares. I was there and enjoyed the whole shebang with varying degrees of enthusiasm. (American Idol champ Jordin Sparks sat right in front of me. The flashbulbs might have been for her, but they still blinded me.) Click ahead to find out who impressed and who played the role of celebrity guest judge.
That’d be Jessica Simpson (pictured, with the other judges, at left). I can’t say I’m a fan of her personal style, but she’s got a successful shoe line, and she’s much more credible 
than last year’s C.G.J., Faith Hill. As for the collections, Michael D.’s and especially Ivy’s collections bored me. Gretchen’s was more of her sloppy, slouchy bohemian stuff. Christopher had some intriguing pieces and April had an interesting concept — dusty dolls at a tea party — though neither are my taste. A number of feathery looks in Michael C.‘s line seemed very on-trend (at least according to the Marie Claire I leafed through yesterday), while Andy’s models wore whimsical constellation headdresses. Casanova painted his gals’ faces with gold paint. Mondo and Valerie brought he most cuckoo and color, and for that, they get my vote. For now.
What do you think of Jessica Simpson as Runway‘s guest judge? Hey, at least she didn’t wear ill-fitting mom jeans! And what about Heidi’s tomato-red suit? Thumbs up or down?
jessica simpson? wow, project runway’s really hit rock bottom.
Well I agree, but at least it’s not Ashley Simpson
Actually it is Ashley.. the taped Jessica live and when we see the finale, they will replace her with Ashley, who will lip sync the critiques…
@Just Jules: Your comment wins!!
LOL
doesnt this choice degrade the project runway brand? it will be interesting to see traces of uncomfortablity with her & the judges that missed the editing studio.
read my previous background comment on Jessica who is more than qualified to be a judge
For all you uninformed idiots out there..Jessica Simpson is very intelligent….She has a corporate empire that is almost worth one BILLION dollars..yes that is BILLION and she is funny, has style, has contacts and knows her stuff….so if I were you I would re-evaluate your comment-I am happy that she is on the final and is extremely qualified….
Yeah, Jessica kind of blew her style credibility with the infamous “mom jeans” she wore at one of her concerts.
After John Mayer said that having sex with Jessica Simpson was like napalm, I immediately called my agent to say that I was interested in meeting her because I love the smell of napalm in the morning.
How many years did you wait to fit that Quote into a sentence?
LMFAO!!
jerk
heidi looks a little frumpy compared to her usual style and
Jessica’s outfit is not so flattering either. On the other hand maybe that is just a really bad picture.
It is amazing that these people are models and fashion designers and you call Heidi and Jessica out on their outfits!!!!I can only imagine what you might wear….Actually can you sew? Perhaps you too could try oout for the Runway show next season…
Just because people are models or fashion designers doesn’t mean that they have taste.
I mean, hello, look at the PR contestants. I wouldn’t be caught dead wearing most of the stuff that these contestants put out because it’s boring and frumpy and hideous – Ivy and Gretchen’s work especially.
I don’t mind the color of Heidi’s suit, but I actually don’t like the cut of the pants – the waist looks way too high.
And Jessica’s dress is super fug and totally unflattering. It’s droopy in all the wrong places.
@ Andie – Jessica’s wearing a Michael Kors dress!
Hmm….I’m rooting for Valerie to win it all…so far I’ve loved her designs and aesthetics the most
I agree. Especially after seeing what they sent down the runway during Fashion Week.
call me crazy, but after looking at all the collections , I think April’s was the strongest with Mondo right behind. But what do I know? my favorite designs each week usually get sent home.
I’m right there with you, but in reverse, with Mondo being the strongest, followed by April.
Very disappointed that Project Runway didn’t learn their lesson from last year. Having 10 designers do runway shows only dilutes the prize of being able to show at Fashion Week. Just poor planning on the producers part…again.
i agree!!
Great point.
It’s going to be ESPECIALLY annoying when this season’s finalists go on and on about what a rare honor it is to show at Fashion Week. (Um, not THAT rare.)
Solution.. time the season so there are only 3 left come fashion week..
It’s my understanding that only the top three get the full audience to view their designs. Unless they changed that.
Her?
Jessica Simpson????? was she judging collections of “mom jeans”or the “how to look desperate” collections?
You’re going to make that PR woman Tulip mad…
I was expecting somebody of Wintour’s caliber…
Really? I had my fingers crossed for Ban Ki Moon.
Wintour even with his extreme qualifications in the industry, I find his personality annoying…he is usually of the Model Runway show
Uh…Wintour is a woman. Anna Wintour, of Vogue.
Bizarre choice.
How come designers use very little color. I like Val’s the best because she used color. Just not black, white or gray. Add more pinks, blues, yellow. I was disappointed in some of those clothes.
Mondo FTW. I love his palette.
And I like him. He has not shown any ego yet. I love how soft spoken he is.
Heidi’s fond of this group??? After the horrifically immature, only-in-highschool catfighting & bullying & picking on Michael C by gretchen ivy andy & co.???Puhleeze. I can get that in real life, I wanted to see high caliber designers at work, not ill behaved kindergartners masquerading as adults, who stress me out something fierce rather than inspiring me- why watch?? As to the q’s: The tomato suit has to go, & what is with the billowing shapeless thing Simpson is wearing? She is usually quite stylish – i disagree with everyone who says she isn’t.
Anyone else think Heidi’s blue dress cover look from last season is one of the worst pics of gorgeous Heidi ever? Her eyes look like death warmed over.
I think the entire franchise needs a rest and a makeover.
Look at that photo of the 4 of them. With the exception of Michael, none look like a person I would trust to dress my dog for a trip to the kennel. Seriously. Every single woman looks horrific. That belt used as a necklace…Jessica in her grandma’s dress, and Heidi….there are no words. Jezzus.
Cut Nina some slack, she’s pregnant.
Thank you…tired of everyone ganging up on Nina
I think Nina looks great in the picture. Much better than Heidi and Jessica.
Oh, I like Heidi’s suit! As far as the collection’s go, I like Michael C.’s the best…Valerie had some good stuff, but not all of it looked nice on the runway (like those cuffed shorts).
and you only think michael looks good because the ONLY thing he’s ever seen in is a black t shirt and black blazer. a five year old couldn’t mess up that look.
Jessica is a sweet gal, always groomed and very biz saavy. But daisy dukes are not my idea of fashionable… which makes the selection of Jessica a bit strange to me. I could see many a young starlett judging Project Runway. Jessica would be perfect for teen clothing however.
Jessica Simpson, along with Catherine Bach, is one of the only people who should wear Daisy Dukes because she was playing Daisy Duke!!