THIS IS PROJECT RUNWAY: SEASON FINALE!

I AM ABOUT TO LOSE IT! - Tim Gunn

After much anticipation, the season finale of Project Runway hit our TV screens last week with a frantic day leading to the catwalk of Bryant Park and of course the announcement of the hignhly-anticipated winner. But how did the events of the day actually evolved? As the runway show was about to begin, and after some frantic last minute adjustments, fittings, and modifications, the models were still not ready to line up and begin the show. Thank god for poor Tim Gunn though, who after a great deal of stress got everyone together.

Lights, Camera, Action! And the catwalk is on!

Althea: Althea's army of clones with black headbands is based on sci-fi heroines from the 50s and 60s. She is hoping to "introduce what the woman of today would wear tomorrow." The judges were excited to see sports wear and applauded Althea for adding a dash of color with knit green dress (right). Heidi thought the khaki pants (left) were cut well and people would love to wear these. Althea is questioned about how her collection represents the future. This oversized black sweater (centre) was an example of Althea's sci-fi vision.  Althea's thirteenth look, the khaki pants, was Heidi's favorite.

Carol Hannah:

Inspired by the Duke University campus at night, the Grecian goddess dress (right) was the favorite among the judges. There is a question about the utility of the purple pyramid dress (left), and Althea agrees suggesting it was more artistic and she did not expect it to be worn.  Structured drapery was her strong suit in this collection. The thirteenth look (centre), was once again Heidi's favorite again.

Irina:

Michael points out that we've already seen the warrior woman and that this is not a new character, but the looks are finished. Nina did say "I told you so" about not adding color. It is much more difficult to see details on the runway with all black garments. Irina's representation of armor were the hats carried through the collection, each was a little different, but the same, and added a much needed cohesion to the show. The judges thought the handmade T-shirts (left) were a smart move, which felt intimate and revealing. Oversized sweaters (center) played a large roll in the show. The final gown (right) was the only look that didn't fit (Michael commented that she felt obliged to close the show with gown).

And the winner is...Irina!

Heidi calls Irina's collection sleek, modern, and cohesive. Her collection "told a story" and she knew who she was designing for. One of the reasons Irina won over Carol Hannah is the cohesion and pacing of the collection. With Irina there was a clear story to follow and a cohesiveness not seen in the other two collections.

Too bad, because for me Carol Hannah had some great and powerful pieces and the most playful and charming collection of the three finalists. She certainly displayed many things that I would so love to wear but I do see the judges point on the element of cohesion and having a clear design view which is vital when designing a fashion collection. So how is life going to be without our beloved project runway?! Well, we need not worry that much because season 7 begins on the 14th of January, with the promise ofplenty of surprises. Simply Amazing!