It's the end of the Project Runway road as we know it. Are you as sad as me?! PR has definitely been the silver lining of the cloud de writers strike. Unfortunately, we still have another month 'til our other fav shows come back. I guess three nights a week of American Idol will have to tide me over.
For the record, before the finale begins - I am pulling for Christian to win. He is my favorite, both as a character and a designer. That being said, I will be okay if Jillian wins, because I think she's very talented, too...plus, I would actually wear her clothes. Rami is fantastic, but I will be sad if he wins. And now that I have said my peace, on to the recap...
The episode begins - 3 days until runway show. The final three designers are hanging out at the apartment discussing how nervous they are for the finale. They then head to Parsons, where they each proceed to size each other up with little sideways up and down glances. Tim arrives for some final consultation. I'm not sure of the real purpose behind this - seems like too little, too late - but oh well. Timmy starts with Jillian. She has one black and white striped top that is 'incongruous' with the rest of the collection. (It may be the editing, but it looks like Rami hears this and smirks.) It's a cute top, and what's she supposed to do - sew a new one?! Jillian shares my sentiment and says to the camera, "I don't necessarily have a...resolution for that sweater look..." And she pronounces resolution REE-solution.
Next up is Rami. He shows it to Tim, and Tim seems to love it. Again, may be editing, but Tim doesn't have anything to say besides 'phenomenal' and 'knock-out.' Jillian and Christian look on with concerned eyes...they're thinking "Oh crap, Rami's collection is awesome and mine may not be good enough." Interesting. Finally, Tim checks out Christian's outfits. Tim seems concerned and thinks it might be over-designed. He comments that Christian looks nervous and asks what happened to cocky, confident Christian. This makes me love him even more, because now we know that Boy Wonder is actually a human being with a soul. He tells the camera that Jillian's collection is so innovative and cool, and Rami is amazing and successful, and it's all messing with his head. Crazy town, this is a totally new Christian. But then he does a supermodel strut in a trojan horse hat and says "I love models," and I feel like I'm back at home.
On to the model casting. The three designers watch tall skinny model after tall skinny model strut in and out of the room. Jillian is stressed because she has trouble making decisions quickly and needs petite models. Christian needs edgy girls and dark-skinned girls, as well as "fierce tallness and walks for days." And so day one ends.
Two days until runway show. Today we'll be doing fittings and hair consultations. Christian says his nervousness has passed and he's back to feeling good. As the finalists fit the models, Rami discusses how over the top Christian's collection is...and I'm kind of thinking I agree. :( It looks like seriously nutso big hats and ruffles, especially next to the other designers' clothes. We'll see how it plays out, though, because what do I know?! Christian has a HILarious scene with his model trying on wicked tall shoe booties. The model complains about how hard they are to walk in and uncomfortable they are, but Christian tells us, "I don't care. They'll get over it. I worked it around my apartment in those shoes for like a week, and if IIIII can do it, theeese ladies can do it." He bids farewell to the models with a, "Look fabulous! Be really skinny! Don't eat!" AS IF models need to be given these instructions.
Jillian is reviewing her Polaroids and has decided that she doesn't like one of her models. She calls the model guy and asks if she can switch her out for Svetlana. I cannot imagine that it is that big of a deal - all the models look pretty much the same once you do their hair and make-up, right? But apparently it is. And end day two.
Morning, one day until runway show. Jillian is still fretting about her models because they are all very different looks and heights. She calls again to try to make the switch, but...that doesn't go over so well, seeing as it's the day before the show. So she's stuck with the ones she's got, and this propels her in to a bit of a break-down. Typical.
The designers meet with the hair guy. Christian is going for sleek, pulled back, low piecey buns. Jillian wants long and bouncy curls. Rami does some kind of funky braid low ponytail thing. OK sure. We have 6 hours until the end of the day, and the designers are doing all of the last minute, final fittings. As they zip and box everything up, Tim comes by for one last gather-round. He tells them the order will be Jillian, Rami and Christian. He then goes into a very touching moment telling them what high caliber they all are and that they are an inspiration to him, and they end with a group hug. I'm tearing up!
Runway show day, 4:15am. In a moment that sent chills down my spine, the designers roll up to the Bryant Park tents in the dark of morning. Rami describes it perfectly, "There's something about Fashion Week in New York City. It's kind of like standing in front of the heartbeat that pumps the bloodstream of the fashion industry in this country." That's how I feel about New York City in so many ways, but we'll focus on fashion for today. :) Backstage, everyone is hectic...Christian's girls are late, Jillian's sewing things, and I'm starting to feel like a major stressball. They flash back and forth between backstage and the tents, where designers and family members are gathering. Oh and Posh Spice, looking may-jah-ly...posh.
RUNWAY SHOW TIME!!!! Heidi comes out looking, what else, fierce in a sequined t-shirt and jeans. She introduces us to the judges, Nina, Michael (who wears his sunglasses at night), and Posh, the guest judge for tonight. Please note that I am crying, and I don't know why...I guess there's just something moving to me about seeing people reach their dreams. (My goodness, I'm a cornball.)
First up, Jillian. She introduces the collection by telling us she was so inspired, and she hopes we feel inspired as well. I absolutely cannot do her collection - or any of these collections for that matter - justice with words, but check Jilly's out
here. I
loved Jillian's. I know I haven't seen anyone else's, but I think hers is awesome. It's a beautiful collection of army greens, deep blues, golds and blacks...tailored yet feminine, innovative yet classic. It seems high-fashion enough for Bryant Park, but it appeals to a H&M, Gap-shopping consumer like me. Two thumbs up for J!
Next up, Rami. He introduces his collection by saying that it celebrates women, and that's what it's all about. Rami's models have an interesting soundtrack and saunter going on...not very peppy. His collection, though, is really beautiful. It's got a lot of bold colors - reds, blues, golds, paired with blacks. Actually, it's a similar color palette as Jillian's collection, so ladies take note for the fall! The collection as a whole feels more romantic than Jillian's, and - thank God! - it's not twelve Grecian goddesses all in a row. Overall, I like Rami's collection (
here), but not as much as Jillian's.
And now, my main man, my FIERCE boy, Christian. He is clearly the crowd fav, based on the major applause that erupts when he comes out to introduce the collection (a simple "Thanks for coming, everyone looks fierce!"). Christian's collection is definitely the avant-garde-y collection of the bunch. Everything is black and creme, with huge hats and big ruffles. I must say - as much as I love him, everything seems a smidge over the top, but judge for yourself
here. (ps Did anyone else notice how teensy tiny Christian looked as he walked down the catwalk next to the model?! I literally laughed out loud.)
And that is how it all went down. Various PR contestants are interviewed, and each of them chooses a different designer to win. The judges then reconvene back at Parsons, and they are all incredibly impressed. Nina gives what I think is the ultimate compliment by saying that each of the designers' collections fit right in with everything else she saw that week at Fashion Week.
The designers come out for one last Q&A session with the judges. I must say - I am bamboozled as to who will win. First up, Jillian. The judges love her collection and think it's innovative, feminine, modern and detailed, but Nina thought it was a bit disjointed. Next, Christian. Christian is SO nervous and can barely describe the collection! Posh tells him that his collection was very much her style, "So rather than fierce, I would say that you're may-jah." Michael and Nina, though, thought there was too much black and looked repetitive. Last, Rami. Heidi loved the collection, and Michael liked it but thought the colors were too "Brady Bunch." And it's time to wrap it all up...
The designers come back out for the final results. I'M SO NERVOUS!!!!!!!
Heidi: "Jillian...you're out."
Wow, okay. I hope this means Christian won. Jillian is super-bummed.
Heidi: "Rami, Christian. One of you will be the winner of Project Runway...
Christian, you are the winner of Project Runway."
YAYYYY! Jamie bursts into tears, as does Christian. And Posh Spice.
Posh ends by telling Christian she is a huge fan and she will wear any piece of Christian's, any time.
Tim: "Can you believe it?"
Christian: "...Yeah."
And that's the end! The season was, what else - FIERCE. Auf wiedersehen!
:)
