Down to the Wire at 'Project Runway'
NEW YORK—Heidi Klum, Michael Kors, Nina Garcia, Tim Gunn and Victoria Beckham?
Yes, “Project Runway” pulled out all the stops for its finale runway show.
The Bravo network’sseven-time Emmy-nominated reality show filmed the final episode of its fourth season in New York’s Bryant Park inside a brimming-at-the-rim tent.
Singer and celebrity Victoria Beckham, wearing a brilliant-orange dress, was called in to help the other judges—Klum, Kors, Garcia and Gunn—review the final contestants for their New York runway debut.
The remaining five designers—Chris March, Jillian Lewis and Christian Siriano and Los Angeles–based Kathleen “Sweet P” Vaughn and Rami Kashou—presented their collections to fans, press and “Project Runway” alumni.
The network highlighted the designs of the current five finalists on the show so as not to give away who the final three designers will be when the finale airs in an upcoming episode. While the show was filmed on Feb. 8, the closing day of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, viewers will have to wait for the episode to air on television to find out who the final three contestants will be.
Up for grabs is an editorial feature in Elle magazine, $100,000 to start a line, the opportunity to sell the line online at Bluefly (www.bluefly.com) and a 2008 Saturn Astra.
For the final five, it was a golden opportunity to show their collections in New York City.
The show kicked off with Sweet P’s collection of sweetly romantic ensembles. A lavender jumper and matching skirt layered nicely over a mustard blouse, and a brown-and-purple striped suit featured a high ruffled collar. The collection then became an eclectic mix of items: a printed silk dress, pinkand- brown plaid ensembles and a contrasting black-and-white pant suit.
March, best known for his flamboyant costume designs, went for Victorian romance with his eveningwear collection in navy, maroon and black. Evening suits, halter gowns, and jacket and pant ensembles featured Victorian lace; furry, hair-like trims; and velvet fabrications.
Lewis’ collection played to opposites. It was masculine and feminine with a military-meets-futuristic theme. Tailored jackets and pleated skirts were made in sharp military silhouettes. The designer utilized metallic fabrics for cocktail dresses that flirted with futurism and incorporated pleating into a long gown for a striking effect. A navy dress with plunging deacute;colletage and ruffle details was one of her most cohesive designs.
An experienced designer, Kashou is no stranger to the runway. The designer turned out a well-rounded collection of suits, draped dresses and stunning evening gowns in pink, black, olive and dusty blue. The collection utilized a variety of intricate treatments, including pleating on a fitted jacket and basket-weaving construction on a corset dress.
A beautifully cut suit and asymmetric-draped ombreacute; dress were impeccably made. Most stunning, though, were his two finale gowns, made with intricate seaming and industrious pleating techniques.
And finally, Siriano, the youngest designer on the show, was inspired by 18th-century Spanish paintings to create an undeniably “fierce” collection. He played on the contrasts of light and dark and hard and soft to create dark, edgy pieces, wearable ensembles and a number of fanciful couture gowns. He utilized intricately layered silk chiffon on skirts and dresses for maximum drama.
Jackets were cinched at the waist and paired with skinny pants and high ruffled collars. A finale gown utilized pheasant feathers and silk organza for a dramatic effect. Although a few items interpreted the Spanish theme almost too literally, the overall effect was nothing short of a couture runway presentation.
Siriano said the experience was exciting but added, “I’m going to take a nap for like a week.” —N. Jayne Seward
For more from the shows, click here.
