Project Runway season ends......

Project Runway’s season finale was last Wednesday, with the announced winner being Leanne Marshall.

For anyone out there that has not seen the show or become instantly addicted to it, Project Runway is a reality competition, and lifetime opportunity for interested fashion designers. The winner this season would receive a 2009 Saturn View Hybrid car, the opportunity to sell their creations on bluefly.com, and $100,000 to start their own line (which is sponsored by Tresemmé hair care). The judges each week are comprised of Heidi Klum (host and judge), Michael Kors (top American designer), Nina Garcia (editor at large for Elle Magazine), and a guest judge (that is different from week to week).

The season starts out with 12 fashion designers. Each week, the contestants get a challenge to create an outfit on a time restraint as well as a budget. They have a runway show using their chosen model (who is also competing for a print ad that is given to the winning designer featuring their model). Garments are judged while coming down the runway, then the judges pick a combination of their favorites and least favorites to proceed to a question and answer portion of the show. A winner is chosen (and at times, receives immunity for the following challenge) and the loser has their dream shattered. The final three designers will create an entire collection each to show during Fashion Week at Bryant Park.

Through this season, we have seen one designer leave each week with a creation that had completely sealed their fate. We have seen beautiful and original pieces, as well as off the wall ones, which leads one to wonder what in the world the designer was thinking. The twist that I did not see coming, was the fact that Jerell had been the winner of the final challenge, but actually did not end up making it to Fashion Week. The final four designers were given an opportunity to each create their line, and showcase one piece (wedding gown) to the judges. Unfortunately, even with Jerell’s previous win, he was eliminated, and unable to move on to the finals.

The final three contestants were Leanne Marshall (27 year old freelance designer), Korto Momolu (33 year old freelance designer), and Kenley Collins (25 year old freelance designer). This was the first time in Project Runway’s 5 year history that the final runway show was embodied by all female contestants- all of whom could not have had more distinct and different views on designing.

Leanne created her line from the inspiration of the ocean- including colors and forms. Every single piece that came down the runway at Bryant Park had this wave/pedal affect. She has been very consistent in showing organic garments, but for me, this was too much.

Kenley derived her inspiration from Alice in Wonderland, and that definitely showed in her collection. There were innovative processes that she used to create her line, including actually hand painting on the fabrics she used. Although many of her pieces were a little too far fetched for me, she did have a few items that I liked.

Korto pulled her inspiration from nature and the colors that it encompassed. Her garments were very structured, and tailored beautifully to a woman’s body. She also left herself open to the possibility of having a consumer basis with a wide range of body types. To me, this was my favorite of all three of the finalists.

Was the outcome of this season exactly what everyone had hoped, or are there people out there with my point of view that saw this as somewhat of an upset?!