Project Runway: Rocking the Finale

I’m not even going to bother with preparatory commentary because the ending says it all.  So … Bryant Park is mere days away!

Leanne reminds us that this is the first time three females have competed at Bryant Park.  Whatev.  Korto misses Jerell, but I doubt she’s interested in trading places, no matter how bad she feels.

At model casting, three surprise faces!  Shannon, Naima, and troublemaker Morgan, from PR Season 1.  None appear to make the cut.  Kenley annoys Leanne by offering advice on who she should cast.  Kenley annoys me just by being there.

Tim Time.  The designers must pare their collections down to ten looks.  Tim says Kenley’s rope “strangles the organic nature” of her designs.  Kenley disagrees.  She interviews, “My decisions are final and I’m done with it.”  Seriously, how old is she?  My fifteen-year-old niece talks with more maturity.  Hi, Kayla!

Tim then asks about her signature look – her Alexander McQueen-esque wedding dress.  When Tim suggests making a change because the judges have 1.) seen it and 2.) called it a knock off, Kenley’s “sick of it, it’s insulting,” and the ‘tude is back in full force.  Eventually, Kenley concedes that the wedding dress should not be her signature look.  It’s about time she’s started listening to Tim.  Korto wants to keep her wedding dress despite the poor reaction it received.

Kenley says she doesn’t give a “F” what the judges think.  Meanwhile, Korto decides to remove her wedding dress from the collection, and starts to create two new dresses.  Kenley thinks she’s insane because the dresses have to be perfect, but Korto didn’t get here by shoddy craftsmanship.  Come on, now!

Collier Strong, make-up nonsense, blah blah.  Model fittings give us an ugly thong shot, a stressed out Korto, and a model with a dog that poops on the floor.  Kenley interviews that Leanne doesn’t know how to use color and criticizes her as “boring,” while Leanne calls Kenley’s work “Holly Hobbie,” which I take to mean as a reference to the painted materials that look like “somebody’s child has been painting all over Kenley’s collection.  It looks really, really amateurish.”

Each designer interviews about how awesome and amazing showing at Bryant Park is.  Kenley’s family is going to be there, so I guess she’s not alone in the world as implied last week.  Backstage, Kenley blows off help because only she knows how to iron painted fabric.  Maybe that’s legitimate, I wouldn’t know.  Leanne suffers a wardrobe malfunction, and must switch her signature look for a different gown.

Runway!  Guest Judge: Tim Gunn!  Kenley realizes she’s screwed.

With ten looks each, I will summarize: Kenley was inspired by painting and Alice in Wonderland (sigh), and her mother’s a wreck of proud tears, so good for them both.  A few models with fuller figures would have gone a long way to making the similar, skin tight dresses more flattering.  Bright colors, with one fifties inspired dress (which I admit I really liked).  The painted floral dress is horrific.  However, a few of the fuller skirts and one outfit, with a teal ruffled top and black skirt, look gorgeous.  Overall, an eclectic collection (compared to the others) with some downright ugly designs.

Korto gives a shout out to her husband and daughter and her inspiration, “nature.”  Many of Korto’s pieces are just stunning, from the opening blue gown to the final green look.  There’s a variety of lengths, one or two misses (short green dress).  The collection shows a variety of dresses, and the palette is consistent throughout.  Smart move not to include the wedding dress.  The rest of the collection is very comfortable and loose.  A white dress about halfway through would have made a better wedding gown.  Of the three, Korto’s line is the most wearable and most universally appealing.

Leanne is in love with her collection.  Her theme is that wave … thing, and that particular element appears in almost every outfit.  The palette is a creamy brown, white and light ocean blue.  She has a few really nice pieces and awful models.  Her standout is the alternative signature look, a beautiful blue gown.  Her wedding dress also makes an appearance, although it looks less clean and sharp compared to last episode.  Overall, it’s the most cohesive collection, and definitely captures a clean and airy feeling.  All that, and she couldn’t even comb her hair before the show.  Tsk.

Judging.  The judges congratulate and compliment each of the designers, and really, they all did do a pretty good job.  Kenley had a lot of charm and personality.  Nina said it had wonderful spirit, but the ugly painted dress was similar to Balenciaga.  Kenley wants to argue, but Heidi says that many people made similar comments.  Kors tells Kenley “it is necessary to know what is going on.”  Duh.  Kenley finally agrees.  Kors loves Korto’s green, signature dress.  Nina says her looks would appeal to many women, but, though Heidi says everyone could see how much effort Korto put into each piece, several items were still overworked.  Leanne gets kudos for the variety of her collection.  Heidi liked the originality, but the petals/waves were overdone.  Kors and Nina echo that statement.  I clap at home in agreement.

Each designer makes a case for why they should win, and Leanne claims to be “innovative.”  Buzz words should be a deduction in points.

Deliberation.  Kenley’s biggest problem is her lack of industry knowledge, which seems too easy an out to me; however, it’s an excellent and fair argument.  Leanne’s fault is the one-concept theme of her collection, while Korto overworks her pieces.

First one eliminated is…Kenley!  My sister-in-law and I cheer!  As does everyone else I know, except for Perlow, who was sure she’d win.  I’m getting another appletini out of you, J.B., count on it.  Kenley calls it bullshit, as she’s a true artist.  Give me a few minutes to finish laughing.  Moving on!

The winner is…Leanne!  To quote my sister-in-law: “Fuck that.”  Look, we knew it was going to go that way, but Korto had a lively, beautiful collection that appealed to a number of styles and the greater number of women.  However, I can understand Leanne’s win.  Possibly, hers was the most suited for the runway because of the different and … ahem, innovative … style.  I do believe, however, that over the course of the entire show, Korto created a much more diverse line of designs, while consistently staying true to her point of view.  Leanne was one note throughout the season.  And also boring!

Well, the good news is, Korto at least walks away as the fan favorite, so America gets it right, even if the judges don’t.  If we can trust the masses with this decision, hopefully they come through on that whole presidential election thing.

And on that note, it’s been real, people.  I’ve enjoyed our time together, and I’ve enjoyed being right when Perlow was wrong.  As I debate with others just how badly the judges screwed up, ponder these questions until next season:

1. Will a network switch, assuming it happens, ruin our beloved Runway, or is the show already past its prime?
2. Do you think we didn’t get a reunion this year because the cast refused to show, considering how much smack talk went on “behind the scenes?”
3. Should I hate Kenley for trying to tarnish my childhood memories of Alice in Wonderland?  If so, should I forgive her since she lost?

Until next season … Holla at your boy!  Make it work!  Carry on!

Season 5, Episode 14: Finale Part II (originally aired October 15, 2008)

For another take on this episode, check out The Mouse That Snored by J.B. Perlow.

For more on Project Runway, click here.

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Photographs courtesy of BRAVO