'Project Runway' Mercedes Benz Fashion Week and Grand Finale: Anya WIns with Caribbean Collection

Season 9 of "Project Runway" wound down with its last episode Thursday night (October 27) on the Lifetime network. Before the close of the show a new winner was crowned. It wasn't a complete shock who won, but the others deserved it too. In the beginning the four finalists, Joshua McKinley, Viktor Luna, Kimberly Goldson and Anya Ayoung-Chee had two days before Fashion Week to work on and tweak their collections. Tim Gunn, "Project Runway's" mentor to the designers announced they were getting another opportunity to go shopping at Mood with a budget of $500. This would benefit some of the finalists as well as be the downfall for the others. Now it was time for the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week show held at Lincoln Center back in September.

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week

Kimberly is first with her collection that is colorful, vibrant and urban. This was my favorite of the four finalists. Her pants were impeccably tailored. Earlier in the season Kimberly used metallic fabrics, so it was fitting she included a beautiful blue metallic dress on the runway.

Josh was up next with my least favorite collection that had some nice pieces. Unfortunately the brightly green neon fabric reminded me too much of the dysfunctional fashions of the 80s.

Viktor was inspired by Mexico with his incredible prints and black sheer styles. Unfortunately the $500 shopping spree at Mood left Viktor doing too much reworking and changing up his originals. He left out a lot of great pieces. Like the saying goes "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Finally, Anya came out with an array of mostly v-neckline flowing caftan-like dresses in stunning colors and prints. Her first dress was the perfect opener with a multi-colored skirt that represented her Caribbean roots. Anya had the most dazzling collection of all.

And the Winner is...

When the finalists returned to meet with the judges for critiques they loved Joshua's innovative pieces, including the lime green neon. When other designers earlier in the season used 80s influences they were chastised for it, but not Josh. They claimed it worked for him. Naturally they loved Anya and were ecstatic she can be a brand when it is over marketing her own shoes, bags and other fashion items. However, the judges were lukewarm to Viktor, which was surprising since he was considered a favorite most of the season, and to Kimberly.

The first designer to leave was Kimberly whom the judges felt needed more time. I think she is there now. Viktor was next, which was disappointing, because I thought his collection had a lot of variety. Josh was the runner-up while Anya is the winner of Season 9's "Project Runway." She won not only the $100,000 grand prize, but the Fan Favorite at $10,000 and a few weeks ago the L'Oreal challenge of $20,000. Why not throw in some Oscars, Emmys, Tonys and a Nobel Prize while you're at it.

Ever since "Project Runway" left the BravoTV network in season 5 it hasn't been the same since on Lifetime. It was more edgy, creative and less dramatic on Bravo. Now "Project Runway" is nothing more than a designer workroom soap opera. This is the first season I watched it from beginning to end on Lifetime. Most likely it may be my last, though I am staying tuned for the upcoming "Project Runway All-Stars" to see my favorite designer, Mondo Guerra, who should have won season 8.

SOURCES:

Project Runway, MyLifetime.com

Dawn Fallik, "'Project Runway,' Season 9, Episode 14, Season Finale: TV Recap", WSJ.com

Becky Broderick, "'Project Runway' Names Its Season 9 Winner", StarPulse.com