Review: Project Runway Finale, Part 1

Well... it's finally here -- the season finale of "Project Runway"... part one, that is. And befitting the fourth season, we entered the finale with four finalists: Christian, Rami, Chris, and Jillian. When Chris and Rami were told that they would have to compete for the third spot in fashion week, I felt awful for them. How terrible it will feel to have worked for so long to create a line and then be turned away when it's all done! Also, it almost seemed like a cruel publicity ploy at the expense of the good-natured lovable Chris, whose talents have always seemed more appropriate for Broadway than the runway. Rami seemed like a shoe-in for the finals, despite being repeatedly critiqued by the judges for not diversifying his clothing enough. I think the judges just wanted to make Rami sweat enough to stop the incessant draping (that man loves to drape!).

When Tim Gunn went to see Christian, I was a little disappointed at what Christian had to show him. It wasn't all bad--and really, some of it was very cute. I loved Christian during the show--thought he was great (he's "kind of a big deal," as you know, if you watch the show); I thought that his clothes were really creative and chic. BUT, wow... he had a couple of things that just seemed way too out of the box--a shirt that exploded up to the nose, full of ruffles and rouching, and a pair of pants that looked like they were fashioned out of Big Bird's tan-feathered cousin. As Tim Gunn would say: "I'm worried... make it work!"

Jillian's duds were winner-worthy, in my opinion. Honestly, I loved everything. The detailing was incredible--very "designer" looking. Tim described her pallet as "a cloudy day," but I didn't see her line that way at all. Yes, the colors weren't explosive, but I didn't think that they were drab either. I just hope that she doesn't try to change her clothes too dramatically to accommodate Tim's opinion! His words carry a lot of weight with the contestants, but I do think that at this point in the competition, Jillian needs to trust her gut instincts.

I was touched by Rami's hometown visit with Tim Gunn. Rami has been through so much--losing his mother when he was only five years old, struggling to make his way in America as a designer (he was born and raised in Jerusalem). But let me be blunt: I was not touched by his collection. The Joan of Arc theme, as he described it, left me utterly underwhelmed. The colors were nightmarish--like something Carol Brady would wear out to lunch with Mrs. Garrett from "The Facts of Life." Yikes.

Chris was a costume designer? Let's face reality people: Chris is a costume designer. He said his line is only "5 % costume," but I would say more like 99.5% costume. And oh Good Lord!--He used human hair to trim some of his garments?! Huh? What?! What's next? Os everything lined with flesh? Oh no--I feel bad now; he is so likeable, and his visit with Tim was the most endearing of all four finalists, but I cannot lie well enough to say that there was even a snowball's chance in Hell that Chris would be chosen over Rami... and I didn't even like Rami's stuff!

If you ask me, it's really down to two just contestants: Jillian and Christian. Rami is the Mike Huckabee of the herd-he's not really in this race, but it's cute that he's trying. I could be wrong--I think it's happened at least once before (but I could be mistaken), but my predicted winner is Jillian. She has this one in the bag-her collection is not only fashion forward, innovative, and well-made, but it's also wearable for young and modern fashion-loving-but-not-desirous-of-cutting-edge-avant-garde-style type of women ("everyday" women).

Chris was such a gracious loser, but it must have just killed him to walk away from the experience after everything he went through. I wonder if he will still get to show his collection at fashion week in some other forum. I remember that Austin Scarlett showed his collection at fashion week after not making it to the finals. I loved him-favorite cast member to date for me--and not just because of his personality and flare, but because I thought his clothes were just gorgeous--so delicate and pretty; his designs really brought out the girly in me. But let me get off my tangent...

One week from tonight, the verdict will finally be in. Is it just me, or has this season felt longer than usual? Don't get me wrong-I am addicted to the show and have been since season one, episode one. I am just impatient and want to know who wins! The finale airs next Wednesday, March 5^th -- so be sure to check back for my final thoughts after the finale airs. Until then, "as they say in the fashion industry"... I'm out.