And It All (Almost) Ends With 'Project Runway'

by Jayanthi Daniel
Sun, 10 Feb 2008 at 6:06 PM

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New York's Fall 2008 Fashion Week is so over, save for one of the new-traditional grand finales: the final runway show for contestants of Bravo's "Project Runway." There are usually three final contestants in the last episode, and Bravo will send a fourth designer's collection down as a decoy. This year, five designers showed on Friday: Who knows what Bravo has up its ruched, puffy sleeve this season as far as finalists, but the collections themselves were impressive, and to see all-out couture assaults by these designers was informative — especially for those who'll watch a re-run at 2 a.m. just to keep updated.

The five designers that were left after this week's episode — "Sweet P," also known as Kathleen Vaughn; Rami Kashou; Chris March; Jillian Lewis, and Christian Siriano — all showed on the runway. Ms. Vaughn's collection was, well, sweet, starting with pink glittered dresses and shirts, one topped with a gold buttoned jumper, another with a brighter yellow silk cape. Her clothes moved into a punk theme (red plaid short dresses and skirts with dark gloves), but the color parade ended abruptly with a black-and-white pants suit that had a Hepburn air. Mr. March's collection seemed to have a "Phantom of the Opera"-meets-Siouxsie Sioux vibe: He took risks by liberally using red and black velvet in skirts decked out with feathery pony hair, and cropped dresses. His model during the TV show, Marcia, ended stunningly with a black velvet gown topped with a huge knitted stole.

Ms. Lewis, known as an "exquisite" dressmaker, according to judge Michael Kors, started with a dark green suit, and gold and silver dresses, most touched with a equestrian theme. One appreciated look: A black-and-white striped sweater featured huge looped yarn sleeves, all tucked into a perfectly short tweed skirt. Mr. Kashou is a king of draping and pleating, and his suits and slim dresses were pinched and pulled all over the place — but most of them featured surprising elements, such as a one-piece bodice that tied together a teal silk dress; a mini-cape that adorned a hot pink blouse, and two dresses that were structured with thickly woven fabric strips — a lovely textural touch. Finally, there was Mr. "Fierce" himself, Mr. Siriano — his collection was certainly the most tight, but the least colorful: Thick, belted black jackets and thin, shimmering cream jackets sat on top of skinny pants. One great-collared jacket was paired with a thickly ruffled cream blouse and a sweeping black hat. Not too many dresses from Team Fierce, but two stood out: A cream-and-tan layered dress, and a feathered white gown that had an underlay of animal print.

Predictions? This blogger loves Mr. March and his wildness, but it will most likely come down between Mr. Kashou and Mr. Siriano when the finale is aired in a few weeks. Seen: Guest judge Victoria Beckham (get this one a McMuffin, please); Harvey Weinstein; Top Chef's Padma Lakshmi, Ted Allen, Gail Simmons, and Dave Martin; supermodel Niki Taylor; the "socialites" from Bravo's "Real Housewives of New York City"; and, of course, Mr. Kors, ELLE fashion director Nina Garcia, and Heidi Klum.

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