Finalewatch: 'Project Runway'

The Project Runway finale picks up three days before the Bryant Park show, with the remaining designers seeming to run on nervous energy alone.

Tim comes in to the workroom to let them know that they will each be showing ten looks on the runway and will therefore need to edit out two. I am not sure why this is, but the designers all take it in stride and it is clearly good news for Korto, who can take her wedding dress out with no problem. But they don't have much time to think about that because they go right into model casting.

It's almost a microcosm of our designer's personalities. Korto is focused on the look she wants and pretty much ignores Leanne and Kenley for the most part, while Leanne describes what she is looking for as "alienish" and Kenley tries to tell her who to pick rather than minding her own business. In a moment of stunning obviousness, she also comments to one of the models "You're tall!" Isn't that in the job description?

Tim comes in to get a sense of the collections and starts with Kenley. When he questions her decision to keep the strangling rope dress in her collection by asking her what happens when the judges comment that it looks contrived, the old Kenley attitude returns. And it gets worse when he asks her about keeping the wedding dress, a topic she jumps all over, accusing Nina of calling of calling her gown a knock-off and declaring that she felt insulted because she doesn't take her work from anyone else. No, she just takes it from the 1950's. Am I the only one irritated that she insists her designs are innovative when I am pretty sure I could go to ye old corner sewing store and buy McCall's patterns for most of her dresses? Anyway, Tim handles her outburst with his usual raised eyebrows and leaves her to her collection. And hissy fit.

His consults with the other two designers goes much more smoothly. Korto has done the obvious and cut the bridesmaid and bridal gown form her collection, which was wise. Whenever Heidi tells you that she wouldn't be caught dead wearing something, you definitely want to rethink showing it anywhere ever again. I am less clear, however, on how Korto comes to the conclusion to create two new looks. Instead I find myself agreeing with Kenley - that is insane. Leanne seems to have the hardest time editing something out, mostly because her collection is the most cohesive.

They each consult with Collier Strong about the make-up they want and then go to do the same for hair. The cattiness comes out in Leannimal when she comments on Kenley's collection, equating it to being reminiscent of Holly Hobbie. Which is far worse then being compared to Alexander McQueen. She goes on to say that she thinks the painting Kenley did on her fabric looks amateurish, as if a child did it. I don't necessarily agree with Leanne's interpretation of Kenley's collection, but it was amusing!

The last moments of the night before the big show is marked by last minute fittings, finishing off details like button closures and dog poop. Yes, dog poop. One of the models has a complete Brittney moment when her pocket sized creature takes a dump and she cleans it up while wearing one of Korto's floor length gowns. I don't think there is any job where it is acceptable to bring your poorly trained pet to work, but it would seem to be especially true when that animal is going to be around one-of-kind gowns.

Tim calls for the last "gather 'round"  to tell the designers how proud he is of them. I am more astonished by how they all get up before the crack of dawn. They must all be running on pure adrenaline at this point. Kenley confesses that she snuck in to Bryant Park last year and was just as quickly kicked out. Leanne reminds us all, yet again, that she has wanted to be a designer since age 12. In case anyone forgot. Age 12. No, really. Korto declares that no one else can do what she does and she deserves to be there.

There is the usual last minute panic as Kenley has to iron her dresses herself because no one else knows how to handle painted fabric and one of Leanne's tops seems to have doubled in size overnight so that it hangs off the tearful model in a depressingly limp way. But everyone pulls it together, of course, even if it takes double sided take and not being able to breathe for an hour or so.

Soon enough, it's time to start the show. Heidi announces Nina Garcia and Michael Kors and then points to the empty chair beside them.  Apparently Jennifer Lopez was supposed to be the guest judge but she canceled at the last moment due to a foot injury. Which would somehow impede her ability to sit in a chair and look at clothes. Whatever, it means we get more of Tim Gunn, who graciously steps in and promises to be impartial. Backstage, Kenley admits that maybe she should have improved her attitude.

Kenley: She says her collection is supposed to be Alice in Wonderland's dream wardrobe. Which is about as massive as fashion cliche as one could possibly announce, and which is not reflected in her actual collection at all. That aside, her overall design sense remains charming. She opens with the bridesmaid and wedding gown and goes right into a retro modified shirt dress flared over a petticoat with a splash of florals painted across it. But it is clear that there is a disconnect when the very next look is a tight fitting, black, sleeveless column of a dress with a high feathered collar. It doesn't even look like the same designer, much less like it belongs in the same collection. Which brings into sharp focus the lack of cohesiveness that marks the work. From bubble skirts and ruffled collars to asymmetrical bustiers and puffy tulle skirts, it's a mishmash of looks, none of which are particularly inventive.

Korto: She says her collection was inspired by nature and her African heritage, and from her color story alone there is a clear sensibility that reflects that inspiration. Her first gown is a vibrantly rich green that mixes a modern and unique neckline with chunky beads for a glamorous result. The collection manages a regal air for the most part and it is easy to imagine the confidence wearing many of the looks would impart. There are a lot of asymmetrical touches in accents in a lot of her pieces, but again there is a lack of an overarching theme beyond the color palette. There was one look in particular, a pantsuit in a white so stark it nearly looked silver, that is clearly Asian inspired and makes little sense with the flouncy skirts and flowing gowns.

Leanne: She says that she is in love with her collection and it is easy to see why. For the first time in a long time, despite the talents of the other designers, it is clear that this collection is head and shoulders above the rest. It is, in a word, sublime. From the gentle color palette to the zen-like simplicity, it is a delightful mix of modern chic and impeccable lines. The layered fabric moves perfectly and it's obvious she was inspired by waves of water without her ever having said a thing. How she managed to create looks that are both architectural and yet have such lovely movement is difficult to wrap your brain around. But the end result is a sense of serenity and an undeniable understanding as one look carries into the next with a sharp focus that underscores Leanne's attention to unity of her collection.

They try to throw in the usual crowd reactions, but no matter how many people loved Korto's work or were charmed by Kenley's taste, there is no doubt in my mind who is taking the top honors. The judges talk about Kenley's spirit and construction, but agree that a few of her looks were very Balenciaga. And I have to agree, as the florals and puff sleeves and boxy skirts were all over Balenciaga's spring 2008 collection. They also agree that Korto managed to honor her heritage without looking like a costume, but that she did overwork several of the pieces. Sometimes there was just too many gathers, accents and seams.

They try to find something negative to say about what Leanne presented, but beyond the repeated petals possibly pigeonholing her as a one-note designer, they can't come up with much. Everything simply worked together too well while managing to be completely unique from anything else happening in fashion. Which is quite a feat. Add to that the fact that Leanne used sustainable textiles and it is clear that her forethought was equal to her ambition, and she pulled it all together with aplomb. And so it goes the Kenley is the first to be auf'd, followed by Korto.

Check out Zap2it's photo galleries of each of the collections.

What did you think of the designer's final collections? Did you agree with the judges? Did the right designer win or was someone robbed? Talk about it, fashionistas!

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