Wednesday night's episode of Project Runway aptly named "Finale Part One" was the first of the two heavily anticipated season ending episodes. On the heels of the judges' shocking reluctance to eliminate any of the designers last week, all four remaining contestants collected the $8,000 needed to purchase materials, and were allowed two months to create ten pieces. In an added challenge, hostess Heidi Klum explained that they would have to design and construct a wedding dress alongside the rest of their collection. The designer with the least pleasing dress, she explained, would not be allowed to compete in Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, and would be eliminated from the competition.
Liberian-born Korto Momolu's home was first on mentor Tim Gunn's list of visits in Little Rock, Arkansas. Impressed by the size of her property, Gunn was even more impressed by the large, organized dynamic of her work area. Identifying the nature and color in her own work, Korto pointed to the light, flowing, and grassy greens in her fabric, alongside the textured detailing that she likened to the feel of snake skin. Both, she explained, played a prominent role in the natural study of her property. Obviously pleased, Gunn called her clothing "gorgeous," "sophisticated," and "stunning." Leaving the design studio, Gunn met Korto's family and was overwhelmed by the tight sense of unity among them. Korto even opened up about her father, her parents escape from Liberia, and the profound effect that the struggle has had on her viewpoint as a designer. As he left, Gunn was clearly pleased by what he saw coming from Korto.
Next up was FIDM's very own Leanne Marshall who worked on her collection in Portland, Oregon. Welcoming Gunn in with open arms, Leanne introduced her boyfriend, Nathan, and showed Gunn around her apartment. Her workspace conveyed a bright and joyful atmosphere, with an airy simplicity that was clearly translated into her clothing. Stepping into the studio, Leanne explained to Gunn that she initially spent several days sketching by the waterfront, and that she gained much of her inspiration from the waves of the water. In accomplishing the big picture, many of her fabrics used different aquatic shades, while pleats and abstract shapes served to represent a feeling of freedom in motion. Seeing the quality of inspiration in her work, Gunn complimented Leanne on the "ease and flow" of her pieces. Leaving the work area, Leanne took Gunn out of the apartment and took him for a ride on a "bicycle built for two" through a Portland park. Speaking about her beginnings as a designer, they touched on her past as a young ballerina, and even showcased a shot of Leanne at her FIDM Graduation! The conversation showed that not only was Leanne technically strong, but that she was also very grounded and emotionally capable.
Gunn visited Jerell Scott, next, in Los Angeles, California. Inviting Gunn into his work area, Jerell explained that his focus was in making eveningwear and mixing different textures. Some of the designs were problematic, though, as Gunn identifed several areas where the work seemed unfinished, done sloppily, or was not done at all. In other areas, he identifed his work as "a lot of look" and asked Jerell if he hadn't perhaps thought of editing. "You still want it to be believable" said Gunn. Jerell responded to Gunn's concern by acknowledging the issues, but also stated that he wanted his line to represent his style aesthetic. Leaving the studio, Gunn met Jerell's family, and learned about Jerell's lifelong talent in everything "creative." Opening up about his childhood, Jerell discussed where he grew up, and even talked about living through the Los Angeles riots, as well as living in troubled areas filled with drugs and gang violence. Jerell showed a deep appreciation towards his family's support of his career, and showed a grounded and believable side that seemed to make him a stronger designer.
Florida native Kenley Collins was the next and final designer to recieve a visit from Gunn in Brooklyn, New York. Leading him into her work area, Gunn was impressed by her use of color and her attention to detail. In addition to utilizing beautiful blues, greens, and purples, Kenley showcased her own dedication as she showed Gunn a print that she painted herself. "This is fab" Gunn said. The butter cream-colored wedding dress brought about the largest reaction, as it's large, feathery design produced a "wow factor" that Gunn absolutely loved. As he hugged her, Gunn was moved to say, "I'm really impressed with you!"
At the end of their two months, the designers found themselves back in New York at the Westin Times Square in the Presidential Suite. Enthusiastic to see one another again, the arrival of Kenley continued to be a major source of tension. The designers found a way to focus on the task at hand, however, and they kept the episode almost drama-free. The real shocker came in the form of a Tim Gunn announcement at their new headquarters of operations, the Bluefly.com studio in New York. Gunn announced that in addition to the creation of the wedding dress, the designers would need to create an accompanying bridesmaid dress. The designers had less than 24 hours, and a budget of $150 to spend at Mood Fabrics.
Racing against the clock, but perhaps fighting even more against creative fatigue, the designers rushed to create the dress and earn the right to show at Bryant Park. Clearly nervous, Korto and Kenley got into an indirect fight over their criticism of one another at the last runway challenge. Still bristling over Korto's "personality" comment in which she publically questioned Kenley's right to be at Fashion Week, Kenley defended her position that Korto's work is "boring."
On to the runway! Kenley Collins earned herself a spot in the top two with a strapless, buttercream-colored wedding dress that bloomed into a round mound of tule. Creating the bodice and running approximately half-way down the dress was a feathery material that appeared to be layered onto the tule. The bridesmaid dress, meanwhile, was a short, blue bubble dress that captured the fullness and abstract movement of the wedding dress. In stark contrast to Kenley's most recent runway critique, the judges could not heap enough praise onto each of the two dresses. Top American designer Michael Kors noted that the wedding dress "was Kenley" and that it was "romantic without being syrupy." The bridesmaid dress, meanwhile, according to Kors was the "cutest [darn] dress he'd ever seen." Hostess Heidi Klum even said the wedding dress was "crazy good."
Although no winner was formally chosen for this challenge, FIDM Alumna Leanne Marshall garnered the most positive feedback for her wedding party dress duo. The wedding gown was a stunning, strapless cream-colored piece, that was broken into two full halves in the skirt. Each half softened along the side into a perfect round with superb softness and movement. Deep pleats resembled abstract waves on the dress, making each movement appear as if a wave was crashing into another. The top was simple, with something of a modernized sweetheart neckline with a shallow dip and no excessive detailing. The bridesmaid outfit was a strapless, short dress in a beautiful aquatic color. Leaving the bottom simple, light, and airy, Leanne also created a top that tied into the "wave" detailing of the wedding dress. The judges of Project Runway could not say enough about Leanne's work this week. Michael Kors called her wedding gown "so chic and beautifully crafted" while Editor at Large for Elle Magazine Nina Garcia said the fabric was "very interesting, modern, and dreamy." As for the bridesmaid dress, Garcia told Leanne that she "loved it" and that it was "absolutely beautiful." Heidi Klum also told Leanne, "I love it. I think you did a fantastic job."
Korto Momolu's wedding gown was a thick-strapped, highly stylized piece in a lustrous golden-beige tafetta-like fabric that landed her a spot in the bottom two. The skirt of the dress was filled in with tule, pleated, and shaped into two abstract pieces, coming in at first at the waist, and then again mid-thigh. The bridesmaid outfit was a short, pleated halter dress in an almost identical color as the wedding dress. While the judges saw a great deal of effort from Korto, they were clearly dissapointed with her lack of editing. Hostess Heidi Klum cast the first stone saying, "I would not want to be the bride, I would not want to wear this dress...there are so many elements!" Michael Kors then interjected saying the wedding gown was "overworked" while the bridesmaid gown was "way underworked." Nina Garcia agreed, and continued by saying the bridesmaid dress had "no revelance to the bride's dress."
Jerell Scott produced a strapless, silk taffeta dress with a sweetheart neckline, beading, and gray tule that burst from the bottom. His bridesmaid dress was another strapless dress in a jewel tone green, and a sash made out of the same fabric as the wedding dress. In respect to both outfits, the judges found themselves extremely dissapointed with Jerell's lacking of editing and finishing. Judge Michael Kors began by dissecting the bodice on the wedding gown, and noted that it looked like she had "wings and jewels attached on and below her chest." Summarizing the look into a sentence, Kors noted that it looked "a little garish." Heidi Klum, meanwhile, felt that the wedding dress was "messy" and the bridesmaid dress was "clumsy." Nina Garcia also commented, stating that the gray tule made the gown look "dirty." Unfortunately for Jerell, the negative comments were too many, the two dresses were not pleasing, and he was eliminated, crushing his dreams of showcasing his talent at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.
If this week's episode was hard to wait for, being patient for the finale episode will be almost impossible! According to Bravotv.com, 55% of viewers feel that FIDM Grad Leanne Marshall will be the winner of Project Runway, Season 5! She has an overwhelming lead over her competition of Korto and Kenley who received 23% and 21% of the vote, respectively. The competition has finally come down to this, and as always, there is only one way to see how this season will end...
Stay Tuned and Stay Fashionable,
--Alaythia
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