Ah, the party is over at Project Runway after last night’s shocking season finale. Jeffery, of all people, won!

First, let me say that it’s not like I don’t think this guy is not talented. Obviously, he is. But, personalities aside, I was totally amazed at both Laura’s and Uli’s collections as well as how they put them together on the runway. Michael, I also liked, but I expected more from him. I’m not sure exactly what happened there.

I have looked at the collections on line before seeing them on the show, but really, there’s no comparison when it comes to viewing individual pieces on a static computer screen to watching a runway show with live, moving models, and music to boot. So, before last night, I wasn’t sure about any of the designers’ chances.

I still love the show. I’ll be back for next season, and hopefully, I’ll be blogging about it, but with every season I get more annoyed with the judging. They seemed to think Jeffery’s style was so innovative, but other than some cool zippers, I didn’t get it. I saw lots of different lengths of cloth in the “desconstructed” style he is known for, but okay, so what?

Laura’s designs were elegant and made a statement, but at the same time, they were “real” dresses for “real” women. What’s wrong with that?

Uli’s clothes are just beautiful, flowing down the runway. Magical.

I’m just at a loss to understand…..

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Of course, I’m a major Michael Knight fan, but I loved his sweet little sewing corner and charming house. This guy is really doing it on his own, and as a designer with my own “corner” studio (ie. corner of my family room) I totally relate, but at the same time, I’m a little amazed at all that he’s done so far on his own with so few resources.

Now, Jeffery’s work space is a totally different planet. It is so big, in fact, it could be its own universe. Even Tim Gun was taken aback and impressed by the size of his “studio”….or should I say factory? Like last year’s evil designer, Jeffery’s softer side was empahsized as we saw his odd looking but sweet wife and totally adorable son. But, I’m not sure I bought the soft sell.

Laura also has a pretty large place considering she lives in New York. And the turtle turd scene was well….Tim is such a nice guy! Let’s just put it that way. I was kind of amazed at how much she’d done, but maybe it was that nesting thing that got her energy level up. I’m wondering now, seriously, if Mama Laura might win this gig.

Finally, Uli, who lives just a few hours south of me had a wonderful story of growing up in East Germany (yes, “east”) and missing color and dreaming big and finding her big dream in America. Is she too sweet or what? You go, girl! Kick some *ss at Fashion Week.

One more episode! Can we stand it? Will we miss it? Heck, yes! So, who do you bet your beads on to win this one? Uli? Jeffery? Laura? Michael?

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Luckily, they reran the show that I missed last week, though I was not real thrilled with the reunion episode that followed (yawn). I turned it off about half way through and figured I may as well sleep in bed rather than in front of the TV.

With only a few episodes left, I finally broke down and looked it up on the Bravo site (which has to be one of the most poorly organized sites I’ve ever seen) and it looks like more reruns starting at today at 10am and running through the what I think will be the latest show until 10pm. So, if you have missed any episodes, it’s a good day to catch up.

For more news on Project Runway, there’s also Blogging Project Runway, a great fan blog that is all over this show with loads of links and up to the minute information on the show and the designers, both past and present.

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Well, normally, today is my recap day for Project Runway, but alas, I’m totally bummed that I sat down to nothing but a rerun last night. And, to top it off, it was from last week even!

What really burns my buns is that I know (heck, we all know) darn well that the last four designers showed at Fashion Week in New York last week. Hello? What is this?

I’ve check the Bravo site, but no mention of when the rest of the show will air. From the little bit that I did watch, I think they said that the finale will be Oct. 18th! Yikes!

In the mean time, they are going to try to force feed us that idiotic Top Chef. Why oh why do they think we’d want to watch that and not the rest of Project Runway?

Okay, rant over. If you want to keep in touch with what’s happening with the show, do not go to the Bravo site. Instead, click over to Blogging Project Runway. It is run by a group of wonderful fans, who have much better information for you. For example, most recently they posted links to the designers, Fashion Week shows.

I guess that’s our only life line now to everything Project Runway for the next (almost) month!

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I’ve often heard designers claim that they don’t pay attention to trends. In fact, I heard a number of the designers from Bravo’s Project Runway show makes these claims in their early interviews this season. And you know what? I think that’s a big line of whooie. I also think there’s a big difference between following trends and paying attention to them, monitoring them in a way, and I subscribe to the “pay attention” attitude.

Here’s a few examples of what I’m talking about. A number of years ago when I was still on the art show circuit, the angel craze started up. They were everywhere, and hey, I liked them, so I bought a gazillion angel charms and made a lot of jewelry with them. Know what? I still have a good number of these charms. While it was a trend I liked, I made the mistake of blindly following it, and it bite me in the you know what.

On the other hand, I’ve noticed that there’s a trend now toward larger accessories in general – big bags, chunky shoes, and, yes, big jewelry. I love hoop earrings, so I decided to make a few pair of super big hoops and post the projects. My readers loved them, and they ended up being a huge hit too when I wore them out. I was inspired by the trend rather than blindly following it, so it worked out for me.

So, what do you think? As designers, should we care about trends or is it better to ignore them?

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Yup, that’s right. They’re bbbaaaacckkkk!

The other designers switch into super freak out mode. How can this be? Weren’t they off-ted? Crap!

Vincent and Angela are thrilled and shocked to discover they have yet another chance. With this challenge, though, 3 designers will get the boot after the runway judging. Okay, well, no big surprise then. We know already that these two will probably not cut it and they don’t. But, let me take a step back now and explain more details about this challenge.

Yes, two extra designers are part of the group again, and to add a little more drama we learn that for this cocktail dress they must use black and white fabric, no other colors, and they must use all of the material, which I’m sorry. That is just a stupid thing to ask them to do, but whatever.

After sketch time, a trip to the fabric store, it is back to old times in the cutting room. Jeffery is making snarky comments, which is why the producers obviously love this guy. Poor Laura is about to have a nervous break down. The baby is weighing on  her in more ways than one. But, after a little prodding from her model, who obviously is in the competition too, Laura is determined to make something classy and young. And, boy, does she! Here’s an itty bitty picture from the Bravo web site, sorry I couldn’t get anything larger, but their site has been acting up more than usual today, which is also why I’m much later than usual posting this. Laura comes up with the idea to layer black lace over white material, and the result is stunning, hip, but still classy. And, for her efforts, Laura wins!

 Of course, as I mentioned previously, we aren’t that surprised to see Angela come up with an ultra-strange, even for her, dress that looks more like a vampire costume. Vincent doesn’t fair much better with a super short mini-dress and wrap. He made the wrap because he had a lot of extra material (remember they had to use it all!), but why not just make the dress longer?

As I said, we aren’t that surprised the Angela and Vincent go, and heck, they did have an extra chance that none of the other designers had, so no biggie. But, alas, a total of 3 must get the boot this time, and unfortunately, number three is my boy Kayne. I think he totally got shafted this time too (as he has in many other episodes) because he did, as he put it, “edit” his design for the judges this time. In fact, they even acknowledge this, but because he is super sweet, as Uli put it “their sunshine,” and not some mouthy Mr. Meany like Jeffery, who BTW, made a cocktail outfit any hooker would blush to wear, Kayne is gone.

The rest of the gang are safe at this point. Michael as you would expect created a wonderful white off the shoulder dress with a large black sort of belt with loads of cut out detailing. It was, well, very Michael. If Laura hadn’t kicked butt, he would have won again.

Finally, there was Uli….Uli, Uli, Uli. I love you but enough with the same dress already. Again, this is pointed out by the judges, but she is safe.

Okay, that’s it. We are coming down to the end now. Only 4 left. Can you believe this season has gone by so quickly!?

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Another twist is thrown into the mix when after modeling their outfits, they are told they will be traveling in those outfits to demonstrate how well the clothes work for a real jet setter. They learn at the air port that their destination is Paris! And, as an extra bonus, when they board the plane, in first class of course, who else but Tim Gunn shows up, seems like a fun time for all. And it is, until they actually get there.

After being whisked into the Paris Parson’s School of Design, they soon discover that the judging will get started again ASAP and one of them will be asked to turn around and get right back on the next plane to go home.

I have to stop for a minute here and take the producers to task for this…shame, shame on you. This was just beyond cruel. Sorry, but it did not make for good TV, just another obivous example of idiotic manipulations going on behind the scenes.

Okay, I’m off my soap box, now onto the winner. Drum roll please….

 Jefferey, aka Mr. Meany, won. Actually, he probably deserved to win if you can get past his annoying personality and abuse of fellow designers. His out fit was very jet setter and very hip and very him.

 Angela, Ms. Rossettes on the be-hind no less, lost. We all kind of knew she was doomed. I mean, Angela, a jet setter? Tim tried to warn her in the work room suggesting her outfit looked too much like “Holly Hobby,” and poor Angela took this as a compliment. Oy! Well, at least she won’t have to take any more crap from Jefferey, and while I can’t say Angela and I have the same tastes, I did feel badly for her on this challenge as a fellow home-body type.

Now for the rest of the designers, who for the most part did really well on this challenge.

Michael kicked butt in a, of all things, seersucker cargo pants, which looked “in the hood” and a crisp white shirt. He was a contender for the win. He also did a great job modeling his outfit, even giving fellow roomie Kayne some tips.

Laura also looked great in her nude-colored silk dress, which was all Laura, classic and elegant. However, rather than the low cut V, she opted to add some drapping affects and a sash waist. I also liked how she included some super long dangle earrings to her look. Very put together!

Kayne did not please the judges in his all black except for some wild print he had sewn on a sleeve and back of the shirt. He also wore his signature bling “Kayne” belt buckle. Comments were made that he looked like Elvis, but I say, so what? Is this or is this not Kayne all over the place? Cut the boy some slack!

Uli made her signature multi-patterned long, flowing beautiful dress, and the judges took her to task for it because it was too much like what she’d done already. Again, judges, this is Uli. What else do you expect her to wear? I could understand this argument if it was a different challenge and she was designing for someone else, but I think (when possible) a designer should wear what she/he makes.

Finally, Vincent made a black jersey type top and black pants, which he basically copied from the pants he was wearing that day….booorrrinnnggg! But, some how he survived, again.

So, another designer has left the group, and we are down to almost a handful now. I hope Kayne some how pleases the judges this week as he’s one of my top 3 along with Michael and Uli.

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At this point, I began to realize that this competition was not going to be at all balanced because this assortment of “everyday” women had a huge assortment of sizes, from the trim to the tubby. Of course, those who picked first picked the smallest of those up on stage.

It began to feel like gym class all over again.

So that was the surprise part.

  The shock?

Vincent wins! And, he actually made a pretty nice dress for Uli’s mom too. Of course, look how cute her mom is. Now, I say this dress is “nice,” because that’s about all I can say about it. The back looked unfinished to me, and otherwise, I really wasn’t that impressed with the overall design. Seen it before, bought the t-shirt.

Now, for the other shock, though not really a suprise I’m afraid.

 Robert is out! We knew this was going to happen. He is obviously talented, but the judges just don’t get him, and really, he never took enough chances. In his defense for this challenge, he made exactly what Patricia, Vincent’s sister (ironic, no?) wanted, a long black dress and Asain inspired jacket in her favorite color. But, according to the judges, he should have known better even if she didn’t.

Now for the rest of the designers, moms, and sisters….

Michael was the first to chose and selected Robert’s sister, Teresa, the slimmest and probably youngest woman available. She is very attractive and he makes a wonderful reversible dress for her, but considering the other models there, she wasn’t much of a challenge. How can you go wrong with young, thin, and beautiful.

Another suprise, Jeffery actually has a mother, and Pam is very attractive. Laura selected her right away and ended up making her an outfit for a possible future cruise she might take, but the judges aren’t impressed for once with Laura’s over the top sailor dress.

Angela chooses Laura’s mother, Lorraine, and ends up making her a black dress with fringe. Fringe? Eekk? Honestly, without the fringe this might have past by the judges, but they felt it was too young for her.

Kayne teams up with Michael’ mother, Pamela, and they both love the bling, so we expect some major shiny, shiny from them. The outfit did have color, but it wasn’t as sparklie as hoped for, and the judges singled him out for a few choice words saying it made her look short and square with the short pants and cropped top.

As usual, Uli is spot on when she made a colorful patterned poncho style top and pants outfit for Kayne’s mom, Judy. I think she should have won for this. Not only was the outfit pretty, accessories with a nice beaded necklace, and what the customer actually wanted, Uli rose to the challenge of designing for a plus size woman and it worked. She really got ripped off on this competition.

Finally, we have Mr. Meany, Jeffery, who was obiously POed that he was stuck with Angela’s plus size mom, and he made no effort to hide this fact. So as usual, he made what he wanted even going so far as to make Angela’s mom, Darlene, cry. He really should have been gone. The dress was awful looking and not at all what her mom had aske for. Then to top it off when she gave him her opinion, he jumped all over her. Is that how he treats his customers?

So, that’s how this episode played out, but I was very disappointed with the out come. Very.

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Most of the designers were pretty good natured about the adventure. Kayne even mentioned that he used to go dumpster diving with his sister, which right away was an alarm bell to me. Seems like any time a designer is a little too confident after being told about the next challenge, well, things don’t go so well. But more on this later. Now for the winner and loser.

In back-to-back victories, our beloved Michael wins again! The judges were very impressed with his use of a garbage bag as a wrap and the sophistication of a gold corset-style top and white pencil skirt.

 Sadly, our sweet Alison loses this one. Alison really struggled almost the entire time on her outfit. At first, she had an idea to use strips of paper, but when she went to the machine to sew them together, they started giving her problems and things went down hill for her from there. The judges thought her outfit was very unflattering for her model, who had no real waist, and thus the poofy skirt (normally ala Angela) and thick waistband made her look fat. The weird hair bow thing didn’t help either.

Now for our other designers.

Angela is still in, but I was surprised she was not on the cat walk with her freaky jumper thing, whatever you want to call it. The only thing good about it was the color.

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Jeffery really should have won. I love Michael, but Jeffery actually made a pretty and interesting dress from paper that he also painted complete with faux belt.

And then there is poor Kayne! Oh I knew he was going to be in trouble and he was and he knew it and he was man enough to admit when he was called out onto the cat walk for his wacked-out outfit.

Laura was in the running to win with her short, white, V neck dress, but I’m getting a little tired of the same ‘ol same ‘ol from her. But the judges love her. Oh, and just between you and me, I think she is now in the running for our show’s villain. She sure made enough snarky comments, and used the F word a few million times. Does she use that potty mouth with her kids? “Junior, put your F-ing crayons away for mommy now!”

Robert made a good showing using silver mylar that really did look like a dress. Still, he didn’t impress the judges but he didn’t get called out either, so he’s safe another week. Yeah!

Uli again impressed Tim and myself, but for some reasons, not the judges so much, but she is safe and her garment, I think, should have been in the running to win, more so than Laura’s. Uli actually braided mylar and  paper, weaving her own fabric so to speak, which I thought was very innovative.

Finally, Vincent is safe yet again, but it was either him or Ailson this week and some how he managed to stay another week. He made a long dress that was so straight the poor model could barely walk in it. His designs on the dress looked like someone barfed up trash on her. Also, it didn’t seem to fit her very well in the top, sticking way out so she had to wear a black bra type top under it.

We are now getting down to the wire on Project Runway and I know more and more it’s going to hurt fans to see each designer leave until there are just three. But, that is one thing that makes the show so exciting as well, isn’t it?

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For this week’s challenge, the tables were turned and the models were allowed to select the designers. The theme was “fashion icons,” so the models were also allowed to select from a group of historical fashionistas and it was up to the designers to reinvent the style of this icon giving her an updated feel.

This was a great way to bring the models in on the action, and it made for a high-energy couple of days in the work room for the designers as well.

This episode gave us lots of Michael, and at the same time the show producers finally woke up, so did the judges because Michael won! He was teamed with Nazri, the gal with the fabulous hair. Their icon was Pam Grier.

On the losing end, which was not a big surprised I’m sorry to say, was Bradely and his week attempt at creating an updated version of Cher, who he didn’t even know existed until that day. Yikes! I think Tim Gunn put it best in his blog: ” Bradley, have you been living on a desert island? [...] Bradley, get thee to a record store and find the “C” section.”

I’m not sure exactly what he was thinking with this truely awful outfit, but Cher? No way!

Now, for some bits about the other designers:

Alison had to recreate Farrah Fawcett and she was a little clueless in the beginning, but as usual you can depend on Alison to bring in the goods, and she ended up making an adorable chiffon dress.

Angela had a truely out of body experience and kicked butt on a fabulous little black dress that Heidi declared she’d like to have for herself in every color. So, wow! Angela can not only actually sew, she can make something pretty!

Jeffery designed for Madonna. Hmm…rags attached to a corset. Not impressed.

Kayne designed for Marilyn Monroe and was in the running to win. It was a wonderful dress, sexy, glamorous, the whole package.

Laura was paired with Katherine Hepburn, and I felt she did a great job on this but was kind of at a disadvantage since her icon liked to dress down a little.

Robert - I thought he would take no prisoners with Jackie O, but what is going on with him? I’m afraid we will lose him soon, and that’s a shame because he obviously is talented.

Uli designed for Diana Ross and as usual created a wonderful and colorful dress. My only issue was the chest area was a little odd, didn’t seem to fit well.

Vincent was assigned Twiggy, and did his usual weird pocket thing. Another designer we may not see much more of on the show.

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