So, no reunion show, I guess. The final three designers -- Leanne, Korto, and Kenley -- prepare for the Bryant Park show. Tim tells them that they will be showing ten looks, which means that each of the designers will need to edit three looks from their collections -- they made 12 at home and the bridesmaid dress in the last challenge. Korto decides that she doesn't like her wedding dress or the bridesmaid dress that she made -- she's decides to make two new dresses in three days. Leanne and Kenley say a lot of nasty things about the other's collection in their interviews. Kenley thinks that Leanne's collection is boring and colorless, while Leanne feels that Kenley's collection is amateurish.
Tim is surprised that Kenley is keeping her wedding dress as the centerpiece in her show after the judges called it a rip-off. She was really defensive about it and said it was bullshit. Which brings us to the show. Jennifer Lopez was supposed to be the guest judge, but a foot injury kept her from performing her rigorous duties. Tim filled in! Leanne's collection was super-modern. Kenley's was personal and vibrant. Korto's was lush and wearable. The judges were happy with all three. They did mention that they were worried about Leanne being one-note, they thought that Korto had a problem with over-designing, and Kenley ripped off, not only McQueen, but Balenciaga too. She's the first booted and she interviews that she's devastated. And, the winner is… Leanne! Korto handles it like a champ. Leanne tells us, "100,000 dollars. Drinks are on this brother."
Previously: The designers were given another challenge before they left for home to make their collections. They had to make a wedding dress that encapsulated their collections. Tim Gunn visited all of the designers at their homes. Leanne and Kenley both got huge praise from Tim when he saw their collections. Korto got slightly less praise. He just had problems with Jerell's stuff. When they all got back to New York, they were given yet ANOTHER challenge. They had to create a bridesmaid dress to go with the wedding dress. On the runway, they presented the two challenge dresses. Leanne and Kenley were the clear winners-- though Kenley was heavily and questionably influenced by Alexander McQueen. Korto had some issues with editing and taste in her looks, while Jerell's was sort of overt-the-top and a mess. He was sent home where he will continue life with his "love interest." Seriously, I can't really get over that.
And then there were three. I guess this is the final episode of the season. No one explained to me that there wouldn't be a reunion show this year. What is that about? Sure, they are usually anticlimactic and ultimately boring, but the promise of the reunion show is so necessary. I feel robbed.
It's morning and the designers are in still in the Westin. I guess Kenley gets a room to herself now. Korto is ironing her clothes and says that they're mourning that morning because "her Jerelly" is gone. She interviews that her heart breaks for Jerell. Leanne interviews that it's a "Project Runway first" for there to be three women in the finale. She's very proud of that. I am, unfortunately (I guess), not moved at all by that news. Really, who cares? Leanne says that she's going to be a fighter until she is the last person standing on the runway.
At the workroom, they're working before Tim gets there. When he arrives, he congratulates them for making it to the final three. Now, he has two announcements. Somebody's going to cut him if there's another challenge. He tells them that they will be presenting 10 looks at Bryant Park, so they will need to edit two from their current collections. Announcement #2 -- he's sending them to their model casting.
We see the designers plus John Pfeiffer sitting at a table. Girls are walking for them and we see Kenley tell Korto, "There's your hair." Korto says that she's looking for girls with a lot of hair, so she can do "big Asian buns." Leanne says that she likes girls who look like aliens. Leanne expressed an interest in one of the girls and Kenley tells her that, in addition to the girl looking like an alien, she is also soft, much like Leanne's collection. Leanne interviews that she's completely annoyed with Kenley telling her what models to choose. Jesus, give her a break. The girl is just trying to foster some sort of human connection after her heart was irreparably frozen so many years ago on that tugboat.
And now, guess who appears? It's Morgan, our Season 1 urchin. Kenley tells her that they all know who she is. I wonder if she even remembers that she was on this show. After she walks, John asks if they are going to fight over her. Kenley decides that she's going to try to get her for her show. "But she better not act up or anything." She's acting really tugboat right now. That was rough. They giggle at Kenley's outburst.
Back at the workroom, Tim arrives to get a sense of everyone's collections. He starts with Kenley. She tells him that she is just trying to decide which pieces to edit from her collection. He really doesn't like her use of rope. He thinks that it "strangles" the organic nature of her design. He continues, saying that the rope looks arbitrary and contrived. Gunn is looking for a fight. Believe it or not, Kenley doesn't take the bait. She says emphatically yet respectfully that she disagrees. Tim seems fine with that. She interviews that Tim doesn't like the rope, she does, the end. Her decisions are final and she has made her decision. If Kenley had acted a little more like this during the season -- passionate instead of surly and sensitive -- perhaps Tim would have been able to give her advice more appropriate for her. It's hard to help someone who just sort of shuts you down every time you open your mouth. Tim asks her who her signature model is. It's Topacio and she's wearing the wedding dress. Tim reminds her that Topacio will be back before the judges at the final runway judging, insinuating that she should perhaps reconsider what Topacio is wearing. Kenley says she's fine with that, they loved her wedding dress. Tim's jaw drops. He got a different interpretation from the judging. Kenley seems authentically stunned right now. Tim begins to elaborate. He says that, yes, they marveled at her execution. But -- now Kenley remembers that they hated her dress. But, they thought that she was a knockoff? Kenley reminds him that they have said that to her four times and she finds it insulting. Tim says that's fine, she just has to own her decision. He's looking at her like she's a total nut job during this entire last moment -- eyebrows arched, posture even more erect. This would be Tim's revenge. Only three episodes too late. I'm past needing to see Kenley get comeuppance, which is annoying. For there was a time when nothing would have made me happier than Kenley being put in her place. It's hard to feel that way now when you continue to see how hard she works. Thanks for stealing my anger, Bravo. That sucks.
Tim approaches Korto. She has 11 looks to choose from, because she is not even counting her bridesmaid dress. She says that Heidi said she wouldn't wear the bridesmaid dress, so out it goes. She also said that about Korto's wedding dress, but she likes the wedding dress. Tim asks her which look she's going to edit out and she's unsure. She asks if he's suggesting that she remove her wedding dress (yes). He says that he wouldn't dream of telling her such a thing (he's dying to tell you that). She interviews that this is a difficult spot to be in. Do you remove the dress or are you hardheaded and say, "I love it. I don't care if you like it." She tells Tim that you have to stand by your work.
Leanne tells Tim that she's not sure which look she's going to edit out of her collection. She suggests that she may edit a look with pants, because the pants need work. However, they are the only pants in her collection. Tim tells her that he would encourage her to have "a pant" in her collection. She interviews that she has a lot, A LOT, of work to do on the pants. OK, that doesn't sound great.
Kenley stops Tim before he goes and asks -- if Topacio is wearing a different look, but the wedding dress is still in the show, it's still the look that Topacio will be wearing that will appear before the judges. Tim confirms. So, that's what she's going to do. Which means that Topacio won't be the final model in the show. These girls have kinda gotten effed over at every turn this year, haven't they? I mean, they are BARELY a presence as it is. I realize the show is falling apart in court right now and what have you, but when you have a moment, could someone take another look at the whole model portion of the show? It changes every year, but it only gets worse. Case in point, they just brought back a model from the first season for our entertainment. You couldn't do that with any other season -- because we don't remember them. Tim thanks Kenley for making a change and blows her a kiss. She interviews that he has a point. If she were a judge, she wouldn't want to be presented with the same look (ripping off other designers notwithstanding).
That night, Kenley tells Korto that she's going to keep her wedding dress. She doesn't give an eff what the judges think. Korto is going in a different direction. Not only is she NOT showing her wedding dress, she's editing another 2 looks out. So, she's making 2 dresses. She feels that a couple of her looks could be called overdesigned and she doesn't want to have that conversation with the judges again. Kenley says that she thinks it's insane that Korto is making these dresses.
The morning, the designers meet with Collier Strong to design their make-up palettes for their shows. Kenley tells Korto that she likes the dress that she's wearing and that it goes with her line. If I already felt that Kenley was rude, as I do from past experience, I'd totally think, "Are you saying I can only make one kind of dress?"
Collier walks the ladies through their looks. Korto is going with natural, organic make-up. Kenley wants "fresh," which she translates as cherry red lips. Oh my gosh! She has those too! It's amazing how that has worked out. Leanne explains her wave inspiration. They're going for very modern make-up.
Later, they have a fitting with their models. Leanne says the traffic in the workroom is insane. Korto is working on her new looks and she interviews that she's praying to herself that she'll finish. Kenley interviews that Leanne doesn't know how to use color and her collection is boring. Nice. Leanne says that Kenley's collection is really "Holly Hobby." She thinks that the painting on her clothing looks really amateurish. At day's end, Korto still has a lot of work to finish. She interviews, while crying, that she wants to win this competition very badly.
The day, with one day until the runway show, the ladies work with Jeanie Syfu to create their runway looks. I've said it before, but that Jeanie has the cutest haircut ever. Korto is having these huge buns on her models that are really modern and cool.
Later, the designers are all scrambling with final fittings. Oh, and Korto has to finish some dresses. Looking on, Kenley says that she can see that Korto is stressed. But, the fitting seems to go pretty well. Korto interviews that she's feeling a little bit better about the whole thing. Tia brings her little dog, Sophie, to the workroom for her fitting. And, the dog poops. AND, Tia picks it up while wearing Leanne's gown. Leanne interviews that she can't imagine how she would explain to the judges why there was poop on her gown. I'd blame it on the model -- she had too much coffee for breakfast, she saw Val Kilmer in the audience at the runway show, etc. The model pooped. That's what I'd say.
Tim comes in later and tells everyone to gather 'round. He tells them that the sequence of the show the day will be Kenley, Korto, then Leanne. Then, he tells them how proud of them he is and what a huge moment this is for them. He asks for a group hug and they all giggle and give it to him.
The morning, we see Kenley wake up wearing glasses. She interviews that this is the biggest day of her life. She says that she snuck into the tents last year (and was promptly ushered out). Leanne says, as she is combing her hair, that she has waited for this day for a long time. Korto interviews that she feels like she deserves to win because she's Korto and nobody does what Korto does. She doesn't really say it like Rayon would, I'm merely paraphrasing.
It's so early, it's still dark out. The designers get to Bryant Park and go inside the empty tents. They seem awestruck. Leanne remarks how long the runway is. Kenley takes a stroll down the runway. She interviews, emotionally, that her parents will get the chance today to see what she has been working on so hard for the past three years. They haven't really been a big part of her life for that time. Her dad had a huge influence on her collection (tugboats) and she thinks he's going to really like that. The designers all do a fists-in sort of "go team" thing, probably because they don't want to hug each other. Korto tells the other two to "shine in your moment."
Now, it's scramble time. A team of students shows up to help Korto. I wonder if they've had those every year... I'd totally hit up Parson's for some help if I were the producers. It's one of those "everybody wins" things. Kenley won't let her helpers touch her stuff. She interviews that no one but her knows how to iron painted fabric. Then, we see her ironing something and dropping it on the ground in the process.
Now, it's one hour before the runway show and everybody is filling into the tents. There's Blayne, wearing some sort of high-collared nonsense. There are Wesley and Daniel together wearing suits. They look really cute together. Ya'll heard that they're an item, right? They are. We see actress Michelle Trachtenberg meeting a half her size Christian Siriano. "Well aren't you fabulous?" she asks him. There's Uncle Nick! And, he's still sporting that faux-hawk. It's time to move on. Backstage, the models are in hair and make-up.
With 30 minutes remaining, Leanne has a fit problem. The top of her look has become limp and loose. Since this was Tia's look, she decides to put her in another dress, because now she doesn't want the wedding dress to come before the judges. Tia looks really upset by this! I think she must have really wanted to wear that wedding dress. Leanne has to perform some quick alterations on the new gown that Tia is going to wear.
Kenley has problems zipping Topacio into a dress. She tells her to suck in and there's a moment where it doesn't seem like anyone is breathing. Then, it zips up. Kenley screams in relief and says that she was about to give up. It's showtime. We see Korto's family sitting in the front row! She interviews that she loves her collection. She loves her two new dresses. She thinks that all of her pieces relate to each other. There's Kenley's family. They look decidedly upper-middle class for the rough and tumble tugboat upbringing that she described. Kenley thinks that she is going to win. She thinks her collection looks great. Leanne is in awe...of herself. She's really proud of what she has been able to put together. There's her family. She says that she is exhausted but her heart is pounding.
On the runway, Heidi enters in a lovely black dress. She introduces our judges -- Michael, Nina, and... there's an empty chair. She tells us that Jennifer Lopez was going to be the guest judge, but she had a foot injury. In what will sadly be overlooked come awards season as the best piece of sound editing of the TV year, you don't hear any laughter. You know they cut that shit out. Jennifer Lopez stayed home because she hurt her foot? Doesn't she have a couple of guys carry her everywhere in the first place? That's amazing. So, who is the guest judge? Tim Gunn enters the runway to crazy applause. Kenley sees this from the monitor backstage and says, "Are you kidding? OK, maybe I should have improved my attitude." This is kinda crazy when you think about it. Leanne and Korto don't even look thrilled. He's seen every little quirk in your design and knows what imperfections you are trying to hide. Tim says that he will be impartial and unbiased. He also promises to put his relationships with the designers "on a metaphorical shelf." It's time to start the show.
Here's Kenley. She's wearing this little Isabelle Blow-style mobile of leaves on her head. I'm usually a secret fan of Kenley's headgear, but this piece is a little too haute for the rest of her bobbysoxer outfit. She says that she was inspired by painting and "fantasy things." She says with a lump in her throat that she made her dream wardrobe and her mother nods along with her with a huge smile on her face. Her dad, meanwhile, looks like he's at an Amway meeting. Dude looks totally incredulous. I'm sensing some daddy issues up in here.
And we begin. The first dress is a strapless cocktail dress in black. It's fitted and ends above the knee. At the waist, a sort of cape/2nd skirt is attached. It's a fuchsia print with black and fuchsia stripes on the underside. The dress itself is nice and there is some asymmetrical pattern at the neckline. The fabric is almost cut into a flower. However, I hate the 2nd skirt. It looks tacked on and like a Barbie outfit. Don't ask me how I know that part.
The dress is a toned-down version of her haute couture dress. It's a lovely teal print with black spots on it. It is long-sleeved with puffed shoulders. It has a high neck with rope around it and I sort of like it. I understand Tim's point about it looking like someone hanging themselves, but I'm still into it.
Here's a dress very similar to her first winning design. It's strapless with that bustled looking skirt. There's also that explosion of fabric on the side, this time surrounded by rope. I agree with Tim that the rope seems too much in this situation. The dress is Kenley's bridesmaid dress, which is still very cute.
Here's her wedding dress. It gets applause! People loved it at Alexander McQueen, why shouldn't they love it again now? Kenley says that she has a big, bold color palette that she feels very good about. She's feeling very confident about her chances to win. There's a long black dress reminiscent of her dress for Diane von Furstenberg. I'm not trying to be a jerk -- these dresses do look like her other pieces. The collar is an elaborate Elizabethan thing, but it's still a high collar on a fitted dress. It's pretty though. There's big applause for Kenley's show when it's over.
Korto bounds onstage to a lot of applause. She asks everyone if they are ready for her. They are most certainly ready for that jelly. She tells everyone that her collection was inspired by nature. Also, she dedicates the show to her daughter, Elise. Also, to her husband, but everything she does is for her daughter. Also, she wants to know if everyone thinks that she looks hot. They don't answer really. It's time for the show.
Her stuff is really beautiful. Lots of bright greens and shimmering taupes. There's Jillian, from last season! She looks bored. [I think that's just how she looks! -- Mindy] First there is a green dress with a loose bodice and puffed sleeves and a tight skirt. There is pleating that feels like it's African influenced along the horizontal on the bodice. It's unique and beautiful. There's a white dress that gets applause. It's floor-length with an asymmetrical one-shouldered bodice. There is a vertical ruffle that begins at the waist and swirls to the floor. It's gorgeous. There is a green halter dress that is stunning. It's emerald green and floor-length in satin. There is amazing beadwork on one side of the halter. Korto says that she is true to herself as an African woman.
After the show, Korto takes Elise's hand and walks with her on the runway. It's very cute. Joan Kors, who is sitting to Tim, looks very excited about the collection she has just seen.
And now it's time for Leanne. She tells us that she's in love with her collection, even though she lost tons of sleep while putting it together. First up is an off-the-shoulder top in white paired with a blue petal skirt. Very cool. The silhouette almost appears to be floating because of this odd mixture of rigidity and softness in her fabrics. She tells us that she was very inspired while creating this collection and she's proud. All of the exhaustion and stress were worth these three minutes of the runway show. This is the feeling of a lifetime. This one number, a white bustier with an alternating white and taupe petal skirt, gets applause. Tia wears this floor-length blue gown that flows beautifully. I don't think she was over-the-top literal, but there really is a water feeling with this collection. I feel kind of stupid for saying that, but it's not just visual -- it feels cool, like swimming, when I look at her stuff. Her wedding gown also gets huge applause.
After the show, Fern Mallis tells Kenley that her show was beautiful and that she "did the tents proud." I like that sentiment. Chris March says that he liked Korto's collection best -- he thought it was beautiful. Uncle Nick says that he could totally see Leanne's clothing in Elle. He finds it mature. We hear Kenley say to some TV cameras that anyone with good taste would like her collection. That's our girl! Daniel says he's rooting for Kenley because of her use of color. He is so bland -- I don't know what Wesley sees in him. Jillian said she responded to Kenley's designs and she almost seems to be surprised that she's saying it. Rami says he smiled at Korto's work -- he really believes in her. Blayne says he's proud of all of them and I really believe him. Why was Blayne ever on this show?
It's judging time. Michael points out that there are three women in the finals -- and, again, I'm sure you could point out to me why that matters, but I'm not feeling it. Tim says that the point-of-view of each of the designers was palpable. All in all, Michael thinks that they did a great job.
The designers come out and Heidi congrats them. She introduces Michael, Nina, and "a really hot hottie," Tim Gunn, CCO of Liz Claiborne Inc. That was weird. That she called him a really hot hottie. It didn't work. Stick to your cue cards, Klum Seal.
They start with Kenley. Michael thought it was a collection full of charm and personality. He asks her about the painting, which she confirms that she did herself. He finds it remarkable (not Holly Hobby?) that she did it. He also liked that she used separates, but still kept her own look. Tim liked the painting, construction, point of view in her work.
Nina says her collection had spirit. She loved it, however, the flower dress is Balenciaga. Heidi says she heard people say that at the tents (ouch, I actually think that my best friend was one of those people. Sorry Kenley!). Kenley says "I don't know," in regards to the mentioned Balenciaga collection. Michael tells her it's necessary to know what else is happening in fashion. Nina says that the fashion editors know, even if she doesn't. Kenley, in her breakthrough for the season, even if it's just admitting to herself that sometimes she needs to kiss up a little in order to get what she wants, agrees that maybe she should do some research. See? That wasn't so hard, was it?
Now we're moving on to Korto. Michael says that she uses her background without making it costume. Her green halter dress was his favorite. Nina says that her collection is effortlessly cohesive. She thinks that she is great with color. She also loves the green dress. Tim loved her new short taupe dress (can you believe she made that so quickly?). Ending the love fest, Heidi says that some of the dresses are still overworked. "Too many ideers," is how she put it. Nina concurs and says she likes it when Korto holds back a little.
It's time to talk to Leanne. Michael thinks the first look was the right one to start with. She explains how they had to switch models for that look, because the top stretched. Kors welcomes her to the crazy world of fashion shows. Miss Piggy and George Michael are party of the welcome committee. Michael says that the workmanship in her collection looked divine. Tim loved the vest and pants look, the one he fought for. He thought it was fantastic and smart. Nina like that she showed pants, shorts, jacket, and a long dress. Heidi thought that it all worked. It's original, this petals look, but there are a lot of petals. Michael is worried that there are too many petals. Petals Marshall? Is that what we're going to call you, Leanne? She's shaking her head the whole time. Nina is concerned that she was too one note.
Now they're doing that horrible thing where they ask everyone why they should be the winner. Korto, already crying, says that she's worthy and there is so much more that can come out of her. Leanne says she's extremely innovative -- she used sustainable textiles for half of her collection. She has the talent and ambition to succeed. Kenley says that she moved to New York with a lot of ambition and personality (good or bad). She's really crying and she says that she's passionate. Michael says that they would need to be passionate in order to succeed.
The judges confer. Tim says that Kenley had a cohesive collection. Nina loved the fit. Michael says she needs to watch that she doesn't copy other people. Uh, yeah. Tim suggests that she needs a Fashion History course. Michael says the talent and creativity are there. Some cute tattooed boy is sitting with Kenley on the floor backstage as she's fretting over the judging.
Michael says Leanne made complicated designs look easy. Nina is really impressed that she thinks about sustainability. But, also, it's very polished when it could look granola.
Tim is impressed with Korto's silhouettes and desire to put African culture in her work. Michael says that she's best when she's making something difficult deceptively simple, like the green dress -- it was just a halter dress shifted askew. However, they all agree that she has to not over design stuff.
The designers come back to the stage and all of their hard work has earned them at least one thing -- there's no pussyfooting around. Kenley is out. They believe that she will have a bright future. She gets a kiss. She interviews backstage that she's crushed. She's says she's really sad. She also says that no one likes to be called a copy cat and it's bullshit.
The winner is...Leanne. Korto hangs her head. Heidi tells Korto she is very talented and understands what women want in clothing. She and Leanne hug and she goes backstage and cries to her husband. She says she's sad and disappointed. She says it's not the last of Korto, but her heart is bleeding. She actually could create some pretty clothes for Leona Lewis, right?
Leanne seems stunned. Tim hugs her and tells her that he's very proud of her. Nina tells her it was a beautiful collection. Tia wins!! And, she was actually the best model, so that's cool. Leanne's boyfriend comes out and hugs her. She says that this has been the most amazing opportunity in her life. She's thrilled. She tells us, "$100,000. Drinks are on this brotha." I'm holding you to that, Leanne. Because, beautiful final collections notwithstanding, this has been a fairly dreadful season. Enjoy your Saturn hybrid car, Leanne.
Jeff Long wonders where the magic went. He can be reached at jeff.long75@gmail.com
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