Like Heidi Klum said, “There can only be one winner of Project Runway,” but on Thursday night’s finale, Carol Hannah Whitfield, Irina Shabayeva and Althea Harper all showed impressive collections under the tents of Bryant Park.
Carol Hannah’s collection, which she said was based on “gothic architecture and fairy tales,” earned points from judges Klum, Michael Kors (glad he could make it!), Nina Garcia and the delightful Susie Menkes, fashion editor for the International Herald Tribune. The impeccable tailoring, which was mixed with structured draping, and her use of difficult fabric were what struck the judges. They also praised her for her use of color — especially her 13th look, a sweeping teal gown, which was put together in the final days — in a runway show of mostly blacks and grays. Their only complaint, the judges said, was that her collection was not as cohesive as the others.
“My collection is really about New York,” Irina said before her portion of the runway show. The native New Yorker put together 13 looks based on her idea that when women step out into the city, they need to shield themselves from its elements — but shouldn’t have to do it with plain and tacky armor. Instead, she sent oversized knits, pleated, almost scale-like dresses, slick leather vests and big cozy coats down the runway. While Michael Kors cut her down a bit, telling her, “warrior woman is not a new character” in the fashion world, the judges said her collection was “well-made, modern, with an edge.” Nina especially liked the detailed T-shirts that were revealed beneath the knit armor at the end of the runway. And Kors said she told a story with her collection and had the “best sense of showmanship,” citing her use of helmets on her models. Their big complaint, however, was her obvious overuse of black. (more…)
When we last saw them,
Project Runway is getting the supermodel treatment!
Talk about a blast from the past! On Thursday’s Project Runway, the six remaining designers came face to face with their winning designs — except for Logan, who has never won a challenge — and were asked to design a look they could pair with the outfit. Theoretically, it was an opportunity for everyone to shine, to revisit past glories and create something new and stunning. In reality, though, some of the designers produced ho-hum pieces while others seemed to rip each other off — or as Irina (sort-of) diplomatically noted, there was a lot of “resemblances” in the workroom.
Thursday’s Project Runway let the seven remaining designers indulge in a jetsetting fantasy … but without the actual travel part. Instead, the contestants were given photographs of fabulous places that Michael Kors has visited — perhaps that’s why he’s been MIA from the runway so much this season! — that have inspired his collections over the years. The challenge? Get inspired by a specific place — then sew.
Look who’s coming to Project Runway!
Thursday’s Project Runway brought the bridal wear — with a twist. The women in wedding dresses standing before the nine remaining designers weren’t brides to be: They were divorcees looking to convert their gowns into hip outfits they could wear in the “next chapter of their lives,” as Heidi Klum put it. So, the contestants picked their clients off the runway, collaborated with them on a design and got sewing.
A challenge involving color loomed before the 10 remaining designers this week — but what color would it be? Nothing so bold, it turned out. The contestants were told to create two looks using blue fabrics that could be sold in Macy’s Inc. line. The designers were to work in pairs — and the winner of the challenge would be commissioned to design a holiday dress for the department store.







