Christian Siriano wins season 4 of Project Runway
Part two of the season finale for Project Runway began with three days left until the runway show at Bryant Park. I thought in seasons past that there was a lot more time between when the designers arrived in New York and the runway show but I could be wrong. All I kept thinking to myself was when are we going to get the Project Runway curveball? It had to be soon, right? But I was so disappointed that there was no curveball this year – no 13th look, for example.
T minus 3 days begins with the designers pulling out their collections for Tim Gunn to peek at. He loved Rami’s collection and had a criticism for Jillian. Christian was over in his corner so nervous and insecure at this point. He came out and said that he really wanted Rami and Jillian to respect his ability as a designer. This was such a shock to me to see Christian in this way – he’s usually so confident and cocky and, in his words, fierce.
Model casting was next and Jillian has some challenges. She’s never casted a show before so after she selects her initial models she starts to question the decisions. She decides that there’s no cohesion in terms of the look of the models, type of models or even height. Rami tells her to call the casting director to see if she can replace the girls and the director said that it’s not possible at this late stage of the game.
We get some glimpses into the model fittings and the sessions with makeup artist Collier Strong and hairstylist Nathanial Hawkins. Interesting but boring. I want to see the shows.
Tim Gunn calls the designers together for a final gather round and announces the order in which they will show the next day – Jillian, then Rami then Christian. He also goes on to tell them that in all his time on Project Runway he’s ever seen such a high level of talent and consistency in work. I think Tim might be getting soft in his old age, or just has gotten soft being in the corporate world.
My opinion of the runway shows: I loved Rami’s clothes, I liked Jillian’s collection and I hated Christian’s designs.
Guest judge for the finale was Victoria Beckham.
Heidi begins the runway judging by saying she was blown away by the designs. Jillian was first up for the judges’ critique. Victoria Beckham said that her collection was feminine and that she had a fantastic attention to detail. Michael Kors called it feminine and modern. Nina said she took a chance with her designs, but she thought the collection looked disjointed and that it lost the essence of Jillian.
Christian was up next with the judges. Victoria Beckham said she loved everything that he showed, that it was her taste and style and his designs made her smile. Michael Kors called it cohesive and powerful but said that showing mostly black clothes could get monotonous or boring. Nina agreed that he was repetitive in some of his colors and designs (like the feathers).
Heidi began Rami’s critique by saying she loved his collection. Michael Kors said he liked that he showed every category of clothes (from soup to nuts in his words) but said some of his colors looked like Brady Bunch colors. Victoria Beckham said it was lovely and that she appreciated his workmanship. Nina said he had a strong point of view, but his strength is definitely evening wear.
Once the designers leave the runway we hear some of the more blunt or harsh comments from the judges. In terms of Jillian’s collection the judges liked the fact that she stepped out of her comfort zone but Nina said she hasn’t yet developed her signature look. Christian’s collection was very dramatic and strong but Nina said he tends to overdesign a piece. Rami’s collection was thoughtful but again Nina commented on Rami’s problem with colors.
Jillian was eliminated right away, leaving Rami and Christian as the top two. Heidi announces that Christian is the winner and he’s all in tears on the runway. After the initial shock the Christian we all know and love (or hate) came back, cocky and arrogant as ever. Victoria Beckham tells Christian that she loves his work and would be honored to wear any piece of his clothing. What an amazing thing for a young designer to hear.
I can’t even imagine how nervous these designers were, showing at Bryant Park. It had to be the time of their lives. When else would they have had such an opportunity? I don’t think Rami will have to worry at all about his career – he is going to be a big name on the red carpet in Hollywood going forward. Jillian is going to be successful as well because she knows how to dress a woman and how to make clothes that real women would want to wear and actually be able to wear. That’s my problem with Christian. I don’t think he makes clothes for the size 12 or 14 woman. He makes them for the size 0 or 2 woman.
If you didn’t get enough of Christian you can see him tomorrow on Live with Regis and Kelly.
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March 6th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Well, and especially with his “joking” orders to the models to starve themselves until the show so they’d stay “beautiful.”
March 9th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Jillian’s outfits were the most wearable by normal people, but I guess that isn’t what high fashion is all about. That being said, I am glad Christian won. He has certainly been a fan favorite for a long time now. Rami is talented, but I am not worried about him - his work area looked the most professional (in a building with his name over the door, not out of his house like some others).