AS HEIDI KLUM says at the be ginning of every episode: It’s the chance of a lifetime. And now it’s “sew time.”
In last night’s episode of “Project Runway,” the first half of the two-part finale that will conclude next week, the four remaining designers, Christian Siriano, Jillian Lewis, Rami Kashou and Chris March, were eager to receive their final challenge – to create a collection of 12 looks in the span of five months with a budget of $8,000.
However, only three designers would show as a finalist at Fashion Week.
As Christian and Jillian had secured their respective spots in the finale in last week’s episode, Rami and Chris faced a final elimination round just days before the runway show at Fashion Week.
To move on to Fashion Week, Rami and Chris would choose their three strongest looks in a runway showdown for judges Michael Kors, Nina Garcia and Heidi Klum. Every season, Tim Gunn visits each of the finalists in their hometowns to check on the progress of their collections.
While the designers generally listened closely to Tim’s suggestions, they each seemed to resolve to do what they felt was best.Christian created a “romantic, gothic” collection, and he seemed surprised when Tim expressed that his pieces were “costumey” and “a lot of look.”
Jillian, from Selden, LI, was praised by Tim for the detailing of her pieces, which she explained were inspired by medieval armor.
Upon returning for Fashion Week, Rami and Chris presented their three “strongest” pieces of their rather dark collections to the judges. Rami said that he was inspired by Joan of Arc, and the judges appreciated that he pres ented more dramatic looks.
Chris tried to convey “beauty with a quirk,” and his designs were gloomy but well executed, as he utilized human hair in many designs.
The judges hemmed and hawed over the depressing color palate and the “overworked” pieces from both designers but finally chose Rami to move on to Fashion Week to compete against Jillian and Christian for the top prize.
Next week’s finale should be a real showdown between the season-long front-runners. Will Christian and his ruffles prevail? Rami and the drapes? Or Jillian and her famous military construction and detailing?