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'Project Runway' Season 8 Finale Spring 2011 - Runway Review

by Beth Cooney Fitzpatrick (Subscribe to Beth Cooney Fitzpatrick's posts)
Posted Sep 9th 2010 at 5:20PM  
6 Comments
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Dresses by Mondo Guerra (left), Valerie Mayen (center), and Andy South (right). Photos: Frazer Harrison, Getty Images

DESIGNERS: The 10 remaining contestants on Lifetime's "Project Runway." Collections from seven yet-to-be-eliminated designers were interspersed with those of the three mystery finalists to keep the audience from spoiling their identities. The true final collections will be the only ones shown on the reality show's season finale, which airs later this fall.

INSPIRATIONS: Hawaiian beaches (Ivy Higa), dreams involving statues (Andy South), and tea-party dolls washed away at sea (April Johnston) were among the themes. Two-time challenge winner and controversial contestant Gretchen Jones referenced "running through thunder."

Meanwhile, whimsical Valerie Mayen riffed on what would happen if Rainbow Brite had a love child with David Bowie. Michael Drummond referenced X-ray machines, Mark Rothko, and lingerie. Christopher Collins called on his "roots and grace." Casanova and Mondo Guerra both paid tribute to their grandmothers, while Michael Costello dedicated his collection to a female friend. Ah!

TOP LOOKS: Higa's gauzy yellow sundress with surprise rhinestone embellishment in back; Collins's minimalist, navy hooded silk dress; Mayen's especially well-constructed candy-colored frocks; Guerra's plaid bubble dress with a pink belt detail; South's one-shoulder green mini with cascading ruffles

ACCESSORIES: Johnston's models wore massive, nude hair bands. Higa and Jones both showed models wearing sun hats. Jones's models wore geometric statement necklaces of silver, gold, and rose gold. South put shiny, metallic star-studded headpieces to reference his dream-statute muse. Mayen's models wore mod two-tone sunglasses and glossy, bob wigs. Casanova's models had gold appliqués on their faces and sported enormous bangles. Guerra topped his models' Flintstones buns with giant, silly bows.

WHO WAS THERE: Guest judge Jessica Simpson as well as "PR" regulars Heidi Klum, Nina Garcia, and Michael Kors. Designer Betsey Johnson, actress Jamie-Lynn Sigler, and "American Idol" winner Jordin Sparks, who told StyleList, "This is my first fashion show ever and I'm so excited."

Also there: Hollywood mogul and "PR" producer Harvey Weinstein, Marie Claire Editor-in-Chief Joanna Coles, "America's Next Top Model" judge Jay Manuel, and season 7 "PR" winner Seth Aaron Henderson.

Other "PR" alumni in attendance included season 2 winner Chloe Dao, season 5 winner Leanne Marshall, season 6 fourth-place finisher Christopher Straub (now a blonde), and top season 7 contestants Jay Nicolas Sario and Maya Luz.

WHAT WE THOUGHT: While there was a welcome absence of black in the contestants' fabric choices, many played it safe. Costello's evening wear was red carpet worthy, but his collection (which lacked a true day look) was incomplete. Perceived front-runner Jones did ten refined but dull pieces. Casanova's collection was typically vulgar.

Higa produced a beautiful resort-themed story that may have been too relaxed for the dramatic finale. Quiet Collins surprised StyleList by being especially strong with his minimalist sportswear. Our picks for potential winners? South, for pieces that were consistently beautiful, or Mayen, who sent a fruity, knockout punch down the runway.

Want more runway? Check out StyleList's Spring 2011 Fashion Week coverage.

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Filed under: Fashion, Celebrity, News, Designers & Brands, Fashion Week
Tags: andy south, Casanova, Christopher Collins, fashion week, finale, gretchen jones, Ivy Higa, Michael Costello, michael drummond, Mondo Guerra, New York Fashion Week, New York Fashion Week Spring 2011, Project Runway, Runway Review, Season 8, Spring 2011, Spring 2011 Fashion Week, valerie mayen
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READER COMMENTS

(6)Add A Comment

Mary Rose, 9-10-2010, 3:12PM

Half a star vote downvote upReport
Mary Rose

I have never seen a single clothing item on Project Runway that I would ever want to wear. Fashion is a hideous opinion of those who create it and try to convince the rest of us that we should be happy donning it. I feel the same way about high fashion that I do about religions. Christianity = drinking pretend blood and eating a pretend body. I never liked vampires. Judaism = holiday celebrating dead babies and bloody door posts. Islam = wrapping yourself in bedsheets like some kind of ghost-like mummy. My own created religion is called Aloha-ism. If the clothing is not island wear, happy, and reminds me of the beautiful natural world that was created for us, I will not wear it. We live in America. What happens in Europe can stay in Europe if it is depressing clothing in depressing colors.

Reply »

artzguy, 9-10-2010, 4:24PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
artzguy

Miss Mary had a BIG bowl of BITCH this morning?

»

Jim Kosick, 9-10-2010, 4:14PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Jim Kosick

I have never in my life ever attended a social event or party that a women wore
any of the outfits that these losers produce. Their personal attire is enough to make
one wonder why anyone would be willing to let them design anything to do with
clothing. I would be very frighten to bring a child around these people! I am thankful
real designers are not as big of freaks.

Reply »

Diana, 9-10-2010, 4:28PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
Diana

Wow, Mary Rose, while you espouse your "Aloha-ism" religion, and wearing happy clothes, you sound like an incredibly unhappy person. While I might not wear high fashion, nor believe in or understand certain religions, I certainly don't have any interest in thrashing them as worthless and beyond my recognition of their existence. It sounds like you live in a very small, uninteresting world.

Reply »

S. Jones, 9-10-2010, 7:21PM

1 star vote downvote upReport
S. Jones

Why they would have that talentless hag Jessica Simpson guest judge is beyond me. I'm surprised she didn't show up in "mom" jeans. The show must be truly hard-up for guest judges.

Reply »

rita budin, 10-31-2010, 8:36PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
rita budin

oh sad day to send away Mondo, such a talent, lit up the run way, and choose kvetchen Gretchen, with her 1980 bohemian tasteless clothes. dear lord. I never saw such a wicked lady who picked on so m any, so nasty and so untalented win a contest.

Pure jealousy on the other judges persona... and that Claire magazine, i will not renew it..... waste of time..... sad, and totally unfair.
poor Michael tortured by this witch.
shame on you judges.

Reply »

 
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