'Project Runway' Season 8 Finale Spring 2011 - Runway Review
Dresses by Mondo Guerra (left), Valerie Mayen (center), and Andy South (right). Photos: Frazer Harrison, Getty Images
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.
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
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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Mary Rose, 9-10-2010, 3:12PM
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.
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