You might think a well-established member of reading material would be extatic to partake in the unleashing of Project Runway’s top designer. Well, maybe we shouldn’t be so sure. Harper’’s Bazaar has surprised us all by hopping on the train to support runner-up Kenley. The season may have ended but this certainly isn’t the end for Ms. Diva. In fact, there’s some people that are dying to sit down and chat! Witnesses have encountered conversations between Kenley and Harper’s Bazaar’s Glenda:

“Glenda was really into Kenley and her ’50s style. They were talking on the sofa for 30 minutes, and Glenda kept saying that she liked the feathers in her hair and that it was a shame Kenley didn’t win.”

Don’t be surprised if you flip through the pages of your next Bazaar and see Kenley!

Thanks NYMag

Design by Kenley

Design by Kenley

Design by Korto

Design by Korto

Design by Leanne

Design by Leanne

The time has come! All of the snappy arguments and challenges have finally led our contestants to their runway shows! Beginning with Part II of the finale, Kenley, Korto, and Leanne made small talk with Tim whilst toiling long hours to perfect those finishing touches of their collections. Of course, the usual checklist ran its course; Kenley had her inevitable disagreement with Tim, Korto was told her clothes were overworked and the judges were concerned about Leanne’s lack of ability to produce range. What was different? Kenely actually took Tim’s advice this time!

As the catwalk opened to the three designers, each emerged with an explanation of preceding inspiration and, of course, the result! Kenley opened the forum with bold, bright colored chic dresses (not surprising). Everyone seemed very impressed with the ode to ropes. Next was Korto, tracing back to her strong culture and roots Korto’s design elements within her collection were widely applauded. One of the judges goes so far to say that Korto withholds a true gift; she can dress women of all sizes. Even though Leanne was ragged on by a fellow contestant for her lack of color use, the judges didn’t seem to mind. Taking front and center catwalk, Leanne stimulates an image of waves, essentially what her collection is inspired by. None of the gals were widely discredited for any of their pieces. Overall, these were very positive results!

And finally…the winner is Leanne!

Though Kenley has never failed to surprise us with her “one-of-a kind” attitude during the hour runs of Project Runway, it was surprising to see her shed some tears; Tears released on the set of Regis and Kelly! The four remaining designers, prior to last nights showing, marched onto set ready to talk about Season 5 and amp up the crowd for the big finale. Watching several scenes from past episodes with the hosts, the designers were able to take a good hard look at themselves, and most importantly, their work.

I hope you all caught the 3 out of 4 group hug that took place last week during the competition. If you didn’t, just know that it consisted of Jerell, Korto and Leanne embracing with Tim as Kenley took a rain check out in the corner. Anyway, during the Regis and Kelly show, after they all watched the clip Kenly began to tear up. How upsetting is it when you can’t be subtle? Apparently to Kenly, it can be very much so, as she states amongst the tears. Well, it may be out of character but people can change, right? After all, Korto did just say, last night, that she loved everyone even Kenley.

Yeah, you heard me. I think I am just about done wasting an hour of every Wednesday night watching Season 5 of Project Runway. The fashion is awful, the drama is ridiculous and I think that the producers have just about run out of creative challenges. Let’s have a little rundown of the designs (from left to right), shall we?”:

Jerrell won last night’s challenge. How? I didn’t know that crumpled grocery bags constitutes as appropriate material for an evening-gown. Not only is the material awful, so are the hems. This dress looks completely thrown together and unfinished. The boobs are totally out of place, and if you ask me, it looks like Jerrell closed his eyes and threw jewels at them. Where will they land…nobody knows. 

I think Kenley missed the memo…this is Project Runway, not Project Ursula for The Little Mermaid on Broadway. This dress isn’t at all reminiscent of a flower, maybe a nightmare where Godzilla made an appearance, but definitely not a delicate flower. Oh, and Kenley’s attitude last night was one I’ll never forget: “Wahhh my life was so hard. My dad was a tugboat conductor.” Boo hoo. Go cry yourself a river and ask your dad to sail you away from the fashion world. Perhaps you’d be better at acting.

Korto started out with the right inspiration, but it all went downhill from there. Her tangerine orange gown screams “bad prom dress” and doesn’t seem to have any sophistication at all. The tailoring on the bust was all off…her model seemed cold, if you catch my drift. Much thanks to Korto for hiding her extra tulle and beating Kenley in WWF smack-down backstage. 

Leanne probably had the best design of the night, although periwinkle and the random chunk of purple fabric spilling out of the model’s butt didn’t do it for me. The dress looked a little too Disney princess and not enough high fashion gown. 

Of course, the producers “surprised” us again and sent all four designers home to complete their collections. I might have overreacted and I probably will watch the last two episodes, but let’s pray that the 3 months the designers are alloted to complete their looks bring some fashion sense into their lives. Amen. 

Thanks NY Magazine!

Is it just me, or are the producers of Project Runway Season 5 really scrambling for for creative challenges these days?  Wednesday nights used to mean an hour of neck to neck fashion design, but now, having sat through challenges for drag queens and designs made of car parts, I am reluctant to even turn on the television. Really people, this isn’t fashion design. This is a contest to see who smoked so much weed in high school that they have the ability to make garments out of used tires and table cloths. 

And last nights episode just put the cherry on top of an awful season. Not only did designers have to create outfits inspired by different music genres, they had to design it for a fellow competitor! You call that a challenge? They didn’t even have to take the other designers style or preferences into consideration! Basically, the challenge was to create a music inspired Halloween costume for someone who isn’t a 00. Let’s take a look how the garments turned out:

Korto’s punk rock design for Suede had him looking like he got stuck in the washing machine. Bleached jeans. Chains. Sideways studded belt. Torn strips on a shirt. This is what you need to win? Suede looks like a tool…and a woman.

Kenley’s hip-hop design for Leanne looked like clothes for one of those borderline slutty, pathetic Bratz dolls. Those have got to be the most unflattering pants I’ve ever seen…and what’s with the 80’s print shirt? Personally, I think little Miss Bitch and Moan should have gone home last night. 

Uhh, so did Suede decide to skip the rock and roll designing and send Jerell straight onto the runway? This looks like something he would wear on a daily basis (minus the ridiculous head pieces or military hats). And those pants…a bit too tight. Those of us who watched last night got a zoom-in on Jerell’s family jewels. 

My props to Leanna who had to design around Korto’s trunk junk, but if it weren’t for plaid, I wouldn’t have known this was a country inspired design. Anyone else notice the pucker of fabric in Korto’s crotch?

Jerell’s pop design for Kenley wasn’t trashy, but it sure as hell wasn’t flattering. Kenley looked like a slightly sexed up version of Hannah Montana with silver cups over her AA sized boobs. Really, I could find this exact outfit at Party City in the clearance section. 

Anyone else miss Christian Siriano or Jeffrey Sebelia just as much as I do? At least they were talented. So long Suede. Your awful blue mohawk and irregular third-person commentary were fun while they lasted. Here’s to you Corey…

This is what love looks like.

Thanks for the photos BRAVO TV!

SPOILER ALERT: For those of you who actually care about this half-ass season of Project Runway, you may want to scroll down, because I have the photos from the soon to be aired final episode. There was some good, a few bad, and a whole lot of ugly. For those following this season you know that they are down to six finalist. Due to the progress of the show all six designers get to show at Bryant Park. So technically you don’t need to get to the final three to show at Bryant Park, although your collection will be edited out of the final show. Oh Well. Who do you think will make up the top three? Judging by these collections I’m going with Kenley, Korto, and Leanne.

The Good

Kenley

Leanne

The Bad

Joe

Jerrell

The Ugly

Suede

Korto

Jerrell