1)Sweet P:
Her collection began very strong. My favorites were the first three looks. But then it sort of fizzled after that. Her color story was lovely and intelligent, showing muted emeralds, olives, and grapes. There were slight fit problems with a strapless dress that was way too big for the 16 year old model wearing it. But besides this, I liked it. No hippy -dippy wedding gown in sight!
2)Chris March:
People expected to see the 12 most fabulous New York City Drag Queens to sashay-shauntay their stilettos down the catwalk. Nope, this was Chris showing he could do something else than a gown for Lady Bunny. The first look was fabulous. Modeled by one of the contestants from Americas Next Top Model, it was a halter neckline slinky gown in a Mona Lisa-esque navy print. It was probably my favorite of his looks. Only one problem: DROP THE DAMN TRAIN GIRL! I realize it was an asymmetrical fishtail train, but you do not walk the whole runway holding it. Several other models (including another winner of UPN's ANTM) did the same with similar dresses in his collection, which led me to think that they were instructed to do so. They were ill-advised. It took away from seeing the gowns in their entireties. There were some great coats but the horse (or was it faux human) hair trim on collars and cuffs was a bit distracting if not downright macabre.
3)Jillian:
The standouts of her collection were the knitted faux-hawk caps and her gorgeous coats and jackets. The girl can cut a mean jacket and coat, no contest there! They were molded on the models' bodies. Her other corresponding pieces were not as strong and/or memorable in my opinion. But there was cohesion. I also noted that she did not cry (as did Sweet P and Chris) when introducing her collection. Is she one of the top three, I wondered? Maybe I am reaching...
Rami began with "I want to make women look like Goddesses...they are my muses" Well, he achieved it , plus more! When the first looks came out from behind the scrim, I muttered to myself: "Now, we're talking!". His collection was very Rami but hardly a jersey draped dress in sight! In fact, the first look was undoubtedly woven, sending a message to the judges "Think that all I can do is draped jersey? Well think again" The collection had overt Greco-Roman influences and featured the shoulder as the "special guest star"-- highlighted in just about every look. He even showed several suits and separates-- for that Guggenheim Museum Gallery Director who would actually wear these pleated draped power suits for a 10 AM board meeting! Rami's strength was in his three final evening gowns. My favorites included a side cowl-draped crepe gown worn by the panther-like Amanda Fields (who could teach these awkward and emaciated 16 year old Estonian girls a thing or two about walking the runway!) and a black strapless stunner that had Oscar's written all over it. If there was any criticism it is that I would have loved to have seen more gowns. But that's just me. Nina and Michael are not obvious fans of an entire gown collection so maybe that is why he tried to include more "day" looks. Only he knows.
5)Christian:
Three words: Fierce, Fierce and Fierce. It is amazing that a 21 year old can have such a mature grasp of the art of technical dressmaking. I think I was just learning to sew! For his final collection, he showed 12 looks almost entirely in black or champagne. Lots of ruffles resembling his "Avant Garde Challenge" gown. Almost every blouse featured exaggerated silk organza ruffled treatments. He paired almost every single look with the skinniest of black pants. It was as if he cut the same pant eight times. Only the blouses changed. It was very editorial and had a definite point of view. One of my favorites was the ensemble that latecomer model Atong thankfully got to wear. I could see every single look on Posh. A good source tells me (they were seated facing her and the rest of the judges) that her and judge Nina Garcia were nodding in positive agreement while his collection passed in front of them. Michael Kors was also digging his music. Elle Magazine Creative Director Joe Zee just sat there typing in his Blackberry. The final feathered gown was an homage to Alexander McQueen or to Hitchcock's The Birds. It was incredible in its haute couture craftsmanship but arguably very costumey. I can see Bjork wearing it, but she would definitely end up on a "Worst Dress List" but then again, Bjork and Chrstian would not even care.
Final Thoughts:
First of all, I have to say that this Final Project Runway Show was one of the best, if not the best of all the seasons. The designers--as well as Bravo--should be proud. All of the 5 designers' collections were great! But who will win Season 4 of Project Runway? It's a toss up. Just from seeing the collections, it was evident that Rami and Christian's were the top two. I would pick Sweet P as the third one, but it could be Jillian. Between Rami and Christian, Rami's was more all-encompassing, but did not evoke emotional responses the way Christian's did. One could argue that Christian's collection was limited in showing one ruffled top after another with (what looked like) the same pant, but showed promise of fresh, new and boundless talent. If he can do this at his young age, one can only imagine what else he is capable of. In the end, Christian's made me feel fierce. Rami, on the other hand, made me feel sublime. Fierce or Sublime? Watch what happens.