Project Runway Finale Recap: We Have a Winner! And a Problem
Are you prepared for the most epic Project Runway recap of all time? I might not be, but I'm delivering it anyway. Without further ado, let's climb inside our favorite polka dot print and settle in for three darling Lincoln Center collections, the judges' remarks, and a final decision that will leave you breathless in a sexual-humiliation sort of way.
Happy finale! To celebrate, let's begin with some of Gretchen's nonsense: After Tim announces that "some old friends" will greet the three remaining designers at Parsons, Gretchen coos, "I have no idea what to think!" How crazy, Gretchen, because I know exactly what to think: Tim's reacquainting you with the old designers. You have to hang out with them, I bet. Or work with them. No, wait! It's probably the reunited cast of Evening Shade. Never mind. You're right, the possibilities are endless.
Dammit, I was right the first time: Mondo, Gretchen, and Andy arrive at Parsons to find all the eliminated designers assembled in Crate & Barrel chaises and sitting across from Heidi and Tim. Wowwie. Let's look around: There's surly-cool April! Here's crazed church-mouse Ivy! And there's traumatized fourth-place murmurer Michael Costello. And the others, who may as well be muted holograms.
Tim cues up footage of Andy, Gretchen, and Mondo's best and worst work of the season. Inspiring and hilarious, respectively. Afterward, Heidi has a subtle question for Gretchen. "Gretchen, is it true that you are a bitch in real life?" she ponders. "I would like to know. Because you have bitch posture."
Gretchen squeamishly responds, "The funny answer is, 'I'm not a bitch, I just play one on TV.'" She then adds, "And I also think 'strong women' tend to be called 'bitches,' which is unfair."
Oh. Let's clear up the confusion: Gretchen, you are not a "bitch." You're an a**hole. Don't let anyone mix you up again.
Shockingly, cutey Valerie is given a chance to speak. "I think we made ourselves really vulnerable this season," she says, explaining the "success" of season eight. Close: You made yourself susceptible to an editing process that made everyone seem adversarial and angry. That's the Bunim-Murray gold standard. Plus, the cast was full of diagnosable hellcats. But I think that's what you meant by "vulnerability," Valerie. Holler.
The rousing reunion concludes and Tim orders the three remaining competitors to reenter the workroom and make him an un-hideous collection. "Don't send down some Carol Hannah nonsense, you guys," he (mentally) said. "This isn't for laughs anymore, kids. Don't embarrass me."
And for the most part, they don't.
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Comments
Gretchen, do you have nothing better to do with your ill-gotten prize money than troll teh interwebz? Or else Louis, poor attempt at trolling to inspire troll-feeding comments. Take a hike!
This decision was about a pre determined agenda...nothing about choosing gretchen was about being fashion forward or fahshions future...Gretchen should not have even made it to the finale how do you go from granola / 70's hippie earth shoe fashion perspective with only one challenge win to a finale spot and win in two episodes. The powers that be obviously wanted a women in the finale but any women with any talent had be eliminated several episodes ago. Heidi just let Nina and michael ruin her franchise and reputation . Just like many other people here and on other boards, I too am over project runway and weary of the slanted and inconsistant judging. Gretchen may have gotten the prize but her aesthetic is tired and not relevent and her future is dim.
Absolutely agree with you and "goingnuts" What a travesty. Kors is definitely afraid of Mondo (with good reason). But I don't think there's much question that Mondo will be a SENSATION on the fashion scene. Gretchen's things looked like beefed up hippie-wear, complete with "ethnic" jewelry......Viva Mondo!
Agree with every point you make! Mondo is the stand out designer of this reality show, period.
Thank you, Louis, for a hilarious and spot-on recap of the finale. I, like the other folks who've commented, was shocked and disappointed with the judging. I concur with the other remarks that indicated the pandering to the demographics of the Lifetime audience (primarily white, suburban and middle-aged+) with the choice of Gretchen's supposedly wearable, sellable looks. (Btw, didn't Gretchen borrow the diaper pant idea from April?) I just wanted to add that I found comments about Andy and Mondo's works to be demonstrative, bordering on racist. (Nina called Andy's aesthetic too "Orientalist"!!! And both Kors and Garcia belittled Mondo's presentation by labeling the very real, rich tradition of Mexican culture that he used as his wellspring a circus.) Outrageous!!!
You are so right that more reality shows should take a hint from "So You Think You Can Dance." Certainly the best reality series of the year.
Ha ha, Target would not be caught dead carrying her rags.
Judah, I find that Nina has consistently churned out racist comments this season. I think she is offensive in taste and personality. But I do not think the target audience for Gretchen's look is white suburban and middle age: I think they were aiming for homeless shelters and halfway houses; maybe a few hostels thrown in for good measure.
I am in shock that Gretchen is the winner! Her clothes were boring, zestless and fashion backward. I have seen this type of clothing in the Chico's catalogue! Judges you blew it- shame on you Heidi and Jessica for backing down.
Your comment about Mondo having it in the bag and Gretchen designing clothes like bags! Too true! Too funny!
Mondo gave us 10 joyful looks. The fashion week shows are supposed to be 10 looks that push the envelope and wow audiences. Not mud brown, shapeless, ready-to-wear pieces that would get lost on any rack in a department store.
This show is now rewarding ready-to-wear? Why?!? Gretchen's pieces were so lame that she had to go overboard on hair, makeup, accessories and styling to "fix" them. Her items will spend one season in department stores, and then we will see them on racks at TJ Maxx and Ross with the labels cut out…and then…Sayonara, Sister.
I dare Nina Garcia to actually wear one of Gretchen's designs on camera for an episode if she really loved them so much. When Marie Claire has to put put Gretchen's clothes in the magazine (as part of the prize package) I am betting their circulation will fall to an all time low. If I had a subscription, I'd cancel it.
I watch PR to see innovative fashions by promising young designers - and want to see talented people rewarded. Not manufactured reality.
Judah, I was given only two minutes time with the runners-up today, and I'd have KILLED to ask Andy about the "Orientalist" comment. So outrageous.
Like many posters here, I was pretty disappointed with Gretchen's win. If Jessica Simpson wasn't around the judging would have gone much faster since Nina and Michael weren't going to have someone not listening to them. I was struck by a catty comment of Michael about John Galliano's couture gowns versus how much Michael actually sells. I can tell you this, Michael Kors is selling a crap load to TJ Max and the like. And I'm very certain you will not see John Galliano at any discount joints any time soon. Gretchen is a win for blandness and shooting for sales on piperlime.
Nina made a comment that sums it up pretty well, "I could see it at a department store." I thought we were watching project runway, not project mall laps. Maybe the sportswear revolution Michael and Nina are saying is on the pulse of fashion is them pining away for matching track suits to walk together around the mall at their advanced age.
The onlydefense of Nina and Michael that I have is that Mondo's head pieces did throw off a Minnie Mouse vibe. My opinion is that if he'd left those off and kept the women natural to go with his great patterns, the clothing would clearly have done the talking. Instead we got the vote for bohemian chic, what decade are we in? I guess we should get prepared for balding men with pony tails too.
Would someone please start a "boycott" Project Runway and Marie Claire website? I actually felt pity for Gretchen when I saw her runway collection. I thought it was so ugly she would be laughed out of the business but boy, was I surprised, along with most viewers! It has nothing to do with her personality and everything to do with horrible, dowdy clothes. The clothes looked too boring for twenty and thirty-somethings, and too, too ugly for anyone else. What was with the awful granny panties, diapers, shorts, whatever? I can't imagine anyone wearing those....Nina? Michael Kors, Heidi, Jessica Simpson: when exactly will we see you wearing these out in public? On the other hand, Mondo's clothes were interesting, colorful, fun, joyous, and offered a viewpoint completely different from any I can remember. Nina Garcia and Michael Kors should be ashamed.
You've got to be kidding@!#$%%@@! I think the judges must have been smoking something! Gretchen has no class or talent. It was clear to me that Mondo and Andy could run circles around her. Her attitude and boring design almost made me turn off the TV. Mondo had my vote! Fans should have voted like on American Idol. I'm sorry fashion world but you just voted for a loser.
Excuse me, if I was trolling my own article, I'd at least make fun of my Evening Shade reference. I deserve to take myself down a peg there.
I won't be watching Project Runway next season unless the show gets a new panel of judges -- and that's not an idle threat. Lifetime, are you listening? You're going to lose viewers over this! (Diapers as the height of fashion? Really? Retire Grampa Kors!)
Love the Evening Shade reference, Louis!
This show lost it's edge the minute it left Bravo. Lifetime acquired Project Runway to help turn the network into something more youthful and modern, but instead their prevailing mediocre malaise strangled our show. Will Gretchen's collection debut at Kohl's in time for Xmas?
This was the first year I actually watched Project Runway. I think it will
be my last. I thought Gretchen should have been eliminated a few "challenges"
ago. Nina's comments are crazy and very contadictory. She kept saying Mondo's
prints were like a "crazy circus". Yet she made mentioned
nothing negative about Gretchen's designs at the Finale while on the challenges she made
only negative remarks about her designs. I wish they showed us the comments that moved Heidi and Jessica over to Team Gretchen. ????????
So, just to make the count to three whole people on the internet.
I liked all 3 collections.
Other than the repeated patterns - and for the record, she had several different ones if you actually look closely - Gretchen's collection had a lot going for it, especially the "easy grace" and effortlessness that Michael C. got lauded for all season long. While being easy, there was still a lot of mix up in cut work, pattern originality, and unique lines.
Mondo's show was fantastic and seriously over the top. It did look like a circus show (not a compliment) and more over, he was warned about that ahead of time. Saying "screw it, I'm gonna be true to myself" when the judges warned him was the moment that he threw his win in the garbage. Even his model was stunned that he wasn't including his fabulous little black dress for "breath". It. Was. Too. Much.
You don't have to like the personalities, or the clothes. But unless you work in the fashion industry, please do not claim to have an expert opinion.
Poject Runway is a PITIFUL excuse for a competitive reality fashion show. I have watched this show for the past five years and have been disappointed with each year's finale. Every year I would hope that the judges would be fair, but I now recognize it to be a MISSION IMPOSSIBLE! Jessica Simpson seem to be the only one that stood her grounds when she said..I'm still for Mondo.
LC. You may work in the fashion industry, but if you pay close attention to the comments. The American women are making a clear point. They like MONDO'S clothing and would buy them. Sophisticated woman know what they like and want. Gretchen's clothes are horrible. They don't like and want that. She made a short dress with a piece at the back that looks like a babies diaper with poop in it. The rest of her garment looks more like it's for Little House on the Prairies even though I doubt Mrs. Olsen would be caught dead wearing any of it. Listen to us women and maybe you can make a change in the fashion industry. Women want to remain beautiful, and to keep enhancing themselves. We do not want Flea Market Designs.
NOT cool judges. I know that most people reading this may not have seen almost every season like I have, but one thing i have learned from watching all of the finales is that TYPICALLY the guest judge picks the winner. for example season 4. would christian siriano win if posh didn't LOVE it as much as she did? probobly not. I think that Nina and Michael were kinda pisssed that they never get a say in the winner so they decided to go against whatever jess wanted. she wanted mond. Heidi didmn't fight hard enough. don't get me wrong, she fought hard. but i knew that she would eventually just let michael and nina decide. so she gave up the most important decision. how many eople watched pr on thursday? THE SAME NUMBER WHO WERE DISSAPOINTED BY THE END. this is sad. i almost cried :'( that is the end of my super long coment. GO MONDO PEACE OUT!
I thought that Nina and Michael didn't like Gretchen's jewelry on the last episode, then on the finale they loved it?!? What gives? Michael C. got thrown off because his clothes were the same color. I believe that Michael Kors said "He thinks that having them all one color makes it a collection" then Gretchen wins while all of her clothes are pretty much the same color...brown. I thought for sure they would tear her apart on the runway at the end and yet they loved it. I like many others have said here, will probably not watch this show next season. This season was mostly contradictions from the judges week to week. We hate the granny pantie this week, but we will love it next week. And did anyone else think that Gretchen stole many of her designs from the other designers in previous challenges?
Kors and Garcia are in a rut. They cannot see beyond what they've been doing for years. Time for some younger judges. Also, I was bored by the constant scripting and mediocre delivery of lines.
I really think the outcome was determined by the producers. Perhaps Mondo will be freer to make mucho dinero.
Remember that Mondo had made the decision to listen to the judges and take out the polka dot dress and include the black gown. It was Tim Gunn who talked him into keeping the polka dot dress. But Tim advised the other two designers to listen to the judges. Hmmm. Thank you Louis Virtel for a beautifully written article--very thoughtful--the best I've read on the RP finale. Loved the description of Mondo's dress as "morticia-esque" ! I couldn't put my finger on what it was that captivated me about that dress, but it was indeed the morticia silhouette--made Carolyn Jones look very sexy! What I found most hypocritical about the judges' decision was their constant (in this and previous seasons) emphasis on how a designer has to be able to work well with others--and yet the winner is a self-centered manipulative bully.
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