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NEXT EPISODE ON BRAVO TONIGHT WED., 10/8, 9:00PM EST
SEASON FINALE - PART ONE

((Twelfth in a series about Project Runway, Season 5 by Mary Salmon))

This episode of Project Runway brought us the designers' final challenge, but more importantly, it was to decide which designers would be showing at New York Fashion Week in Bryant Park. Surprise, surprise... of the four remaining contestants, none were kicked off this week. Don't get me wrong, I did not want to see Korto, Leanne, Jerrell, or especially my favorite, Kenley, leave, but they have done this before. Heidi tells the designers that they are all to design collections, but that only three designers will actually get to show at Bryant Park. The guest judge was designer Georgina Chapman, co-founder of Marchesa; she brought a great perspective with her comments about the designs, as Heidi Klum, Nina Garcia, and Michael Kors have become so familiar with each designer that I believe it colors their opinions this late in the season. It was really hard to decide between the four designers left standing, and I am excited to see all four final collections.

Jerrell was the winner of the nature challenge. The designers took digital cameras out into nature at the New York Botanical Garden, but then had to choose just one photo to work from before they left for Mood, to buy their fabric. The designers were tasked with creating an evening gown inspired by their photograph. Jerrell's design mixed a low-cut bustier with a long, layered skirt. The colors he chose worked very well together - a shiny brown with a hint of purple with crimson red and emerald green. Winning this challenge, unfortunately for Jerrell, didn't really help him, as he still has to compete to be part of Fashion Week.

Leanne's look was very "Leanne." Soft, sweet, subtle... I know I said (repeatedly) that Kenley is my favorite, but that has to do with her personality and style. Over the course of this season, Leanne has become my favorite designer, and I do hope she wins it all. I loved the lavender fabric she worked with, creating an almost Grecian goddess dress with a lovely asymmetrical detail over one shoulder, leading down to a symmetrical pattern on the dress, ending around the hips, but in a flattering way. It may not be the best evening dress for someone with large hips, but for a body type like my own, where I really don't have any hips to speak of, it would help accentuate where I could perhaps be a bit curvier, so it would work for me, and I loved it. Jerrell's was just a bit too low-cut for my taste, but beautiful, nonetheless.

(Left - Right: Jerrell's winning design, Leanne's design)

Korto and Kenley were the losers on this one. Kenley at least tried to create something different, less retro, but the judges thought it looked more like a mermaid dress with scales than the "leaves" look she was trying to achieve. I didn't like the belt, I didn't like the racerback, and I didn't like the design altogether. I can't wait to see her collection, though! The judges were not thrilled with Kenley's attitude - I'll include the clip at the end of the entry. Korto was accused of designing a beauty pageant dress. In Korto's defense, I think some of the detailed construction was not visible to the judges on the runway. Bottom line, these judges want to see what both Kenley and Korto will design for a collection. They also seem to wonder if a collection by Jerrell will be disjointed. Go Leanne!

(Left - Right: Korto's design, Kenley's design)