Project Finale

Well, he won. Jeffrey Sebelia (right) was declared the winner on last night's finale of Project Runway. What started out seeming like a seedy outsourcing scandal was eventually downgraded into a "compromise" (according to Laura) in which Jeff simply had to exclude a pair of leather shorts. Needless to say, that was a little disappointing, but not as disappointing as Michael Knight -- what happened to him all of a sudden? More on that later.

During last week's episode, suspicions of Jeffrey's work reached a boiling point and we were left wondering what the investigation would reveal. Turns out, not too much, except that Tim Gunn and the producers were "convinced" that Jeffrey's garments were all courtesy of his own (sometimes crazy) hands. Jeff was so overcome with emotion that he started blubbering -- and it may be just me, but it seemed like there was a lot of crying in this episode (Tim Gunn wept on multiple occasions, shockingly).

On to the runway shows. The beautiful thing about PR finales is that practically the whole hour is devoted to what normal episodes reserve for the last fifteen minutes -- the amazing fashions. Jeffrey was first to show at New York's Fashion Week and his collection was...not bad at all. I had a problem with Jeff's work during the rest of the season, it sometimes looked thrown together and a little too out there, but maybe all he needed was his own time and space to make the things he wanted to make. His red polka dot fabric looked young and also chic as it made the transition from a wrap dress to a bathing suit. His other bold color and pattern choices served him well and his line definitely showed the most innovation and range. I'm actually not as upset about him winning as I thought I might be. However...

Uli probably could have taken the title also. Her collection had multiple stylish pieces that judge Nina Garcia noted "every woman would want to wear." She ranged from well-made leather shorts to her standard print dress and yet it somehow seemed completely cohesive, a total "safari" as Uli had envisioned. Though she did show some growth through the course of the show and her final collection was very likable, she couldn't compete with Jeff's maniacal creativity.

Laura's collection was probably the most technically proficient, but that pretty much equals boredom right? I was glad to see her chartreuse gown from last week was gone, but too many of her matronly staples were left -- feathers, golds and high waists. Heidi noted that you could have one of Laura's pieces "in your closet forever," but that kind of statement rarely belies an exciting designer the judges or the fashion world would be waiting for.

Ah, Michael. Poor, poor Michael. I really was not ready for Michael's hoochie-rific, urban safari woman. He had far too many lace-up, metallic, cleavage-baring garments and though they were intended to be sexy and glamorous, they seemed unfocused and not up to par with the other designer's collections. During judging, Michael admitted that at 28 (the youngest competitor on the show) he is the most inexperienced of the bunch and the judges noted his point of view is not as developed, not to mention his ongoing "quest to find identity." He was so successful during the season because he was given strict parameters and made something to fit those objectives, but when he was given free reign to complete his own collection, his inspiration was lacking and consequently his final products were as well.

Overall, I loved this season. I appreciate the surprise of Jeffrey winning, and deservedly so. It's not like we'll never hear from the others, I'm sure they all have a future in the bustling fashion world. Either that or they can always pop up in later seasons of the Project...