Project Runway Season 5 finale re-cap

So far in my blogging career I have not yet mentioned by absolute obsession with fashion and with "Project Runway" in particular. Instead of rehashing this past season, let's get to the real meat of it: the season finale and the shows at Bryant Park.

First of all: LOVE Leanne's collection and I couldn't be happier that she won. Her collection was cohesive and impeccably made. She was inspired by waves and it played out in the ethereal color palette and the architectural details in the folds or "petals" as Michael Kors called them.

Here are some shots of pieces I really loved:
Leanne opened with this look. The top was over-steamed and was stretched in the process. It ended up being too big for the model she originally envisioned in it and had to switch her models around. Anyway, the top is beautiful. I wish I had a shot of it from the back because the way it drapes in the back is just gorgeous. The movements of the pleats in the skirt is really stunning. LOVE IT.
At first I was a little apprehensive over the vest. Was it going to be too costumey (like a blue cadet)? The vest is a little over the top but paired with the simple slacks, it looks amazing. It's something that is very high fashion that can easily be translated to real life. I already have an outfit with the vest imagined in my mind.
This is by far my favorite look of the collection. I LOVE the shorts. So cute. But it's the jacket that just takes it. I love an exaggerated collar and this one is just stunning. By keeping it monochrome, Leanne keeps it simple and makes the collar less intimidating. I just love it. I want it.
Look at this dress!! It's just adorable! I want to wear it and skip along a field and then go to a chi-chi cocktail party. Or maybe the other way around. Either way, it's just so deliciously feminine but also incredibly classy and understated.
This is the wedding dress from last week's challenge and it was by and far the best dress. Kenley's dress could have been in the running for that had she not completely ripped off Alexander McQueen (more on that later). Leanne's dress is so beautiful and just the dream wedding dress. Love it.

Clearly I really adore Leanne's collection, but let me briefly touch on Korto's and Kenley's collection. First up is Korto. Her collection touched on her birthplace of Africa and her overall theme was nature. She had a lot of green in her collection and she had really incredible silhouettes.
There are so many ways that this dress could have gone wrong but Korto keeps it from becoming matronly by raising the hemline.
This dress is really sweet and the pin-tuck detail is really well done.
None of the judges talked about this dress! It's my favorite in Korto's collection. I adore that zipper detail and the color is so rich (though it is yellow and yellow is not good on my skin tone). Overall, Korto had a very strong collection but it wasn't something that I really loved. There were strong pieces, but I felt lost in her story.

Kenley....Oh Kenley. I have beef with her, particularly her designs that are way too similar to other designers. I will give her the benefit of the doubt that she might not know what's going on in fashion. BUT FOR CHRIST'S SAKE! You intend on being a designer! How can you not know what other designers are doing?! It's just ludicrous to live in a bubble like that!

On the right is Alexander McQueen's feather dress and the left is Kenley's wedding dress from last week's challenge.
I mean COME ON! It's the spitting image of the McQueen dress from Fall 2008! And her insistence that it doesn't matter is just retarded. Of COURSE it matters! Every fashion editor will know the McQueen dress. So, this isn't the only shenanigans in the collection....

The right is Balenciaga dress from Spring 2008, the right is Kenley's dress.
SAME DRESS. Kenley's hemline is lower, but it is essentially the same dress. What the fuck, Kenley?

Anyway, Kenley has a very distinct, very strong point of view. Her overall collection is very bold, kitschy and really not for everyone.
This was Kenley's lead look and I really hate it. It's just ridiculous. It's something that a cartoon character would wear and the silhouette is just so off. Ugh.
This was Kenley's bridesmaid dress for last week's challenge and it's one I really like. It's very youthful and girly and just really well made.
I go really hot and cold with this look. On the one hand, the collar is really impressive, on the other hand....there's something very Elizabethan about it that just strikes me as off. I don't know....maybe it'd look better with pants. The added attention on the skirt really makes the outfit look cartoony and childish.

Clearly, I'm thrilled that Leanne won. She had, by far, the best collection (in my opinion at least). Hooray! So farewell "Project Runway" on Bravo. Here's hoping that Lifetime doesn't fuck it up.