My Queen from PA wins!!!

Yes, I got hooked on Project Runway by about episode 5. If you haven’t been following this, it’s on Bravo and it’s like Survivor with clothing.

12 designers (all unknowns) are voted off each week after a design “challenge.” Evening wear, costumes, bathing suits, and bridal gowns were all part of the process. The final three chosen by a panel of judges get to go to New York Fashion Week (which just ended) held in Bryant Park. The last 3 standing were a costume designer from Hollywood, a mom from Virginia, and my fave, a vintage store owner from Lehman Pennsylvania.

After a gut-wrenching two-hour finale, Jay McCarroll won it all last night: $100,000 to start his clothing line, a mentorship with Banana Republic, a fashion spread in Elle magazine, and the general buzz that goes with finally making it to those white tents in Bryant Park!

Kara Saun, the costume designer, had a fabulous line filled with leather, fur, and curvaceous dresses inspired by the movie The Aviator. She was Jay’s only real competitor. Wendy Pepper, portrayed as somewhat of a Cruella DeVille, used autumn colors for her gowns and tops. She and Kara basically hated each other and went at it like two screaming bitches on Dynasty (god, I LOVE that!). Jay tried to be ‘cordial’ towards Wendy, despite hating her himself. Wendy had a win-at-all-costs mentality, which cost her a lot of sympathy in the eyes of the audience, the other competitors, and most of the tv viewers. No one was sad when she walked off the stage with a snotty look on her face after being voted off.

When it came to Jay and Kara, it was a nail-biter—who should win it all? Both their designs were so fab, so structured, so delicious and colorful. I believe it was celeb judge and indie queen Parker Posey who gave Jay the win: his line was quirky and colorful and so is Jay. Kara could definitely design for a mass audience, and couture very much fits her style, but it was Jay’s true personality that came out in these clothes. The colors, the knits, the layering…simply divine. Bravo’s message boards were zinging left and right with talk of the final decision. This is one great show, kiddies.

Season two is up in the air due to Disney/Miramax squabbles, so I do hope it can be resolved. My god, I felt like knitting again after seeing so many wonderful winter clothes! I haven’t knitted anything since 1984, which was my mother’s sister’s hobby (I dare not call her my aunt—she and my mom are like Cain and Abel. Knitting needles and two sisters that don't like each other are, um, DANGEROUS.) And we’re due for more snow tonight and this weekend, so this is another “nesting” sort of weekend.

You’ll find me at my desk, zipping out more resumes, but I’ll be on VCR alert for all the Project Runway repeats this Sunday. This is good stuff. It wonder if Mom even has her sewing machine anymore…hmmm.

I think I’ll ask her.