Project Runway Recap, Season 16: Finale, Part 2

Here we go! We finally discover who wins Project Runway after a grueling month of having too many designers as finalists.

photos courtesy of mylifetime.com.

I was convinced that Brandon would take home the prize, after winning so many individual competitions and Heidi drooling over all of his looks. I had such an aversion to his entire collection, though. Using all one fabric–even if it was dyed for an ombre effect–was just so boring! And so many of his looks had the exact same elements. There was nothing surprising about what he sent down the runway. Plus, he slept through most of his last working day and was overly confident. He was still supportive of his teammates and not a jerk about it…so I still like him…I just don’t like his clothes.

Here are his best and worst looks of the night, IMO.

The only reason I chose the second pic as the worst look is because three looks went down the runway in the same top or pant or both, prior to this one, and I just couldn’t take it anymore. The first look was the best only because the model is so super cute!

Ayana’s collection was ok…until the final garment came out and WOW–what a stunner!

I wanted to like her collection so badly–she was my top pick from the start of the show. But I just couldn’t get past the drab color palette and the ruffles. She claims that ruffles are her signature look…did I miss this from previous episodes? Do you think this is a flattering outfit (below)?

When these two gals were side by side during the critique I just couldn’t imagine her winning it all. The pants are the only thing saving that second look. While Ayana did have some other cool pieces, she fell out of favor with me.

Margarita, on the other hand, was my favorite collection of the night. The color, the sunglasses, the hand beading, the different silhouettes, the music! Everything about it was fun, flirty and wearable by different shapes and sizes. Her first look was electric!

I honestly couldn’t narrow it down to my favorite or least favorite. So here are a couple more looks.

And O.M.Goodness, this jacket:

She also gave Jasmine a bodysuit/swimsuit with a cover up and had her take off the skirt to show off her figure halfway down the runway. It was the most surprising moment of the entire show and Jasmine got a standing ovation!

And then we have Kentaro. Let me just start off by saying that he used his melancholy dead-cat-inspired music to accompany his collection. The silence was deafening–mostly because I think everyone had no idea why he would make this such a somber event. Nina praised him for this–and said that silence from the crowd was a sign of an excellent collection!

His first look was neat, but I didn’t really think it was show-stopping, the way the judges did.

Below was my favorite look of Kentaro’s collection. It was clean and sophisticated, with a hint of drama. But, again, nothing earth-shattering.

Margarita was the first to go. I’m not even sure why. The judges liked her looks and told her how fabulous it was that she took risks. I think they were judging her on past performance rather on the current collection.

No one was more surprised that Brandon did NOT win than…Brandon. He ugly cried in the lounge after being told he was “out.” I was shocked and elated!

Then it was down to Ayana and Kentaro. I didn’t think Ayana’s collection had enough pizzaaz, other than her final look. And apparently neither did the judges. She was out.

So, Kentaro takes the win!

He was pretty surprised, and I was too. In the end he decided to do what he wanted instead of listening to the judges…except for the whole “make it cohesive” note. Still, I cannot believe the dead-cat music and somber runway feel took him to the top.

Another thing I cannot believe–the producers did not edit out footage of his parents coming onto the stage to congratulate him WHEN HIS DAD FELL OFF OF THE RUNWAY. Kind of embarrassing if you ask me. Why couldn’t they edit that out and make his family come out again? Were they going for comic relief? because it wasn’t funny–it was sad. I’ll never figure these producers out.

Next week they will air the special with all the designers back on the stage to talk smack about each other and reveal behind-the-scenes drama that wasn’t shown on the show (or was, as I’m sure we will hear all about the twins again and their sneaky cheating). Don’t worry–I won’t recap that episode. You’ll have to watch for yourself!

See you in January for Project Runway All-Stars!