Girlfight!

The designers were given two months and $8,000 to create a runway collection. The challenge issued to them for the final elimination round was to create a wedding dress that reflects their asthetic and collection for Bryant Park. After a frighteningly awkward pantomime kiss between Heidi and Tim behind the curtain, they were off. Korto to Little Rock, Arkansas (which I found surprising); Leanne to Seattle, Washington; Jerell to my homebase: Los Angeles, California, and Kenley to down the street.
I always love the Tim Gunn home visits because Tim is so damn likable. Only he would climb onto a tandem bike in a suit and dress shoes. He's a throwback to a genteel era that I cannot help but admire.
Tim listened to drumming, survived Kenley, admired Leanne, and tried to warn poor Jerell about his tendency towards "too much look". Obviously, Jerell erroneously believed that he knew better. Tim's heartfelt speech to the designers before their final challenge show was so genuine and sweet, he had me tearing up.
Of course, there's always a twist. The designers have oft been required to pop out a last minute look before Bryant Park that can fit into their collection. This time they had to make a bridesmaid dress to compliment their wedding design. The hits were out of the park, Leanne and, to a lesser extent, Kenley. While the misses were way off the mark, Jerell's super boobs and Korto's horribly unflattering, overworked mess.
Kenley complained that the other girls knocked off her bridesmaid dress because they were also short! She bugs me!
Michael Kors mentioned that Kenley's dress bore a striking resemblance to a Alexander McQueen design (from his Fall 08 RTW collection - shown in Paris on Febuary 29, 2008). McQueen is my favorite designer, so I am ticked when an upstart like Kenley tries to rip him off and claims to have no knowledge of Alexander freakin' McQueen. Her dress came out very beautifully, but take a look at a side by side comparison and tell me whether you think her design was original...

Unfortunately, the usually reliably quality photos posted on Project Runway's official site this week were awful. I was forced to include alternate photos from the Bryant Park runway shows so you can actually see the full looks. Leanne's gorgeous bridesmaid dress did not make it down the runway again, so unfortunately, that chest shot is the best I've got. Korto wisely opted not to use her wedding gown or bridesmaid design in the Bryant Park show.

Korto



First off, the wedding dress is horribly unflattering. Who wants to wear a dress on their wedding day that makes a fashion model look fat and dumpy?
Her bridesmaid's dress didn't read bridesmaid at all.
She was the biggest miss of the four this week, but then again, she is a more generally talented executor of fashion than Jerell by a mile and she seemed to want it more.

Jerell




Tim tried to tell you. The dress was good except the bust is so ridiculously overwrought. No taste. The bridesmaid dress was just plain ugly. Why all the faux flowers? Did you know you were digging your own grave?

Kenley





The wedding dress is gorgeous. The originality is definitely in question. I would've been much more impressed if you claimed it as an homage to McQueen, but your pride in your fashion ignorance drives me up a wall. The bridesmaid dress was lovely, but I might say it was too simple. Especially with such a fashion-y bride dress.

Leanne




Both dresses are fantastic and fabulous. This is the pony I'm picking to win.


Well, just like a horror movie convention, the black guy had to die. Poor Jerell, your pride threw your chance away. But you seemed resigned to your fate when you defended your design.
I mentioned before that I've seen all the final designs, but I'm still looking forward to seeing them in motion.
See you next week for the final show.