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Project Runway recap - Bridal breakdown

Here comes the bride, all dressed in….sequins, and ruffles, and feathers, and tulle, and flowers, and beads, and cascading bulbous wrinkled satiny awkward fabrics. Isn’t she lovely?

A frustrating show, to say the least. My archenemy makes the grade on an unexpected challenge, sent to fashion week with her whiny selfish complaining big fat mouth slathered in red lipstick. Oh Kenley…why did your wedding and bridesmaid dress this week actually have to be decent? Dear Jerell, what exactly were you thinking?

In season’s past, the final episode only had three designers left to strut their stuff on the runway and wait breathlessly for one to claim the ultimate Project Runway title.  As a second year in a row, the producers decided to up the anticipation by inviting four designers to create collections for fashion week, and then kicking one to the curb before the guests arrive and the lights go dark.  This year…we are subjected not only to four designers, but a final challenge that doesn’t really have anything to do with the inspirations behind their final collections, forcing each designer to design a wedding dress and an accompanying bridesmaid dress that will determine their fate.

Everyone knows that Kenley deserved to go home already, regardless of her individual talents, her poor social skills and disrespect of the judges and fellow contestants was more than enough to send her packing. However, in light of the final challenges, her designs definitely made the grade.

Korto takes her wedding dress to the extreme, adding more ruffles and pleats than necessary or really flattering, in a color better suited for dark walks in the moonlight than virginal strolls down the aisle.  The chunky beaded necklace, while capturing her love of culture and ethnicity, was distracting and verging on plain ugly.  The bridesmaid dress didn’t do much to save her. With its basic pleated halter and random yellow ribbon waistband, it was a grasping attempt at something to coordinate…but ultimately just confused.

Leanne stuns the crowd with her elegant and dreamy petal bulb gown.  The shape was whimsical and utterly delicious in the way it swirled with every step and her model simply glowed as she drifted down the runway.  The accompanying bridesmaid dress would send any girl into ecstasies; the color was bright without being garish, the length was fun and flirty, and the detailing was perfect for a flat chested girl like me.  Earning her place in the spotlight I am on the edge of my seat waiting for her final show.

Kenley draws inspiration from ugly little ducklings and poufs up her wedding dress with butter yellow feathers and the ever-present tulle.  To be honest, the look was imaginative, even if the judges thought it was a clear Alexander McQueen knockoff, and spoke clearly of her quirky point of view.  The bridesmaid dress was polished and feminine. The length was too short for weddings in real life, but the energy and excitement was there…even though I still hate her.

Jerell, Jerell, Jerell. What is there to say? It looks like a fabric store hurricane attached itself to a willowy girl.  The excess of fabric, the overindulgence of decorative detail, nothing matched or spoke of romance or beauty. It was explosive and quite unattractive – not suitable for even the most unfortunate bride. I would bring back caterpillar lace sleeves before dawning that atrocity.  His bridesmaid dress was really no better, flowerpot headdresses and wrinkled seams won’t win your case for Bryant Park, and judging by the costume attractions he showed Tim Gunn in his preview, it wasn’t going to be good regardless.

So our frustrating nail biting week comes to a close. Our final three, Leanne, Korto, and Kenley (in order of talent and personal opinion) get ready to walk in the sun.  Will Kenley’s painted silk '50s dresses garner attention? Will Korto’s X-rated snakeskin jackets make mouths water? Will Leanne’s wave theme sweep everyone away? There’s only one week left and its anyone’s game…but I am already casting my vote.