The Best of Project Runway

1 comment

October 1, 1:08 AM

by Laura Kluvo, Project Runway Examiner

 

Photo courtesy of Bravotv.com

For season one, readers chose the very first episode, "Innovation,"  sometimes called the grocery-store challenge.  This challenge was to create garments from items found in a grocery store.  The results were mixed but Austin Scarlett won with his cornhusk dress.  He struggled throughout the episode and his eventual triumph was reality show gold. 

Austin went on to become a season one favorite and was the last designer eliminated before the finale.  It was a real heartbreaker. 

Interestingly, Austin was later hired as a wedding dress designer by one of the judges from the show. 

Photo courtesy of Bravotv.com

Readers chose "Flower Power" the best episode of season two.  This was the ninth episode of the season.   There were only six designers remaining and we got to see a lot of interaction between them.   This episode also included Santino's famous Tim Gunn impression.

The challenge was to create a garment from plants and flowers and ALL of the results were spectacular.   The winner was Daniel Vosovic.  This was the second win for this young designer and he would go on to also win episode eleven, securing his position in the finale.  Daniel finished second to Chloe Dao in the end.

Unfortunately, we lost Andrae Gonzalo, season two's "Little Lamb" in this episode.   He was very likeable and we were sorry to see him go.  I would say that the "Best:" episodes are always bittersweet - with laughter AND tears. 

Photo courtesy of Bravotv.com

The best episode of season three is called "Couture du Jour" and it took place in Paris.  The challenge was to create a gown "using couture tehniques."  This was not easy.  The designers also got to go on a river cruise, visit several Paris landmarks, and to shop in a Parisian fabric store. 

This was the ninth episode of the season and there were six designers left.  The judge for this episode was Catherine Malandrino and she made it clear that she did not care for Vincent Libretti's design, but the final runway would be back home in NYC.  Sure enough the regular panel of judges agreed and a collective sigh of relief was heard when Vincent was finally sent home. 

Laura Bennett was pregnant with her sixth child during season three and by the ninth episode her expanding middle and swollen ankles were becoming evident, but she was still completely glamorous and lovely.  Moms across America were all rooting for her. 

The winner of this episode was Jeffrey Sebelia who created a very unique yellow plaid gown.  Sebelia went on to win the finale of season three.  

BPR readers chose En Garde! as the best episode of season four. 

This was the eighth episode of the season and there were eight designers left.  They were paired up and challenge to create a "haute couture" design inspired by their model's hairstyle and ALL of the results were wonderful.

Sadly we lost Kit Pistol in this episode.  Her dress was not bad, but "someone had to go" and she assumed the leadership of her team so she was vulnerable.

The pairing of Chris March and Christian Siriano was brilliant.  Chris is skilled and calm and experienced, Christian is young, exuberant and talented.  They created a gown that is the most memorable of season four.  Click here to see the design.   As an added twist in this episode the designers had to create a second "ready-to-wear" look inspired by the first.  Christian was the team leader and he got the win.  Siriano went on to win the of season four.

Tune in to Project Runway Season Five on Wedneday nights at 9:00 on Bravo.

   Subscribe   Feed

Include other special offers from Examiner.com
Terms of Use