'Project Runway' preview: Picking the final three

...or our best guess at who they'll be, based on last month's showing at Bryant Park.

It's no secret that this year -- and in years prior -- the finalists weren't the only ones who got to show off their collections on the finale runway. This year, the final six contestants were given the privilege. That means in addition to the four remaining, Suede and Joe also got to debut their work during Fashion Week. (Everyone's a winner on "Project Runway"!)

That in mind, let's handicap the race based on the collections that were shown. And let this be your spoiler alert: These are, in fact, the collections you'll see during the Oct. 15 finale.

LEANNE: The shoo-in

 

She's been the most consistent of the designers, often presenting the best constructed and architecturally interesting pieces. Her collection is full of stylish fanned pleats (above, as a dress and as a skirt topped by a slouchy shoulder collar top). As you can see, she is not, in fact, afraid of color (muted palettes, be damned).

Next up....

KORTO: The almost-was

Korto started off the season so strong. Remeber her Olympics piece, that seatbelt coat and her Diane Von Furstenberg ensemble? But when I look at some of the pieces she'll be showing, I'm less than impressed. Pretty. Not Intriguing. And I question the choice of her patterns (above, floral on the left) and material (above, shiny white on the right).

JERELL: The happy-to-be-included

For his collection, Jerell went "medievel disco" (according to one review of the show). Sequins and lace and netting, oh my! Not all in good taste, but not at all boring either. Sort of like what he's done this whole season. (Although, this, and especially this, were truly hideous.) When restrained, he can get it done, but clearly he went overboard for Bryant Park.

KENLEY: The question mark

Based on the runway looks alone, though, Kenley could squeeze past Jerell and make it into the final three. The dark horse, to be sure, she has more often confounded than wowed us. But I haven't always hated her pieces. They're all a little too girlie-girl, but there have been moments of good taste. And while her competitors might harp, there is nothing wrong with being lost in the '50s. The problem is, her stuff belongs in a department store. Not on the runway.

Thoughts on what you see here? Will Kenley, insufferable as she is, take a spot, kicking Korto or Jerell out of contention?

-- Denise Martin

Comments

[Richard Rushfield]

Interesting analysis Denise. I dont quite see how pleated details in a muted color palate make one a shoo-in, but perhaps you have inside information that the entire production is going to ride in a time machine back to 2006 tonight. If so, it does indeed give that simpering little backstabber an edge.

And perhaps if you could let go of your feelings about sea people, you might notice the brilliance of Kenley's work, as evidenced above. But I appreciate you are attempting to give her a second look here and thank you for that.

[Denise]

Boss, I won't comment on your attacks against Leanne, far and away the most talented of the bunch, except to say this: She will win. Get ready.

As for Kenley, and your mutual love of her Princess Amidala style (Evidence: http://www.bravotv.com/widgets/bin/gallery/cache/0cd3e09a47c2d4f5252a5eba200c3742/watermark/rate_509_kenley.jpg), it's simply insane. Those many years being raised at sea have clearly left her head water-logged.

[michele]

Great analysis of the runway contenders! I am rooting for Korto because I have adored her all season, but, I love Leeanne's aesthetic. Her Bryant Park collection is so unusual, and truly fashion forward, even though it lacks the danger of Jerrell's bold designs, which don't always score. I'm conflicted about Kenley. I honestly think you summed up her talent, in terms of her clothing having a place in fashion, but, more in department stores. I don't see anything innovative about her clothing designs. Some of her things are cute, but, some of her outfits are plain silly and look like costumes that only an attention-starved teenager would wear. Nothing she designed looked like something that would be a draw at Fashion Week, if not for her starring season on Project Runway. Let's face it. The only reason Kenley made it this far is for the conflict she causes, because , her styles have been poor the latter half of the season. I really can't stand her, and won't redeem her. I know she will go on to bump Jerrell from the final four, before even seeing the show in an hour. It's predictable because Project Runway has lost integrity and is determined by script, not talent. They'll keep the brat until the final show, even though another designer, and one who won his share of triumphs, will most likely go home. I could write the script for this show. For this reason, I hope Project Runway never makes it back to the air, until they get a dose of reality, that Americans are not all idiots, and we know it is staged. It's fixed.