'Project Runway': Here come the final three

Watching Tim Gunn visit "Project Runway" finalists at home is one of the most fun parts of the show's finale episodes. I still remember Season 1 winner Jay McCarroll greeting Gunn with, well, a gun, and it only gets better from there. It was cool to see Korto Momolu drum and Jerell's fascinating baby pictures, but nothing could top Leanne Marshall sticking Tim on the back of a bicycle built for two (with a helmet!). I thought it was worth noting that of the four remaining contestants, only Kenley Collins didn't have friends and family to introduce to him after she showed him her collection and wedding gown.

However, maybe it's because I myself am going to be wearing a wedding gown in just a few days, but something softened in me tonight. I felt myself loving the formerly hated Kenley's work and, well, not-hating the chick's personality. Every girl divides the wedding gowns she likes into two categories: the ones I would actually wear and the ones I would wear if I lived in another dimension. Those in the "Sex and the City" movie were clearly from that other dimension (and Jerell Scott 's gown seemed to be heading down that route, but in a more amateurish, over-the-top way). Kenley's and Leanne's gowns both were couture and fanciful but still somewhat wearable. However, to me Leanne's gown looked kind of like a turbine, and I couldn't fault Kenley's for looking like Alexander McQueen's design when I hadn't seen that design myself. I could see where Korto was going with her gown: I loved the color, fabric and pleating -- but it was just plain unflattering and that's death to a wedding gown.

As for the bridesmaid gowns, again, as Michael Kors pointed out, Kenley's was the cutest damn dress he'd ever seen -- pretty color, flirty design and, best of all, it looked like something that could be worn more than once (which was something that I tried to keep in mind when I picked my own bridesmaid gowns). I thought Leanne's dress was fine but her color was incredibly weak to me. Jerell's looked like a rough mockup of a Monique Lhullier ad (at least according to all the wedding magazines I've looked at over the last few months). And again, Korto had a good idea but she blew it when she lost her confidence after Tim opined that her two dresses competed with each other.

So we have an all-female "Project Runway" finale upon us!  Based on the rest of his collection, I think the judges made a good decision to eliminate Jerell. His purple, gold and black line looked like a Halloween version of an old Prince video. God bless him but I wouldn't wear his stuff and I don't know a ton of women who would. 

I've poured a lot of hate on Kenley over the last few weeks but I don't see why she shouldn't win next week. That said, I feel the same way about Leanne and Korto. Stay tuned to see which lovely lady wins it all: You'll be in the capable hands of show tracker Denise Martin. I'd love to watch it with you, but I'll be off, fresh memories of my own gown in my head.

-- Claire Zulkey

(Photo courtesy Bravo)

Comments

[Tki]

Kenley should have been eliminated if not for her many previous lousy performances, then for her horrible attitude. Poor Jerrell. His wedding gown wasn't great but he deserved to be in the final 3. The producers of the show probably kept evil Kenley in the finale to add some drama. That girl sure knows how to pity and praise herself all at the same time.

[Richard Rushfield]

Claire Zulkey,

It takes a brave and generous soul to admit how your words have been colored by blind hate. Kudos to you for coming clean. See you at Bryant Park

[Rachel Cohen]

Attitude in a designer? Perish the thought! Even on a reality show, being the nicest person means nothing. I think Kenley got the witch edit, and has the chops to be a real designer.

[Debbie]

I did look at pictures of the McQueen dress. Yes, it has feathers, but Kenley was right when saying that it did not have the same silhouette. I've been a little sour on her lately, but her wedding and bridesmaid dresses definitely won me back.

[Bruce]

Is it too much to ask that the LA Times NOT put a spoiler like "All-Female Finale" in the article's headline? I missed the show last night and plan to watch it tonight - thanks so much for spoiling the ending for me! Feh.

[Kate Aurthur]

Congratulations to our very own Claire Zulkey upon her nuptials!

RE: "Project Runway." I agree that Kenley deserved to get to Bryant Park, even if it's true that she should have been eliminated earlier (during the music challenge).

Richard, I would ask if you agree with that, but I don't think you even watch the show!

Kate Aurthur, Television Editor
Los Angeles Times

[Richard Rushfield]

Kate Aurthur, Denise Martin, et al,

I think its sad that this election has degenerated into the point where a lone voice like myself is so villified just for telling the truth. You can go ahead and pretend you are supporting the better designer and that you are not prejudiced against seafarers like Kenley and myself, but history will know what really happened here and seperate the name calling from the truth.

[Denise]

I agree completely with Kate. Somehow, Kenley outperformed Korto and Jerell last night. A fluke, if ever there was one -- but she should have been sent packing long ago (in my opinion, well before the music challenge).

Richard, what truth are you talking about? That you only enjoy watching and defending (!) self-absorbed, talent-free reality folk -- excusing their crocodile tears as "pathos" -- like Kenley and Lauren Conrad? Please. If anyone is keeping it real, it's those of us who are actually watching these shows week to week before commenting.

[Kate Aurthur]

Oh boy!

[Claire Zulkey]

oh snap!