Project Runway 3, The Finale – Who’s In and Who’s Out Part 1

And then there was one. Jeffrey is IN! For the final task, the designers had to design a collection of twelve looks in only a couple of months with a limited budget. They were given total creative freedom for their source of inspiration and the direction each one would lead the judges throughout his or her final masterpiece.

After reviewing the last episode, I concluded that any of the designers could have emerged victorious, but after viewing the collections it clearly came down to a close call between Uli and Jeffrey. Reviewing the important fashion tips for Project Runway designers one final time will show us why!

But first, we have to look at the other two designers – Michael and Laura. Why did they finish fourth and third respectively?

Who’s OUT: Michael

With the last challenge, Michael’s longstanding string of strong designs started to unravel. He did so well for so long, but then just seemed to miss the mark with the most critical task he faced. Where did he go wrong? Why did he, America’s favorite, end up placing fourth, instead of winning or even placing second or third? The rules will tell us…

1. Stand out! Be original, creative, and show a unique, strong point of view in your designs.

Michael showed he was original and creative throughout the entire season. Cumulatively, he had some of the most interesting and well-thought-out garments of any contestant. From his two wins with the Pam Greer makeover and the recyclable materials dress, he excelled in creating sophisticated designs with an intellectual appeal that the judges loved. However, we started to see problems with the one final part of this guideline in the second to last challenge. Michael lacked a strong point of view which guided his designs, which would also fuel the direction of his collection. When given total freedom in the Elle challenge, he confused the judges with his sexy/sensual concept, and the dress was equally confounding. Right away I began to wonder if this season’s fan favorite really had the foundation on which to construct a strong collection in the end. Though he did have a noble concept – finding and discovering one’s self, and the hunt which this involves – it was not executed in a way that appeased the judges. They questioned his taste level and felt his collection lacked consistency.

2. Demonstrate flexibility and versatility with each challenge.

This rule was one where Michael never had a problem. He was never one of the bottom designers in any challenge, and a lack of versatility and flexibility did not hinder him in the finale. This was actually one of his greatest strengths; he was perhaps the most flexible of the four finalists. But Michael showed he had a difficult time adapting to a design task in which the parameters were ambiguous and wide open; judge Nina Garcia noted that this is how fashion is in the real world – no one is there to tell you what to do or how to do it.

3. Be resourceful and utilize every opportunity at your disposal to make your designs successful.

Michael was also very resourceful throughout each challenge and did a good job using his resources in the final collection as well. From fabric choices to styling, he always impressed the judges with his decisions. The one area where he seemed to be a little bit off in the very end was with the taste level of his garments; the actual silhouettes and contours of his dresses seemed a little too suggestive for the judges’ tastes.

4. Actively sell yourself, your vision, and your designs.

Here again, we have another area where Michael did very well. He consistently seemed ready and able to explain his designs to the judges, sell them on the high points of his designs, and minimize criticism of their weaknesses. He even did a good job selling his work for the final collection, explaining the concept and inspiration behind the group of garments. The only real snafu Michael made with this rule was when he seemed to back pedal a little bit while stating on the judging runway that he was young and new to the industry, still figuring out who he was. This was likely perceived as a weakness by the judges, a defense or excuse for the things they saw as flaws in his collection. He could have better sold himself by stating exactly what he did, but then immediately proclaiming that winning Project Runway would be the perfect next step to assist him in actualizing his potential. It is a minor point, but it could have made a difference.

5. Take your role as a designer seriously, and be professional both on and off the runway.

Once again, we have no problems here. Michael was very professional in every challenge and in the finale. So let’s move on!

6. Think carefully about each challenge and do what it requires.

Michael made excellent strides with this tip, carefully wrapping his mind around each design task and producing a flawless execution. But, again, once we saw him with wide open territory and no parameters to help guide him, we saw him struggle. Just as he had difficulty with the Elle challenge when there were only four designers left, he also had a difficult time developing a strong concept which was evident in each of his final designs.

7. Take risks – push yourself and your designs to new levels.

Risk-taking was something which Michael also demonstrated throughout the season; the two wins he earned were due in large part to taking risks. He also took risks in his final collection, by “turning the volume way up,” and making clothes which were provocative and edgy. He was not afraid to show a little (and in a few cases, a lot!) of skin with his models, and he used vibrant patterns and prints that gave some of his pieces a truly feral quality.

So where does that leave us? It appears Michael did well with virtually every criterion! He was innovative, creative, versatile, professional, resourceful, and took risks. So what happened?! It all comes back to Rule #1. Michael did not have the strong point of view necessary to win Project Runway. This rule is the first rule because it is the most important – while Michael was the most flexible of all the finalists, he was perhaps too flexible in that he lacked consistency and a strong, solid series of concepts and viewpoints which could be seen in his designs. He even admitted that he was green to the industry, and that designing the collection was new territory for him. The judges saw great potential in him and the makings of astounding designer. But they also felt he needs more time to come into his own, to continue to figure out who he is, and to better articulate his design philosophy.

Who’s OUT: Laura

1. Stand out! Be original, creative, and show a unique, strong point of view in your designs.

On the other hand, Laura clearly had a strong point of view. Her clothes were sophisticated, elegant, classy, and glamorous. She came up with creative ideas, such as the rosette button compromise when she was the team with Angela. She also designed the playfully youthful dress in the challenge that she won. Her wit and sense of humor came out in the recycling challenge, and the judges were impressed with her designs even as far back as the very first challenge. With each task, the judges could recognize every garment she made in each challenge, and they lauded her meticulous details and finishing touches. Her clothes, in a word, were impeccable. She was also creative, and her designs were new and fresh – she did a good job keeping with her own sense of style while still creating successful designs for each challenge. However, she was not very innovative. There was nothing particularly earth-shattering or unconventional about her work; it was a little bit too predictable in the eyes of the judges. Which leads us right in to Rule #2…