Project Runway 2 Finale, Part 2: And the Winner Is...

Previously on Project Runway, Santino was screaming to the skies. As this episode begins, I’m pleased to announce, he’s still screaming. There are 40 hours until the Fashion Week show and the designers were given a final challenge - create a thirteenth piece to show in their collection. The designers were also allowed to pick a second set of hands from the original contestants to help with this. Daniel chose Nick, Santino took Andrae, and Chloe opted for “Miss Diana.” (aka “Dirty Diana”).

The designers and their assistants go to the Banana Republic workroom. Daniel’s new piece will be a cashmere camel dress. Nick loves Daniel’s collection, “It’s fabulous, clean, American sportswear.” Nick is going to have to have to help with finishing touches on the collection as well as complete this design.

Chloe explains that she will be showing her “Fantasy Fashion Collection,” so another gold dress will be added. Diana will be responsible for the piece because Chloe doesn’t even have time to think about it. For that matter, she doesn’t want to even think about it. Unfortunately, Diana is taking her time and complicating the design. She’s killing Chloe!

Santino had bought some deep rose jersey from Mood Designer Fabrics, but admits that he’s dragging his feet on designing another piece. “He’s f**ked!” He is so extremely tired he may just send a naked model down the runway. After a long day and night, the designers find their way back to the apartment.

The following morning, we see the designers return to the workroom. Their objective is to stay awake. Tim enters the room with L’Oreal’s consulting makeup artist, Collier Strong. The designers and their Project Runway models head to the L’Oreal tech center to zero in on the look that each designer wants to achieve for their models. As Rebecca takes a chair, Daniel explains that he wants a wind blown, rosy-cheeked look. Chloe wants her model to look light and pretty. They’ve got it! Santino wants Heather’s eyes to be smoky. It’s all about the eyes. Santino thinks Collier should only make up half of Heather’s face. “One eye is fine, we’ve got sewing to do!”

Meanwhile, back at the workroom, Andrae is concentrating on Santino’s thirteenth piece. He is making sure that the design stays in the parameters of the collection. Santino admits this dress will compliment his show really well. Tim thinks Danyelle looks stunning in the garment.

Daniel admits to Tim that the thirteenth piece Nick has been working on is beneficial and has invigorated his collection. He is so happy right now and says Nick has done an amazing job. It was an element his collection needed.

Unfortunately, when Tim checks on Chloe, he finds her thirteenth piece still in pieces. Diana holds up the outline of the dress and explains how she still needs to put pockets in it. Tim can’t believe she is bothering but she assures him that the model will look great as she comes down the runway.

Tim gathers the final three around him, while their assistants continue to work. He reminds the designers to think about the accessories and shoes, and points out the Banana Republic accessory wall. Tim pulls out the Runway magic bag to determine the order in which they will present their collections at the Fashion Week show. Daniel’s name is picked first, followed by Chloe, with Santino closing the show. He gives the designers until 4:30 a.m. to finish their work. They are to be at the Bryant Park tent at 5:30 a.m. Daniel tells us that everything needs to be organized in order, but he has no order yet!

There are eight hours until show time and the designers are in a flurry of activity. The models are showing up for their fittings, practicing their walks, and getting last minute fittings. Accessories are being chosen, shoes are being dealt with, and last minute ironing is being completed. Chloe admits she is “emotional crazy!” She’s just trying to hold it together because “this is extreme!” Santino says that he will be working on his collection until the models step on the runway. He’ll break down completely when it’s all over. The clock ticks past the 4:00 a.m. mark; the designers, their collections, and assistants all head back to the apartments.

Daniel tells us they only had twenty minutes to clean up and change before heading off to Bryant Park. He’s only gotten four hours sleep in the last three days. Chloe admires the jacket that he and Tim picked out. It looks like she has opted to stick with jeans and a blue shirt. There’s still work to do. She reminds us that showing at Fashion Week is why they applied to Project Runway. “Most young designers would never get this chance.” Santino asks if they thought this day would ever get here. The three find their way out of the Westin hotel, to make their way to the Olympus Fashion Week tent at Bryant Park.

Once inside the large tent, the designers stop and take it all in. Santino tells us it was a huge moment for them. Being a part of Fashion Week is the “Mount Everest of fashion.” Daniel shares that it was intimidating to look around and see a thousand chairs. (I wondered what was in the gift bags and where I can get one.) Chloe tells us that there was a moment when her hands started shaking and her heart started pounding. The reality of what was about to happen had hit her with a gasp.

Three hours before the show, the designers are situated in what appears to be cubicles of racks, filled with their designs. Daniel immediately starts looking for people that know how to sew. He still has the closures of his designs to finish up and hands out buttons to his new assistants. Models start arriving as do assistants Andrae, Diana, and Nick. Nick immediately sets up a sewing machine. Tim wanders over and asks Daniel why all his Parson students are sewing. Daniel explains that it was a necessity. “If it has to happen, it has to happen.” Tim says that he’s surprised. Daniel answers, “Likewise.”

Meanwhile, Chloe leaves her collection to check on her models’ hair, and she doesn’t like what she sees. She has issues with the makeup, too. She tells us that she didn’t want to be a bitch about it, but this is her fashion show and her time to demand what she really wants. She laughs that she’s becoming a diva.

Nick is still turning up hems and snipping loose threads. He wants Daniel’s collection to look perfect. He’s rooting for him. Chloe’s frustration is showing. Some models are made up while the other half wait. Meanwhile, Daniel goes into a panic. He can’t find his handbags. They are nowhere to be seen. He explains this dilemma to Tim who answers, “You know something? Things happen for a reason.” Hmm, not exactly the words Daniel wanted to hear but okay. A thousand people have said they are looking for the handbags but he wonders if anyone really is.

A busy Santino has learned that his mom has arrived and is in the audience. Santino tells us that the last time he saw his mom was four years ago. Flying home is a luxury he cannot afford. His mom let him be who he is and he loves the fact that she did that. Catherine Rice, his mom, is interviewed and tells us that she just wants to see Santino, kiss him, hug him, and tell him what a great job he’s doing and how proud she is of him. (Awww, what a nice mom.)