The fashion conscious/reality television-minded breathed a collective sigh of relief at the end of last week's "Project Runway" as the loopy, narcissistic Vincent finally got the boot. But who among the remaining five contestants will make it to the final three? And who will win? The Daily profiles each of the remaining designers to answer these pressing questions.
But first, for the few who may not know, a brief explanation of how "Project Runway" works: There are 15 contestants at the start of the season, each of whom must design an outfit in response to a weekly challenge. Someone is eliminated in every episode so that the total number of contestants eventually dwindles down to three designers. Those who remain have several months to create an entire fashion line which will be shown during Fashion Week in New York City.
The designers' fates lie in the hands of judges Heidi Klum (who somehow finds time to judge and host the show between making babies with Seal and being ridiculously hot), the ever-bitchy and hilarious fashion designer Michael Kors, and the fashion director of Elle, Nina Garcia.
Under these judges' scrutiny, Kayne Gillaspie will likely be the next designer to go. He has put together some praise-worthy pieces, but of all the contestants left, Kayne has been the closest to elimination the greatest number of times.
Gillaspie can sew well, but Garcia pointed out in last week's episode that the Norman, Okla. designer's taste is often questionable. Kayne's pieces do not usually look appropriate for a sophisticated woman, but are often better suited for a 16-year-old, mall-shopping pageant queen.
Previews for this coming episode finally show designer Laura Bennett experiencing feelings other than those of self-adoration. Three months pregnant and stressed out, the ice queen who perennially talks trash about other designers seems to be at the end of her rope.
Though she has a sophisticated eye and is an impeccable tailor, the judges were not impressed with Laura's idea of couture during last week's challenge. Her black frock with white collar looked like something a really fancy clown would wear, or, to a more veteran eye like Garcia's, "old Saint Laurent." If Kayne's not going this week, Laura is definitely out.
That the three Fashion Week attendees: Uli Herzner, Jeffrey Sebelia, and Michael Knight.
Uli is cuteness personified. She's also German and blond, much like a certain television host/supermodel, which could give her an edge. Uli is skilled at working with prints and has made several lovely items so far; the only problem is that all of these dresses tend to look the same, and the judges have taken note. Uli's fate depends on whether she can create different looks that still look like they belong together in a collection.
Then there's Jeffrey, the show's resident badass. A tattooed recovering alcoholic, Jeffrey can best be remembered as the guy who was really mean to fellow designer Angela Keslar's mom in episode seven when he designed a shapeless, matronly frock-and-vest combination for her to model.
Though the score on that design was low, Jeffrey is usually praised by judges for his daring, edgy style. He won the last two challenges and was the first in "Project Runway" history to win a challenge for which he had been given immunity.
But Michael is looking like the judges' favorite so far. He won two challenges mid-season and has never been one of the lowest-scoring designers. The judges respond well to Michael's visions, which are usually fresh, bright and well-executed.
His couture dress was somewhat flawed in its execution and while the group was in Paris in last week's episode, a hooligan threw an egg at it. Last week was rough for Michael; can the young Atlanta designer handle the demands of creating an entire collection?
Signs point to yes; Michael is our prediction for the season three winner. That means, Michael, you're in and, Uli and Jeffrey, you're out. Auf Wiedersehen.
