Project Runway: the Evening Gown Challenge
Posted on October 4, 2008
The last challenge of this season was to design an evening gown inspired by nature. The last four contestants were taken to the New York Botanical Gardens and told to take photos to use as inspiration. Other than Jarell, the contestants failed rather spectacularly at this challenge.
Jarell won the challenge handily with his aubergine heavy silk strapless gown with jeweled embellishments (far left in photo). He didn't have time to edit: he needed to yank that green fabric off the dress, but it still wowed guest judge Georgina Chapman of Marchesa. Georgina creates gorgeous gowns and she really loved the elegance of Jarell's design. She was, however, horrified by Kenley's horrifying purple snakeskin gown (far right in photo) with the ugliest trumpet skirt we've seen in a long time. The petals looked like scales -- which dingbat Kenley thought was a compliment. It was "exactly what she was going for." Kenley should have been booted off the show right then. Plus, she argues with Heidi and was generally a total brat. And we wouldn't have loaned her any tulle either. So there.
Leanne really underperformed with her complicated pale blue gown (second from left in photo). The corset was lovely, but all the loops and ruffles just looked "sad" said Michael Kors. And the back of the gown looked like it had an extra swatch of dark blue fabric accidentally sewn into the hem. It was ridiculously complicated from the back.
Korto's peach creation (third from the left in photo) was well-made said Michael Kors, but it just screamed "Beauty Pageant." So true. Tim Gunn warned her that the front looked like 2008, but the back looked like Catherine the Great (she has swoops and scallops of crazy lace everywhere). She listened, edited it down and managed to stay in the game.
The scores were so close that the judges allowed all four to create full collections, but only three will show at Bryant Park. Well, actually six showed at Bryant Park, but only three really will have a chance at winning. Our money's on Jarell at this point, unless Leanne steps it up with her final collection./p>