Project Runway Recap - Finale Part 2

Why should we not be surprised that Chloe won Season 2 of Project Runway?
Remember when the designers had a surprise visit with Fern Mallis, who works for Seven on 6th (the organizer for Fashion week)? What did she tell them?

"It doesn't help to be nasty, to be a bitch..."

Everyone's eyes shot over at Santino. But really, everyone should have thought about how well Chloe would fit into this designing world since she stopped herself from being a nasty bitch. It was really cute that she thought she was a "diva" for telling the hair and makeup people to fix her model's makeup because she didn't like the way it looked. We are lucky Chloe doesn't know what a diva is...

Chloe continually stayed true to her designing point of view and never let the competition (no matter how harsh it was on her) make her bitter. She could have told off many of the designers throughout the competition, but instead she stayed focused on the work and walked away with the title.

Additionally, we should remember that Project Runway loves surprises. How many people were 100% sure last year that Kara Saun was going to win Project Runway? I was. And that is why Jay won. He was consistently strong throughout the season and in the end he came across with a unique point of view. His look wasn't Banana Republic or Gucci or anything the judges have ever seen before. It was Jay. Just like Chloe is Chloe. A unique point of view that nobody expected to win.

So let's get to the fun...Considering that there wasn't much going on this episodes besides showing designs and the final judgment, I don't have much to pick at. So I will post as many behind the scene pictures as I can fit (courtesy of Bravo's website) .

Pre-show at the Banana Republic workroom





You can feel the stress level while the designers work at finishing their designs. There was still time for a few "Timpressions" by Santino. Gotta love the comic relief.

Make up time:



The designers need to take some time to decide on their makeup choices - but even Santino was rushing along the make up artist...the clock is ticking!!!

The last few hours before the show:



The designers are told that they can work until 4 am and need to be at Bryant Park around 5 am. What does that mean? NO SLEEP 'TILL...BRYANT PARK!

The designer's names are picked out of the lucky names bag to find out what order they will show their collections: Daniel first, Chloe second and Santino third.

At Bryant Park at the Project Runway Olympus Fashion Week Tent:

Santino taking in "Mount Everest"



Behind the Scenes










we even get some Kara!

You can feel the designers are getting EXCITED! The moment they have been waiting for. Sure they are still sewing and finalizing the looks but there is little they can do now...

The Models:



Doesn't this dress look completely different with the Jacket Open?

The other designers:



Of course the Season 2 designers are out in full effect - I wonder what was going through their heads? I could do this better? What kind of tacky color is that? How did this person make it this far? I wonder if I can get into Season 3?

Season 1 Designers:



Can't pass up the opportunity for some exposure! Since when does Jay look so EMO?

The Judges:



I LOVE the fact that Michael Kors is wearing sunglasses indoors. His too cool for school attitude is why we love him as a Judge.

Oh and look NBC/Bravo cross-promotion: Debra Messing from Will and Grace!

The Families:



First we have Daniel's parents, then Chloe's family and boyfriend (with Kara Saun), and finally Santino's mom, who happens to be "the shit"!!!!!!!

The Runway:



Did you see Daniel's model trip! OUCH!! And although I don't have a screen shot - Michael Kors mouthed something like "HORRIBLE" after he saw that. Come on girls - Make it work!

Otherwise the runway was tame. Each designer came out and gave a little speech. Daniel did a little dance and showed love to his family. Chloe talked about how people doubt her "passion" and pointed out her boyfriend and family in the crowd. Santino shouted SURPRISE and gave us some larger than life Santino speech and then told us his mom is the shit!

The Collections:

Daniel Vosovic:





(the 13th is the camel color dress with white gloves - 2nd picture)



First impression: Banana Republic here I come. Daniel is dressing the modern business woman. There are some beautiful cuts and designs. Unique tailoring really made him stand out.

Chloe:





(the 13th is gold baby doll - 1st picture)



Chloe designed evening wear. She made some beautiful well-fitting gowns that can be worn at a bar or club, some others that can be seen at a wedding party, and some others that I could have sworn my sister's friend wore to her prom in the 80's. Not all of the designs were something that I would wear - but I am sure there is a client out there (maybe in Texas?)

Santino:



(the 13th is brown/purpleish jersey fabric dress - 3rd picture)




Santino glammed up the runway with flowing dresses and rock and roll outfits. Some dresses were a little bland while others were stunning. His 13th looked completely different on TV - and that is a good thing (for the most part a lot of the designs for all of the designers looked better on TV).

After Show Media Blitz:


These designers should start getting used to it.

By the way do you see Grace in the first picture with Chloe? She is so freaking tall. I think she is surrounded by Chloe's large in number but small in height family. What was even funnier is after Grace walked the final part of the runway (with all of the models) during Chloe's runway show Chloe was right behind her and you couldn't see the tiny girl. Suddenly Grace makes a turn and boom there is Chloe (like she came out from behind a magic curtin).

Judgment (pictures from The Malcontent):



And what happens in this final scene brings the season to an end. Santino gets the first Auf and then we are left with Daniel and Chloe. Are we surprised at this point? In a way I didn't agree with the Judge's critiques of Santino's line. Everything was really beautiful and had a unique point of view. And it wasn't over the top and gaudy. So why did he get the AUF? Well on Tim's Take (on Bravo's website) he said that picking Santino would have made Project Runway a freak show. Having two eccentric winners would have paved Season 3 for some way out there contestants. But who knows if that is what the Judge's thought. They definitely had good and bad things to say to Santino - but he just didn't do it for them like Chloe did.

And Daniel. What happened? He was the one that everyone was rooting for. How did he lose? Well maybe we will see him working for Michael Kors? Or picked up by Banana Republic anyway? Either way, I'm sure this isn't the end for this young talented designer.

Chloe crowned the winner of Season 2 - in complete disbelief because she was the "underdog" - nobody thought she could win. But her simple, elegant, and well tailored designs put her over the top. Congrats Chloe - can't wait to see where you go next!

Oh, and I can't forget Grace (Chloe's model) - who wins a fashion photo spread in Elle Magazine - Congrats!!

Want more Project Runway fun? Check out Best of: Model's Expressions on the Runway (Where is Madonna when you need her? Someone's gotta teach these girls how to VOGUE!)

Also, here is Kara Janx's Runway Collection