'Project Runway 3' crowns winning designer
Four designers. Three seasons of "Project Runway." Two months to create a collection. One winner.
Jeffrey Sebelia strutted off as "Project Runway's" top designer on Wednesday with his Japanese nightmare-inspired collection sporting a rock `n' roll sensibility that was originally featured at New York's Olympus Fashion Week in September.
Previous to his turn on the Bravo reality show, the 36-year-old's Cosa Nostra label was popular with musicians such as Gwen Stefani, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and actor Billy Bob Thornton. Sebelia's goal, however, was to move beyond that niche market to prove himself as a designer who could hold his head up with favorites such as John Galliano, Comme Des Garcons, Vivienne Westwood, Ann Demeulemeester, Junya Watanabe, Rick Owens, and Yohji Yamamoto.
It wasn't an easy road, however, mainly because of personality clashes with other contestants, most notably with Angela Keslar and her mother, for whom he had to create an everyday woman's design. The judges also felt that he faltered every time he tried to design outside his comfort zone: rebellious, punk rock styles. But it was this sensibility that earned him wins for the "Flying High" jetsetter challenge and the couture challenge.
Even up through the finale, Sebelia encountered problems with his fellow designers, particularly finalist Laura Bennett, who brought accusations against him for allegedly outsourcing the construction of his collection. In the show's final episode, mentor Tim Gunn announced that the producers were "certain in (Sebelia's) assertion that he did this work himself," except for some pleating that he paid for, which was "entirely within the scope of the rules."
Only two obstacles stood in Sebelia's way. He had lost one receipt for the pleating on some bubble shorts, which he promptly replaced with extra leather pants he had made. In addition, he had exceeded the allotted $8,000 budget by about $200, which meant he had to cut back his collection in order to compete. The decision was a no-brainer: He ditched the strange blonde wigs he had purchased for each of his models to wear.
Sebelia got picked to present his collection first. Overall, the designs demonstrated a strong, geometric bent, with color blocking, two-tone stripes, defined structure and polka dots, which upon closer inspection were actually tiny white apples printed on a red background. Uli Herzner followed with a collection that proved she could reach beyond her favorite flowing dress. Bennett's collection was the only one that didn't include a bathing suit, instead focusing more on classic eveningwear, while Michael Knight's presentation consisted of bold solids with a distinctly urban, casual flair.
The judges declared that Knight "needed time to mature," Bennett's work was "exquisitely crafted ... but too limited" and that Herzner created a "beautiful collection tbat every woman would want to wear," but it was a bit of a "roller coaster" when it came to cohesiveness.
But it was Sebelia's collection that the various judges - host/model Heidi Klum, designer Michael Kors, Elle magazine fashion director Nina Garcia and Olympus Fashion Week creator Fern Mallis - deemed "adorable," "exciting," "edgy," "innovative," showing range and "beautiful detailing." Their one note was that the blue-toned flowing dress seemed out of place. Frankly, it would have looked more at home in Herzner's collection.
In the end, Sebelia not only proved that he had what it took to design for the fashion industry, but that he was also the sentimental - albeit profane - romantic that he often professed himself to be. His stunned reaction upon learning that he won was transformed into intense joy when he hugged his girlfriend and son and then into a humbled disbelief when he hugged Gunn and murmured, "It's actually happening."
Besides bragging rights, Sebelia win earns him a 2007 Saturn Sky Roadster, a mentorship with Macy's I.N.C. International Concepts, $100,000 in seed money from TRESemme to launch his own line and a feature spread in Elle magazine.
"I did it. I (expletive) did it," summed up Sebelia. "I'm in shock. My brain is trying to figure out what's happening. It's just been intense: intense happiness, intense fear, intense love and passion. The volume on everything has been turned up all the way."
Jeffrey Sebelia strutted off as "Project Runway's" top designer on Wednesday with his Japanese nightmare-inspired collection sporting a rock `n' roll sensibility that was originally featured at New York's Olympus Fashion Week in September.
Previous to his turn on the Bravo reality show, the 36-year-old's Cosa Nostra label was popular with musicians such as Gwen Stefani, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and actor Billy Bob Thornton. Sebelia's goal, however, was to move beyond that niche market to prove himself as a designer who could hold his head up with favorites such as John Galliano, Comme Des Garcons, Vivienne Westwood, Ann Demeulemeester, Junya Watanabe, Rick Owens, and Yohji Yamamoto.
It wasn't an easy road, however, mainly because of personality clashes with other contestants, most notably with Angela Keslar and her mother, for whom he had to create an everyday woman's design. The judges also felt that he faltered every time he tried to design outside his comfort zone: rebellious, punk rock styles. But it was this sensibility that earned him wins for the "Flying High" jetsetter challenge and the couture challenge.
Even up through the finale, Sebelia encountered problems with his fellow designers, particularly finalist Laura Bennett, who brought accusations against him for allegedly outsourcing the construction of his collection. In the show's final episode, mentor Tim Gunn announced that the producers were "certain in (Sebelia's) assertion that he did this work himself," except for some pleating that he paid for, which was "entirely within the scope of the rules."
Only two obstacles stood in Sebelia's way. He had lost one receipt for the pleating on some bubble shorts, which he promptly replaced with extra leather pants he had made. In addition, he had exceeded the allotted $8,000 budget by about $200, which meant he had to cut back his collection in order to compete. The decision was a no-brainer: He ditched the strange blonde wigs he had purchased for each of his models to wear.
Sebelia got picked to present his collection first. Overall, the designs demonstrated a strong, geometric bent, with color blocking, two-tone stripes, defined structure and polka dots, which upon closer inspection were actually tiny white apples printed on a red background. Uli Herzner followed with a collection that proved she could reach beyond her favorite flowing dress. Bennett's collection was the only one that didn't include a bathing suit, instead focusing more on classic eveningwear, while Michael Knight's presentation consisted of bold solids with a distinctly urban, casual flair.
The judges declared that Knight "needed time to mature," Bennett's work was "exquisitely crafted ... but too limited" and that Herzner created a "beautiful collection tbat every woman would want to wear," but it was a bit of a "roller coaster" when it came to cohesiveness.
But it was Sebelia's collection that the various judges - host/model Heidi Klum, designer Michael Kors, Elle magazine fashion director Nina Garcia and Olympus Fashion Week creator Fern Mallis - deemed "adorable," "exciting," "edgy," "innovative," showing range and "beautiful detailing." Their one note was that the blue-toned flowing dress seemed out of place. Frankly, it would have looked more at home in Herzner's collection.
In the end, Sebelia not only proved that he had what it took to design for the fashion industry, but that he was also the sentimental - albeit profane - romantic that he often professed himself to be. His stunned reaction upon learning that he won was transformed into intense joy when he hugged his girlfriend and son and then into a humbled disbelief when he hugged Gunn and murmured, "It's actually happening."
Besides bragging rights, Sebelia win earns him a 2007 Saturn Sky Roadster, a mentorship with Macy's I.N.C. International Concepts, $100,000 in seed money from TRESemme to launch his own line and a feature spread in Elle magazine.
"I did it. I (expletive) did it," summed up Sebelia. "I'm in shock. My brain is trying to figure out what's happening. It's just been intense: intense happiness, intense fear, intense love and passion. The volume on everything has been turned up all the way."
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As I dreaded this would be the outcome, Jeffrey did win. Sheesh. I couldn't believe I stayed up to watch this finale and they crown the person I had least hoped would win. Well of course I was never really a fan of any of Jeffrey's clothes even the one he designed for haute couture Paris. I honestly think it was really tacky.
I had hoped that Laura would win. I do agree that her line was limited but her clothes are really great! I could see her designing gowns for Hollywood celebrities on award shows or even for beauty titleholders in any of the major pageants. My second choice was Uli so I was really hoping Uli was the winner when they had announced that Laura was out.
Oh well, I guess there's nothing I can do about this. Elk! What a wasted hour. Jeffrey Sebelia sucks.
As I dreaded this would be the outcome, Jeffrey did win. Sheesh. I couldn't believe I stayed up to watch this finale and they crown the person I had least hoped would win. Well of course I was never really a fan of any of Jeffrey's clothes even the one he designed for haute couture Paris. I honestly think it was really tacky.
I had hoped that Laura would win. I do agree that her line was limited but her clothes are really great! I could see her designing gowns for Hollywood celebrities on award shows or even for beauty titleholders in any of the major pageants. My second choice was Uli so I was really hoping Uli was the winner when they had announced that Laura was out.
Oh well, I guess there's nothing I can do about this. Elk! What a wasted hour. Jeffrey Sebelia sucks.
posted by Svala Nocov | 2:45 AM
