Project Runway Junior Finale: The Winner Is Chosen

By Leslie 

It’s the Finale and my wine drinking friend, CJ Bomb, is not able to blog this episode! So instead of chiming in, I’m freaking the Bomb- lol!  Big shoes to fill (yes as CJ wears size 9.5 and I wear a 7) and I’m a bit worried since Courtney is a Literary brainiac and I was a math major but I keep thinking of Tim Gunn and I find myself mumbling from 8:30pm to 9pm Thursday night – “Just Make It Work”!  So here goes….

As a preview, I watched the Review of the Runway with prior PR contestants – Kelly, Laurence and Alex.  Alex favored Hawwaa.  Kelly picked Chris but was hoping to see Hawwaa’s model come out with a burning hula hoop in order to get the win.  Laurence loved her Ninja girl – Chelsea.  Interesting that there were no favors for Izzy – our sprout!

The finale gang is back at FIDM and laser focused on what just happened and what needs to happen to finish their collection for the runway show.  Hawwaa is excited for her deserved win.  All pipe in to say how sad they are for Tieler – truly a loving group of teens.  Chelsea highlights how she is too young to process what it means to have made it so far.  Sweet pea Izzy says this is all a dream come true.  Chris is just so surprised to still be in the game and guess what – possibly for the win!  Tim enters the workroom and acknowledges that this is The Final Four.  The group has two full workdays before the runway show.   Izzy is worried that her biggest competition will be Chris.  Chelsea is talking to herself and discussing how she should keep doing what she is doing because it is so good????  The Ninja Lady indeed!

Stage right, Alyssa Milano appears and Chris is in mid-speech and his jaw drops – WHAT??????  The final four are in love with her and can not believe she is right in front of them.  Then my jaw drops when my fashion crush airs from London – Georgina Chapman!  What is going on?????  I’m falling all over myself thinking that they brought in this pair to help with critiquing the garments since Tim was not afforded the opportunity to visit each finalist to review their collection.  Great – it’s a 1-2 ratio vs 1-4 ratio to spend the most time with them to help edit. Nope.  Disappointed again as they say their love and admiration for the final four and then fade away.  Cheerleader budget wins over Tim’s ability to travel ahead of time to help them edit.  Really!  Thank the fashion gods that this visitation wasn’t an added twist.

Tim’s Critique

Chris’s look is inspired by New York.  It has a lot of architectural vibe to it in a way that I have not really ever seen.  However, Tim points out a certain fabric color – Tiffany blue.  Tim tries to convey, in his own sweet mentoring way, that the House of Tiffany does not really offer up mesh.  Tim is also concerned about the sequencing of the outfits.  It sets off a sporty vibe when it really isn’t.  Let’s keep reflecting on how to present.

Next up, Chelsea.  She acknowledges that her best competition is with Izzy.  Tim wonders, “Did you say video star android becomes human is your inspiration?  I’m thinking it’s just a Cinderella story told differently.” I wish CJ was here.  Tim becomes introspective which freaks Chelsea out. She is waiting for the foregone conclusion that he is about to break up with her. Tim points out that he is worried that it is not a collection.  And then, the BIG REVEAL is sequined underwear.  Yes, you heard me!  This is officially the secret Tim Gunn Save #2 that no one was aware of all season long.  He took that pair of panties and told Chelsea to focus.  OMG!!!!!!  I had to pick myself up at that point from laughter and humility for her.

Tim moves to Izzy next and learns that she is inspired by color and track and field uniforms. Unfortunately for Izzy, the presssure of being a finalist has sucked all the color out of her so she has turned goth at this juncture of the show.  Tim is quite impressed with the level of polished relaxation that exudes from all of her pieces.  Tim stresses that when he says relaxation he means in a good way!  Tim also acknowledges Tilda Swinton would rock this look on the  red carpet.  Izzy has no idea who Tilda Swinton is. She is an amazing fashion forward edgy dresser actress. Please research her as she may custom order from you in the future!  However, Mentor Leslie sees future U.S. Olympic uniforms in your future, if Ralph Lauren ever were to stop designing them.

Hawwaa follows up on her conversation with Tim.  The other three feel somewhat at a disadvantage as she is redoing all of the critiqued items from the judges and having had Tim’s extra day of review.

Chris realizes that Tim is right again and has a ton of refitting corrections.  Hawwaa is rocking and rolling through this model fitting and she is elated.  Izzy can’t believe with how weird she is that all of the fittings are working out. Izzy, believe in yourself!!!  Chelsea’s fittings are not going well as bubble butt issues are rising to the top.

Chris is overwhelmed with his laundry list with the limited time left before the runway show.  Chelsea disagrees with Tim’s critique on her cherry blossom dress and keeps it as is.  Izzy, whatever happens to you, I say the Spice Girls will hire you for their performance dresses when they do their reunion tour. Hawwaa just feels vindicated and strong.  Go H!  I’m most nervous about the work for Chelsea and Chris. Goodness, bless that Tim!  He believes so much in each of these four winners that I find myself learning what a wonderful man Tim is.  Not only does he say things at the right time but he truly knows how to elegantly not show any level of favoritism.

I am able to grab my daughter, Caroline, for her reactions and she says she likes Chelsea and Chris and then walks off!  Really!  Teenagers!

Caroline thought that Chelsea’s collection made no sense.  It had too much black and then where did the flowers come from and why red?  So clearly, my daughter did not hear the inspiration.  For me, it just didn’t seem cohesive enough.  Also, the Cinderella story has been told so many times.  So it wasn’t quite inspirational enough for me BUT they are kids.

I think Chris’s New York theme is pretty cool and innovative.  I love his vest in the first look.  I think the sculptural effect is awesome.  Caroline says it’s too black and white and too literal.  Which is funny because that is who she literally.  Back to Chris, I’m all about jumpsuits but in a collection of 6 items, why show more than one?

Izzy is rocking the track unis.  If I could go back to high school and replay what I had to wear in track let alone what my daughter wears currently, I would want to be one with Izzy.  Izzy’s look is so impressive and I do think she will be the creator behind our US Olympic team fashion.  Does Las Vegas place those types of bets?

Hawwaa shows last and I say it is too costume-like.  I say things like Little Miss Muffet and Batman’s Harlequin foe and it really is entertaining but nothing that I know people would buy.

The Judges

Chris received praises for his negative space design effect.  Aya loved the floating kangaroo pouch and the vest.  Christian did not feel the last look felt at all like New York.  Hannah loved the first two looks and thought collection was great.  Kelly loves it and especially that hoodie.  Olivia loved the looks but thought it did not match the theme.

Hawwaa’s reviews included a bit too juvenile, funky and weird and a bit of a roller coaster effect.  Again, circus like attire can feel like a Six Flags experience too.  Hannah always loved her color and sense of her fashion evolution.  Kelly wishes she had edited more and utilized the pieces separately as opposed to building two or three items onto one model.

As for Chelsea, Aya felt the cohesiveness was not there.  Christian emphasized that daywear is her strength and not evening wear.  Hannah loved her dresses.  Kelly loves the true black Ninja aspect and Olivia loves it all!

Izzy is last up and Aya loves her construction but doesn’t like her fabric choices.  Christian doesn’t really know how to respond to athletic wear but gets her vibe and especially the cape and how the air moves it like a runner.  Olivia claims this is right up her alley and would sport these looks to the VMA and her own concert performances.  Hannah only sings praises and Kelly adores her first look down the runway.
After the final discussion, the judges pick Chelsea to win it all!  Congrats to Chelsea as this was no easy win.

Lastly, Congrats to Hannah and Derek for the baby girl that is due to them!  I thought back to the episode that Hannah cried so much and I realized that she must have been in the very early stages of pregnancy because it was Kelly who always cried!

Do you agree with the judges choice of the winner?  It was a battle for me on many fronts so please share your thoughts!  Until next season!