Just as wedding receptions have moved from streamers in a rec center to grand and glamorous ballrooms, gone are the days of old-fashioned, puffy marshmallow wedding dresses. It's the new millennium, and high fashion is literally spilling off the runway and onto the aisle. Naturally, I was very pleased to see that very fact validated on one of my favorite shows, Project Runway. The final 4 designers were asked to design wedding dresses (and accompanying bridesmaid dresses). This challenge decided who got to compete at Bryant Park for the big prize, so it was a very important challenge. The day of the runway show, there was no guest judge, just Heidi, Michael and Nina. Tell us who you think should have been auf'd.
Jerell's designs were the first down the runway, with a big, sweeping champagne colored wedding dress with icky-colored tulle underneath and several cherry blossoms sprouting out of the poor model's head (left.) The bridesmaid dress was a belted, strapless aqua gown with same inexplicable floral accents. Poor Jerell had so much potential all season - how did this challenge go so horribly wrong? In his studio, on a mannequin, the dress reminded me of Vivienne Westwood crossed with Dior, but on the runway, it was a total mess. And Michael Kors was absolutely right about the tulle - it looked dirty.
Kenley's designs were next. I should mention here that despite Kenley's "poor, mis-understood me" attitude, she's been a favorite of mine throughout the show. So it's no suprise that I absolutely adored her designs. In my opinion, she was the star of this show. Kenley's wedding frock (right) was chic, fashion forward, unique, and yet still flattering (and yes, it's a bit swan lake, but, but I choose to look past it.) And her bridesmaid dress (left), which she made in less than a day, blew the judges away. As Tim said, this looks like a fun wedding that I'd love to go to.
Leanne's wave-inspired wedding and bridesmaid designs were next, and they were simply gorgeous. And though it's hard to tell in the photo (right), the structural detailing was remarkable. This is my favorite wedding gown, however, you pretty much have to be a stick-insect to wear it. No curves allowed. It's also worth commenting that this was the only ivory wedding gown on the runway. The aqua and ivory bridesmaid dress was beautiful, but I personally have a hard time picturing a bridesmaid wearing it and loving it.
Korto, Korto, Korto. Another disaster. It's hard to imagine topping your peach pageant gown from last week, but you managed to out-do yourself.
