'Project Runway': Victory and the Fierce Factor

Over the past few months, he's been called Boy Wonder, Sister Christian, Chris Kattan, Bubbles Boy, Princess Puffysleeves and Harvey Fierce-stein.

Now, however, fashion's newest figure can be called Champ.


Christian Siriano (Getty)

The $100,000 winner's check, of course, will still be made out to "Christian Siriano," thankyouverymuch. And if you'd already made it out to "Rami," here's an econo-sized bottle of Wite-Out -- plus a spork and crow. Christian, just turned 22, is the youngest winner in "Project Runway's" four seasons.

Christian's refrain lo these many weeks had been: Don't these people know I'm the best? Well, they do now -- at least according to Heidi Klum, Michael Kors, Nina Garcia and, in no small part, guest judge Victoria Beckham, who says to the newly crowned Christian: "I'm such a fan. . . . I'd be honored to wear [a] piece of your clothing." As the announcer intones in Mr. Posh Spice's sport: Goooaaaaallll !!

How did this all go down? How did a former teen hair-salonist from Annapolis edge out the undeniably gifted Rami and the occasionally dazzling Jillian? And how did a primarily black collection heavy on ruffles, feathers, headwear and all things Musketeer "own" the Bryant Park runway? Let us watch for the clues:

It's "3 Days to Runway" and the swagger is gone. Christian has morphed from nervy to nervous. "I'm scared," Boy Wonder admits. This can't be happening to the Prince of Fierce. Says Tim Gunn: "What happened to cocky, confident Christian?"

Unveiling his collection, Rami shows a bit of 'tude: "Christian is a little surprised at what I'm capable of doing." He pronounces himself "happy" with the creative results.

Jillian's worried. It's time for model casting and she needs "petite girls." Instead, she casts models that range significantly in height -- not unlike 8th-grade boys and girls bunched into a class picture.

It's "2 Days to Runway." The blood is returning to Christian's face, if not the swagger. But now Rami is draping Boy Wonder in insults: "Christian has a lot to learn about designing for women, not just models." Jillian says she could have been more consistent with her look.

It's "1 Day to Runway." Jillian is all sweat 'n' fret. She makes a comment about accepting the "diversity" of her lineup. Jillian's ruffled, Christian's all ruffles and Rami is one cool customer, friend-o. Obi-Wan Tim Gunn enters to express his pride in the high level of execution with all the collections. Time for a group hug.

The finalists tour the vacant tent at Bryant Park. Rami calls it "the heartbeat that pumps the blood" through the fashion industry. We give Rami points for attempted poetry. Sometimes anything's better than the umpteenth "fierce!"

HITTING THE RUNWAY: Heidi introduces the three collections before a crowd peppered with every Bravo-related face from Harvey Weinstein to Padma Lakshmi. Jillian brings the deep greens and golds, with occasional splashes of red. Next, Rami says his collection "celebrates women" with detailed woven pieces. Last is Christian, who says he would love to dress Posh Spice "every day of the week."

BACK ON THE SET: Heidi says she was "blown away" by the collections. Judges Michael and Nina both utter "Bra-VO!" -- leading us to surmise that the network now holds a trademark on the term. Only Nina expresses real reservations about Jillian's collection and whether there were "too many looks." Posh Spice glows over Christian: "You made me smile, and I'm not easy" to make smile. The judges cite Rami's cerebral and strong point-of-view, though they question his color choices.

THE VERDICTS: Jillian is Auf'd first. Rami looks composed, Christian -- in a rare moment -- appears to be a bundle of nerves. But then Heidi says congratulations to Boy Wonder, and Tim Gunn tells Christian (who phone-in voters picked to win, with 43 percent of the vote) how proud he is of him. Posh raves, and the swagger is back. Says an assured Christian, pivoting back toward Posh: "We'll be in touch."

--MICHAEL CAVNA

Editor's Note: Post fashion critic Robn Givhan discusses the "Project Runway" finale at 2 p.m. ET.


Michael Cavna  |  March 6, 2008; 8:21 AM ET Project Runway
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Comments

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Christian: his collection was high fashion, but, to me, didn't have many pieces that real women would wear. I also thought that starting with so many models in black was off-putting. No question that the evening gown with the feathers was stunning.

Rami: well tailored pieces, but agree with the judges that there were color issues (the reds). I thought the collars of many of the blouses were odd. Loved the woven pieces.

Jillian: was robbed. Her collection might have been more eclectic, but I thought they were beautiful, impeccable, ethereal and bold. To me, she created wearable art for the strong, bold woman.

This season's finale was the best; all of the collections were worthy of Bryant Park.

Posted by: NW DC | March 6, 2008 9:51 AM

Christian had been my favorite all season, but I felt his collection just wasn't as good as Rami's. I agree that Rami's colors were a bit off.

Posted by: HP | March 6, 2008 10:03 AM

I think Christian should have won for those hats alone! I want to run out and buy a fedora now! But, I also loved many of Jillian's pieces. I thought they were very chic and wearable.

Posted by: Sweetie | March 6, 2008 10:15 AM

Christian's collection was damned fierce -- I was thinking "Jay's rags with social anxiety disorder" -- but it was not realistic for high fashion or mass market. It was as costumey as much of the stuff cackling Chris ..... HAHAHAHAHA... had sent down the runway to the dismay of the judges. Rami seemed to have learned some new tricks, but nothing screamed WOW. And poor Jillian just got muted in between the boys again.

Posted by: bigolpoofter | March 6, 2008 10:19 AM

I thought Rami was robbed on the basis of that one woven gown alone-when that one came down the runway, I just thought "yowza"! I would wear it any day of the week.

I thought the criticism of the colors was a little odd, considering how similar they were to the colors Chloe used in season 2. I thought the blue pieces were quite nice, but the pinks definitely left a bit to be desired.

The first look Christian sent down the runway looked vulgar to me. I liked the half brown-half cream ruffle dress though!

Posted by: ASinMoCo | March 6, 2008 10:59 AM

Bah.. If Chris had made that long feather dress thing, the judges would have dismissed it as 'too costumey'. But since Christian made it, suddenly it was their favorite piece. Rami should have won just because his dresses were so much better than anything Christian did..

Posted by: Zap B. | March 6, 2008 11:22 AM

Christian's dresses were outlandish, mostly unwearable. I like his hats, though, but can an entire collection win on the basis of a) 2 good stunning outfits, and b) great hats- but entire collection being too hat-driven?

Rami is very gifted I think he should have won, especially with the way the draping and sewing detail. But yes, he has color issues. Jillian's were very wearable, but

Posted by: inday | March 6, 2008 12:01 PM

I think all the guys did great, but i really wanted to see Chris as one of the finalists...And - Jillians collection would be something wearable for majority of women where Christian's collection for women like Victoria B.
Rami is great designer and hope he'll do well!

Posted by: Lili | March 6, 2008 12:24 PM

Lets face it, Christian makes women's clothes he wants to wear. Nothing he has made would look good on the average woman. He got lucky on the weight loss challenge that he got the skinniest of the ladies. I get the impression from his work that he probably thinks anyone over a size 4 is disgustingly fat. All that said the brown & cream dress was beautifule but that's probably the only piece of his I liked. Also, I would love to know why the judges didn't call him out for having a look in his collection that looked almost identical to the final challenge.

On the other hand there was Rami who put together a collection that could be worn by many sizes and shapes but was still very fashionable. Some of the colors weren't my favorites but the clothes themselves were beautiful.

Jillian was never going to win, she's too indecisive which is what caused her collection to lack cohesion.

Posted by: jmom | March 6, 2008 12:26 PM

By the way, did anyone really think Christian wouldn't win once they saw who the guest judge was?

Posted by: jmom | March 6, 2008 12:29 PM

As soon as the judges noted that women will actually want to wear Jillian's collection, I knew she was out. The last thing they want is anything wearable. Then they knock Rami for his color choices while rewarding Christian's monochromatic monstrosities. In the end I think they are more interested in a character, a Christian or a Jeffrey, than a clothing designer. If you can sew and you have a funky hat or a quirky hairstyle with maybe a little 'tude thrown in, you win!

Posted by: reg | March 6, 2008 12:40 PM

I seem to be the only one - aside from Posh Spice - who found Christian's collection wearable. Granted, there was a hefty dose of runway drama, thanks to those heels and the fabulous hats, but Christian worked for Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood, who understand runway drama better than anyone. These touches - frequently shoes - aren't necessarily meant for the street. Michael Kors surely didn't mean for every woman to don horn-rimmed glasses with his pencil-skirted suits for fall, as nearly all of his models did. Not everything on the runway is meant for Main Street.

If you lower the heels a little bit, you've got a great outfit - skinny jeans, rock star jacket, fabulous hat. You certainly don't have to wear the models' dramatic makeup either, so those looks can be softened and can translate to the real world.

I'd wear every piece of it.

Posted by: musicgeek | March 6, 2008 1:13 PM

Christian was my favorite contestant since day one. At the time of taping, he was only 21 and showed more talent and "fierceness" than any of the others, including the veterans. Rami and Jillian are both extremely talented designers and will go far.

Christian isn't meant to sell fashion to "average women" at Kohl's. He's far too talented and should be creating the fabulous avant garde, goth-inspired pieces he is known for. I'm totally behind him and can't wait to see where he ends up in the fashion world.

Posted by: jess | March 6, 2008 2:22 PM

Please, Christian was the best all season. No way could any of those others beat him. He is a fashion prodigy.
Christian is meant for high fashion, and he is FABULOUS! Rami and Jillian were just boring.

Posted by: Chelle | March 6, 2008 2:42 PM

Christian rocks; he just needs a few years of maturity to handle his displays of confidence.

In terms of who should have been considered 2nd and third, I would have voted opposite of how it turned out. Jillian was far better than Rami.

Posted by: pnina | March 6, 2008 4:02 PM

Is it possible that Christian's black collection was inspired by Zorro? All those tight black pants and capes.

Posted by: lp | March 6, 2008 4:48 PM

This competition was already decided before the final show. As someone stated earlier, if Chris presented the same collection as Christian the judges especially the infamous Nina Garcia would have said it was "too customy". Honestly I thought the model with the feather scarf was going to shoke. Please those pices were clearly not wearable. The judges are a fiasco and Heidi lacks projection and personality. I think Rami was robbed and Jillian underappreciated.

Posted by: Izzy | March 6, 2008 6:09 PM

Two observations. Last year, Uli got bumped by Geffy because he had a dramatic cohesive collection. So the judges aren't looking for ready sell they are looking for inspiration, something memorable.
Also the avant garde challenge, where a second piece had to be delivered that was inspired by the major piece. I think these fashion shows get the brand out there and provide unique pieces for clients like Posh. There still something for every-woman back at the shoppe.
That said, this year's final collections were amazing.

Posted by: David | March 6, 2008 9:26 PM

Rami had some great designs but the fabric and color choices didn't work. Christian has had it going on all season. How can you not love that little elf? If you want to see clothes that are "wearable," go to Sears. Project Runway wouldn't have lasted one season if the clothes were practical. Who cares about that? We can all see practical clothes in our own closets.

Posted by: mojo | March 6, 2008 10:58 PM

The fashion show was about high fashion, not for people who shop at Walmart! Christian's collection floored me and, as you could tell from the audience, they loved it, too. I've known Christian for 8 years and he has ALWAYS been hard working, creative and strove to be the very best at whatever he attempted. This is very well deserved, I'm proud of him and I know that we'll see much more of him in the future. This is only the beginning...

Posted by: Roger | March 7, 2008 2:17 PM

People is time to come back to the high couture I so hight firce about what is coming Bravo Christian ,Thank you Christian

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