Working on deadline and strutting down the runway has only created drama for the designers on the fourth season of ‘Project Runway.’ After making it through 12 Heidi Klum ‘auf wiedersehens,’ one medical emergency and numerous curveballs thrown their way, the last three designers are ready for their final face-off – Fashion Week style.

As another season of Bravo’s hit reality television show comes to a close, the only question left is: who will win? The prize: an editorial spread in Elle magazine, $100,000 to start his own fashion line, the opportunity to sell that line on Bluefly.com and a 2008 Saturn Astra.

This season brought something different to the table from previous seasons with a ragtag group of talented designers ranging in age from 21 to 46 years old – one classically trained fashionista, a few who had dressed A-list celebrities for red-carpet events before ever appearing on the show and one over-the-top costume designer with a flare for the dramatic and drag.

Simple to explain, the show is a competition for fashion designers to create an unusual outfit within limits outlined by the show, with time, budget and ability always playing a factor.

Now down to the final three – Christian Siriano, Jillian Lewis, Rami Kashou – the show airs its finale, a Bryant Park runway show, Wednesday. After five months and receiving $8,000 to create a 12-piece collection, the three are ready for their New York Fashion Week debut.

And the showdown is going to be epic.

Siriano, known for his off-the-wall style and catchphrase ‘fierce,’ is a contender for the title as this season’s ‘Fan Favorite’ winner, especially with three individual wins already under his belt. But don’t count out Lewis, with her quirky elegance and jaw-dropping coats, or Kashou and his wizardry with draping fabrics.

‘Project Runway,’ hosted by supermodel Heidi Klum, added some bizarre challenges for its fourth season. One consisted of creating a wrestling outfit for one of the WWE divas that could be worn in the ring. Another was for Sarah Jessica Parker’s clothing line BITTEN for Steve & Barry’s. With the raw materials costing less than $15, the designers worked in pairs, and the winning design – a shirt dress and cropped vest – can be found in stores nationwide.

Possibly the best challenge was halfway through the season with the designers having five minutes in the Hershey’s store in Times Square. Working without a budget, they had one day to create an outfit completely made from anything that could be discovered in the store. Pillows, candy wrappers and even a few Twizzlers made their way down the runway.

As this season comes to an end, and the models walk the runway for the last time, fashion icon Victoria Beckham steps in as guest judge and the final three face off. With a fresh eye for fashion, the final three designers are ready to jumpstart their careers in the dog-eat-dog industry.

kmimamur@syr.edu

The final three

Christian Siriano

Best known for: ‘Fierce,’ his catchphrase that he uses all the time

Chances of winning: Siriano knows he’s good at what he does, and his only major downfall is that he flaunts it too often. His talent speaks volumes, and his training shows in his ability to create ‘fierce’ ready-to-wear, couture and avant-garde looks any woman would want to wear.

Jillian Lewis

Best known for: Her clean-cut approach

Chances of winning: Talent can carry Lewis to the top of the in-list, but her emotionless reaction and robotic work leaves something to be desired. Her designs, when not under a time crunch, are beautiful and well-executed. The limits of the show did not allow Lewis to shine.

Rami Kashou

Best known for: Draping everything

Chances of winning: If Kashou can overcome his draping, he might be able to show some real talent. He knows the fabrics, and he knows how to construct. But the only reason he won’t win is that he doesn’t show enough diversity in his designs.

Published on March 2, 2008 at 12:00 pm