Top 5 Looks: 1st Place

In the end, Mondo ended up competing with himself. It was close, but Mondo's design from Episode 8 "A Rough Day on the Runway" is our reader's choice for the Top Look of Season 8.

In what was probably the most perplexing challenge of the season, the nine remaining designers were asked to do their take on American sportswear using Jackie Kennedy as an inspiration. As an added twist, a piece of outerwear was required on Day 2 of the challenge. Everyone seemed to have a hard time figuring this one out (especially Tim Gunn), except for Mondo Guerra.

Mondo made all the right decisions at Mood. Choosing a purple, black and white houndstooth tweed for the skirt, he matched it with a t-shirt that had black and white horizontal stripes. For the outerwear piece, he created a cool black jacket with purple lining. It was something of a signature look for Mondo and it finally earned him a much deserved first win.

So let's tally up the damage. With three wins and six top finishes in 13 challenges, Mondo was never in serious danger of elimination at any point in Season 8. He becomes the second designer (along with Leanne Marchall in S5) to score three places in the BPR Top 5 Looks poll. Lovable, talented and wildly creative, he enters tonight's finale as the heavy favorite to take home the top prize. Is there anything that can stop the Mondo Express?

Congratulations Mondo, you designed BPR's Top Look of Season 8!

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Top 5 Looks: 2nd Place

Sometimes the creative process takes us to places we never could imagine. Sometimes it reveals truths about the world in ways that cannot be spoken. And sometimes it can provide an avenue to reveal hidden truths about ourselves. For Mondo Guerra, creativity has been a sustaining life force.

In Episode 10 "There's a Pattern Here", the seven remaining designers were presented with a repeat of S7's popular HP challenge, designing a pattern to be printed on fabric that would be incorporated into their design. As inspiration, the designers had childhood photographs and visits from their family members to evoke a profound moment from their lives.

Mondo designed a cool black plus sign outlined in gold with magenta blocks in between. He used this pattern on a high waisted pant that was countered nicely with a black jacket and top. He scored his third consecutive solo win with this look ( a Project Runway first!) and solidified his growing dominance on the runway.

But for Mondo, this was much more than just another beautiful garment. It was a way to tell with his family and the world about his HIV status. "I feel better now", he said after sharing the secret he held for so long, "I feel free". It was a moment that reached beyond the silly competition and touched our hearts. What a privilege it has been to get to know this amazing designer.

Congratulations Mondo, that's two for you now in the BPR Top 5 Looks of Season 8!

Tomorrow is finale day! Tune back in as we reveal your choice for the Top Look of Season 8!

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Top 5 Looks: 3rd Place

Alternative material challenges always seem to bring out the best in the designers every season of Project Runway. From the grocery store to the candy shop to the auto parts bin, these challenges have produced some of the most creative results on the runway. Andy South certainly proved that point again in Episode 3, "It's a Party".

This early on in Season 8, we hardly knew who was who. Gretchen ran away with the first two wins and we weren't quite sure who else had the designing chops to go deep in the competition. The 14 remaining designers were tasked with creating a design using only party supplies from the fabulously tacky "Party Glitters" store.

Andy spent the first half of his day trying to figure out what to do. He spray painted tulle and party favors and experimented with cellophane. He ultimately settled on using black ribbon as his primary source of material. He both folded and braided the ribbon into a paper crane design, creating a very sophisticated party dress that wowed the judges. This would become Andy's signature technique, eventually using it in his last fashion week challenge that won him a spot in final 3.

Andy took home his first win with this dress, broke Gretchen's winning streak and established himself as a serious contender. Will he take home the big prize Thursday night? We'll have to wait for that but for now he has found a spot on the BPR Top 5 Looks of Season 8. Congratulations Andy!

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Top 5 Looks: 4th Place

Team challenges have always been a recipe for major drama on Project Runway and perhaps no episode in the show's history exemplified that more than Episode 5, "There is an I in Team". In a unique twist on the tried and true concept, the remaining 12 designers were split into two teams of six and tasked with creating a 6-piece collection for Fall 2010.

Casanova found himself on Team "Military and Lace". It had been a rough road for the lovable designer up to this point. On the bottom twice in the first four challenges, he had reached a point where he felt he couldn't do anything right. And when Tim Gunn visited him in the workroom and told him that his lace top looked "like the mother of all these other women", he reached his breaking point. "I'm on the verge to loose my mind", he wailed. There was no consoling him and it looked as if he might simply walk away from the competition.

But in a classic "Make It Work" moment, Casanova rebounded and busted out a banging pair of white pants to go with his black lace top for a complete look that the judges swooned over. It was a moment of redemption for Casanova and a vindication of his talent after being repeatedly bruised and battered by Tim and the judges.

Most people will remember this episode for Gretchen's epic runway meltdown or maybe even Tim's post-game designer takedown. But the true shining moment was Casanova rising from the ashes to turn adversity into something beautiful. These are the moments that make Project Runway something a little more special in the world of reality television and reminds us why we loved this show in the first place.

So congratulations to Casanova for making the BPR Top 5 Looks of Season 8. Fantastico, Casanova!

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Top 5 Looks: 5th Place

BPR begins its countdown to the finale by rolling out the reader's choices of the Top 5 Looks from Season 8. Making the cut at #5 is Mondo Guerra's couture design from Episode 9 "Race To the Finish".

Every season Project Runway fans are burdened with the obligatory sponsor themed challenges. Often times the result is simply a boring extended commercial tackily added onto the show and less than stellar designs on the runway. In Epiosde 9, the eight remaining designers were tasked with creating a high fashion look to appear in a L'Oreal makeup "advertorial". Normally we would cringe at this type of product placement but after so many seasons, there is something comforting in seeing Collier Strong from L'Oreal in the workroom.

Adding to the incentive for this challenge was an amazing cash prize of $20,000. The designers were asked to pick a makeup finish to use as the departure point for their design. Mondo Guerra, winner of the previous challenge, went first and immediately chose "Bright". In a season of designers who were very tentative on the use of color, Mondo has been the standout exception.

Using the colors of a kaleidoscope as his inspiration, this challenge allowed for the "full tilt Mondo" to come out on the runway. He created a cool, modern hat and styled this look to perfection. His gown used alternating striped colors in a way that made Michael Kors liken it to "a Kentucky Derby horse ribbon exploded". The judges loved this look and so did you.

This win came in the middle of a series of challenges where Mondo started steamrolling the competition. He took home the big cash prize with and now finds a place on the BPR Top 5 Looks of Season 8. Congratulations, Mondo!

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Top 5 Looks Reminder

A reminder to get your votes in for the Top 5 Looks of Season 8. Deadline is midnight on Friday. Click here to vote!

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Top 5 Looks of Season 8

As we begin the countdown to the Season 8 finale, it's time once again to roll out our popular "Top 5 Looks Poll". Now that everyone has had a chance to see all of the designs and challenges this season, which 5 are your favorites?

Probably the easiest way to look at all of the garments is to go to Lifetime's Rate The Runway page where you can sort by episode. Alternatively, you can also go back and look at our weekly poll images. To keep everyone consistent, list your five favorites in the comments by number, designer name and challenge (or episode #) like this:

1 - A.J. Thouvenot "And Sew It Begins" (or E1)
2 - Mondo Guerra "A Rough Day on the Runway" (or E8)
3 - Casanova "Hats Off to You" (or E4)
4 - April Johnston or "There's a Pattern Here (or E10)
5 - Heidi Klum "Ugly Activewear" challenge (well, that last one wouldn't count, but you get the idea...)

We'll tally the results and reveal your Top 5 picks in a special countdown prior to the Season 8 finale. Deadline for your entry is Friday, October 22 at midnight. It's your chance to celebrate the uncelebrated and right some judging wrongs. Who from Season 8 will join Andrae Gonzalo, Robert Best, Christian Siriano, Leanne Marshall, Rodney Epperson and Seth Aaron Henderson as a Top 5 champ?

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Top 5 Looks: 1st Place

One of the lessons we've learned over the years with Project Runway is that you don't necessarily have to win to end up a winner. Rodney Epperson, or simply Epperson as we came to know him is certainly a case in point. The elder statesman of Season 6 was a constant source of calm wisdom during his run and truly one of the nicest guys ever cast. He also showed that he was a pretty damn talented designer as well.

In "Lights, Camera, Sew!", the 11 remaining designers were asked to pick from five different film genres and invent a character that lives in that genre to design for. None of the designers wanted Western, including Epperson. But with his name drawn last out of the magic bag, he had to figure out a way to "make it work".

Many designers could have been foiled by the task at hand and boxed in by the constraints of the genre. But Epperson was able to let his creative spirit shine and came up with a character that had a modern parallel. "My concept is a beautiful lady, and her husband is off to war. She has to take care of the land and she has to become a lot tougher."

Epperson designed a denim dress with a large, seductive ruffled collar and neckline. A big highlight of the outfit was a wide leather belt and matching holster. "There's a gun under there, just in case", as he stated on the runway. The judges loved it and although he was a strong contender for the win, he lost out to Nicolas Putvinski's Ice Princess.

Then again, maybe it was all about Matar. Look at that photo up there. Do you want to mess with her? Me, neither! Matar owned this look and ended up modeling three of the Top 5 looks in our poll.

Congratulations Epperson, you designed the BPR Top Look from Season 6!

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Top 5 Looks: 2nd Place

In the mind-numbing, bewildered world that was Season 6, this is the kind of work that it took to get kicked out of the competition.

In "The Art of Fashion", the final 5 designers were taken on one last field trip. The challenge was simple, and one familiar to PR fans. Using The Getty Center as their inspiration, they were to create a design of their choice. With two days and $300 to spend, it was an opportunity for the designers to spread their wings, show what they could do and make a case for why they belonged in Bryant Park.

No one came closer to expressing her inspiration better than Gordana Gehlhausen. Using Monet's "The Portal of Rouen Cathedral in Morning Light" and drawing upon her own spirituality she created a beautiful layered dress that mimicked the shape of the cathedral and the colors of the painting. When Matar walked this down the runway she looked like an ethereal princess. "I wanted to create something regardless of the judges" Gordana said, foreboding what was about to come, "I wanted to create something that I'm in love with, and I love this." So did we.

And then there came a series of developments that insulted the intelligence of Runway fans everywhere. In the judges deliberation, Nina had the audacity to state "I do not know who Gordana is as a designer", apparently forgetting the fact that she was present for barely half the challenges in Season 6. And after she was sent packing, we were presented with an insipid post-production voiceover from Heidi, blathering on about how Gordana will only grow as a designer from this experience, adding insult to the injury.

Sorry, Heidi. No amount of backtracking could make up for this injustice. Gordana was shafted - you knew it, she knew it, Tim Gunn knew it and we knew it. Tomorrow we will cheer on Althea, Carol Hannah and Irina as their finale collections walk the runway in Bryant Park, but we will also be mourning Gordana's absence.

Gordana, we wish we had a magic wand that we could wave and grant you that show in Bryant Park that you deserve. Instead we can only give you a spot in our Top 5 Looks, sending our love and appreciation for a job well done.

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Top 5 Looks: 3rd Place

It usually pays off to be a bit ambitious as a designer on Project Runway. Even if everything doesn't come off as well as you would like, the judges will generally give you credit for pushing yourself and taking your design to another level. And when you match that ambition with skilled execution and impeccable taste like Shirin Askari did, the rewards can be sweet.

In "We Expect Fashion", the 15 remaining designers were asked to make a pregnancy chic outfit for guest judge Rebecca Romijn. Shirin made a hand-braided waistline on a gorgeous burgundy silk jersey to create a form fitting, elegant dress that was spectacular in its own right. But she didn't stop there. She topped the look off with a sophisticated (and fully lined!) wool jacket that complemented the dress perfectly.

The guest judges, all of whom had been pregnant and knew first hand what the challenge called for, loved this look and awarded Shirin the win. Monique Lhuillier told her that she should get into the maternity business, so tickled was she by the design. The win gave Shirin immunity and helped establish her as an early front runner in Season 6. Her road to Bryant Park would ultimately get derailed, but she did find a spot on your Top 5. Congratulations Shirin!

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Top 5 Looks: 4th Place

Gordana Gehlhausen had been there and done that. As the line of divorcees introduced themselves on the runway in "A Fashionable New Beginning", they all stated how long they had been divorced. "Three months", said the first. "Congratulations!", retorted Gordana. She knew where these women were coming from and it helped inspire this winning design.

The nine remaining designers were challanged to transform their clients' wedding dresses into something chic. Using only the lining from her client Annie's dress, Gordana hand dyed the fabric and cut it into strips. She created an asymetrical neckline and frayed the edges between the strips to produce this fantastic dress that Michael Kors called both elegant and edgy.

This challenge really struck home for Gordana and she poured her heart into the work. With her hands stained from dye, Gordana called home in tears to connect with her family. We already were cheering her on this season but that scene just made us love her more.

All season long we scratched our heads over the inexplicable criticism over Gordana's work. Heidi still had to qualify the judges' love for this look by saying "You did a good job this time". Heidi and Co. would get their last licks in before it was all over, but this time, Gordana walked away a winner. Congratulations Gordana!

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Top 5 Looks: 5th Place

Photo: Mike Yarish/Lifetime Television

BPR begins its countdown to the Season 6 finale by rolling out the reader's choices of the Top 5 Looks from Season 6. Making the cut at #5 is Carol Hannah Whitfield's design for X-Tina in "Sequins, Feathers and Fur, Oh My!"

For this challenge, the eight remaining designers were tasked with producing an extravagant stage look for Christina Aguilera in the design spirit of guest judge Bob Mackie. Working out of her comfort zone, Carol Hannah was able to artfully work black feathers and sequins into what Irina called "cheap, crappy Halloween type fabric". The result was a winner.

The self taught designer from South Carolina consistently produced great looks week after week but notched her only win with this gorgeous gown. It was an important point in the competition and would help propel her and model Lisa Blades all the way to Bryant Park. Congratulations Carol Hannah!

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Top 5 Looks Reminder

A reminder to get your picks in for our Top 5 Looks of Season 6 survey. We will unveil the winners one by one beginning on Sunday and leading right in to the finale on November 19. Picks are due this Friday by midnight.

And don't forget to vote in our BPR fan favorite poll also. Christopher has the early lead!

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Top 5 Looks of Season 6

As we begin the countdown to the Season 6 finale, it's time once again to roll out our popular "Top 5 Looks Poll". Now that everyone has had a chance to see all of the designs and challenges this season, which 5 are your favorites?

Probably the easiest way to look at all of the garments is to go to Lifetime's Rate The Runway page where you can sort by episode. Alternatively, you can also go back and look at our weekly poll images. To keep everyone consistent, list your five favorites in the comments by number, designer(s) name(s) and challenge (or episode #) like this:

1 - Christopher Straub "Red Carpet Look"

2 - Irina Shabayeva "Newspaper as Fabric"

3 - Gordana Gelhausen "Wedding Dress"

4 - Carol Hannah Whitfield "Christina Aguilera"

5 - Team Nina/MK in the "Missing Persons" challenge (well, that last one wouldn't count, but you get the idea...)

We'll tally the results and reveal your Top 5 picks in a special countdown prior to the Season 6 finale. Deadline for your entry is Friday, November 13 at midnight. It's your chance to celebrate the uncelebrated and right some judging wrongs. Who from Season 6 will join

Andrae Gonzalo, Robert Best, Christian Siriano and Leanne Marshall as a Top 5 Looks champion?

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Top 5 Looks: 1st Place

I guess there's a good reason she calls herself "the silent fashion assassin". Leanne Marshall entered Season 5 of Project Runway as quiet as could be. But week after week she continued to turn out interesting designs that were well constructed and almost always met the parameters of the challenge. And one by one her competitiors fell, not by her words, but by her talent.

In "The Fashion That Drives You" Leanne created an adorable strapless minidress out of Saturn seat covers with a neckline of feathered seatbelts. It was a brilliant solution to the challenge and if you didn't know any better when you watched Karalyn West walk this down the runway, you couldn't guess by looking at it that it was made out of automotive parts.

Michael Kors proclaimed that it was "Thierry Mugler meets John Galliano" and it clinched her first win. This look was also a departure from her signature wavy pleats and is evidence that she is far from being a one-note. Leanne of course would go on to collect the big check and the car keys after her lovely finale collection at fashion week. You also chose her to have the honor of creating the Top Look of Season 5. Congratulations Leanne!

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Top 5 Looks: 2nd Place

The long days and short nights that the Project Runway designers face during filming are meant to exert the maximun amount of stress. Often times we see designers napping on the couch, catching a few winks in the workroom, or blowing up at someone out of sheer exhaustion. So in the rare instance that a designer has immunity, it's hard to fault them for not putting forth their best effort.

Leanne Marshall entered "Double O Fashion" fresh off of her first win and carrying immunity. The seven remaining designers were given the challenge of designing a look for Diane von Furstenberg's line that was based on the classic film A Foreign Affair. DVF gave Leanne a big incentive not to slack off when she said that the winning design would be put into production and sold on her website.

Leanne used a cobalt silk jersey from DVF's own sample room to create a stunning gown with a low cowl, fitted waistband and ruffled train. Photos do not do it justice. Over this she placed a cropped trench to give it that special spy kick. But it was the gown that made our jaws drop and for a mere $650, you can own one yourself.

Leanne became the first two time winner of Season 5 with this design and established herself as the one to beat. But there were even better things to come her way...

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Top 5 Looks: 3rd place

This is how you do seatbelts. In "Fashion That Drives You", the ten remaining designers faced their second alternative materials challenge of the competition as they were tasked with creating a garment out of Saturn automotive parts. Six of the ten incorporated seat belts in their designs, but Korto Momolu was the only one to use the textile exclusively. The result was nothing short of stunning.

Korto created a gorgeous coat by weaving the seatbelts in a manner that alternated the grains and allowed lighting to give it a sleek, checkerbaord pattern. Guest judge Rachel Zoe proclaimed that she was ready to walk out of Parsons with it on. In what was easily the best collective design work of any episode in Season5, Korto's coat stood out. It has also carries the distinction of being the only design I've personally tried on!

Korto had already made her mark earlier in the competition with a win in the Olympic challenge. This design solidified her standing as a front runner and helped pave her path to the finale. Tomorrow we learn her fate but regardless the outcome, she has a permanent spot on the BPR Top 5. Congratulations Korto!

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Top 5 Looks: 4th Place

After the first two episodes of Season 5, we had little indication as to who had the best design chops, let alone who was who. Emily, Jennifer and Leanne were indistinguishable from one another. But that would all change in "Bright Lights, Big City" when the designers had their first chance to shine with complete creative freedom and traditional materials.

Leanne Marshall was dropped off at Columbus Circle with a digital camera and the charge to find an image to use as the inspiration for her design. Similar to our Season 2 Top 5 champion Andrae Gonzalo, she chose to look down. Finding a beautiful tree grate, Leanne was able to create a look that defined the taste and sensibility that we would see time and time again from her as the competition moved forward.

Leanne used horizontal pleats in her skirt that mimicked the design of the tree grate and paired it with a simple, sleeveless blouse. Her pleating technique would become a signature design element that set her apart from the pack. When the lovely Karalyn walked this down the runway, we swooned. It was arguably the first "wow" outfit of the competition. And in yet another questionable judging decision, this design did not garner Leanne a win. It lives on though as a Top 5 Look from Season 5. Congratulations Leanne!

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Top 5 Looks: 5th Place

Jerell Scott didn't have a choice. Chosen by Brooke Shields as a team leader in "Welcome to The Jungle", his name came out of the hat last when it came time to choose partners. And like the last kid on the playground, Stella Zotis stood there feeling a little left out. Jerell was unfazed, assuring Stella that they would make it work. And did they ever.

What appeared at first blush to be a disastrous pairing ended up being quite the opposite. As other teams in the workroom self-destructed, Jerell and Stella were able to collaborate and compromise to produce a beautiful garment. Jerell wisely assigned Stella to work to her strength, assigning her to create a wide mustard "leathuh" waistband. Jerell paired a gorgeous charcoal A-line skirt with a taupe top that met the challenge requirements perfectly.

This challenge was a real turning point for the two as both had done little to impress viewers up to this point. Jerell would use the momentun from his success to find his way to Bryant Park and Stella would soon go on to be a fan favorite. Many felt they were robbed of a win on this challenge but you gave them a bit of redemption in the Top 5 poll. Congratulations Jerell and Stella!

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The Waiting Room

Plenty of interesting news to peruse this week:

Alan Gratz thought he had the week off from his usual Swami duties, but no! He weighs in with his weekly predictions on who might be in and who might be auf.

This is cool. BPR reader Maggie sent us this link from the National Geographic that features several current and past PR designers trying to figure out what Wilma the Neandethal would wear. That's Blayne Walsh's rendition up above.

Speaking of Blayne, he's back at his barista stand in west Seattle. This article also claims that "Bloggers have attacked the young designer's taste and personality..." Hey, we love Blayne!

The LA Times has an excellent update on the status of Season 6 as they talk to Heidi, Tim, Bravo and the Magical Elves. They mention a possible "late summer" debut and we also learn that Nina and MK will not participate in every episode. It's a must read.

Accompanying the LA Times feature is this nifty "Where are They Now" update.

Executive Producer Rich Bye waxes nostalgic over the loss of his baby.

Another Hollywood star has been outed as a guest judge for Season 6.

In case you missed it, the "Top 5 Looks From Season 5" poll is in full swing. We received a nice note from our old friend and poll originator Madpawn at TWoP who is starting a similar thread over there. We'll combine the results just like the old days. Get your votes in now!

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