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NY designer Irina Shabayeva wins 'Project Runway'
Photo credit: Lifetime Networks
No surprises last night as Irina Shabayeva, "Project Runway’s" designated queen of mean ends up ruling the runway and winning the whole shebang, including $100,000, a trip to Paris and a spread in Marie Claire magazine.
Although Althea Harper and Carol Hannah Whitfield designed finale collections that were really more than decent – Althea with a nod to hip street wear, Carol Hannah’s pretty and thoughtful use of color – Irina’s collection went way beyond both in execution and presentation. It was positively pro.
What a pleasure to have the dynamic duo, Michael Kors and Nina Garcia, back together to judge, while Suzy Menkes, fashion editor of the International Tribune, served as the third judge.
There were only three dramatic moments on the show:
- Once again, poor Carol Hannah is violently ill and you have to admire her determination and grit in getting the collection done. And there is an obvious relationship (we think he’s her boyfriend, though she’s not saying) between her and Logan, who hugs her when she’s almost breaking down.
- Tim Gunn goes ballistic backstage, flapping his arms, grousing and growling, all trying to get the kids to get their acts together. It’s a little scary because Tim is generally such a cool cat, but things do get wild backstage at Fashion Week.
- Finally, it is Irina’s win that provides insight into the woman and her determination. The floodgates open when she hears she wins (there was an issue with the fact that her collection was all black – not great for editorial – and for a sec, you wondered if Althea might take it), and you realize that beneath the tough-girl façade is someone who has worked hard to get here. Her dad, a very traditional patriarch-type, actually cries, too, causing Nina to dab at tears.
Oh yes, and let's not forget the miracle editing that placed the designers on the runway, kissing their families and walking with the models. It never happened. Because of contract disputes, and a show that was off the air for more than a year, the collections - we were there -- were introduced like headless horseman, one, two, three. No fanfare, no one to root for, no idea who made 'em. Reality show? We think not.
Here’s a little après "Runway" gossip we picked up from Carol Hannah (lovely by the way) last week. She, Epperson and Logan have opened a workroom/showroom/studio in the garment district. And her roomies in Brooklyn are Malvin Vien (aufed early on) and Althea Harper.
And our thoughts on Irina? We think she’s talented and great, and perhaps editing did her a disservice in the personality department. We believe she may have a real shot in the fashion biz. In the meantime, where can we get one of her great knit pieces? Congrats Irina. And thank heavens the show has fled LA and will return to New York next season.
PHOTOS: "Project Runway" Season 6 finale
VIDEO: "Project Runway" returns to New York!
Tags: Irina Shabayeva , Tim Gunn , Althea Harper , Carol Hannah Whitfield , Michael Kors , Nina Garcia , Project Runway , Fashion Week.
