Top Ten Project Runway Bryant Park Looks: 1

Drumroll please...


Number 1: Jay McCarroll




Of course no one is surprised that our Number One is from Jay's collection but maybe some are are surprised that THIS is the look we chose. To be honest, we bickered quite a bit over which look deserved the slot and Lorenzo finally convinced Tom that this crocheted cape/poncho and color-blocked skirt was the one above all others. It may seem strange after all the high-end gowns on the list to pick these relatively humble separates, but no other look does as good a job of summing up Jay's masterful collection than this one. His love of crochet and quilting, his color sense, and his unique, funky style are all here on display. The bottom line is, it's just our favorite damn look and it always has been.


Honorable Mentions

Uli Herzner


Korto Momolu


Kara Saun


[Photos: Getty Images/firstVIEW]

Top 10 PR Bryant Park Looks: 4, 3, 2

Number 4: Leanne Marshall



This breathtaking and unique wedding gown was so stunning that it may just have been the look that made the judges' decision for them. With its body-hugging bodice and tiered, petal-pleated skirt, this dress moved like a dream in person and stunned the crowd into silence at Bryant Park. A modern take on the wedding gown that fools the eye into thinking it's traditional, it is a perfect summation of Leanne's aesthetic and skills.

Number 3: Laura Bennett



No silent reaction on this one. The crowd erupted into applause when this dress came out and for good reason. It wasn't just that it was dramatic, it was exuberant and fun and the kind of dress just begging for a martini and a party to go along with it. A dress that fairly screams "urban sophistication." It's a very basic gown made memorable by the incredible hand beading and chartreuse belt, with the patented Bennett wit of having the beads arranged in such a way as to give the illusion that they were "reflecting" the color of the belt.

Number 2: Rami Kashou



We had a very tough time deciding where on the list this beautiful gown of antique gold lace should have gone. It almost made the number one spot, but in the end we decided on #2, albeit a very close #2. While part of us thinks it could have used some slight editing around the shoulders and neckline, the bottom line is, this was another dress that stunned the crowd into gasps when it came out. We cannot reiterate enough how pictures simply don't do this dress justice. In person, it not only moves beautifully, but the light picks up the slight metallic sheen better, allowing everyone to see the incredible skill it took to put it together.


[Photos: Getty Images/firstVIEW]

Top Ten Project Runway Bryant Park Looks: 7, 6, 5

Number 7: Daniel Vosovic



When we were coming up with this list, Tom brought this look up. Lorenzo said, "Really?" Top Ten?" Tom brought up the pictures to prove his point and as soon as Lorenzo looked at them, he said, "Oh God, that's gorgeous. Definitely Top Ten." We're happy to put this look here because we suspect a lot of people may have forgotten just how beautiful it was. Perfect in its simplicity, it still has a bit of interest and innovation in that collar.

Number 6: Jeffrey Sebelia



There was no question this one was going to make the list. We'll be blunt, this look, like everything in Jeffrey's collection was not to our taste, to say the least. Nonetheless, we can't deny that it's a high-impact dress and one that virtually all fans of the show have in their permanent memory files. You just can't forget this dress.

Number 5: Christian Siriano



The only problem with Christian and this list was deciding WHICH look was going to make it. He had so many memorable, high-impact looks that we could have chosen any one of them. Still, we chose this one, partially because it was probably the least derivative of any of his looks, but also because it happens to be our personal favorite.


[Photos: Getty Images/firstVIEW]

Top Ten Project Runway Bryant Park Looks: 10, 9, 8

Darlings, this list couldn't have been any easier to put together. We didn't even have to review the collections to come up with our picks. Within about 5 minutes, we had come up with 10+ looks and then it took another 5 minutes to put them in order.

Before anyone asks, we will not be doing a bottom ten for Bryant Park. Even though we could easily come up with a list, that strikes us as a little cruel. The BP collections represent months of hard work for someone hoping for their big break. It's bad enough for them that they didn't win; it would just be mean to put their work on a "Worst 10" list. Of course we ARE going to do a bottom ten competition list, because we have to do SOMETHING to retain our bitch cred.

Anyway, on with the show. We think you're going to be a little surprised with some of our picks.


Number 10: Kara Janx


One of the tragedies of Season 2 was that Kara Janx made it to Bryant Park with a collection that almost certainly could have won, except she was there as a decoy, meaning she was ineligible. This gorgeous teal and bronze gown was, if you can believe it, her surprise 13th look, the one the producers sprung on the designers at the very last minute. We absolutely love the colors on this dress. It flows and moves beautifully and the fit is perfection.

Number 9: Jillian Lewis


We went against the grain when it came to picking the winner for Season 4. It seemed like almost everyone came down in either the Rami or the Christian camp, but we were alone out in the wilderness, yelling "Jillian! Jillian! Jillian!" Alas, no one heard us. In a collection of very wearable, but stylish separates, this look stood out the most to us. That skirt is gorgeous and beautifully executed. The top is very basic, but that only serves the look better as it allows that beautiful scarf and quirky hat to top off the look dramatically.


Number 8: Chloe Dao


We were, again, out in the wilderness when it came to Chloe's finale collection. It seemed like almost no one liked her statement-making looks and the most common complaint seemed to be "It looked like upholstery." Maybe for some of the others, but this sleek, beautifully fitted gown (with some slight issues in the seams) in "Chloe Blue" was elegant and, once she turned around, sexy and dramatic. It may just have been the look that made the judges' decision for them.

[Photos: Getty Images/FirstVIEW]

Top Ten PR Looks of All Time: Number One

Drumroll please...



Number 1




Season 1: Episode 3 - "Commercial Appeal"
Designed by Jay McCarroll
Model: Julia Beynon

You all had this one figured out anyway. Besides, we've said in the past, many many times, that this was the number one look of all time. And it came in the third episode! Several have come close but no one has ever beaten Jay's Banana Republic dress.

The details are what make this dress - the pin tucking, the buttons in the back, the buckles on the straps, and of course, the Chrysler Building-inspired chevrons in the bodice. This was the dress that not only got the judges to sit up and notice Jay and got Jay to realize he was in it to win it, it was also the dress that got that relatively small group of people watching the show at the time to realize "Hey, this show is pretty special." We don't think we're overstating it when we say that this was the dress that launched Project Runway.

Honorable Mentions:

There was only one criterion for the Top Ten list: we both had to be in full agreement. The following looks were instances where one of us couldn't get the other to agree that it was Top Ten material. Don't get us wrong, though; we're in full agreement that these were among the best looks of all time for the show, we just couldn't agree to place them in the Top Ten.


First row: Daniel Vosovic, Andrae Gonzalo, Austin Scarlett
Second row: Jeffrey Sebelia, Rami Kashou, Nick Verreos


[Photos: Barbara Nitke/Bravotv.com - Screencaps: Projectrungay.blogspot.com]

Top Ten PR Looks of All Time: 4, 3, and 2

Darlings, we're in the throes of fashion week mania, but we couldn't just abandon our list, could we? The world wants to know!

Number 4

Season 5: Episode 7 - "Fashion That Drives You"
Designed by Korto Momolu
Model: Katarina Munez

From the humblest of materials and the oldest of techniques came this stunner of a coat. Some thought it was a no-brainer for Korto to weave seatbelts, but it wasn't just the weaving that makes this look, it's the construction and the silhouette. She made the materials work for her and produced something that, in the hands of a less talented designer, would have probably looked stiff and cartoonish.

Number 3

Season 5: Episode 7 - "Fashion That Drives You"
Designed by Leanne Marshall
Model: Karalyn West

Ironically, even though S5 was derided by many for not having the same level of talent as previous seasons, two of the top ten looks came not only from that season, but from the same episode. As much as viewers sometimes bitch about the so-called "trash" challenges, the fact is, it does force the more talented designers to be creative. Leanne took the innards of a car and made this almost perfectly executed, Mugler-inspired rock and roll dress that stunned the judges and earned her a spot in the Top 10.

Number 2

Season 4: Episode 5 - "En Garde!"
Designed by Christian Siriano and Chris March
Model: Marcia Mitchell

And while S4 was remembered for its tense, touchy teamups, Christian and Chris managed to blend their radically different personalities and styles into this jaw-dropping "avant-garde" gown made of miles of organza with a gigantic asymmetrical fan collar. The judges were speechless and rightfully so. If any one dress sums up Project Runway - beautiful clothes made with virtually no money and in a ridiculously short period of time - then this would be that dress.

More to come, darlings. Not just the Number One, but also the Honorable Mentions. You didn't think we could narrow it down to just ten, did you?


[Photos: Barbara Nitke/Bravotv.com - Screencaps: projectrungay.blogspot.com]

Top Ten PR Looks of All Time: 7, 6, and 5

Let's get crackin', bitches!

Number 7

Season 3: Episode 5 - "Iconic Statement"
Designed by Mychael Knight
Model: Nazri Segaro

Come on, could there be any doubt? This was the look that finally got the S3 judges to sit up and take notice of Mychael - and rightfully so. A perfect storm of designer, model and muse resulted in this flawless hot pink hot shorts number inspired by Pam Grier. A dead-on sexy look coupled with some feminine touches and the restraint to let the color and the silhouette do most of the work.

Number 6

Season 3: Episode 6 - "Waste Not, Want Not"
Designed by Laura Bennett
Model: Camilla Barungi

Again, could there be any doubt? Easily the most memorable outfit from Laura's competition pile. Everyone mentions this dress when they mention Laura.It wasn't just that she made a dress out of peanut sacks that looked like it could have been hanging on the racks at a high-end store, nor was it the witty "For Nuts Only" left on the skirt. No, what made it stand out is that it's simply a chic, stylish design that works no matter what material was used. This is a dress that women see and want to wear.


Number 5

Season 1: Episode 8 - "Postal Uniform Challenge"
Designed by Kara Saun
Model: Jenny Toth

It's been a long time since we sang the praises of Kara Saun, but this outfit still stands out foremost in our minds among her competition work. Why? Put it this way: She designed this almost 5 years ago as a postal uniform for a female client and yet it's so perfect and so stylish, that we, two non-females who don't work for the Post Office, would love to have this outfit even today. That's a designer with a broad appeal and a long-term point of view.


[Photos: Barbara Nitke/Bravotv.com - Screencaps: projectrungay.blogspot.com]

Top Ten PR Looks of All Time

Darlings, we've been talking about doing this for what seems like years and the other day, we found ourselves on the way into New York with nothing to do on the train but bicker, so we chose this as the topic to bicker about.

Joking aside, it was ridiculously easy. We don't know about anybody else, but when we think "Top 10 looks," these were all no-brainers. It took us all of ten minutes to come up with a list. Bear in mind that these are the top ten competition looks. We're not including anything shown by any of the designers in Bryant Park. No, we were looking at the stuff that was thrown together in 2 days on 50 bucks.

This is, of course, highly subjective. If you think we missed one or that we chose one that shouldn't be anywhere near the top 10, let's hear it. After all, the whole point to top 10 lists is to spur conversation. What's in your Top 10?

So without further ado, let's start the countdown.

Number 10


Season 2: Episode 7 - "On Thin Ice"
Designed by Chloe Dao
Model: Grace Kelsey

We'll never understand why Sasha Cohen picked Zulema's toothpaste monstrosity over this. Her whiny complaint was "It looks like a Christmas tree." Shyeah! If Christmas trees were FABULOUS! We though this was a beautiful, unique look, perfectly executed. Going light on the sparkle kept it classy.

Number 9


Season 4: Episode 8 - "En Garde!"
Designed by Jillian Lewis and Victorya Hong
Model: Jacqueline Miranne

Season 4 wasn't exactly known for the exuberant personalities of the designers, nor were the teamups anything but embarassingly tense. However, these two happy-go-lucky gals put aside any rivalry and knocked out a stunningly beautiful, striking coat that was all Dr. Zhivago on the top and Petticoat Junction on the bottom. The pink plaid made a perfect counterpoint to the almost sinister black.


Number 8


Season 3: Episode 7 - "Everyday Woman"
Designed by Uli Herzner
Model: Judy G. (Kayne's mother)

While we were in NY, we of course stopped by Laura's and the conversation drifted to this list. When we got to this look, she was adamant. "Definitely. That one has to be on the list." This was a perfect example of a designer melding her aesthetic to the task and the client at hand. It still has Uli's trademark flowy, Miami Beach feel, but it's appropriate for the client and more importantly, incredibly flattering. Whenever we hear competitors whine over the fact that they have to dress a non-size-2 woman, we think of this look, which proved not only that it can be done, but that it can be done fabulously and stylishly.

What? Did you think we were gonna do all ten at once? Silly kittens.



[Photo: Barbara Nitke/Bravotv.com - Screencaps: projectrungay.blogspot.com]