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Leanne Marshall Project Runway winner

Filed under: Style in the News

Leanne will win Project Runway. Although Korto and Kenley are both wonderful talents, Leanne brings structure and lightness together in a way too incredible to deny. Throughout the season she was dead on and her flawless finale at Bryant Park was no exception.

Let's take a closer look:

Leanne Marshall

When the Bryant Park challenge began, Leanne sat by a lake in her hometown and sketched for several days straight, literally, drawing on the water for inspiration. This focus is apparent in her collection. The fan pleats, bubble silohoutte and soft colors certainly give her collection cohesiveness and point of view that nearly all of the designers lack. To boot, Leanne can actually create many different shapes versus the one trick pony, Kenley. The collection had bubble skirts, shorts, pants, tops, and dresses of all kinds.

We were unsure if Leanne had anything but pleats to bring to the table but after checking out her Leanimal website, we fell even further in love thanks to the title's witty play on words and wearability of what we saw. Best wishes Leanne!

Notes on the other two designers...

Korto Momolu

Korto hits on our personal style. We have adoration for her creations because they are wearable and real. Her African/nature inspired collection drew on her roots as well as her surroundings. The jewelry was stunning and some of the beads even came straight from her homeland, Liberia. We also loved how she brought a careful editing eye which diminished any overkill. She even added some playfulness to her show by allowing models to carry fans and traipsing down the runway with daughter in tow for her final bow.

But, as much as we love her, Korto's looks are already out there. We've seen natural inspiration from designers like Diane von Furstenberg for a long time now. Plus, as well crafted as the majority of the looks were, one of the skirt's was much too short and showed the poor model's who-who to the world.

Kenley Collins

Despite ungrateful attitude, Kenley's fresh take on 1940's and 1950's fashion is a recycling project worth talking about. Kenley's show was chock full of dresses; obviously her forte. If you're going to be a one trick pony, you've got to make that one trick work. And she did. The clothing was well made, dreamy, and all showcased Kenley's unique point of view. We were practically drooling over the beautiful handpainted dresses!

While she definitely has the vision and drive, there are a few things that take Kenley's crown away. Her lack of variety (not a pant leg in sight), her "copycat" collection (Balenciaga and McQueen anyone?) and her angry outlook all show that she has a lot to learn before making it big. But, on the same note, if the judges didn't see something divine in her, she would've been "auf wiedersehn'd" at the first eye roll. We sincerely think she has a shot but this just isn't it.

It's a very close race and we had a hard time choosing who might take home the crown. But now, it is up to the judges. May the best designer win. Good luck!

*Please keep in mind this is a prediction! We have no idea who really won!

Project Runway Finalists

(click thumbnails to view gallery)

  • The Final 3
  • Our pick, Leanne Marshall
  • Our pick, Leanne Marshall
  • Our pick, Leanne Marshall
  • Korto Momolu

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