The audience saw six collections, but they weren’t told who designed each of them.
Can you guess who designed each collection?
That was the task that faced attendees at the Project Runway Season 16 finale taping Friday at New York Fashion Week.
Judges Heidi Klum, Nina Garcia, Zac Posen and Jessica Alba, the pregnant and radiant guest judge, strode out from behind the now iconic silhouetted curtain to begin the showcase, which will air on Lifetime at a later date.
Only four episodes of Season 16 have aired so far. Klum, in a shimmering purple mini dress accented with a draping bow and plunging neckline, welcomed the attendees and noted with pride that this year’s show was the first to include models of all sizes, exclaiming “Fashion is for everyone!”
As usual, guests were not informed which designers created each of the six collections, so the audience was left to speculate about the creative minds behind the looks. The first collection to command the runway featured loose-fitting dresses and skirts, casual yet refined pantsuits, and feathery tops all in shimmering metallics.
Following was a collection of finely engineered outfits, form-fitted with classic lines, in fabrics and with accents that gave them a distinctly modern feel.
While the designers of each collection were a secret, the third collection of modest, flowing outfits in shiny purples and greens was likely the work of 27-year-old Ayana Ife, a Muslim woman showing the world that fashion doesn’ t have to be revealing to be striking.
Black and white, with occasional bursts of bold red, made up the next, more unusual collection featuring traditionally inspired dresses and gowns alongside oversized tops and tight pants that reflected a time in the not-to-distant future.
In one of the more distinctive displays of the show, pink flamingos dominated next. With designs reminiscent of sixties’ smocks, housecoats, and Nehru jackets, each outfit featured the same flamingo-patterned fabric, while delivering elements of surprise including open sleeves, hanging ties, and asymmetrical designs.
The crowd (and the judges) came alive during the final collection, a Carnaval of color featuring Latin American inspired designs with bold stripes, bright sequins, and images of giant shimmering fish. A raucous cheer went up from the audience when one of the plus-sized models removed her skirt to reveal a vibrant bathing suit underneath.
The beloved Tim Gunn finally appeared to thank the crowd for attending and then exited the runway arm in arm with Klum.
