Make It...Yeah: The Top 5 Looks of Project Runway's Fifth Season

Blogging Project Runway is polling their readers for the "Top 5 Looks" of this season of Project Runway. When the poll closes, they will reveal the winning designs five to one. After submitting my choices, I thought, hell, why not explain myself here on my patch of the interweb? Yes, why not, indeed.

5. Terri, "Good Queen Fun"

Terri, bless her, she did a lot of stuff involving pants. Which is not exactly "high couture" or "fashion forward", or any of the other buzz phrases that Heidi Klum's earpiece tells her to say. But clearly, the woman could style a drag queen like no ones business, and honestly, was robbed of a victory in said challenge. The "geisha on acid" concept was inspired, and the multitude of colors makes for a gloriously busy look. Just an awe-inspiring design.

4. Korto, "The Fashion That Drives You"



The patience to weave several million seatbelts into a sophisticated (but no doubt
heavy) coat is what separates a designer like Korto from say, someone like Blayne.

3. Leanne, "Bright Lights Big City"



And now kids, we enter the Leanne Marshall section of the program, devoted solely to the most talented, innovative, bangiest, most-looking-like-one-of-my-friends designer of the season.

This was the first of her creations that made me take notice, and strongly suggested that this mousy, soft-spoken girl--of all the mousy, soft-spoken girls who competed early on--was the real deal. Taking her inspiration from a tree grate, Leanne paired a basic sleeveless blouse with an attention-grabbing skirt that showcased what would become her clear trademark touch, pleats. The color is also wonderful. Why this didn't win is still a mystery, up there with why The Shawshank Redemption is considered by so many to be a classic movie.

2. Leanne, "Double O Fashion"


Eventually Leanne would rack up two victories, with the look she designed for Diane Von Furstenburg being the second. This picture doesn't do the beautiful cobalt color justice, nor does it give you a look at the divine ruffle that extended down the back of the dress. The jacket still causes some consternation among fans, as to whether or not it detracts or elevates the overall look, but please...the dress!

1. Leanne, "The Fashion That Drives You"




So when you're all like, "Jenn, this season was so lackluster, the designers were so blah, and the looks, please, name one look from season five that can stand up to any other seasons best" I'll name this one. And then you sort of just cock your head to the side and give a little "yeah yeah" 'cause there's no denying it: Leanne announced she was top-tier when she took seat covers, fringed some friggin' seatbelts, and gave her model hips from here to Houston, but it worked. And that, dear friends, is what Christmas, I mean Project Runway, is all about.