Love, Lust, Loathe: A smattering of my thoughts on Season 4 Project Runway Australia

Ahhh, Project Runway, I've been watching you since the very first season and when I circled the globe to move to Melbourne, I started watching the Australian version as well. The kookiest designers make for the most entertaining, but not necessarily the most talented. Upon my return from the States, I sat down for an epic PR Australia viewing session; I was several episodes behind and I may've found out who won before watching the final episode. The road to glory for Miss Christina Exie was bumpy, interesting and extremely shocking. Without further ado, let me address my final thoughts, in no particular order, below.

• The final three, or so we thought, were revealed. Tristan, Leah and Jamie made it to the final runway challenge.
• Former Real Housewife of NY Countess Luann once exclaimed, "money can't buy you class." Well, a $300 budget didn't secure a win for William and in the end he was sent packing. His ploy to handicap Leah with the smallest budget turned out to be his Achilles' heal.
• Towards the end of the season it was tough to tell where Jamie ended and where Tristan began. The footage of the two of them cackling, ironing, sewing and gossiping together made me wonder why they could be so quietly cruel, yet competitive at the same time. And in the end, did their friendship get in the way of either one securing the final win of the season?
• Each finalist was consistently inconsistent. One week they'd win or be in the top three and by the next week they were circling the drain.
• Alex Perry and Megan Gale, what was your angle with giving Jordan and Christina a second chance?
• And, did anyone think Christina would sneak in and take it all?!
• To Leah, will you make me a jacket? The one with the curved metal inserts in the shoulders?
• There was a refreshing and real moment when Alex Perry helped Leah in the workroom during the model fittings.
• Finally, did Christina win because, while her aesthetic is viewed/classified as avant-garde, she wouldn't necessarily make it on her own had she lost?

Here's a look at what these talented designers churned out for the final challenge.

PRA Models

My personal favourite designer of the season is Leah; I think she would've won had she lacked the business acumen she possesses and was repeatedly praised for by the judges.

So, what are your thoughts on this season's happenings?

L'oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival - Runway 3

Fashion week might be over in New York, Paris, London and Milan, but in our little city of Melbourne, we too celebrated the shift of the seasons.  L'oreal's Fashion Festival ran between 8-15 March and I was lucky enough to attend Paris Runway 3 and 4.  Up until now, I had never been to a fashion show and I knew I should probably dress accordingly.  What can I say, any excuse for me to go shopping is good enough for me. Here's a glimpse at what I wore.

After hunting around for close to two hour on Sunday afternoon, I stumbled across this dress at Gorman.  I had seen it before, but decided not to try it on; I took finding it again as a sign.  While waiting in line for a fitting room, I was told by one of the sales associates this dress makes everyone look good.  Sold!  I'll do anything to conceal my hips.  As I was checking out, the same sales girl asked me what the special occasion was and I mentioned that I was attending a fashion show.  It just so happened that I picked out a local designer who was showing that same night (I never checked the program).

For the first night I sat in the second row and had a pretty good vantage point.  Truth be told, the girl who sat in front of me made it difficult to see at times.  Case in point...

gorman

My first goal was to survey the crowd in order to catch glimpse of someone famous and I ended up spotting Matcho of Australia's Project Runway Season 3.  I'd like to think he was a fan favourite thanks to his personality and charm.  I thought to myself, "should I go ask him for a picture, or should I leave him alone."  For a few moments I sat there, starstruck, but my courage lifted me off of the uncomfortable timber bench and willed me to ask for a photo of the two of us.

Matcho and me

And yes, I think he wore a koala-type accessory around his neck.  Perhaps he wanted to pay homage to an Aussie mascot - I'll never know. I was honestly hoping for crazier glasses, because he switched them up on a weekly basis.    After getting the goods, I then wandered back to my seat and waited for the show to start.

Floral headpiece

and a bit more

I didn't get to snap the best photos, because my shutter couldn't handle the clip at which these models walked.  In less than 20-minutes, we saw six designers and were then quickly whisked into the night; for some, assorted parties awaited their arrival, but for the rest of us (like me) snagged a shuttle bus back into the city.  On a side note, this shuttle bus wasn't ordinary, oh no; gift bags were left for each passenger and were filled to the brim with all sorts of coupons and goodies.  I'll be sure to share my makeup look in another post.

Until then, here's a look at a few pictures I snapped and a video of the final walk.

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L'OREAL

And a video!