Scott Gries/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images, Charles Eshelman/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Scott Gries/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Last night the fifth season of Project Runway came to an end at the Spring 09 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Bryant Park.  If you were like me, for the last five weeks you have been trying as hard as possible not to see the collections before the finale – avoiding blogs, “spoiler alerts” and plugging your ears while singing “la la la la” when anyone mentioned “guest judge” in your presence.   But last night Leanne Marshall, Korto Momolu and Kenley Collins were judged by supermodel Heidi Klum, fashion designer Michael Kors, fashion editor Nina Garcia and last minute guest judge, Tim Gunn (Jennifer Lopez dropped out due to a foot injury). Leanne from Portland, OR (shout out!) came out on top with a understated soft color palate of blue, beige and white flowing down the runway.  Her line was beautiful and versatile (including skirts, dresses, pants and shorts) while still maintaining a strong sense of cohesion within the line.  Korto, taking second place, had a striking line that was neither understated nor soft.  Using an African/nature influence she didn’t hold back and even added two new garments at the last minute  which fit seamlessly into her collection, like they were meant to be there from the beginning.  Kenley’s collection had a colorful, whimsical/fantasy element – a sort of “Alice in Wonderland” feel.  She hand painted much of her fabric – which succeeded in part- but for the judges they were more concerned with originality (something she had been criticized repeatedly for during the season).

Above is Leanne’s winning line and below are each designer’s signature piece from the collection (right to left: Leanne Marshall, Korto Momolu, Kenley Collins).  Click on each name to see the rest of each designers collection- Leanne, Korto and Kenley.

In the words of Project Runway’s fashion guru Tim Gunn – all three designers this season definitely “made it work!”

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(Top Right, Top Left, Bottom Right)F Micelotta/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images (Bottom Left) Ethan Miller/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Last week America narrowed their Idol picks down from three to two, making it the predictable battle of David squared. David Archuleta (pictured above), 17 yr old pop singer from Murray, UT and David Cook (pictured below), 25 yr old rocker from Blue Springs, MO have been the contestants to beat throughout the season. Last Tuesday their popularity was confirmed. Be sure to watch the two part finale beginning tonight 8/7c and ending tomorrow night 9/8c. Here are a few links of past performances to help you catch up in case you fell a little behind this season. Don’t forget to vote!

David Archuleta/Imagine

David Cook/Always Be My Baby

David Archuleta/Smokey Mountain Memory

David Cook/Billie Jean

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