Project Runway 412 Recap: "The Finalists Take to the Tents"

I admit this is the most difficult Project Runway piece I've had to do, and not just because the outcome has left me verklempt. It's because this is one more example of my basic disconnect from reality competition television shows. Certainly all four of the remaining designers are extremely talented. I don't think it would be wrong for any of the four of them to win, although I have my favorites. In fact, I think that overall the design quality this season was higher than it's ever been. It's just that I don't want to see a competition between Rami and Chris; I just want to see their collections.

Note to readers: Christie does not, yet, rule the universe, so here we go.

This episode begins with Heidi recapping that Chris and Rami are going to compete for the third slot at Bryant Park, while Christian and Jillian are secure in the first two spots. Each designer will have five months and $8000 to come up with a collection for Fashion Week and the final showdown.

Then it's on to a big farewell on the roof of the Gotham, where all the designers have been staying during the competition. They do their runway stomps for the cameras, drink champagne, and laugh while Heidi and Tim look on like proud parents.

Fast forward a few months. My personal fashion messiah, Tim Gunn, goes to visit each designer and check on their progress. First he dropped in on Christian and his tiny apartment/studio. He got the tour, joked around about Christian's closet, and, after surveying Christian's collection, commented that it's "a lot of look."

Hello, Tim, have you met Christian? I thought it was, for him, fairly controlled. I'm just saying.

Then it's on to Jillian's place in New York. Her flat was a world away from Christian's tiny flat, with its loft-like rooms and killer skyline and water view.

The last few months have been good for Jillian. Her hair looks great, her skin looks great, and she's doing something different with her eyebrows. I may be developing a small crush on Jillian at the eleventh hour here.