Anya Ayoung-Chee, a novice seamstress and former Miss Universe contestant, has walked away with the sash and crown to win season 9 of Lifetime's "Project Runway."
Ironically, the 29-year-old Caribbean beauty who took the reality competition's $100,000 prize, almost never made it to New York Fashion Week: The show's judges were reluctant to even cast her when she confessed she had only four months sewing experience.
Despite her deficiencies as a seamstress and a disastrous pre-runway critique with judges Michael Kors, Heidi Klum and Nina Garcia; the fan favorite managed to wow when her models hit the catwalk at New York City's Lincoln Center in September.
Contestant Joshua McKinley, 25, of New York City - one of Ayoung-Chee's chief rivals and detractors - came in second.
And Sew-it-Went:
The Challenge: Working with a budget of $9,000, the four season 9 finalists; Ayoung-Chee, McKinley, Viktor Luna and Kimberly Goldson must create 10-piece collection to present at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.
The Making-it-Workroom Drama: After each designer presented three "preview" looks to the judging triumvirate in episode 13; the contestants are stressed about the flaws in their lines. With only two days to go before their Sept. 9th runway show at Lincoln Center, the designers are dumping looks, reworking garments and getting all weepy.
Papa Tim Gunn arrives to apologize: He fears during his hometown visits he "sent them down the wrong path" and caused the unusually harsh judges' evaluations. So, he offers a little mea culpa gift: $500 in cash and a last-minute trip to Mood fabrics. At Mood, McKinley embarks on an unfortunate lime green neon shopping spree, suggesting his new inspiration is the bottles in the Garnier Fructis hair studio.
True to form, Ayoung-Chee stocks up on piles of prints and begins whipping up more last-minute V-neck caftans.
There's a semi-poignant moment when Ayoung-Chee and McKinley, who've had a love-hate thing going on all season, hug it out in the workroom. Weeping bartender McKinley is worried about returning to his tiny Queens, N.Y. apartment empty-handed and the prospect of unemployment. And his mascara is running.
During her final consult with Gunn, Ayoung-Chee concedes defeat and gives a conciliatory goodbye speech. "This is not my best work," she says biting her lip. She has choked in the face of "showing my work to so many people."
But the show must go on...
The Runway Show: Is held before a packed Lincoln Center house. The front row includes actress Jennifer Love Hewitt, singer Corrine Bailey Rae, Andie MacDowell, "Hung" actor Thomas Jane, designer Betsey Johnson, the children of Lifetime executives and enough alumni from past "PR" seasons to fill the Atlas Apartments.
Ayoung-Chee shows "Tabago Love" a flowy, beach chic collection of dresses, gowns and bathing suits. It's devoted to her brother, Pilar, who died in an accident, inspiring to chase her fashion dreams.
Luna shows a mix of stark black and edgy prints worked into beautifully constructed garments.
McKinley's theme is "hard meets soft" which he interprets in neoprene and plastic gym attire.
Goldson attempts to speak to the "urban girl" who wants to stay true to her roots, but elevate her style.
The Guest Judge: Model/designer and Mick Jagger's leading lady, L'Wren Scott, who has been watching "PR" and really paying attention. She impresses Stylelist with her referential discussion of each designer's work.
The Deliberations: Goldson has thoroughly impressed all by revising her collection, editing out missteps and proving she can take criticism while "still being true to Kimberly." But ultimately, "she’s not quite there yet." So she's the first 'auf. (Note to Kim: Stylelist thought your brights were a knock-out punch on the runway!)
Luna got himself into unexpected trouble by falling in love with some black fabric at Mood and producing too many stark, sheer urban looks that didn't pair well with his exuberant prints, which the judges loved. Didn’t anyone tell poor Viktor that Nina hates black in the finale? He's the next 'auf and looks really surprised. (Hang in there Viktor; there's always "Project Runway All Stars.")
Although Stylelist must confess it could not imagine McKinley was a contender when his garish prints and neon green board shorts hit the runway (actually, we imagined Nina wincing down in the good seats) the judges are enthralled. Turns out Josh has been an excellent pupil who’s learned to edit and has a point of view.
Garcia says she did hate those limey shorts on the runway, but has studied a picture and "they're very editorial." Look out Marie Claire readers. And Kors suggests that lime neoprene just may be the new black. "You make women want to give plastic and neoprene a go," he says. Let the diets begin.
As for the anointed one, Gunn opines upon her win, "Did you ever imagine this scenario?" and Ayoung-Chee tearfully shakes her head, "No."
Well, Stylelist did. Besides the approving roar from the crowd when Ayoung-Chee made her entrance at Lincoln Center, her happy, relaxed collection was our favorite.
Besides, what better reality show storyline? The untrained long-shot, who can't sew, stumbles before the finale only to sprint across the finish line at the last-minute.
The judges say the beauty queen is a relatable designer with a unique point of view. "Who doesn’t want to be that girl?" Klum reflects on the sultry tropical frocks that looked wonderful on Ayong-Chee's slender models. "She's her brand. She's cool; she looks the part," says Kors who already envisions, "her shoes, her handbags, her jewelry collection."
Is Anya really the next Christian Siriano? Time will tell, but her win comes with a Marie Claire editorial spread and the promise of a capsule collection for Piperlime.com.