Top 5 Looks: 1st Place

In the end, Mondo ended up competing with himself. It was close, but Mondo's design from Episode 8 "A Rough Day on the Runway" is our reader's choice for the Top Look of Season 8.

In what was probably the most perplexing challenge of the season, the nine remaining designers were asked to do their take on American sportswear using Jackie Kennedy as an inspiration. As an added twist, a piece of outerwear was required on Day 2 of the challenge. Everyone seemed to have a hard time figuring this one out (especially Tim Gunn), except for Mondo Guerra.

Mondo made all the right decisions at Mood. Choosing a purple, black and white houndstooth tweed for the skirt, he matched it with a t-shirt that had black and white horizontal stripes. For the outerwear piece, he created a cool black jacket with purple lining. It was something of a signature look for Mondo and it finally earned him a much deserved first win.

So let's tally up the damage. With three wins and six top finishes in 13 challenges, Mondo was never in serious danger of elimination at any point in Season 8. He becomes the second designer (along with Leanne Marchall in S5) to score three places in the BPR Top 5 Looks poll. Lovable, talented and wildly creative, he enters tonight's finale as the heavy favorite to take home the top prize. Is there anything that can stop the Mondo Express?

Congratulations Mondo, you designed BPR's Top Look of Season 8!

Top 5 Looks: 2nd Place

Sometimes the creative process takes us to places we never could imagine. Sometimes it reveals truths about the world in ways that cannot be spoken. And sometimes it can provide an avenue to reveal hidden truths about ourselves. For Mondo Guerra, creativity has been a sustaining life force.

In Episode 10 "There's a Pattern Here", the seven remaining designers were presented with a repeat of S7's popular HP challenge, designing a pattern to be printed on fabric that would be incorporated into their design. As inspiration, the designers had childhood photographs and visits from their family members to evoke a profound moment from their lives.

Mondo designed a cool black plus sign outlined in gold with magenta blocks in between. He used this pattern on a high waisted pant that was countered nicely with a black jacket and top. He scored his third consecutive solo win with this look ( a Project Runway first!) and solidified his growing dominance on the runway.

But for Mondo, this was much more than just another beautiful garment. It was a way to tell with his family and the world about his HIV status. "I feel better now", he said after sharing the secret he held for so long, "I feel free". It was a moment that reached beyond the silly competition and touched our hearts. What a privilege it has been to get to know this amazing designer.

Congratulations Mondo, that's two for you now in the BPR Top 5 Looks of Season 8!

Tomorrow is finale day! Tune back in as we reveal your choice for the Top Look of Season 8!

Top 5 Looks: 3rd Place

Alternative material challenges always seem to bring out the best in the designers every season of Project Runway. From the grocery store to the candy shop to the auto parts bin, these challenges have produced some of the most creative results on the runway. Andy South certainly proved that point again in Episode 3, "It's a Party".

This early on in Season 8, we hardly knew who was who. Gretchen ran away with the first two wins and we weren't quite sure who else had the designing chops to go deep in the competition. The 14 remaining designers were tasked with creating a design using only party supplies from the fabulously tacky "Party Glitters" store.

Andy spent the first half of his day trying to figure out what to do. He spray painted tulle and party favors and experimented with cellophane. He ultimately settled on using black ribbon as his primary source of material. He both folded and braided the ribbon into a paper crane design, creating a very sophisticated party dress that wowed the judges. This would become Andy's signature technique, eventually using it in his last fashion week challenge that won him a spot in final 3.

Andy took home his first win with this dress, broke Gretchen's winning streak and established himself as a serious contender. Will he take home the big prize Thursday night? We'll have to wait for that but for now he has found a spot on the BPR Top 5 Looks of Season 8. Congratulations Andy!

Top 5 Looks: 4th Place

Team challenges have always been a recipe for major drama on Project Runway and perhaps no episode in the show's history exemplified that more than Episode 5, "There is an I in Team". In a unique twist on the tried and true concept, the remaining 12 designers were split into two teams of six and tasked with creating a 6-piece collection for Fall 2010.

Casanova found himself on Team "Military and Lace". It had been a rough road for the lovable designer up to this point. On the bottom twice in the first four challenges, he had reached a point where he felt he couldn't do anything right. And when Tim Gunn visited him in the workroom and told him that his lace top looked "like the mother of all these other women", he reached his breaking point. "I'm on the verge to loose my mind", he wailed. There was no consoling him and it looked as if he might simply walk away from the competition.

But in a classic "Make It Work" moment, Casanova rebounded and busted out a banging pair of white pants to go with his black lace top for a complete look that the judges swooned over. It was a moment of redemption for Casanova and a vindication of his talent after being repeatedly bruised and battered by Tim and the judges.

Most people will remember this episode for Gretchen's epic runway meltdown or maybe even Tim's post-game designer takedown. But the true shining moment was Casanova rising from the ashes to turn adversity into something beautiful. These are the moments that make Project Runway something a little more special in the world of reality television and reminds us why we loved this show in the first place.

So congratulations to Casanova for making the BPR Top 5 Looks of Season 8. Fantastico, Casanova!

Top 5 Looks: 5th Place

BPR begins its countdown to the finale by rolling out the reader's choices of the Top 5 Looks from Season 8. Making the cut at #5 is Mondo Guerra's couture design from Episode 9 "Race To the Finish".

Every season Project Runway fans are burdened with the obligatory sponsor themed challenges. Often times the result is simply a boring extended commercial tackily added onto the show and less than stellar designs on the runway. In Epiosde 9, the eight remaining designers were tasked with creating a high fashion look to appear in a L'Oreal makeup "advertorial". Normally we would cringe at this type of product placement but after so many seasons, there is something comforting in seeing Collier Strong from L'Oreal in the workroom.

Adding to the incentive for this challenge was an amazing cash prize of $20,000. The designers were asked to pick a makeup finish to use as the departure point for their design. Mondo Guerra, winner of the previous challenge, went first and immediately chose "Bright". In a season of designers who were very tentative on the use of color, Mondo has been the standout exception.

Using the colors of a kaleidoscope as his inspiration, this challenge allowed for the "full tilt Mondo" to come out on the runway. He created a cool, modern hat and styled this look to perfection. His gown used alternating striped colors in a way that made Michael Kors liken it to "a Kentucky Derby horse ribbon exploded". The judges loved this look and so did you.

This win came in the middle of a series of challenges where Mondo started steamrolling the competition. He took home the big cash prize with and now finds a place on the BPR Top 5 Looks of Season 8. Congratulations, Mondo!

Top 5 Looks Reminder

A reminder to get your votes in for the Top 5 Looks of Season 8. Deadline is midnight on Friday. Click here to vote!

Top 5 Looks of Season 8

As we begin the countdown to the Season 8 finale, it's time once again to roll out our popular "Top 5 Looks Poll". Now that everyone has had a chance to see all of the designs and challenges this season, which 5 are your favorites?

Probably the easiest way to look at all of the garments is to go to Lifetime's Rate The Runway page where you can sort by episode. Alternatively, you can also go back and look at our weekly poll images. To keep everyone consistent, list your five favorites in the comments by number, designer name and challenge (or episode #) like this:

1 - A.J. Thouvenot "And Sew It Begins" (or E1)
2 - Mondo Guerra "A Rough Day on the Runway" (or E8)
3 - Casanova "Hats Off to You" (or E4)
4 - April Johnston or "There's a Pattern Here (or E10)
5 - Heidi Klum "Ugly Activewear" challenge (well, that last one wouldn't count, but you get the idea...)

We'll tally the results and reveal your Top 5 picks in a special countdown prior to the Season 8 finale. Deadline for your entry is Friday, October 22 at midnight. It's your chance to celebrate the uncelebrated and right some judging wrongs. Who from Season 8 will join Andrae Gonzalo, Robert Best, Christian Siriano, Leanne Marshall, Rodney Epperson and Seth Aaron Henderson as a Top 5 champ?

Top 5 Looks: 1st Place

One of the biggest compliments you can give a designer is that no matter what the setting, you can look at one of their garments and tell exactly who created it. That has certainly been the case during Seth Aaron Henderson's run on Season 7. His designs stand out with their impeccable construction, modern punk feel, extensive use of hardware and just enough softness at the edges to make his looks feminine. Never in serious danger of elimination, it has been no surprise that he finds himself in a position to win it all.

In Episode 6 "A Little Bit of Fashion", the designers were introduced to new models in the form of 11 adorable young girls. With $50 and a day to work, they were challenged to create an outfit for their pint-sized muses. On runway day, Tim gives them a classic PR surprise - they must create a companion look for the mother that will be worn by their models.

Seth Aaron had a big advantage given the fact that he had a daughter of his own and knew just what little girls liked. For 6-year old Sydney he made a black and white houndstooth hoodie with cute watermelon-like pockets and "SA" appliqued into a pink star on the back. This covered a pink and black striped dress paired with a black skirt. His model Valeria wore a gorgeous black and white striped striped jacket with skinny jeans adorned with more of Seth's signature hardware.

The judges loved this look and so did you. When Heidi asked Sydney what she like most about her it, she shyly responded "my purse". Nina nearly fell out of her chair over that one.

Tonight we find out if Seth Aaron Henderson takes home the big prize but for now you have chosen him to take home our little one. Congratulations Seth Aaron, you created the BPR Top Look of Season 7!

Top 5 Looks: 2nd Place

Amy Sarabi was an early favorite to take it all in Season 7. With a win and a top 3 finish in the first four episodes she quickly established herself as a force to be reckoned with. Her bold design choices and sweet nature made her a fan favorite this season and we were sad to not see her survive until the end. And although her design in the "Design Your Heart Out" garnered her a win, it was her top 3 look from "Fashion Farm" that turned out to be a big favorite of yours.

In episode 2, the Project Runway designers were literally sent off to the farm and challenged to create a party-worthy look out of a potato sack. Amy dip-dyed squares of burlap and layered them to create a stunning skirt with a handkerchief hemline. Using a different shade of the burlap, she made a cute, billowy top with a halter neckline and a bare back that her client-model Allison asked for.

Who knew a potato sack could be so fun and flirty? Amy nailed every aspect of this challenge and it was a big surprise when she lost out to Jay for the win. We can't change that decision but we can certainly give her a consolation prize. Congratulations Amy, you made one of the BPR Top 5 Looks of Season 7!

Tomorrow is finale day - check back in as we reveal your pick for the Top Look of Season 7!

Top 5 Looks: 3rd Place

We are still scratching our heads over Maya Luz. One of the youngest designers of Season 7, she consistently produced winning looks week after week that spoke of a maturity far beyond her age. So close to Bryant Park and she simply walked away.

In Episode 7 "Hard Wear", the 10 remaining designers were tasked with creating a garment and an accessory from a hardware store. It was the classic Project Runway unconventional materials challenge that always seems to bring out the best in the designers.

Maya created an open weave jacket with a high collar that was made out of rope from venetian blinds, covering a shift dress made out of window screen. The visual effect of the jacket drew your eyes to her killer accessory - a necklace fashioned from house keys, chain and mesh screen. It matched the dress and jacket perfectly and the judges swooned over it.

Many felt that this design was a more worthy winner over Jay's garbage bag dress. And one can't help but wonder if a win here would have given her the confidence to continue to the end. We will never know the answer to that question but for now, we can celebrate her successes.

Congratulations Maya, you made it on the BPR Top 5 Looks of Season 7!

Top 5 Looks: 4th Place

Ben who?

Early on in every season of Project Runway it is difficult to tell one designer apart from the next but eventually everyone gets to face the judges on the runway. After the first four episodes of Season 7, Ben Chmura had produced consistently strong designs but they only managed to land him in the safe category. And with very little screen time, we barely had the chance to get to know who he was.

We finally got a glimpse in Episode 5, "Run For Cover". In the "biggest challenge in Project Runway history", the 12 remaining designers were tasked to create a design for Heidi Klum that would grace the cover of Marie Claire magazine. And they were given very specific instructions to make a bold visual statement from the waist up.

Ben nailed that message with his teal, yellow and black wrap dress that he called "Madame Butterfly on acid". In a challenge where very few designers heeded the call to color, Ben delivered and found himself facing the judges as part of the Top 3. He would eventually lose out on this challenge to Anthony, but we finally found out a little about who he was - a good guy and a talented designer.

Congratulations Ben, you made one of the BPR Top 5 Looks of Season 7!

Top 5 Looks: 5th Place

BPR begins its countdown to the finale by rolling out the reader's choices of the Top 5 Looks from Season 7. Making the cut at #5 is Seth Aaron Henderson's design from Episode 10 "Hey, That's My Fabric".

One of our biggest complaints during the Lifetime era of Project Runway has been the lack of originality in the challenges. Season 7 has felt like an improvement and perhaps no episode exemplifies that better than this one. The seven remaining designers were presented with the unique opportunity to create their own print and use that as the basis for their design.

Here was a challenge that actually used the corporate sponsorship in a way that enhanced the design process! And yes, even though we had to endure Viviene Tam's scripted commercial in the workroom, the results on the runway were stunning.

Seth Aaron Henderson drew squares of pop art in an attempt to provoke a "British pop-punk" feel to his garment. Using the print on a tuxedo jacket with black satin lapels, he paired it with 1940's military style inspired pants and added a bright yellow tie. As was the case all season with Seth Aaron, this look was impeccably made and Valeria looked cool and chic as she walked this down the runway.

Congratulations Seth Aaron, you are in the BPR Top 5!

Top 5 Looks Reminder

A reminder to get your votes in for the Top 5 Looks of Season 7. Deadline is midnight on Friday. Click here to vote!

Top 5 Looks of Season 7

As we begin the countdown to the Season 7 finale, it's time once again to roll out our popular "Top 5 Looks Poll". Now that everyone has had a chance to see all of the designs and challenges this season, which 5 are your favorites?

Probably the easiest way to look at all of the garments is to go to Lifetime's Rate The Runway page where you can sort by episode. Alternatively, you can also go back and look at our weekly poll images. To keep everyone consistent, list your five favorites in the comments by number, designer(s) name(s) and challenge (or episode #) like this:

1 - Seth Aaron Henderson "A Little Bit of Fashion"

2 - Jay Nicolas Sario "The Fashion Farm"

3 - Maya Luz "Takin' It To The Street"

4 - Ping Wu "Back To New York"

5 - Tory Burch "Why Am I Here?" challenge (well, that last one wouldn't count, but you get the idea...)

We'll tally the results and reveal your Top 5 picks in a special countdown prior to the Season 6 finale. Deadline for your entry is Friday, April 16 at midnight. It's your chance to celebrate the uncelebrated and right some judging wrongs. Who from Season 6 will join Andrae Gonzalo, Robert Best, Christian Siriano, Leanne Marshall and Rodney Epperson as a Top 5 champ?

Edited to add: I had a hard time remembering the titles of the episodes so I posted a full list and descriptions here. LK

Top 5 Looks: 1st Place

One of the lessons we've learned over the years with Project Runway is that you don't necessarily have to win to end up a winner. Rodney Epperson, or simply Epperson as we came to know him is certainly a case in point. The elder statesman of Season 6 was a constant source of calm wisdom during his run and truly one of the nicest guys ever cast. He also showed that he was a pretty damn talented designer as well.

In "Lights, Camera, Sew!", the 11 remaining designers were asked to pick from five different film genres and invent a character that lives in that genre to design for. None of the designers wanted Western, including Epperson. But with his name drawn last out of the magic bag, he had to figure out a way to "make it work".

Many designers could have been foiled by the task at hand and boxed in by the constraints of the genre. But Epperson was able to let his creative spirit shine and came up with a character that had a modern parallel. "My concept is a beautiful lady, and her husband is off to war. She has to take care of the land and she has to become a lot tougher."

Epperson designed a denim dress with a large, seductive ruffled collar and neckline. A big highlight of the outfit was a wide leather belt and matching holster. "There's a gun under there, just in case", as he stated on the runway. The judges loved it and although he was a strong contender for the win, he lost out to Nicolas Putvinski's Ice Princess.

Then again, maybe it was all about Matar. Look at that photo up there. Do you want to mess with her? Me, neither! Matar owned this look and ended up modeling three of the Top 5 looks in our poll.

Congratulations Epperson, you designed the BPR Top Look from Season 6!

Top 5 Looks: 2nd Place

In the mind-numbing, bewildered world that was Season 6, this is the kind of work that it took to get kicked out of the competition.

In "The Art of Fashion", the final 5 designers were taken on one last field trip. The challenge was simple, and one familiar to PR fans. Using The Getty Center as their inspiration, they were to create a design of their choice. With two days and $300 to spend, it was an opportunity for the designers to spread their wings, show what they could do and make a case for why they belonged in Bryant Park.

No one came closer to expressing her inspiration better than Gordana Gehlhausen. Using Monet's "The Portal of Rouen Cathedral in Morning Light" and drawing upon her own spirituality she created a beautiful layered dress that mimicked the shape of the cathedral and the colors of the painting. When Matar walked this down the runway she looked like an ethereal princess. "I wanted to create something regardless of the judges" Gordana said, foreboding what was about to come, "I wanted to create something that I'm in love with, and I love this." So did we.

And then there came a series of developments that insulted the intelligence of Runway fans everywhere. In the judges deliberation, Nina had the audacity to state "I do not know who Gordana is as a designer", apparently forgetting the fact that she was present for barely half the challenges in Season 6. And after she was sent packing, we were presented with an insipid post-production voiceover from Heidi, blathering on about how Gordana will only grow as a designer from this experience, adding insult to the injury.

Sorry, Heidi. No amount of backtracking could make up for this injustice. Gordana was shafted - you knew it, she knew it, Tim Gunn knew it and we knew it. Tomorrow we will cheer on Althea, Carol Hannah and Irina as their finale collections walk the runway in Bryant Park, but we will also be mourning Gordana's absence.

Gordana, we wish we had a magic wand that we could wave and grant you that show in Bryant Park that you deserve. Instead we can only give you a spot in our Top 5 Looks, sending our love and appreciation for a job well done.

Top 5 Looks: 3rd Place

It usually pays off to be a bit ambitious as a designer on Project Runway. Even if everything doesn't come off as well as you would like, the judges will generally give you credit for pushing yourself and taking your design to another level. And when you match that ambition with skilled execution and impeccable taste like Shirin Askari did, the rewards can be sweet.

In "We Expect Fashion", the 15 remaining designers were asked to make a pregnancy chic outfit for guest judge Rebecca Romijn. Shirin made a hand-braided waistline on a gorgeous burgundy silk jersey to create a form fitting, elegant dress that was spectacular in its own right. But she didn't stop there. She topped the look off with a sophisticated (and fully lined!) wool jacket that complemented the dress perfectly.

The guest judges, all of whom had been pregnant and knew first hand what the challenge called for, loved this look and awarded Shirin the win. Monique Lhuillier told her that she should get into the maternity business, so tickled was she by the design. The win gave Shirin immunity and helped establish her as an early front runner in Season 6. Her road to Bryant Park would ultimately get derailed, but she did find a spot on your Top 5. Congratulations Shirin!

Top 5 Looks: 4th Place

Gordana Gehlhausen had been there and done that. As the line of divorcees introduced themselves on the runway in "A Fashionable New Beginning", they all stated how long they had been divorced. "Three months", said the first. "Congratulations!", retorted Gordana. She knew where these women were coming from and it helped inspire this winning design.

The nine remaining designers were challanged to transform their clients' wedding dresses into something chic. Using only the lining from her client Annie's dress, Gordana hand dyed the fabric and cut it into strips. She created an asymetrical neckline and frayed the edges between the strips to produce this fantastic dress that Michael Kors called both elegant and edgy.

This challenge really struck home for Gordana and she poured her heart into the work. With her hands stained from dye, Gordana called home in tears to connect with her family. We already were cheering her on this season but that scene just made us love her more.

All season long we scratched our heads over the inexplicable criticism over Gordana's work. Heidi still had to qualify the judges' love for this look by saying "You did a good job this time". Heidi and Co. would get their last licks in before it was all over, but this time, Gordana walked away a winner. Congratulations Gordana!

Top 5 Looks: 5th Place

Photo: Mike Yarish/Lifetime Television

BPR begins its countdown to the Season 6 finale by rolling out the reader's choices of the Top 5 Looks from Season 6. Making the cut at #5 is Carol Hannah Whitfield's design for X-Tina in "Sequins, Feathers and Fur, Oh My!"

For this challenge, the eight remaining designers were tasked with producing an extravagant stage look for Christina Aguilera in the design spirit of guest judge Bob Mackie. Working out of her comfort zone, Carol Hannah was able to artfully work black feathers and sequins into what Irina called "cheap, crappy Halloween type fabric". The result was a winner.

The self taught designer from South Carolina consistently produced great looks week after week but notched her only win with this gorgeous gown. It was an important point in the competition and would help propel her and model Lisa Blades all the way to Bryant Park. Congratulations Carol Hannah!

Top 5 Looks Reminder

A reminder to get your picks in for our Top 5 Looks of Season 6 survey. We will unveil the winners one by one beginning on Sunday and leading right in to the finale on November 19. Picks are due this Friday by midnight.

And don't forget to vote in our BPR fan favorite poll also. Christopher has the early lead!