Project Runway Season 21 Finale

Hello everyone! Like I said last week, I had plans this evening, and then I am headed out of town. I won't be able to get to a recap until probably Tuesday, but I didn't want to leave everyone hanging until then. So I am going to do a bare-bones commentary, so you can know who won. Next week I'll have a proper recap up (and also Amazing Race will get going soon!). I know a couple of people commented on last week's post about spoilers so that will be behind the cut. (click for more)

As we left off last week, everyone made avant-garde looks based on "Wicked". Of course we don't know who was eliminated, but Antonio had walked off the set, complaining about Veejay (of course) but also Law. There are actually two different groups over at least three spoilers, so we will see which one is correct. Early in the season (maybe before the season started?) three designers were on Good Morning America, doing some kind of challenge. These designers were Ethan, Jesus, and Belania. However there is also the thumbnail on Hulu for tonight's episode, which shows Ethan, Jesus, and Veejay on the runway with what looks like the other eliminated designers behind them. This matches Nina's Instagram poll which asked who you were rooting for: Ethan, Jesus, or Veejay? Nina posted this probably six hours before the episode was set to air. No matter which spoiler is correct, I think we can all agree the producers do not care if we are spoiled.

OK! On with the show. Wait, was this a 90 minute episode? UGH. I am reminded during this recap that Tyra was wearing a dress designed by Bishme, which is amazing. Jesus claims to be the most humble person Veejay has met. Sure. Never believe someone who insists on how humble they are. Ethan agrees that the twins are established. The judges discuss how they like Belania, but she makes the same thing all their time. Tyra loves her. They love Ethan, but Law feels Jesus was more original. Nina argues she doesn't think he's up to par. We discuss how Antonio's work is inconsistent, as we cut back and forth to him sitting on the sidewalk outside. Veejay is a threat but not on brand. Yeah, you can't make a red dress for Wicked. Nina found it creative, but it kind of feels like Nina just wants to argue.

Antonio comes back inside, and apparently decided that if he goes home and quits, then if the eliminated designers return to be manual labor, he can't help his brother and Jesus really needs him. I guess so. But you also don't know that will happen? Also all that drama was for nothing, but that's the least surprising thing.

Heidi says the winner is Ethan, because of course. That shit was amazing. Jesus looks pissed because it's not just Veejay he thinks isn't as good as him. Jesus is of course in. He makes sure to say he's full of humbleness, so you see what I was saying. Antonio made a look they've seen before, Veejay made a poor color choice, Belania's streetwear won't be "popular" on the runway. Oh then Veejay is in because MAXIMUM DRAMA. Her look was good avant-garde, but don't you want to see what Belania would produce? Antonio now is saying maybe he isn't in a space to make a collection. Belania found her voice and she's ready to go.

They will have five days to make five looks. They should get to go home so Christian can have home visits. "Stay true to who you are" blah blah. Jesus seems to blame Veejay for his brother being sent home which we all know is not true. That's not how judging works. Look this isn't a spoiler but I think we can all agree this is Ethan's to lose. Jesus makes some good designs but the judges can't get enough of Ethan's dramatic looks. 

Day One is labeled Fabric and Concept. They have $7500 at Mood. Jesus buys some pink fabric because Antonio would have made a pink collection and he cries about it. He didn't die. His goal for the collection is "make women feel beautiful", while Ethan's inspiration is "rich". Make people feel how Utica makes him feel. He chants "find cool shit" which is hilarious. Veejay is not at Mood, but at a leather shop buying lots of leather. It appears her inspiration is the T-1000 Terminator. Yeah, sure. You can't kill him and similarly she's still here.

It's nine hours until the end of the day, and Joan, Yuchen, and Antonio roll in. Pre-assigned? I guess. Joan is with Veejay and Yuchen is with Ethan. The twins cry and I'm irritated but also if they had gotten months and gone home Antonio would have made half of this collection so it's the same result. Jesus comes over and asks to see Veejay's sketches. Why. You can't blame her for all your problems and call her a bitch every chance you get and then come over and think she's going to talk to you. I have seen comments that Veejay thinks they're all joking and being shady and the twins are actually offended, and this behavior is not making the twins look innocent. Either she's a terrible person who doesn't deserve to be here, or she's going to show you her sketches on the first day because you like each other.

Day Two: Construction and Casting. Ethan does a lot of draping and not a lot of patterns. Veejay's designs are really abstract so she needs to work on how to make them. Christian shows up to bring models. There's some boys, and the first one says he does drag so Ethan is excited. The model Jesus uses all the time is here, and Veejay thinks she can steal her but there's no way. MIMI!!! Girl where have you been!!!!!!!! She's so amazing. Veejay gets to go first, and so she steals Jessica because of course she does. Jesus says he's "spiritual" with her and that's his muse and he calls her a bitch, but Veejay is just like "but I haven't worked with her". Girl come on. Just own it. Jesus says "a friend would not do that" but why in the fuck do you think she's your friend? Ethan thinks Jesus is throwing a tantrum, but also Veejay is doing this on purpose. Veejay sighs like, find you can have her then, and Jesus fakes an apology. Girl take Mimi. We do not see a single moment more of model selection.

Ethan has a bunch of stuff done, lots of beads, drama, gowns. Veejay thinks it's the same stuff he's done already, and Christian agrees. He has five gowns done and Christian hates them all. Yeah, you need to do something new, but you should probably also do something you know they like. Jesus has more than five looks because he's just so fast at sewing. It will allow him to edit, but it's all pink and he needs a break. Christian tells him to push himself. Veejay has nothing made. The plan is for leather that looks like metal, but it's all paper and muslin right now. She gets the advice to cut some leather and see what happens, but that might get expensive and if she screws up then she'll have nothing. 

Day Three, First Model Fitting. Also it seems to be the first day the helpers are here to do stuff. They're all here, and Ethan points out that they only have two fittings so you have to have something today. Jesus has some options, and Christian is cautioning him to calm down. Veejay does have some looks, but Mimi doesn't have anything to try on. She has to get started, but she knows what fabric she wants to use and some kind of idea of what to do. Ethan now has dark genderbending looks, but it might be too costume focused. Christian wants a gown. Like a big Utica drag gown. He should have told him when he had five gowns up there. Jesus tells Veejay her collection looks like the Terminator (I assume as an insult) and she crows that he got it without her telling her. We film Veejay getting emotional about how her family became poor after her dad died and she wants to use the money to help them.

Day Four, Finale Judge Reveal. Ethan has some hoops for a hoop skirt. He feels if he wins, it will let him show drag designers should be taken seriously. Veejay is working hard. Christian and Heidi come in to tell everyone that the finale guest judge will be Michael Kors. Good. Jesus was judged by Kors on his season, and he was his usual self. 

Day Five, Final Model Fitting. Veejay and Jesus discuss how their moms are going to be here, and I still think it's bullshit they're pretending to like each other. The models and Christian arrive. Veejay has a lot of hand sewing. At home we have a stupid conversation about "favorite moments" and Veejay and Jesus apologize but I don't buy it. 

Runway Day. Plenty of working and hair and makeup no one cares about and I miss hot makeup guy Scott. Ethan crawls underneath a skirt to hem it. He also goes to lace a corset top and the strip with the holes for the laces tears away from the rest of the bodice. It's too small to zip up and he's freaking out. Naturally after commercial he gets it done. 

Kors asks Nina if there's "new levels of frankness this year" and that it's "spectacular". Of course he loves that Law is rude. Christian is also sitting with everyone. 

Ethan is up first. He says there's a queen on the stage, and he made clothes for "women of the night" but now it's for everyone. Liris has a carwash skirt and corset. There's a bunch of black leather, the male model is like, a long jacket and a long skirt loincloth situation. All black and plenty of sheer. The last piece is a mermaid skirt with a huge hoop. Law says he should have walked his own show and this is true.

Veejay titled her Terminator collection "A Beautiful Moment". It's silver leather, asymmetric pieces. Very sculptural. There's a pair of pants with one leg cut almost the whole way through, weirdly. Mimi is a queen. Her dress is a long gown draped over one arm and the other bare, but it's chainmail so it's all done by hand. I guess the fact that she didn't fuck it up is good.

Jesus interviews "Don't they say they save the best for last?" and the chyron says "the most humble" and this is a perfect combination. He cries at his mom, who he knew would be there. Kors is like "I remember him!" which may or may not be a good thing. This collection looks very current, lots of pink satin and some silver roses. His "muse" has a long gown with exaggerated hips and maribou feathers. I can't say it's super creative but I suppose he could sell it. 

They talk to various people who love how fresh it is and how much work they did and whatever. As you know they will find people to love each collection. Some previous contestants too. Jesus and Veejay are now hugging and saying they love each other which pisses me off. Don't make me watch so much bullshit and drama only for them to be like "oh we love each other jk".

Kors says he loves the thoughtfulness. Ethan's finale look is wonderful and so many people would want to wear this. His looks are very pop musician, but Law says this runway was all Utica. Maybe simple hair and makeup would have gone over better. Heidi asks why he bedazzles everything and Ethan is like "I'm gay." She deserved that. Please edit but we certainly are not bored.

Kors does remember Jesus which was funny. His finale gown has a big visible zipper, but he says he needed the strong teeth. They hate the sleeves, but they come off, and they love it of course. They praise his model, a lot, and they do like that his models loved their clothes. 

Veejay took some risks, but they discuss the one model in the pants was all in black so she didn't go with the silver. But they love the last look, and Heidi praises the look on the plus-sized model.

Nina says Ethan surprised her but not in a good way. Kors says the talent and workmanship is there. Ethan could be out there. There's a place for everyone. Veejay was creative, and I think they agree she had range. They disagree about the pants, but they agree the finale dress was subtle and amazing. Jesus maybe could have not had all hot pink, but Kors appreciates the daring. He has great construction and Nina thinks he's more commercial. 

So loved ones and eliminated designers are here. Heidi claims they've all made her decision to return worth it. Kors was really impressed with all of them. The winner is...Veejay? VEEJAY!?!? Holy shit. Nina thinks she was the dark horse, but that she has "craftsmanship". Oh people are going to be mad. Jesus claims to be happy for her. Ethan is glad his first collection was on this show. 

OK so that happened, I don't hate Veejay, but so much of this season was not great. I will be back later with a better recap and also apparently they're casting future seasons so they'll be back too. Great.