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by Tracy Benbrook

Last night, on Project Runway, I learned that Jillian is not just an amazing designer. She is the future. She is destiny. And she’s possibly going to kill anybody who gets in her way.

Let me be frank. I love Jillian’s designs. She is just – she is just so fantastic. I didn’t realize it at first. She snuck up on me. So quiet that I didn’t even notice her and I couldn’t tell her voice apart from Victoria and then one day, a couple of weeks ago, I realized out of the blue– she’s my favorite designer. She’s the one who every week I’m like – “Wow. That is gorgeous. That is wearable. That is fashion.”

Unlike the rest of the designers, the only thing predictable about Jillian is that you had no idea what to expect – except that you’d barely see her until the end.

Then, last night, we got a chance to see a hint of her final collection. And – in true Jillian fashion – we only got a hint. The look of a jacket that was intricate and beautiful I loved it immediately. Glimpses of a few other pieces on hangers against the wall.

Her air of mystery was still intact. Who is Jillian? What is she going to do? I still had no idea what to expect on the runway, even after Tim’s collection tour!

Until that final set of interviews. Until we met her mother. Until we found out that Jillian is the child of prophecy, destined to be famous.

And you know what? When she looked straight at the camera in her final interview – her voice soft and sweet, her mouth firm and her eyes like lasers – and vowed to make it. Well. I knew right then and there that there isn’t any other alternative. This world belongs to Jillian and even though I still have no idea what she’s going to show, I do know one thing.

The Runway belongs to her. And Jillian Lewis is going to win Fashion Week. Because it’s fate.

by Jenni Zammit 

Week after week, Rami Kashou showed himself to be a master of draping, and got pummeled by Michael Kors, Nina Garcia and Heidi Klum for being too predictable.

The criticisms were unwarranted, unfair and hypocritical.

Each of this season’s top 3 designers (Rami, Christian Siriano and Jillian Lewis) were just as predictable. No matter what challenge the designers were assigned, the following three looks would walk down the runway:

Rami: Greek-goddess style draping
Christian: Black puffy-sleeved jacket, ivory ruffled blouse, black skinny pants
Jillian: Long coat, high collar, weird stitching

So why are they always picking on Rami? LEAVE RAMI ALONE! The guy’s already made a business of doing what he does best, and I don’t think his choices on the show were any more predictable than the choices of the other top 2 designers.

And for Kors and Garcia to criticize his draped garment after the last challenge (the designers were let loose in a museum, told to choose a piece of art that inspired them as designers) … COME ON!

Can you blame him? Putting Rami in a room full of Greek and Roman statues and asking him not to be inspired by the draping is like putting Augustus Gloop in a room full of chocolate and asking him to eat some celery. You know what’s going to happen.

Even after producing beautiful, body-friendly garment week after week, (okay, okay … except for that week with the WWE divas), Rami still had to compete for his spot in the top three.

While Chris March is cute, sweet, bubbly and creative … I would much rather have Rami’s fantasy gown “enhance” my hips a bit than have human hair hanging onto my thighs. *shudder*.

After winning this season’s first Project Runway challenge, Rami declared “I think that I set the bar for this competition.” Rami, I think you’re right. I can’t wait to see your entire Joan d’Arc collection walk the runway next week … and I’m not complaining about another night of his biceps, either … he can “drape” those around me any time he wants.

by Cara Howard 

Is it just me, or do other people agree that Christian’s picture needs to go right next to the word “fierce” in the dictionary? As an avid watcher of Project Runway (I’ve never missed an episode since its premiere), I am convinced that Christian will represent the show as the Season 4 winner.

Beyond being the fan favorite, our little Christian has some real fashion staying power in his corner. I mean, are we really surprised? When he was in England, he studied fashion alongside Vivienne Westwood. THE Vivienne Westwood. If that doesn’t strike up lifelong inspiration, I don’t know what does.

From seeing the footage of his line in last night’s show and photos from the upcoming runway finale, I think Christian is our clear winner. Sure, Tim Gunn told him some of his stuff bordered on costume-y. But I don’t think it’s costume. I think it’s couture. And I LOVE IT!!

Seriously… The only other promising young designer on Project Runway has been Daniel Vosovic. And even though I really liked him, he just wasn’t that fashion-forward. My favorite all-time contestant has been Jay McCarroll. Since episode 1, season 1. Now Christian is giving him a run for his money, in my book. I just know that the judges continue to emphasize how important it is to have a “point of view.” I haven’t felt a strong “point of view” from a contest on the show except for Jay. Until we met Christian.

Christian has a keen eye, a cosmetology background (he got his start in the Bubbles salon at the tender age of 13, if you didn’t know!), and picture-perfect execution. His hair and makeup decisions perfectly match his creations. They. Are. Flawless!

Simply put: Christian Siriano doesn’t make his clothes because they’re pretty – he makes them because they’re inspired. And that’s what cutting-edge fashion and design is all about. And THAT is why he should be the clear winner.

So, I’ll be sitting in front of my TV next week, anxiously awaiting the verdict. I just hope the judges agree with me (and apparently a lot of other fans out there) that Christian should be the designer to take home the prize.

For four years, Beauty Schools Directory has been helping students find schools to become a cosmetologist, esthetician, make-up artist, and many other careers in beauty.

We’re very proud to announce that we’ve added massage schools to the list. We are very excited by how this new addition will let us help more students find the right school and get started on a career they will love!

You can read about massage therapy, working as a massage therapist, or find a massage therapy school.

We’ll be taking a couple weeks off from the blog in order to spend time with our families. We’ll return on January 2nd with some great new videos, including how to cut a spice bob, how to do a formal up-do, and more make-up tips.

We’re working on more tutorials. If there’s anything you’d like to see, leave a comment to let us know.

Have a safe and happy 2008!