10 'Runway' designers crowd finale catwalk "I remember pieces," country singer Faith Hill said after the show, admitting that she hadn't yet learned the names of the contestants that she'll be critiquing. "If I had my book in front of me, I would be able to remember. But I just remember the pieces so vividly." To prevent the audience from leaking the identities of the show's final three contestants, "Runway's" remaining 10 designers all offered collections, turning a normally refined runway into a whirlwind of faces, names and genres. Even with the larger number of lines, many themes repeated in the designers' pieces: military, industrial colors, sportswear, the 1940s and conversely, back to the future looks. Jay Nicolas Sario and Jesse LeNoir referenced the military uniform, ranging from Sario's futuristic urban warrior to LeNoir's costumey pinups reminiscent of World War II nurses and flight attendants. Seth Aaron Henderson claimed his inspiration was "1940s Russian Germany military." Other designers found inspiration in nature, including Jonathan Peters and Janeane Marie Ceccanti. Peter said his aviary theme was "an experiment in volume and a celebration of all things insect." Ceccanti's mantra was "things that aren't alive but grow anyway, like crystals." By far the most interesting, though least wearable, were Amy Sarabi's pleats and prints separates. A white pantsuit looked like it had various water stains that formed an ethereal pattern, while an off white knit dressed exploded with pleats that draped the body haphazardly. Though judges Michael Kors and Nina Garcia both said before the finale that the latest season the show's seventh its most directional in terms of the contestants' styles, to show mentor Tim Gunn, there was only one designer who stood out. But he's not naming any names. "I've never seen a season of 'Project Runway' that has had such a distinctive point of view among a group of designers," he said furtively after the presentation. "Any of the 10 could rise to the top, to be honest."
10 Styles Short Women Should Avoid Ever wonder why the very same clothes that look so fantastic on the runway at designer fashion shows frequently don't look so good on short women? Runway models tend to be very slender and quite tall (usually 5'10" or taller), and they're considered almost like a hanger from which to drape clothing. A better choice for petites is a skirt, such as a pencil skirt, that falls somewhere around the knee. Pictured: Light blue tea length dress from the Oscar de la Renta Runway Fashion Show for Spring 2013A short woman can look as though she has no neck at all if she wears a garment with a turtleneck. A better choice for petites is a V neckline, which visually elongates the figure. Pictured: Gray turtleneck dress from the Donna Karan Runway Fashion Show for 2013Double breasted jackets are bulkier than single breasted jacket styles, which work better for petites. Pictured: Canary yellow double breasted jacket from the Michael Kors Runway Fashion Show for Fall 2013 4. Below Hip Sweater or JacketPascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Short women will look better proportionally if they wear sweaters and jackets that fall to the top of the hip, rather than below the hip. Pictured: Below hip blue sweater from the Stella McCartney Runway Fashion Show for Fall 2013 5. Furry or Puffy VestsFrazer Harrison/Getty Images Any garment that adds bulk is a garment that petites should avoid, and a furry or puffy vest certainly fits into the bulky garment category. Pictured: Black fur vest from the Diane von Furstenberg Runway Fashion Show for Fall 2013 6. Big SleevesArun Nevader/Getty Images Big sleeves on a garment add bulk and detract from the sleek appearance that's desirable for short women. A better sleeve choice for petites is a fitted sleeve. Pictured: Fuchsia dress with big sleeves from the Marchesa Runway Fashion Show for Fall 2013 7. Fluffy Fur CoatFrazer Harrison/Getty Images There's nothing bulkier than a big, fluffy fur coat, and a petite lady could actually end up looking more like a bear than a woman in a huge, furry coat. Pictured: Big, fluffy fur coat from the Michael Kors Runway Fashion Show for Fall 2012Generally speaking, petites will look taller and thinner in sleek silhouettes, rather than oversized silhouettes. Short women should avoid wearing ponchos because they look big and shapeless, the opposite of sleek. Pictured: Black and white buffalo plaid poncho from the Michael Kors Runway Fashion Show for Fall 2012 9. Garments with Excess FabricArun Nevader/Getty Images) Garments with lots of excess fabric, which may be folded as pictured here, pleated, draped, or given some other designer treatment are best avoided by short women who will seem overwhelmed by all that extra fabric. Pictured: Garnet dress with yards of folded fabric shown at the Marchesa Runway Fashion Show for Fall 2013.