Project Runway Finale

I'm coming to you live, people, from the home of my friends Sara and Jared. I mention this not only because they've been kind enough to host me as I sit here glued to my keyboard eating too many of their Tostitos, but also because their apartment was once featured on Law & Order and Jeremy Sisto totally used one of their hand towels. So I want you to know that I selected a holy place for the scene of this, my first and last ever Project Runway finale live-blog.

I don't know why I never did this before. Of course, I say that now, before I've even started. Maybe I'll understand tonight.

MAJOR SPOILER ALERT: If you are not on East Coast time, this entire blog is going to be a spoiler. So read at your own risk.

Also, disclaimer: There will be typos. THERE WILL BE ALL CAPS, ESPECIALLY IF MONDO DOESN'T WIN. There will probably not be photos, because I don't really know what I'm doing with this Cover it Live program, although I did upload all of the finale looks (don't click the links if you don't want to see the full final collections!) from Mondo, Gretchen, and Andy--stolen from New York magazine's Cut blog--into my "Media Library," so maybe you'll get lucky. And I may or may not be drinking. (Okay, I am. Not, like, a lot. Just enough to get me through. That'swhatshesaid.)

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Project Runway

Gretchen Jones stole the title of "Project Runway" season 8 winner from Mondo Guerra. These two, along with Andy South were competing against each other in the Thursday, October 28 finale, but it was the last-standing woman who impressed Heidi Klum and the rest of the judges with her collection.

In the final runway, Gretchen showed her signature feminine design which had some parts fitted and other flowy. Nina Garcia described her clothes ready-to-wear but said it could use better styling. She liked Gretchen's prints, particularly the patchwork pants. Michael Kors loved the jewelry, Klum thought the prints are repetitive while guest judge Jessica Simpson wanted to see it popping.

After a lengthy discussion, the judges agreed that the 28-year-old from Portland, Ore. has more quality than her peers. Gretchen, in tears, said, "Thank you so much." She added later, "My God, I needed this so bad, in so many different ways. And I certainly know that Mondo and I gave them hell. Now I truly feel like I'm supposed to be doing what I'm doing."

Simpson admitted she is a fan of Gretchen's collection, saying "Your designs are amazing and I can't wait to buy them. and I know that my sister [Ashlee Simpson] is going to rock them impeccably."

Meanwhile, Mondo is not bitter about the loss. He said after the announcement, "I honestly believe that everything happens for a reason. This experience has just proven to me what I am capable of achieving."

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