Project Runway Finale - Bryant Park NYC

So there I was in my bed, getting some SERIOUS REM sleep, when I heard my cell phone buzzing (I keep it on vibrate) in my ear. Startled awake, I reached for my phone and saw that I had a text message...I noted the time on the phone (8:11am). "I woke up for THIS????"...I thought to myself angrily as I checked my messages. Well, my mood changed immediately when I saw the message that said..."I have a ticket for you for the Project Runway Finale but you have to come NOW!! Call me when you get here." I knew immediately that message was from my friend Ryan, who works for The Magical Elves Production Company (they produce Project Runway). Now I knew from my experience last year trying to get a ticket, that it was the HOTTEST ticket in town!! I hurriedly texted him back asking "What time?" and he replyed "the show starts at 9am". That meant that I had about 45 minutes to get there....

I got myself together, did the more time consuming parts of my makeup...lol...my eyebrows, got myself dressed, threw a pair of blue & black, patent-leather, platform pumps in my bag, slipped on my trusty flip-flops and headed to the train station. I was so paranoid about being late that I didn't even stop to get my usual morning cup of coffee. But as luck would have it "Murphy" met me in a bright yellow jacket at the train station. I tried to ignore him as I gave a quick "Good Morning" to the Customer Service Rep in a burgundy vest in front of the token booth. I took out 2 dollar bills to get a metrocard...but as luck would have it none of the machines where accepting bills (and I had no coins or cards on me); which meant I would have to walk two blocks to the 24 hour booth....(I saw Murphy standing to the right of the Metrocard machines just grinning!) I said out loud to no one in particular "You gotta be kidding me!" and looked desperately at the Rep who just smiled at me and said "go on ahead and go through the first turnstile". As I pushed through, I looked back at Murphy and thought to myself "Ha! Didn't see that one coming, did ya?"...as I ran down the steps towards the platform, I took one last glance backwards and I could have sworn I caught a glimse of him and that loud azz jacket hopping the turnstile and running after me as the train approached....

It was an "A" train and although I really needed the "D" or "B" train to get to Bryant Park, I decided to take the A to 59th St to see if I could catch the "B" train across the platform. As luck would have it there WAS a B train pulling in at the same time. I rushed across the platform and chose a spot against a door on the nearly full train. As I put my bag down and checked my watch (it was 8:50am), I was feeling pretty good because we were only 3 stops away and that would only take a few minutes. As we pulled out of Columbus Circle and into the 7th Ave station, I figured it would be a good time to put on my shoes (I HAD to walk up fabulously, you know?..lol) and I bent down to retrieve my shoes and as I stood up, out of the corner of my eye, I caught a flash of yellow...I looked around and saw Murphy standing across from me with an evil grin and he had the nerve to WINK at me!!!! At that very moment, I swear to you the train began to slow to an absolute CRAWL!!! and I began to get a little bit nervous...

We chugga-a-lugged for a few moments and then the train stopped. My heart began to race as we stood there for nearly 5 minutes and then I heard the words that strike sheer terror into the hearts of transit riders across the city, over the PA...."Due to a police emergency at 34th street we will be delayed momentarily"...I look over and Murphy is now laughing heartily...slowly the train began to move at a snails pace until we reach the Rockefeller Center stop...I am in such a panic about being late that I actually get off the train, thinking it was my stop. I quickly realized my mistake and jumped back on the train....by the time we reach 42nd Street, It is already after 9 and I am terrified that this will all be for naught....

I rushed upstairs (well as fast I could "rush" in 3 inch platform heels with bad knees!) and whip out my cell phone to call Ryan....the phone keeps flashing that YELLOW "Service Unavailable" sign and I am losing my mind....this mofo Murphy is now laid out on the ground in front of me, in THAT STUPID YELLOW JACKET laughing uncontrollably!!!! Now I am at the left side of the tents pacing trying to find a spot where I can get a signal and these shoes are beginning to pinch my damn feet!..I look up in enough time to see Santino Rice's tall frame whizzing by me. I am now near to tears because I am THISCLOSE to getting to see the finale of one of my favorite shows and now I can't reach my contact. My one last hope is that because Project Runway is such a high profile event that it couldn't POSSIBLY start on time, It's almost a sure thing someone famous is ALWAYS late to arrive.

I see a group of workers outside taking a smoke break, so I decide to ask them if they will allow me to call my friend to get inside....As one of them begins to retrieve his cell phone, I flip open my phone and try to call one more time...miraculously I get a signal and reach Ryan, who immediately comes outside, throws a badge around my neck, gives me a hug and escorted me inside. I turned around and stuck my tongue out at Murphy as I entered the tents...I didn't see him anymore after that.

I don't know about anyone else but for me that whole "being under a tent" thing has always been something magical and wonderful for me since I was a child. (Actually, my first date with my boo was at the circus...ah memories! lol) anyway as I hugged him good bye, he apologized for not being able to secure me an "all access pass" then explained to me that my ticket was for Standing Room Only but because I was so tall I would have no problems getting a good view.

Although the SRO section was very crowded, he was absolutely right, I had a bird's eye view of everything. My only regret was those damn shoes, they were really beginning to pinch my feet...Suddenly the house lights went down and the crowd began to quiet.

The always fab

Heidi Klum came out to thunderous applause and thanked and welcomed everyone for helping to make the show an overwhelming success. She also said her farewell's and thanked Bravo Networks.

Then she introduced fellow judges Nina Garcia & Michael Kors and announced to everyone that Jennifer Lopez was supposed to be the guest judge but due to an injury she had to pull out. The new guest judge was Tim Gunn (Love him!) and the audience roared their approval. The lights dimmed and the show began...Jerrell opened the show...his collection didn't really appeal to me, some of the outfits were a little busy for me. I heard some of the comments around me from the SRO crowd about this collection and the reviews weren't very good.

I enjoyed the collections of Kenley (asian influenced, quite beautiful and very feminine)

And Joe (I REALLY loved his leather vests and pants...just MAD sexy ya'll!!)

and while I loved my girl Korto's collection and her music was great and I SO want her to win... but I was just expecting so much MORE from her...I dunno...perhaps that's just me...lol. Hmm...I wonder if was I the only one that caught the "shade" coming from Miss Korto's little daughter stealing the spotlight from the model who was to walk with the designer...she refused to hold her hand coming up the runway for the collection walk..hilarious! Miss Korto is tailor made to create a breathtaking plus sized collection...I hope it's on her "to-do" list, since she's "fam"...ya know?

I also liked Suede's collection, his collection was very feminine as well and he used beautiful pinks and blues (which I love) that he also showcased in his hair color..lol. I don't know why I thought that there would only be three designer's showing....at this point my toes are burning and my legs are cramping...I didn't realize they were showcasing SIX designers rather than 3 this season but I am determined to not lose my spot - so trooper that I am. I stick it out.

Up until this point the show had been very ordinary for me. I wondered where the "Mysticality" (lol..is that even a word??) had disappeared to...I was to surprised to see visible threads hanging from several garments. I didn't truly feel the magic under the tents until Leanne's collection came out.

Baby! The sheer workmanship that went into creating those outfits was extraordinary...it had every thing, the color, the drama, the details...lol...can you tell that I just loved her stuff?? The only thing I didn't like was her collection music - absolutely annoying and dreadful...it was some techno sounding noise that was totally giving me a headache.

I predict that Leanne will be the winner and I will really be surprised if she doesn't take the grand prize, her line was THAT good. Check out the review in the NY Daily News it's like they read my mind!!!

(http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/fashion/fashionweek_spring_2009/2008/09/12/2008-09-12_leanne_makes_a_sweeping_statement_at_pro.html)

At that point I could barely breathe I was in so much pain from those shoes....as soon as the lights came up I practically ran outside to get those shoes off...my feet hurt so badly I couldn't think clearly...lol..

I walked thru the promenade and found a stool at an empty table and switched from my shoes to my flip-flops. I tried to reach Ryan to see if we could have a drink later but the service was still spotty. I realized that I still had my badge so I went back inside to see if I could get some photos with some of my favorite Project Runway alum! Once inside, I was pleased to see that reporters were still there inteviewing folks. The first person I saw was Santino Rice and he was more than happy to oblige me with a pic!

The Runway Diva & Santino Rice

I made my way over to Season 1 winner Jay McCarroll, who took one look at me and exclaimed "Omigod! You are gorgeous! I wanna be a big, bald, beautiful black woman! I told him to give me a call and I would see what I could do! He happily posed with me then made his way to the reporters.

Jay McCarroll & The Runway Diva

As Jay was walking away I saw Leanne finishing up an interview and I waited till she wrapped it up to tell her that I if she didn't win something was seriously wrong with the judges.

Runway Diva Prediction: This Chick (Leanne) Is Gonna Win!!!

The Runway Diva & Chris March

I got a brief moment to talk to Chris March and spotted a very fabulously dressed Stella Zotis all done up in leather (She looked hot to death ya'll) but she was a little um....stinky - attitude wise ya know? Anywayyyyyyyyyyyy....................

I also caught a glimpse of a season 4 designer Elisa Jiminez (the chick that put "spit marks" on her garments") giving interviews. As the crowd began to thin I made my way to the exit doors...and on the way out I saw Tim Gunn and took a pic with him as well. I stopped at the kiosk on the way out and picked up the latest fashion publications to read on the train ride to the Bronx (where I was headed next). As I tried one last time to reach Ryan on the phone I observed a chick in a pair of FABULOUS red patent leather, peek toe, platform shoes ..they were so cute that I HAD to get a photo...cuz you know..."it's all about the shoe!"...lol.

I finally reached Ryan, who was leaving the same day and unable to hook up with me and thanked him for making my day with such a wonderful gift!

Holla at the me the next time you are in NYC Ryan! You have no idea what that gesture meant to me.

One more thing fam...if you haven't figured out who my friend "Murphy" is yet...lol...it's "Murphy" as in "Murphy's Law".....lol...

"The manner of giving is worth more than the gift."