New 'Project Runway' Champ: 'I Really Believed I Was the Winner'

By Christine Fenno Posted Oct 31st 2010 12:12PM

Many 'Project Runway' fans were shocked this week when the unusually lively deliberations among the judges -- Heidi Klum, Michael Kors, Nina Garcia and guest judge Jessica Simpson -- led to a first-place finish for controversial contestant Gretchen Jones.

The Portland, Ore., designer presented a Fashion Week show of earthy dresses and separates, while fan favorite Mondo took second place by bringing his trademark whimsy to a colorful collection that was ultimately deemed too juvenile.

During season 8, Gretchen was seen relentlessly promoting herself as the only worthy victor.

Looking back, it seems she still feels that way.

"You know, I really believed that I was the winner and felt that I represented not only myself, but what 'Project Runway' was all about," she told TVGuide.com about hearing her name announced as the winner. "So, it didn't feel crazy to me."

Regarding the emotional reunion episode, during which some booted designers expressed resentment toward Gretchen while others defended her, she says, "I walked away feeling really good about how I interacted with each person on the show. I don't think it makes you two-faced to look at your competitors' work in a way that's objective."

And how did she feel hearing the divided opinions among the judges, as their debate over who should win was broadcast in the season finale?

"What Mondo and I represented were two very different aesthetics and perspectives. And I felt really grateful that Nina and Michael understood where I was coming from. I think they really understood me, not only as a designer, but what I represented in the fashion world. They were [the ones] I really was trying to reach. I knew it was going to be a battle from the minute I met Mondo, and I know both of our futures are bright."

Tags: project runway

Comments

(103)

Sunday 31 October

By David

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Perhaps you should have watched the show before you reported that Gretchen never won a weekly challenge as she won two of them

By matt

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Beat me to it, David.

By paerki

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I thought Mondo was amazing throughout the entire season. I can't say I'm a Gretchen fan, but I do believe she deserved to win. We have seen Mondo's looks from other designers in the past (on and off the show). I enjoyed watching the deliberation with the judges, and how they came to pick the winner, which was right... on target. Nina was correct with her opinions. However, all remains to be seen, with past and present winners, and we will never know their true talent for years. I'm impressed with all of the designers I've seen on the show. The past few seasons haven't been all that great, but I remain a fan.

By ttiantn

Now they look boring and tired. Mondo and Michael were different, interesting and each had pieces that would fit right in on the runways of Europe. By the way, Heidi did NOT agree with the other two judges. She and Jessica were adamant about Mondo..I love this , So does My boyfriend .he is almost 11year older than me .i met him via age'gapsingles.c'om a nice place for seeking age le ss love.which gives you a chance to make your life better and open opportunities for you to meet the attractive young girls and treat you like a king. Maybe you wanna check it out or tell your friends..

By Eve

I think quite a lot of what we've seen is nothing new, for example Christian Siriano, while I liked his looks on Project Runway, I felt I had seen them already on the runways in previous years. I feel the same about Gretchen, I have the distinct impression I've seen something similar before which really isn't a good thing for a designer. They were nice enough pieces but nothing exciting, although I really love the necklaces, I think they are a great interpretation of Native American breastplates. It seems they get confused on Project Runway between trying to encourage fashion which can be avant- garde but then they backpedal to more marketable designs. Which is it?

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By donna

GET YOUR STORY STRAIGHT!!! SHE WON TWO WEEKLY CHALLENGES! THE FIRST TWO, IDIOT! HERE'S A THOUGHT, AS A WRITER HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT OF ACTUALLY DOING RESEARCH? OR DO YOU JUST MAKE CRAP UP AS YOU GO????

By Bob

well he won more than she did he was constantly in the top she was in the bottom more times than she won and the two times she won IDIOT were fairly simple tests IDIOT so for the show to be fair they should have taken in accont who had done better on the challanges rather than push around the other judges it wasnt a fair vote at all Idiot

By doodlebug9645

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Gretchen did win several weekly challenges during the season. In fact she won the first and second week.

One other thought...Gretchen WAS the only clear winner this season. Her designs were incredible and very wearable. Mondo's on the other hand were just weird and made for teenage girls at best. She should be very proud of herself. It is obvious to me that this girl has had to struggle her entire life and has learned that to be heard you have to SPEAK UP! I am so proud of the judges for not getting caught up in Mondo's personal moment and making an emotional decision. I enjoyed seeing their banter and have a new respect for them. Also, I love Tim Gunn but his personal attack on Gretchen this season when he called her a bully was out of line. That should be dealt with, he owes her a very public apology. That really cut her and she struggle horribly after he did that.

By whatevs

How can you possibly say he should apologize to her? Did you even watch that episode? She clearly said they were going to stick together and she just throws Michael C. under the bus. It doesn't surprise me you think she should win, you're just like her as a person.

Monday 01 November

By gobigblue

Unfortunately Donna, over 90% of people don't agree with you! Check any "who should've won project runway" and Mondo has over 90% of the vote across the board. MONDO WAS ROBBED and Gretchen's huge ego can't quite grasp that. I'm sure the OVERWHELMING DISAPPOINTMENT voiced on facebook and many other websites has been a bitter pill to swallow. And Donna, please post a picture for us when you're walking down the street in a pair of Gretchen's diapers!

By georgie

I don't feel that Tim needs to apologize for anything. If you can't stand the heat, then get out of the kitchen. Gretchen is a good designer, I agree, but she was really annoying throughout the show. However, to say that Mondo's designs were weird, I disagree. I thought while Gretchen designed for the prarie girl, Mondo designed more high fashion. He reminds me of Besty Johnson, whose clothes are fashion forward and fun, at the same time. Gretchen's were good, but bland. If I were Michael, I would be very proud of myself. He fought the odds when everyone was against him, and came so far.

And by the way, who would wear those horrible underwear. They look like my grandmothers Depends.

By thegrrrr8est

You couldn't be more wrong. When a true gentleman with impeccable manners like Tim Gunn calls out a manipulative shrew on her shenanigans, he's 100% on target. She was vile.

By Kelly

You must be Gretchen's Aunt Donna

By Terry

I don't care if Gretchen won two challenges or not; her clothes are awful. She did not deserve to win anything. She is a no talent. She is not a good designer. I'd love to see Kors and Garcia wear her big momma panties. What a joke!!! Heidi is spineless and Jessica Simpson was the only one who go it right except she didn't get to vote for the best who was clearly Michael C. Let the people vote from now on. Get rid of Kors and Garcia and Heidi.

By LK

I agree I loved Michael C's clothes and he should have won!

By kari

I agree. I loved Michael's designs and think he should have won.

By JoJo

LOL big momma panties! I thought that maybe she was designing for women with bladder issues. On the runway it just looked like the models forgot to put on their pants or skirts.

Micheal, the so-called "untalented one" was told that just because the colors are the same, it's not a collection. Funny, because I remember Micheal Kors and Nina telling another contestant that there needed to be more cohesiveness with color, that nothing went together. I think they go out of their way to pick the worst, just for the controversy.

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