Talk of the Tents

A sign posted backstage at Michael Kors

Well, that's it for the fall 2008 collections!

Let's take a look back at some of the week's highlights:

Best Show Theme
Betsey Johnson, punk rock chic

Best Backdrop
Cynthia Rowley, 3D forest

Best Runway
Rebecca Taylor, pink sparkle-encrusted catwalk

Best Fashion Week Swag
Heart Truth Red Dress, Bobbi Brown lip palette

Best Hairdo
Vivienne Tam (the original look)

Best Backstage Advice for Models
Michael Kors, "Be glamorous, powerful and sophisticated ... You are superstars!"

Tune in next season for more Talk of the Tents!

- Korin Miller

Michael Kors, Heidi Klum, Victoria Beckham and Nina Garcia at the "Project Runway" finale

Leave it to a reality TV show to draw the biggest star power at Fashion Week.

Victoria Beckham, Meryl Streep and Harvey Weinsten joined a slew of celebrities for the "Project Runway" season four final runway presentation.

And speaking of reality TV, navigating the show's front row was like flipping through Bravo's lineup: "Project Runway" hosts Tim Gunn and Heidi Klum were joined by the show's judges Michael Kors and Nina Garcia, as well as "Make Me a Supermodel" hosts Nikki Taylor and Tyson Beckford, "Top Chef" contestant Dale Levitski, Ted Allen from "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy," "Top Chef" host Padma Lakshmi and "Project Runway" season four ex-contestant Ricky Lizalde.

"I'm here to show support," Lizalde said before the presentations. The lingerie designer also said he's rooting for Jillian and Rami because "I think they have a really strong voice."

Reality TV stars also turned up on the catwalk (they're everywhere!) with "America's Next Top Model" winners Jaslene Gonzalez and Danielle Evans strutting their stuff alongside Cycle 9 contestant Bianca Golden.

Also at the show: A very pregnant Ana Gasteyer, who sat in the front row unnoticed with her hands folded over her big belly. The "Saturday Night Live" alum said she attended the presentation as "a Valentine's Day present to my husband," who stood nearby. Plus, you know, it's her favorite show.

"I've learned more about fashion from this season than anything else," she said.

Keep reading Talk of the Tents for details on the show.

* Check out all of the Project Runway photos here

* See videos for each designer's collection, and audience and judge reaction, here

* Read our sister Project Runway blog's take on the day here

- Korin Miller

A model wears Christian's feathered gown at the "Project Runway" fashion show

* See new after-party pix from the Project Runay season finale with winner Christian Siriano

* Check out all of the Project Runway photos, here

OK, "Project Runway" fans! Here's a rundown of the collections featured in today's final presentation, broken down by designer:

Sweet P.
Applause rating: Big
Opening quote: "I hope you enjoy my collection as much as I do."
Standouts from the collection: Yellow jacket with a cinched waist, over a fitted, strapless purple shimmery gown; High-waisted red and green plain trousers; Striped dress with ruffles at the sleeves and up the skirt

Verdict: One of the best collections

Chris
Applause rating: Huge - the loudest of the presentation
Opening quote: "I ... holy cow. ... I never knew that living my life one day at a time would leave me to this day, this hour and this moment."
Standouts from the collection: Cinched waist jacket with human hair sleeves, burgundy one-strap evening gown; burgundy cocktail dress with slight bustle
Verdict: Good, but the human hair was distracting. (Really - what was he thinking?!)

Jillian
Applause rating: Decent
Opening quote: "This is my first collection. ... I was so inspired and I hope you all can see where I was coming from."
Standouts from the collection: Belted trench with fedora; flouncy cocktail dress; corseted metallic gown
Verdict: Some items hit the mark, others fell short

Rami
Applause rating: Decent
Opening quote: "I think women should be cherished and treated as beautiful muses every day."
Standouts from the collection: Teal two-piece tailored skirt suit; boxy magenta shift dress; gold Grecian one-strap gown
Verdict: Lots of draping (of course) and the evening wear was phenomenal

Christian
Applause rating: Huge, only second to Chris
Opening quote: "Ooh - everybody here looks fierce."
Standouts from the collection: Black ruffled bubble skirt with fitted black shirt; cream and brown ruffled belted gown
Verdict: Some outfits were "fierce," as Christian would say, but others were a bit hideous. One oversized ruffled collar looked like a beard on the model while a feather-emblazoned dress was simply too much.

Audience reactions

* Check out all of the Project Runway photos, here

* Read our sister Project Runway blog's take on the day, here

* Celebrities at Project Runway show, here

* 21 of the most crowd-pleasing outfits from Fashion Week, here

* 175 photos of celebrities at Fashion Week, here

* See photo galleries from 60 runway shows, and videos from more than 20 shows, here

- Korin Miller

Zac Posen

Rumor has it there won't be any bold-face names at tonight's Zac Posen show.

A source told us the designer disinvited celebrity attendees because they continuously accept free clothes from him - and never buy anything in return.

Can anyone blame the guy?

For photos of the Zac Posen show, click here

- Korin Miller

People wait outside Gotham Hall for the Cynthia Rowley show (Korin Miller)

Well, we should've known.

Fashionistas had to wait outside Gotham Hall for upwards of an hour to see the Cynthia Rowley show - just like last season.

This time around, the line stretched around three quarters of the block-encompassing building.

Once inside, guests were handed a generously-sized bottle of prosecco (with a straw in it, naturally) to warm up. Who would complain now?

Rowley got big props for her 3-D runway entrance that unfolded just before models took to the catwalk, but spectators seemed a bit confused by the lack of a final walk. Well, hey, they got over it quickly. Some even nabbed more bottles of prosecco on the way out.

In the front row: Parker Posey (who arrived early and patiently waited around for things to get started), Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Smart, Alan Cumming, Karen Duff and Aisha Tyler.

For photos of the Cynthia Rowley show, click here

- Korin Miller

Aisha Tyler

Who knew Aisha Tyler was hitched?

The actress' husband, attorney, Jeff Tietjens, was seated next to me at the Rebecca Taylor show while his wife sat among the other celebs in the front row.

"We've been married for 10 years," Tietjens said. Say what?! That's forever in Hollywood years.

Tietjens seems to have no problem being Mr. Aisha Tyler, adding that he's pretty used to the craziness that follows his wife by now. Tietjens also chatted about all the womenswear shows he's seen with his wife and noted that he's excited to be out and about in New York.

The man just oozed niceness. Aisha's a lucky girl!

For photos of the Rebecca Taylor show, click here

- Korin Miller

A quick-thinking model earned a round of applause at Rebecca Taylor after she tripped on the sequined runway and removed her heels.

The catwalker eventually waltzed barefoot past celebrities like Carmen Electra, Aisha Tyler, Eliza Dashku and Beth Ostrosky, wearing a slightly mortified expression.

Pre-show, Ostrosky said she's on the hunt for a wedding dress designer now that she and fiance Howard Stern have scheduled their wedding for October: "I'm starting to focus and really narrow it down on who I'm going to ask."

For photos of the Rebecca Taylor show, click here

- Korin Miller

Chanel Iman Robinson (left), Tyson Beckford (right)

It wasn't hard to tell who was Tyson Beckford's favorite catwalker at the Reem Acra show.

The "Make Me a Supermodel" host clapped enthusiastically every time model Chanel Iman Robinson slunk by, prompting her to shyly break into a grin before resuming her serious runway face.

During her final turn, Beckford let it all out, shouting, "Yeah! You work it, girl!" Finally, she giggled.

This might be the beginning of a beautiful friendship between the famous male model and up-and-comer: After the show, Iman's mom went up to Beckford and introduced herself.

Iman may have a chance to heckle her new pal tomorrow. Beckford said he "might" walk in a show, but wouldn't reveal which one. Good thing his friend was nearby. "Sean John," she supplied, with a grin.

- Korin Miller

Robert Verdi and Eva Longoria at Naeem Khan

The big buzz at Naeem Khan was the impending arrival of Eva Longoria. And arrive she did - at the last minute, when everyone had taken their seats. Yes!

The "Desperate Housewives" star briefly posed for photos and promptly started chatting on her phone until the lights went down mere minutes later.

Post-show, she stayed mum, smiling despite the questions that were shouted at her while she left, clutching the hand of Robert Verdi.

Thankfully, "Project Runway" judge Nina Garcia was a little more chatty, but wouldn't reveal who she thinks will come out on top of the Bravo show this season. "We'll see tomorrow," at the runway show, she said. "Not until you see that runway will you know."

- Korin Miller

The following e-mail was sent out today:

"It is with great regret and sadness that we announce the Anne Bowen show scheduled for this Friday, February 8 at 4pm will be postponed due to an illness within her family.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and look forward to sharing the images of this collection as well as presenting the collection on the runway in March."

- Korin Miller