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Project Runway: 25 Looks We Love

Project Runway: 25 Looks We Love

But do you agree? Vote on season 5's most inspiring outfits. By Brian Orloff

By People Staff

Updated August 19, 2008 05:20 PM

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1 of 25

WEDDING CHALLENGE

Credit: Jason Winslow/Splash News Online

In a final twist, the designers were asked to create a wedding dress (and, later, a bridesmaid dress) to integrate into their collections. Leanne's white gown floated down the runway, and straight to the top of the judges' lists, thanks to its wave-like origami pleating, the signature embellishment of her collection.

2 of 25

MUSICAL CHALLENGE

Credit: Barbara Nitke/Bravo

Jerell didn't miss a beat in the show's first-ever music challenge. Asked to create a pop-inspired look for fellow contestant Kenley, the designer whipped up this mesh mini, perfectly suited for a character he dubbed "Kenley Spears." Guest judge LL Cool J loved it too.

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WEDDING CHALLENGE

Credit: Scott Gries/Getty

Although the judges initially pointed out some remarkable similarities between Kenley's wedding dress and an Alexander McQueen creation, they came around to her dress – a dreamy poof of feathers and tulle.

Continued on next slide.

4 of 25

NATURE CHALLENGE

Credit: BRAVO

Everything was coming up roses for Jerell, who won his third challenge on Project Runway for his evening gown inspired by blooming roses after some meditation at the New York Botanical Garden. The designer was crowned the winner for his multi-layered gown – but, unfortunately, was not spared from elimination the following week.

5 of 25

NATURE CHALLENGE

Credit: BRAVO

Leanne was moved by lavender – and she took that inspiration literally in her flowing, elegant gown, which nabbed her second place and a pass to move on and create a collection for Bryant Park.

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MAKEOVER CHALLENGE

Credit: Barbara Nitke/Bravo

Jerell really listened to his client – and it paid off. The designer earned his second win in a row after giving a recent college grad a new look with a little help from her mom. The designer honored his coed's wishes – she wanted an outfit appropriate for an artist's assistant with an androgynous edge – delivering a stunning skirt, embellished blouse and oversized cardigan.

Continued on next slide.

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MAKEOVER CHALLENGE

Credit: Barbara Nitke/Bravo

Kenley was fortunate to find a style ally in her makeover client – a recent college graduate whom Heidi Klum dubbed her "mini me." She offered her client one of her staple retro dresses with a bold print and equally bold belt. The perfect match earned the designer a second-place finish.

8 of 25

AVANT-GARDE CHALLENGE

Credit: Barbara Nitke/NBC

A favorite of past Runway designers (including Christian Siriano), Jerell brought his avant-garde sensibility to the challenge, which had him creating a look based on the zodiac sign Sagittarius. Paired with previously auf'd designer Jennifer, Jerell created a voluminous brown patterned skirt offset with a shiny top, and earned his first win on the show. As Siriano would say: "That's fierce!"

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AVANT-GARDE CHALLENGE

Credit: Credit: Barbara Nitke/NBC

Leanne paired with Emily to create her avant-garde look based on the zodiac sign Scorpio that earned her high praise from former Runway contestant Alison Kelly who called it "mysterious." The look, complete with what the designer dubbed an exoskeleton, was interesting to the eye and actually wearable.

Continued on next slide.

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DVF CHALLENGE

Credit: Barbara Nitke/Bravo

Diane von Furstenberg challenged the designers to create a look for her fall collection, influenced by Marlene Dietrich's 1948 spy flick A Foreign Affair. Leanne took the espionage theme literally (playing spy games in the workroom), which worked to her advantage: her blue column dress and gray jacket ensemble earned her a second win in a row.

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DVF CHALLENGE

Credit: Bravo

Kenley got a little teary-eyed over the challenge – she couldn't wait to impress Diane von Furstenberg with her chinoiserie dress. And while the designer didn't create three separates like many of her peers, she nevertheless earned high praise from the judges and nabbed second place in the challenge.

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NIGHTLIFE CHALLENGE

Credit: Barbara Nitke/Bravo

She loves the '80s! Kenley impressed the judges with her tulle bubble skirt

and its bright, bold pattern. The designer drew inspiration for the

challenge – to create the perfect outfit for a night out in New York

City – from a photo she snapped on the streets.

Continued on next slide.

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DRAG QUEEN CHALLENGE

Credit: Barbara Nitke/Bravo

He had initial hesitations about the challenge – but Joe listened to his client, the fabulous Varla Jean Merman, and created a body-hugging, spangly pink catsuit that nabbed the designer his first win.

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OLYMPICS CHALLENGE

Credit: Barbara Nitke/Bravo

The only designer to deliver a truly athletic look, Joe nabbed third place for

his patriotic "skort" as his competitors struggled to create a Team USA look

appropriate for the Olympic opening ceremonies. Joe also earned kudos for his blue-and-red zipper, which Tim Gunn described

as "witty."

15 of 25

GRISTEDES CHALLENGE

Credit: Barbara Nitke/Bravo

Here's a lesson: Coffee filters can be wearable! Kelli kicked off season 5

with a supermarket sweep, winning immunity and the first challenge with her

frock fashioned out of dyed vacuum cleaner bags and coffee filters.

Continued on next slide.

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LIPSTICK JUNGLE CHALLENGE

Credit: Barbara Nitke/Bravo

It was Keith's vision – but the designer had help from Kenley when the

two teamed up to create a glamorous look for Brooke Shields's character on Lipstick Jungle. The actress loved the team's floaty, tiered skirt and bold print top so much that she's going to wear it on the NBC show.

17 of 25

ECO-FRIENDLY CHALLENGE

Credit: Barbara Nitke/Bravo

Suede "rocked it" – his words! – when the designers were asked

to create a "green" look for special guest Natalie Portman.

Using sustainable fabrics, he showed innovation with his whimsical cutout tutu dress, leaving Portman and all the judges blown

away.

18 of 25

OLYMPICS CHALLENGE

Credit: Barbara Nitke/Bravo

While many of her competitors were terrified of designing sportswear, Korto won the

challenge with her fashionable but practical look. The designer

crafted high-waisted linen pants that she paired with a leather

jacket emblazoned with red and blue detailing.

Continued on next slide.

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NIGHTLIFE CHALLENGE

Credit: Barbara Nitke/Bravo

In the bottom the previous week, Leanne easily redeemed herself with her

tiered black ensemble inspired by New York sidewalk grates. The

designer earned special praise from Michael Kors, who appreciated the versatility of the look – it's actually a two-piece ensemble!

20 of 25

GRISTEDES CHALLENGE

Credit: Barbara Nitke/Bravo

Melting down plastic cups proved to be just the thing that separated Daniel

from his fellow designers. Earning second place for his bright blue bustier

dress, the designer was one of the few in the first challenge to use a non-paper-like material.

21 of 25

LIPSTICK JUNGLE CHALLENGE

Credit: Barbara Nitke/Bravo

Stella sure loves her "leathuh" – and the self-described "tough"

designer got to use her fabric of choice to great effect when paired with

Jerell. The design team was hands-down Heidi Klum's pick to win the

challenge – though guest judge Brooke Shields wasn't so crazy for it.

Continued on next slide.

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NIGHTLIFE CHALLENGE

Credit: Barbara Nitke/Bravo

Terri's flowy, colorful top – inspired by graffiti on the streets of

N.Y.C. – paired with tight pants nabbed the designer a call-out from guest

judge Sandra Bernhard, who said she'd wear the designer's clothes in a

heartbeat.

For more Runway action, go to TV Watch!

23 of 25

DRAG QUEEN CHALLENGE

Credit: Barbara Nitke/Bravo

Blayne didn't exactly crack the top three with his fluorescent look for Miss Understood, but the designer did inspire one of Tim Gunn's most memorable quips of all time. When he saw the outfit, the silver-haired mentor said the look resembled a "pterodactyl out of a gay Jurassic Park!" It wasn't intended as a compliment – but that sure didn't matter to Blayne!

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CAR CHALLENGE

Credit: Bravo

Even though she stuffed her model's undergarments for a little extra padding and shape, Leanne's modern black mini-dress (with its corseted top) earned the designer a well deserved first win.

Continued on next slide.

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CAR CHALLENGE

Credit: Bravo

Terri may have quipped that Korto's woven coat-dress resembled a terrifying scarecrow. But Korto refined her look by adding rich embellishments and finishing touches that transformed her raw materials – seatbelts – into an elegant second place look.

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Project Runway: 25 Looks We Love

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WEDDING CHALLENGE

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MUSICAL CHALLENGE

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WEDDING CHALLENGE

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NATURE CHALLENGE

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NATURE CHALLENGE

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MAKEOVER CHALLENGE

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MAKEOVER CHALLENGE

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AVANT-GARDE CHALLENGE

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AVANT-GARDE CHALLENGE

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DVF CHALLENGE

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DVF CHALLENGE

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NIGHTLIFE CHALLENGE

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DRAG QUEEN CHALLENGE

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OLYMPICS CHALLENGE

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GRISTEDES CHALLENGE

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LIPSTICK JUNGLE CHALLENGE

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ECO-FRIENDLY CHALLENGE

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OLYMPICS CHALLENGE

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NIGHTLIFE CHALLENGE

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GRISTEDES CHALLENGE

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LIPSTICK JUNGLE CHALLENGE

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NIGHTLIFE CHALLENGE

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DRAG QUEEN CHALLENGE

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CAR CHALLENGE

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CAR CHALLENGE

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