Project Runway All Stars Season 6 finale: Exuberance and joy prevails

Three designers dreamed of winning Project Runway All Stars season 6 finale. The winning designer has a runway full of exuberance and joy.

The Project Runway All Stars season 6 finale was filled with drama, color, innovation and sophistication. While all three designers put their personal best on the runway, only one could win the title of Project Runway All Stars. Was the winning designer the obvious choice or were the judges influenced by bold choices?

L to R: Guest judges Zac Posen and Catherine Zeta-Jones, Isaac Mizrahi, Georgina Chapman and Alyssa Milano judge the finale of Project Runway All Stars season 6, airing Thursday, April 5, at 9pm ET/PT on Lifetime.

Photo by Pawel Kaminski

The three finale designers, Stanley, Fabio and Anthony, had to create a seven-piece collection for the Project Runway All Stars finale. The storyline of these collections was to reflect making fashion history. This type of broad, vague notion didn’t necessarily guide the designers in their choices.

While the inspiration was supposed to come from visiting the Smithsonian American History Museum, all three collections seemed more inspired by the designers’ personal aesthetics. Any reference to history, famous fashion pieces or the museum seemed to be minimal if any.

Since Project Runway All Stars season 6 has been a roller coaster of a season, it was unclear if any designer had an advantage going into the finale. It appeared that one or two judges seemed to have a personal favorite, but the guest judges, Zac Posen and Catherine Zeta-Jones, were wildcards in the process. Could those fresh voices influence the final outcome?

Stanley Hudson’s design in Project Runway All Stars season 6, airing Thursday, April 5, at 9pm ET/PT on Lifetime.

Photo courtesy of Lifetime.com.

Stanley had the first runway show. He described his collection as the bold, modern, classic American woman. Those four adjectives were clear in his collection. Every look was impeccably fit to each model. Those four collection adjectives had the possibility of leaning toward uninventive. Luckily, a few of the design elements kept the looks fresh. For example, the black buckle detail on the white coat added the punch element to this classic look.

While Stanley needed a pop of color, his bright, long-sleeved dress seemed a little blah. Yes, the color was bold but the look wasn’t necessarily anything new. It needed something more to make it stand out.

Lastly, it was a mistake to leave his signature look from last week untouched. While the dress is chic, he could have tweaked it a little. In this runway show, the collar seemed slightly off. Instead of ending the runway show with a boom, it ended with a fizzle.

Fabio Costa’s runway design on Project Runway All Stars season 6. Photo courtesy of Lifetime.com

Fabio had the second runway show. He described his collection as a contrast between classic and modern. Clearly, Fabio is the most innovative designer. His collection had pieces that maybe only some women would be bold enough to wear.

The biggest thing about Fabio’s collection was that it seemed truly his point of view. Watching this entire season, Fabio definitely has design elements unique to him. From the boxy cuts to the unusual lengths, there is a signature Fabio style.

Even with that ideal in mind, a few pieces could translate to women who want to push a little without embracing the whole look. The white coat with the jumpsuit was quite impressive. That jacket would work well in almost anyone’s wardrobe. Also, a few of the skirts and tops could work separately into a woman’s closet.

Anthony Williams’ gown on Project Runway All Stars season 6. Photo courtesy of Lifetime.com

Lastly, Anthony presented the final runway show. He described his collection as Audrey Hepburn meets Rihanna. From the first look, Anthony was ready to put on a show. Each look got a reaction from the audience.

Anthony’s collection was full of exuberance and joy. Each look could produce a gasp, applause or delight from the audience. The gowns were dramatic yet fashion-forward. Easily, anyone would make a best-dressed list in one of these outfits.

The top looks from his collection were either the white jumpsuit with dramatic draping or the finale gown. The white jumpsuit balanced softness from the draping with a modern line. It was instantly memorable. The finale gown was impressive in its grandeur. The print was bold yet not overdone. It was a perfect way to end the show.

Overall, all three collections were good. In another season, any of these designers could have won. Unfortunately, only one could win. Did you guess which designer walked away with the title?

The winner of Project Runway All Stars season 6 finale was Anthony.

Anthony Williams named the winner of Project Runway All Stars season 6. Photo courtesy of Lifetime.com

It appears that the judges went with the designer that reflected the here and now. His collection had the most drama and show. While it wasn’t a clear-cut win, it was definitely the most memorable collection.

While winning the title is great for the designer, I wonder if Anthony will become a “designer” name. Looking at past Project Runway and Project Runway All Stars seasons, the designers who brought the drama have done well. Christian Siriano is now a huge fashion force.

If Anthony can keep the balance between drama, edge and tastefulness, he could have a strong place in the fashion world. While his designer prices might be beyond some people’s reach, a few of his looks could be incorporated into any wardrobe. Maybe next time you need a little black dress, you’ll look for the little touches to set it apart.

Will this season of Project Runway All Stars influence your wardrobe? Maybe the best takeaway from this season is to be true to your aesthetic. If you like fun and flirty looks, own it. If you like modernity, work within that realm. Know who you are and be proud.

Best of luck to the Project Runway All Stars season 6 finale winner, Anthony. It’s time to celebrate the designer of the here and now.

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