After the show aired, I party-hopped to a second “Project Runway” viewing. For the second year, the group of watchers/non-sewers had their own competition.

This year, Becky Seaquist, a professional seamstress, came up with the challenge:

Boy in a bubble (My–Sara’s–title!)

Using only bubble wrap, a plastic tablecloth and other optional packing materials to create a wearable outfit.

The competition was, well, fierce. A vest with multi-colored trim, a jacket that was actually wearable, and a transparent bubblewrap outfit (underwear was worn) were amongst the entries.

Judges included Joy Teiken of Joynoelle and Russell Bourrienne. Here are the winners:

1st place: Jared Jelinek in a “sporty look” that he plans to wear to the gym.

2nd place: Reggie Wendorf as “return to sender–mail-order bride.”

Jillian, Christian and Rami have nothing on these designers.

So the day before the taping of the “Project Runway,” I met Jack Mackenroth in a corner of the Bryant Park tents. He brought a lot of wit and his sorta-boyfriend Top Chef’s Dale Livitski.

Read the whole play-by-play here. We got to the bottom of Jack’s Minnesota roots, his relationship with Dale, and his preferred Starbucks beverage.

You too can hang out with Jack this Saturday at DIVA. (Ticket info is here.) The above photo is Jack right after PR finale in one of his own designs. (He has been “team Christian” all along.)

Below, a close-up of one of his tattoos. He has seven of them all together.

So all three “Project Runway” designers were great, but only one was fierce. I watched with Katherine Gerdes. She noted (as did everyone else I’ve talked to) that it was a boringish season. Why? “There were no Wendy Peppers. No home sewers who made it.” So true!

Otherwise, she guessed the outcome, though she thought that Rami’s clothes didn’t come across very well on television. Same for Christian’s. In person, there was much more drama. By the way, Gerdes is recovering from surgery, so she might be harder to recognize if you pass her on the street!

As for the episode, who knew Victoria Beckham was so quotable? And while there wasn’t so much drama, Christian’s lower lip quiver pre-announcement was so sincere. Here are some highlights from the finale.

“What happened to the cocky, confident Christian?” — Tim Gunn

“I needed fierce tallness and walks for days.” –Christian

“I worked it around in my apartment in those shoes for like a week.” –Christian

“Look fabulous. Be really skinny, don’t eat” — Christian (EEK!)

“Rather than fierce, I’d say that you’re major.” — Victoria Beckham

“You really made me smile and I’m not easy to make smile.” — Victoria Beckham

“Brady Bunch colors.” — Michael Kors about Rami’s collection

“You’re uberfierce!” –Heidi to Chrstian

“People need to see more of the fierceness.” — Christian

“We’ll be in touch.” — Christian to Victoria Beckham

More bizness:

–Own it! Bid on the runway looks at projectrunway.com. Right now, they’re so cheap, it’s really tempting to bid just because.

– Live it! Casting for season five (yipee!) begins this month (yip-yipee!). They’ll be in Chicago on April 1. Click here for details. MN needs to represent next season.

– Love it! Vote here for your favorite contestant’s design in the online competition. All 15 contestants have two looks featured and you pick your favorites. Will Christian sweep all three prizes? You’ll have to decide.

On to “Top Chef”!

Even though I don’t want it to end…ever, tonight is the “Project Runway” finale. We’ll have impressions from Katherine Gerdes (pictured here on the runway at this year’s show), MN’s own season three contestant and other fun tidbits.

Also, check back here for more scoop on my interview with Jack Mackenroth. It will be in Source tomorrow.

Last chance to guess on who Victoria Beckham will love the most…

I love the name of Laura Bennett’s news line–LBD. It makes sense with her initials and it stands for “little black dress.” It totally sums up her classic sense-of-style.

However, I was disappointed in searching for it on QVC to see that there weren’t any little black dresses left. They sold out after her debut last week.

Anyway, what’s left isn’t as alluring, except for this wrap sweater ($93.50). It’s very versatile. I prefer it in ivory to pale blue. LBD will surely be back for more.

By the way, consider this the kick-off of “Project Runway” week.

When I saw the “Project Runway” finale during fashion week, Chris and Sweet P showed along with the three, now known, actual finalists.

Uh, I didn’t realize that Chris used human hair. Ew. The judges embraced it, praising him for his creativity. Tim had to control his gag reflex.
What else did we learn? The designers drink Bud Light. Christian had fierce eyelashes as a kid and he can cut hair. Rami looks funny with hair.

Here are some memorable quotes:

–  “Love ya! Love your hair!” — Christian
– “Talk about make it work!” –Tim to Christian, about his closet/workspace/bedroom. (Don’t you find him more humble to see how he lives. Why didn’t he have any friends for Tim to meet?)
– “You’ve been living in the monkey house.” — Tim to Chris (Can I see Larry’s place?)
– “Tina, diva: you brought a plant?” — Christian to Jillian
–  “You’re in a velvet condom.” — Michael Kors to Chris’ model

I can’t believe there’s only one week left! What will we do?