**SPOILERS for the Project Runway finale, which aired last night**

If you were anything like me, you were screaming at your television last night. It was the season finale of Project Runway, and it was a doozy. People Magazine recapped the events really well, so I’m just give my general opinion. First, I think this was one of the strongest final shows ever, in the history of Project Runway. I think every girl, from Carol Hannah to Irina to Althea, all had some really beautiful, incredible pieces.

I think Carol Hannah should have gotten bonus points for doing the most with color, and I think Althea should get bonus points for focusing on her strength, sportswear, which historically doesn’t get enough love from the Project Runway judges (think Uli in season 3). Also, Irina should have gotten more heavily criticized for using all-black. And that’s coming from a person who loves black. Even I was like “damn, can I get a white or a red up in this joint?” But, in the end, The Bitch won. You know who I mean. The girl whose smug face and snotty voice haunted the entire season. Irina is the Devil. She even had a bitchy aside on the final episode! “That’s Althea!” she muttered under her breath. God, I want to smack her.

Like Heidi Klum said, “There can only be one winner of Project Runway,” but on Thursday night’s finale, Carol Hannah Whitfield, Irina Shabayeva and Althea Harper all showed impressive collections under the tents of Bryant Park.

Carol Hannah’s collection, which she said was based on “gothic architecture and fairy tales,” earned points from judges Klum, Michael Kors (glad he could make it!), Nina Garcia and the delightful Susie Menkes, fashion editor for the International Herald Tribune. What struck them were the impeccable tailoring, which was mixed with structured draping, and her use of difficult fabric. They also praised her for her use of color — especially her 13th look, a sweeping teal gown, which was put together in the final days — in a runway show of mostly blacks and grays. Their only complaint, the judges said, was that her collection was not as cohesive as the others.

“My collection is really about New York,” Irina said before her portion of the runway show. The native New Yorker put together 13 looks based on her idea that when women step out into the city, they need to shield themselves from its elements — but shouldn’t have to do it with plain and tacky armor. Instead, she sent oversized knits, pleated, almost scale-like dresses, slick leather vests and big cozy coats down the runway.

While Michael Kors cut her down a bit, telling her, “warrior woman is not a new character” in the fashion world, the judges said her collection was “well-made, modern, with an edge.” Nina especially liked the detailed T-shirts that were revealed beneath the knit armor at the end of the runway. And Kors said she told a story with her collection and had the “best sense of showmanship,” citing her use of helmets on her models. Their big complaint, however, was her obvious overuse of black.

Inspired by science-fiction movies of the ’50s and ’60s, Althea created a collection based on her vision of what women would wear in the future. Apparently, the future is super cool! The judges appreciated her connection to “the street,” and remarked that she was the only designer whose collection included separates and sportswear.

Nina loved seeing a pop of color in her green dress but wondered if she tried to hit too many notes in her collection. In the end, however, the Marie Claire editor said she could take Althea’s extremely wearable clothes — Heidi wanted some of the pieces herself! — and shoot them right away for her magazine.

After many long pauses, Heidi announced Irina the winner of Project Runway. Althea was named the runner-up and said she may not have won but was “still a winner.” But only the winner who won got the prizes, a fashion spread in Marie Claire (Guess you’ll be shooting black now, Nina!), a Paris vacation, representation from Designers Management Agency and $100,000 to put towards her line.

Irina, who was nicknamed “Mean-a Irina” by some of her fellow contestants, melted into tears on the runway and could hardly speak. When Heidi called out her family and Irina said she’d never seen her father cry, even Nina Garcia was dabbing away the tears.

[From People]

It was nice to see Irina’s parents at the end, and I did get slightly emotional seeing her dad weep with emotion. I think he’s the reason she’s such a bitch – he’s been a driving force, a task-master, the critical voice in her head that makes her hold herself to a higher standard, and is probably the root of her snotty attitude. I feel for Carol Hannah and Althea – but they’re two very young women (both are 23 years old), and I think they’ll do well on their own. Althea, especially, I think would work well as a head designer for some fashion house. I see her at Helmut Lang for some reason. And poor Carol Hannah! I wanted her to win so badly. That purple dress was so gorgeous. Sigh.

Project Runway photos courtesy of My Lifetime.