On Thursday’s finale of Project Runway Season 22, Joseph McRae was unexpectedly saved before Bryan Barrientos and Naheim Muhammed were eliminated. That narrowed the field to the Top 4, leaving Joseph, Anna Molinari, Bi Pham, and Jude Mikulencak still in contention. Each of the four now faces one final challenge for the grand prize, which includes the $200,000 cash award, six months of representation from Agentry PR, mentorship through the CFDA, and a feature in Elle magazine.
In theory, the task was straightforward: produce a five-look collection within five days. The doing proved far more difficult. Every remaining contestant received assistance from a contestant who had already been removed from the competition to finish their final assignment. Joseph joined forces with Aaron to develop a line of sporty looks featuring striking silhouettes. Anna received guidance from Jeffrey on designs reflecting her growth throughout the series. Bi teamed up with Bao to build a range drawn from a Vietnamese card game. Jude partnered with Naheim to carry out more of his signature structured suits.
Guest judge Fausto Puglisi joined Law, Heidi, and Nina for the final round of judging. The judges were split on Joseph’s and Anna’s collections. The question hanging over the finale was simple: did the right designer win?
Joseph’s Over-The-Top Collection
The judges did not all agree on Joseph’s performance, which pushed spectacle to new limits. Law found his looks a joke, a plain statement that made no effort to hide his view. Nina and Heidi wondered whether Joseph was reaching people in a new manner, even as Law dismissed him.
The tension between the three judges was the clearest sign of the finale’s stakes. Law’s blunt assessment sat alongside Nina and Heidi’s curiosity about whether Joseph’s personality masked genuine skill. It was a fair warning that the judges were not all in agreement about who deserved the win.
Anna’s Evolving Story
The pieces in Anna’s collection came from her own experience on the show. She collaborated with Jeffrey to create designs reflecting her development, which meant her finished work was rooted in her growth as a designer. Law loved her entire presentation, saying it made him really feel something. Heidi admired the clothes and the workmanship but found it hard to follow the narrative.
The host ultimately felt Anna failed to create a cohesive collection. That verdict was a decisive moment in the judging process, since cohesion was one of the key criteria for the finale. Heidi’s specific complaint — that she couldn’t follow the story — became the reason Anna fell short in the eyes of the judges.
Bi’s All-Black Look
The judges were effusive about Bi’s all-black outfit from the very beginning. From the front, it looked like a tulle ballgown, and the design earned instant approval. But when the model turned around, the real surprise was revealed: slim-fitting black trousers were concealed beneath the voluminous backless top. It was a smart twist, and the judges reacted with obvious pleasure.
Not all of the judges agreed with the praise for Bi. They objected to his white dress, calling it old, dated, and completely random against the rest of his collection. That one piece drew attention away from the strong work he had shown in the rest of his presentation.
Jude’s Structured Suits
Jude’s collection was the judges’ clear favorite. They fawned over his work, applauding his ability to impeccably tailor all his pieces at just 23 years old. Everyone agreed each of his looks appeared flawless. But Heidi wondered if he was missing a “wow factor,” noting that his show didn’t contain anything memorable that would make you remember it after it had concluded.
Nina disagreed, saying that Jude is no Joseph McRae. Her argument was that Jude’s design aesthetic is crisp and clean, and while his show appeared understated from afar, it wowed when it came to those small details. The contrast between the two judges’ views — one focusing on scale, the other on precision — captured the tension of the final decision.
The Judges’ Split Decision
The judges were split on Joseph’s and Anna’s collections. Bi and Jude both received overwhelming praise from the panel. But the split between Law, Heidi, and Nina meant no single collection commanded unanimous approval.
Law’s dismissive attitude toward Joseph stood in stark contrast to Nina’s openness to his personality. Heidi’s confusion with Anna’s storytelling was a direct critique of her work. The judges’ reactions were honest, even when they clashed.
The Winner’s Reaction
The judges were most drawn to Jude’s work, and his structured suits stood out during the finale. Throughout the show, his ability to tailor impeccably at just 23 years old was a recurring point of praise. He won the season.
“I feel amazing,” the emotional winner said at the end of the episode. “Thank you so much and I’m so honored to be here. This has been an incredible experience.”
What the Win Means
The prize package is substantial. The $200,000 cash prize comes with six months of representation by Agentry PR, mentorship with the CFDA, and a spread in Elle magazine. Those resources will give Jude a strong foundation as he moves forward in the industry.
This victory comes with more than just a trophy. Jude’s understated approach was celebrated by Nina, who argued that his small details wowed when examined closely. That perspective stands in contrast to the other finalists’ is close at hand.
The Question of Rightness
The title of the recap asks a simple question: did the right designer win? The answer depends on your definition of “right.” If the right designer is the one with the strongest technical skill, Jude’s tailoring and Bi’s creativity both make a case. If the right designer is the one whose personality connects with audiences, Joseph’s showmanship deserves consideration.
The absence of a “wow factor” from Heidi’s concern about Jude’ signals this tension, while Nina’s counterargument — that the small details wowed — suggests that the judges’ held opposing views on the matter.
Final Thoughts
Only one collection came out as the clear favorite, but the judges were split on every other entry, with opinions remaining divided among Jude’s win was earned through consistent excellence, even if the judges’.
The show came to an end with a sense of resolution for the contestants and a clear next step for the victor. Jude’s response made it plain how much the occasion meant to him.
- Prize: $200,000 cash prize
- Representation: Six months of Agentry PR
- Mentorship: Mentorship with the CFDA
- Spread: Spread in Elle magazine
- Winner: Jude Mikulencak
The conflicting views among the judges mirror the nature of design. A line-up can be flawless on paper and fail to land, while a show built around individuality can resonate with viewers even if it doesn’t match the technical polish of other entries. The closing round brought that conflict into view as it unfolded.
The triumph of Jude shows that a designer who succeeds usually manages to bring together skill and feeling into one work.
Source: tvline.com
Get the Notebook.
The day's best stories and every fresh verdict, in plain English, in your inbox by seven. One email a day, no more.