|
Jeffrey Sebelia wins `Project Runway'
2006-10-19
NEW YORK -- Jeffrey Sebelia was the guy who viewers loved to hate. And they'll be seeing much more of him now. Sebelia was crowned the winner of Bravo's "Project Runway" in the fashion competition show's finale Wednesday night. "I'm shocked," he said. "My brain is trying to figure out exactly what's happening." Sebelia, 36, snagged the title after he, Laura Bennett, Uli Herzner and Michael Knight (the fan favorite) staged presentations during New York Fashion Week in the season's last showdown. That runway show was taped in September. Sebelia, who lives in Los Angeles, impressed supermodel host Heidi Klum and judges Michael Kors, Nina Garcia and Fern Mallis with his innovative, funky runway collection. "We love what you did," Klum said. "You have great style. You're a great designer and we want to see more of you." Sebelia's presentation was brighter and more feminine in comparison to his work in other episodes, which was often dark and grungy. An emerald and white striped party dress was a standout. As the winner of the show's third season, Sebelia received $100,000 in seed money to help launch his own fashion line and a mentorship with I.N.C. International Concepts from Macy's. He called the whole experience "intense." "Intense happiness. Intense fear. Intense passion," he said. "The volume on everything has been turned up all the way." During his time on "Runway," Sebelia was often the poster designer for bad behavior. He was under investigation by show executives for possibly outsourcing the construction of his designs for Fashion Week. He cried when he was cleared of any wrongdoing. Also, in one episode he made a contestant's mom cry in anger over his design of a dress for her. He's a diva and a pain in the butt. Sounds like a real fashion designer. ___ On the Net: http://www.bravotv.com
| 
