Local designer Seth Aaron Henderson wins Project Runway

By Erin Flesch, NEAT contributor

Weeks and weeks of waiting and watching came to a fabulously exciting end on last night’s Season Finale of Project Runway 7. Seth Aaron Henderson, Vancouver, Wash., fashion designer and all around rockin’ individual, scored the ultimate win for the Portland area home team. That’s right, he pulled it off. Henderson’s impeccable tailoring, innovative vision and undeniably likable attitude came together in a perfect storm, and he walked away with the grand prize.

Portland’s fashion community couldn’t be more proud of Henderson, and excited to see what career opportunities his win will bring. One local viewing party screamed itself hoarse last night, according to local stylist Tiffany Willden, who has worked with Henderson much through the years. She watched along with a few other local supporters, including Anne Bocci, owner of the only boutique in town currently carrying Henderson’s designs. “I’m so happy he has stayed true to himself and followed his dreams,” Bocci said.

Henderson faced stiff competition on the Bryant Park runway in the form of fellow final designers Emilio Sosa and Mila Hermanovski. Sosa, who may have been considered the season’s front-runner as he had won the most challenges, came armed with his indestructible ego and a bright hue-heavy collection he dubbed “Color Me Bad.” Hermanovski arrived true to form with a heavily ’60s influenced collection based in black and white. The game was on.

In NYC, each of the designers seemed truly floored they had made it to Bryant Park. Henderson started the show off with a bang, sending an army of models down the runway in clothing inspired by the 1940’s German and Russian military (above, right). It was Inglourious Basterds meets Tim Burton, with bold touches of leather, stripes and bright colors. View Henderson’s final collection here. It was at once theatrical and wearable – not an easy feat, and the judges took notice.

Hermanovski’s runway debut was well done, but not memorable. She managed to turn her usually harsh and style-lite aesthetic into something cool and streetwise. The problem was there was nothing new or groundbreaking in her collection. Black, white, ’60s – cut and print.

Sosa surprised everyone by taking his trademark “show-stopping” looks down a few pegs, revealing a line that was the most commercial of the three. It felt a little old fashioned, and although there were a few standout pieces, like his shimmering gold gown, the judges wanted to see more drama.

After an entertaining debate between the judges (um, what was country music star Faith Hill doing judging a fashion contest? We give her the prize for Most Random PR Guest), Hermanovski was thrown out first. Then came an excruciatingly long pause as we waited to hear the final outcome….wait for it… wait for it…. wait for it… AHHH OH MY GOD SETH WON!!

Henderson was adorably overcome with emotion, and it was a little bit of a tearjerker as his family joined him on the runway for a good old-fashioned group hug. Tears were shed, on stage and at home, as he explained the joy that came from knowing his family was proud of him and how happy he was that he taught his children that hard work really does pay off. As he summed it up in his final video blog, “It gives me the right to say I’m the best at what I do. I like that.”

So do we! Screams of joy were heard around Portland as people watched Seth Aaron Henderson win Project Runway. The Blazers may have gotten schooled last night, but at least we won a round for local fashion.

Watch Seth Aaron Henderson’s final video blog below, and stay tuned to The Neat Sheet to find out what Henderson will be up to next. First up, he’ll make an appearance on Live With Regis & Kelly today at 11 a.m. on KATU.

Project Runway Poll Results! Neat Sheet readers nailed it! The final results in our “Will Seth Aaron Henderson Win Project Runway Poll” were 72 percent YES vs. 28 percent NO. We don’t exactly know what to do with this information, but it’s kinda neat how smart we are.

If you like what you see on The Neat Sheet, please consider becoming our Facebook Fan, following us on Twitter and/or linking to us from your site. We need your help to spread the word so we can keep it up!

Share on Facebook