Tonight was the first part of Project Runway’s finale.  The final three designers are Althea, Carol Hannah, and Irina. I love the finale episodes of PR because Tim Gunn visits the finalists in their home studios.  Viewers get to take a peek behind-the-scenes and get to know each designer better.

Based on what tonight’s show, who do you think will win this year’s Project Runway?

Here’s a quick recap of the visits:

Althea Harper – Tim didn’t dig on some of her designs, he was worried some of her stuff looked like the wild west. Althea is a fabulous designer but she gets too ambitous and doesn’t follow through with her grand ideas—resulting in sloppy work.

Carol Hannah Whitfield – Carole Hannah is very talented but many of her designs have he same look. I think Carole Hannah has been strong contender all season and probably the best of the three finalists in terms of construction.  But sometimes I don’t “get” some of her looks.

Irina Shabayeva – Her collection is going to be based on an elegant Coney Island feel?  Irina is the most consistent designer in terms of turning in designs that WOW the judges (and viewers) consistently. Irina is the biggest risk taker of the three finalists, and I think this puts her ahead of the other two.

In part 1 of the season finale, the final three got to visit with Nina Garcia and Michael Kors. I was really glad to see more of these two judges too—I’ve missed them this season!

Project Runway Season 6 is still fab and I think viewers haven’t seen any big changes since the move from Bravo to Lifetime.  But I think the prolonged absences of Michael Kors and Nina Garcia have hurt the series.  The lack of continuity on the panel paved the way for the premature elimination of some talented designers who were voted off too early.

At the end of tonight’s show—-there is a surprise challenge—of course.  But it is PR after all! What did you think of part 1?  Based on what you saw tonight, who will WIN Project Runway?