Season 9 of “Project Runway” produced a most unlikely winner. Anya Ayoung Chee from Trinidad started the season a bit behind the 8-ball. During tryouts, she confessed to the judges that she had just learned to sew four months earlier. They were stunned, and unconvinced that this girl could make it through the rigors of the competition, but when Heidi Klum declared that she would like to wear those clothes, Anya was in.
Anya’s star continued to rise as the season wore on. Her masterful use of print to create fun, unique and wearable pieces made her a favorite. Her easy and kind personality won her friends among the other contestants. When Anya lost her fabric money during one episode, several other contestants shared excess materials with her. She returned the favor during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week when Kimberly Goldson lost her “kit” and couldn’t finish dressing her models without the odd needle and thread.
After last week’s episode – Part I of the finale – I would have told you that Anya had virtually no chance of winning. She was easily the weakest contender. When Tim Gunn paid his traditional visit to the four finalists to evaluate their collections, Anya didn’t have a single completed piece to show him. With only two weeks remaining before the contestants were to return to New York for the big show, Tim urged Anya to focus on shape and – of course – to “make it work.”
Two weeks later she did have some completed pieces, but most lacked polish and the lighthearted island spirit Anya was known for. Anya confessed to Tim that she was paralyzed by the pressure to take her designs to the next level – to show the judges something beyond her previous designs.
At the preliminary judging the other three designers, Kimberly, Joshua McKinley and Viktor Luna, were chosen, one by one, to show at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week finale. Only Anya remained on the stage, waiting for Heidi to tell her “auf weidersehen,” when – a miracle – for the first time in “Project Runway” history Heidi announced that all four finalists would present their lines at the big show.
Tim had one more first ever surprise for the designers, they were going on one last shopping trip to Mood with $500 each to spend on anything they thought they could use to improve and complete their lines. Anya bought all new fabric in a variety of colorful prints, and used it to make several new simply constructed, flowing dresses in vibrant colors.
To the chagrin of the other four contestants she won! It just goes to show the spoils don’t always go to those who work the hardest or have the most experience. The winner is the one who produces something people want, period.