Shy, mousy, quiet, nerdy, slightly disheveled? These aren't the words you'd use to describe most fashion designers, but the ever-sheepish Leanne Marshall, 28, won "Project Runway" on Wednesday night by unleashing a tidal wave of aqua and cream petals on the fashion world.
Yes, most of us saw this tidal wave coming. The judges had praised Leanne's work all season, and seemed visibly impressed during her final show. They called her line "clean" and "modern." Even the audience lit up when her designs came down the long, white runway -- worn by a troop of awkward, odd-looking models, of course.
"The trickiest thing to do is to make complicated clothes look easy," said Michael Kors. "And her clothes look unfettered."
"She has an elegant, sophisticated, polished approach," added Tim Gunn. And he was right. All season long, Leanne has produced the most refined, well-tailored pieces, all of them with carefully crafted detailing and flair that nonetheless rarely overwhelmed her designs. She showed restraint. Her taste was impeccable. Her constructions were impressive. Her styles were thoughtful. So why was it so hard to see her win the big prize?