See also: Hotel Denver to host Under the Gunn pop-up shop
Last night's finale took place at the Los Angeles Theater with guest judges Neil Patrick Harris and Project Runway host Heidi Klum. For the final challenge, each designer had to create a five-piece collection. Using a previous contestant as an assistant, each designer had three days to design their line.
Asha used a Nefertiti reincarnated and living in Harlem as inspiration; Sam wanted to commemorate losing his armor of fears in the previous episode. Shan used the contrast of hard and soft for his collection, and Oscar channeled the women of Cuba to influence his designs.Former contestants Blake, Stephanie, Michelle and Natalia returned as assistants; their reappearance seemed to raise the finalists' spirits. And those went even higher when Tim Gunn gave them a special treat: a visit from family members.
With four different design visions, it was up to judges to make the final call. The judges felt that Sam's designs were "cool," fun, sexy and wearable clothes. However, a few of them also thought the designs were too safe. Oscar's designs also came in for criticism as repeats, but the judges said he clearly had skill and audience appeal.
Asha finally achieved the next level, the judges said, deciding that her kimono and jumpsuit were both hits. But Shan's designs were overwhelmingly detailed, they felt. While his red jumpsuit was a great example, they said the rest were too discombobulating.
After deliberating over whether to judge the designers based on who had shown the most growth or who demonstrated the best skills, the judges selected Oscar Lopez and his mentor, Nick Verreos, as the winners of the premiere season of Under the Gunn.
Follow @WestwordCulture