THE WINNER: Evan Biddell; The bad boy


Don’t call his work punk-inspired or rock-infused — don’t you dare! Evan Biddell doesn’t want to be boxed in. The Saskatoon-raised designer demonstrated his eclectic mastery when he divined a minidress out of a fellow contestant’s bathing suit and a hoodie from the pelt of a deer buck for his final collection. His zany street sensibility inspired his peers and his speed baffled them. "The show focused on my competitive nature," explains Evan. "Now when people meet me, they’re surprised at how much of a teddy bear I am." Evan used the $100,000 winnings to set up shop in Toronto and launch his fall 2008 and spring 2009 lines at Toronto Fashion Week. He wanted the spring collection to be "loud and clean." Mission accomplished!

On the right track "I love Bon Iver, CocoRosie, Daft Punk…and Feist — she’s got it going on."

Fave getaway "Carving through the snowy hills of Fernie, B.C."

Wise words "Bring out your big guns: It’s no walk in the park."

Competitor Crush "I was impressed with the skills of Miss Carlie Wong. She’ll hold a place in my heart forever."

Find exclusive behind-the-scenes videos, weekly exit interviews, extensive photo gallery and cast blogs on the Project Canada Runway website: www.globaltv.com/runway

THE RUNNER-UP: Lucian Matis; The fashion virtuoso



When Lucian Matis entered the Project Runway Canada competition, he said that his goal was to bring more "creative garments" to the Canadian fashion scene. Case in point? The seamless crocheted blazer he designed for the finale. "It took me one month to crochet that blazer," says Lucian. "It was the pièce de résistance and a truly couture piece." There may have been some prickly onscreen tension between Lucian and Evan, but Lucian says that it was nothing more than friendly competition. "I’m competitive by nature, but, to be frank, I don’t spend my life looking over my shoulder." At the spring 2009 Toronto Fashion Week, Lucian showed some dramatic restraint with his silk-gauze gowns and coquettish, bubble-hemmed baby dolls. "Women want to be beautiful, to be heard and to feel confident and sensual," he says. "I aim for that."

Fave getaway "Morocco!"

Wise words "Never lose yourself, and never compromise your beliefs."

Competitor crush "Kendra Francis. She is a genuinely talented and wonderful person."

Find exclusive behind-the-scenes videos, weekly exit interviews, extensive photo gallery and cast blogs on the Project Canada Runway website: www.globaltv.com/runway

THE SECOND RUNNER-UP: Marie Geneviève Cyr; The artist

Marie Geneviève Cyr’s whimsical style caught the attention of the judges early on. But she wasn’t about to compromise her vision to avoid a fashion fight with guest judge Measha Brueggergosman. (The opera singer wanted a floor-length gown — because she sings barefoot — but Marie Geneviève’s design had a mid-calf to ankle asymmetrical hemline.) Marie Geneviève was booted from the show but invited back the following week to complete a group design challenge. She ended up making it into the final three, but the judges panned her final collection. "I was thinking about what the show and the judges wanted," says Marie Geneviève. "I forgot about my own personality." In the end, she says, the experience gave her a chance to reflect on her life and her career. At Montreal Fashion Week last March, she presented a collection that is now in a museum in Shanghai. She has since moved to New York City to complete her master’s in visual culture/fashion theory at New York University.

Fashion dream team "Designers with real talent — no fake fashionistas."

Wise words "Life is what happens when you are too busy making other plans."

 

Find exclusive behind-the-scenes videos, weekly exit interviews, extensive photo gallery and cast blogs on the Project Canada Runway website: www.globaltv.com/runway