Project Runway Finale "Depressing"Says Former Contestant

Though the sixth season of Project Runway has yet to find a network (Bravo/NBC and Lifetime are currently locked in a heated battle for the airing rights), the finale has already been filmed and the three final designers had their collections shown at New York fashion week in February.

First season contest Nick Verreos gave RadarOnline.com an exclusive peek on some of the behind the scenes action.

On the contestants:
Unlike past years, the contestants were pre-screened before going through the audition process. "[The casting process] was less wickedy wack. You won't be seeing people whose design experience consists of making their daughter's cheerleading costume."

Decoys:
In past years, there would sometimes be decoy collections shown to throw off the audience. This time, "there may have been some designer decoys in the back row in order to throw people off and all the designers took a bow."

Winner:
Though the contestants could not introduce their collections in order to keep their identities a secret, there seemed like a clear winner. "It's never good to review a collection through photos and videos [Verreos was in LA working on Oscar-related projects] but there was one that was a hands-down winner."

On the mood:
"It was somber. It was a bit depressing. But the producers were great. They promised the designers they would have their Bryant Park [the location of fashion week] moment. And they did."

Verreos is currently teaching at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles and most recently collaborated on Barbie's March dress to coincide with her 50th Anniversary.