Bryant Park showdown: The 'Project Runway' finals

Los Angeles Times - CA, USA - You’d be hard-pressed to find a giddier crowd than the one that was packed into the main tent in Bryant Park this morning for “Project Runway’s” finalist fashion show. Sleekly coiffed women in black and men in sharp-angled suits craned their necks as they checked out the other attendees, which included some apparently well-connected adults’ lucky offspring, who didn’t even try to mask their glee.

“That’s Tyson Beckford!” one young girl exclaimed breathlessly, catching sight of the model and Bravo host. “Oh. My. God. Wait -- is it?” Her voice came down an octave, then rose again. “Yes! It is! Tyson Beckford is here!”

Also in the house: Laura Bennett, last season’s runner-up, dressed in a glittery taupe dress, her trademark red bob pulled back into a mini ponytail, along with “Top Chef’s” Padma Lakshmi, “Lipstick Jungle's” Lindsay Price and an assortment of other fabulous-looking folks.

The attendees were still milling around on the runway when the lights dimmed and a striking trio walked down the runway toward the massive bank of cameras: host Heidi Klum, sporting sleek bangs and washed-out jeans; designer Michael Kors, in dark glasses; and – drumroll please! – none other than Posh Spice, aka Victoria Beckham. The latter, a guest judge for the final episode, was decked out in an eye-popping tangerine dress with a deeply cut neckline, her signature impassive look firmly in place.

After striking a pose, Kors and Beckham took their seats in the front row and Klum reappeared at the top of the runway, belting out a loud, “Hello everybody!” After she welcomed the crowd and offered a special shout-out to producer Harvey Weinstein, the show began.

A rundown after the jump, which PR fans can safely read without encountering any major spoilers. Why? Because those tricky folks at Bravo included all five remaining contestants in the runway show! It made for a gasp-inducing program, as one by one their profiles appeared behind the "Project Runway" screen, triggering confused murmurs in the crowd. But exactly which finalists will appear in the March 5 finale? The official word from Bravo: “Stay tuned.”