'Project Runway' Finalists Take The Stage At Fashion Week

NEW YORK (1010 WINS/CBS 2/AP) -- The applause died down and the lights came up, so did the music for the "Project Runway" program at fashion week Thursday.

Gold and bronze were the colors of the day -- including sparkling face makeup.

1010 WINS' Juliet Papa spoke with some students from the Fashion Institute of Technology who were eager to see the designs.

"I'm volunteering for the Daniel Vosovic show so I'm excited to see what he has," one freshman FIT student told Papa.

"I want to see what's going on for spring, summer 2011 – like trends, colors...something that might inspire me for my future projects for school," another FIT student said.

Students and recent grads of the Rhode Island School of Design also saw their creations on fashion's ultimate world stage as part of Elle Magazine's "Fashion Next" event.

"Its elevating fashion to where it needs to be with the other arts, so I think for the students, 'wow' its a New York stage, its a world stage what a moment for them to be here,"  Robbie Myers of Elle Magazine said.

"It's such a awesome opportunity...I love the way they style my models," one student said.

"It's a dream come true and I don't know what to think about it," another student said.

This season, fashionistas have taken up residence at Lincoln Center for the first time since fashion week was founded 18 years ago.

And though it means parking headaches and closed streets for area residents, it all seems right at home in this cultural landmark.

"Its such a natural, its like why didn't we think of this before. The synergy between the arts...fashion is a big part of the cultural world and it makes perfect sense," Sr. Fashion Director of Bergdorf Goodman Linda Fargo told CBS 2's Kristine Johnson.

"I think fashion for New Yorkers is so paramount for our individuality. I think we all love seeing the runway looks, it brings together our love of Broadway and art, but it also brings our love for the style and the glamor,"  Alexis Wolfer of thebeautybean.com said.

Supermodel Heidi Klum greeted the guests and the show began with thumping music and clothes adorned as art.

Klum, wearing a bright red menswear-style pantsuit and blouse, said she was particularly fond of this group. "I have never gotten so emotional or attached to the designers."

She promised the audience, which included singer Jordin Sparks and designer Betsey Johnson, that they'd see color and fantasy on the catwalk. The crowd also saw an uneven mix of runway-ready, masterful looks and gimmicky ones -- especially those micro mini shorts that don't typically garner the best reviews when top-tier designers bring them back.

Jessica Simpson was also in attendance Thursday and served as a guest judge for the "Project Runway" show.

(The Associated Press Contributed To This Report.)