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"Project Runway," as we have detailed in these inky pages before, is a mix of cattiness, cloth and Coco Chanel. The show tosses fifteen wildly fascinating people (who can also make clothes) into the Cuisinart of reality television with the hope of creating — in the words of Her Germanic Majesty Heidi Klum — "the next big American designer."

Based on rampant Internet gossip, a fairly good look at photos of the collections and the fact that I'm a rabid "Project Runway" fan — I'm here to offer my take on who will win this year's "Project Runway" crown.

MICHAEL KNIGHT

Michael emerged as a mid-season fan and critical favorite. Judge Michael Kors was hot-to-trot on Michael's work lately, especially during the black-and-white challenge, but fashion insiders say his "streetwear meets the Hamptons" style didn't translate to the runway, especially with Kimora Lee Simmons doing it better in her Baby Phat line. Of the four finalists, Knight's show was by far the most disappointing. Verdict? Most promise, most disappointing.

ULI HERZNER

Michael Kors mocked her during the last challenge, but the queen of funky fabrics has proven that she can "make it work." Nina Garcia is not a fan, pointing out that Uli continues to design one way — prints and tropics — and she didn't break out of that rut for the finals. Uli's show was dubbed "more of the same" and the judges will likely dock her for that. Verdict? Patterns and prints don't won't translate to win, place or show.

JEFFREY SEBELIA

Enfant terrible Jeffrey, who made Angela cry, had perhaps the strongest collection. I don't know what he's calling it, but I'm dubbing it "Dark Angel." Beautiful clothes get smashed, then rebuilt as new pieces. Think Galadriel in that one scene during "Fellowship of the Ring" when she reaches for the ring and utters "Instead of a king, you will have a dark and terrible queen." In a nasty bit of news, cheating allegations involving subcontracted sewing work have surfaced (Kara Saun and those Dollhouse shoes, anyone), and will probably spell doom for the tattoed tailor. Verdict? Fabulous clothes, but cheaters never prosper.

LAURA BENNETT

Bad-mommy Laura looked a goner until she proved that she could both design and sling the bitch. Told she was a one-note wonder, she responded by producing a Josephine Baker (sans ocelot) number that won the critical black-and-white challenge. Her collection was pure Upper East Side elegance — tailored, chic and gorgeous. On the other hand, it wasn't much of a stretch from the Laura seen on the show. Also, Laura is the one who came forward to accuse Jeffrey of cheating. Verdict? Second-best collection, but playing by the rules means a win.