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It was the finale that basically broke the fashion internet before "breaking the internet" was even a phrase. We’re talking about 2010. The year of skinny jeans, the rise of Instagram, and the most controversial judging decision in reality TV history. When the Season 8 Project Runway winner was announced, half the audience cheered and the other half—including mentor Tim Gunn—seemed ready to start a literal riot.
Gretchen Jones won. Mondo Guerra lost.
Even now, over a decade later, if you bring up the Season 8 Project Runway winner at a brunch with Millennial fashion nerds, you’re going to get an earful. It wasn't just about the clothes. It was about a fundamental clash between "wearable bohemian chic" and "avant-garde emotional storytelling." It was the moment the show stopped being just about sewing and started being about the soul of the industry itself.
The Finale Fight That Split the Judges
The runway at Lincoln Center was gorgeous. Mondo Guerra brought a collection that was basically a fever dream of polka dots, bold stripes, and Jackie Kennedy-on-acid silhouettes. It was joyful. It felt like the future. Then you had Gretchen. She sent out these earthy, Southwestern-inspired pieces with velvet leggings and oversized jewelry. It was very "Portland cool girl" before that aesthetic became a massive cliché.
Then came the deliberations.
This wasn't your standard "we like both" chat. It was a bloodbath. Nina Garcia and Michael Kors were firmly Team Gretchen. They saw a businesswoman. They saw someone who understood trends and could sell clothes at Neiman Marcus tomorrow. On the other side, Heidi Klum and guest judge Jessica Simpson were Team Mondo. They were moved by the art.
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Michael Kors famously argued that Gretchen’s clothes were "fashion," while Mondo’s were "costume." Nina Garcia leaned into the idea that Gretchen had a "point of view" that felt contemporary. But Heidi? Heidi looked genuinely annoyed. She saw the magic in Mondo. The deadlock lasted for hours behind the scenes. Honestly, the tension was so thick you could've cut it with a pair of fabric shears.
Why the Fan Backlash Was So Brutal
People hated Gretchen Jones during the season. There’s no point in sugarcoating it. The editors didn't do her any favors, sure, but her "mean girl" edit—specifically how she treated teammates during the group challenges—made her a perfect villain. When she actually beat the fan-favorite underdog, the reaction was swift and nasty.
Tim Gunn didn't hold back either.
In subsequent interviews, Tim Gunn basically called the judges "crack-smoked" for their decision. He went on a press tour expressing his absolute disdain for the result. It’s rare for a show’s own mentor to publicly trash the winner, but Tim felt that Mondo’s soul was in that collection and Gretchen’s was just... commerce. That’s the crux of why the Season 8 Project Runway winner remains such a polarizing topic. It forced viewers to ask: Is fashion about the artist’s expression, or is it about making stuff people want to buy at the mall?
Where is Gretchen Jones Now?
If you're looking for Gretchen Jones on a New York Fashion Week runway today, you won't find her. And that’s by choice. After the show, she didn't just take the $100,000 and run; she tried the "designer" thing in NYC for a while. She launched her label. She dealt with the immense pressure of being the "villain winner."
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Eventually, she realized the traditional fashion cycle was a grind that didn't fit her.
She moved away from the spotlight. She got an MBA. Today, she works more in the realm of fashion consulting and strategy. She’s focused on the "how" and "why" of the industry rather than just stitching garments for a catwalk. It’s a bit ironic, right? The judges chose her because she had a "business mind," and she ended up leaning entirely into the business side of the creative world. She’s been very open in recent years about how difficult that post-show period was for her mental health, which adds a much-needed human layer to the "villain" we saw on screen.
The Mondo Guerra Redemption
We can't talk about the Season 8 winner without mentioning what happened next for the runner-up. Mondo Guerra didn't just fade away. He came back for Project Runway All Stars Season 1 and absolutely crushed it. He won.
It felt like a cosmic correction.
Mondo has since become a major advocate for HIV/AIDS awareness, using his platform (which started with that incredibly brave reveal during his "Positive" print challenge in Season 8) to do real good. He’s still designing, still vibrant, and still very much the heart of the franchise.
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The Lasting Legacy of Season 8
What did we actually learn? Season 8 changed the way the show was judged. In later seasons, you could see the judges overcompensating, trying to make sure they didn't miss the "artist" in favor of the "commercial" designer. It made the show more self-aware.
The "Gretchen vs. Mondo" debate is the ultimate litmus test for fashion fans. If you think Gretchen should have won, you probably value marketability, wearability, and "the look of the moment." If you think Mondo was robbed, you're likely a romantic who believes fashion is a high art form that should make you cry (or at least gasp).
There is no middle ground here.
Actionable Takeaways for Fashion Enthusiasts
If you're revisiting this season or looking to understand the industry today, keep these points in mind:
- Commercial vs. Creative: The tension between making money and making art is the permanent state of fashion. Neither is "wrong," but they rarely win the same trophies.
- The Power of the Edit: Reality TV is a construction. Gretchen Jones likely wasn't as "evil" as the 42-minute episodes made her seem, and the backlash she faced serves as a cautionary tale about the price of reality fame.
- Redefining Success: Winning a reality show isn't the only way to "win." Mondo’s career and Gretchen’s shift into strategy prove that the $100,000 check is just a starting line, not a finish line.
- Watch the Clothes, Not the Drama: If you re-watch the Season 8 finale today without the 2010 bias, Gretchen’s collection actually holds up surprisingly well. It’s cohesive and sophisticated. Mondo’s is still brilliant, but Gretchen’s looks like something you’d see in a high-end boutique right now.
The debate over the Season 8 Project Runway winner will probably never fully die. It’s baked into the DNA of the show. Whether you're Team Gretchen or Team Mondo, the season remains a masterclass in why we love—and love to hate—fashion competitions.
To really understand the shift in the industry since then, look into how sustainable fashion and "slow fashion" have replaced the boho-chic trends Gretchen was championing. Research the current work of designers like Mondo Guerra to see how they've integrated social activism into their brands, as that’s the real blueprint for longevity in the 2020s.