1 Minnesotan goes home on 'Runway'

By SARA GLASSMAN, Star Tribune

Last update: September 25, 2009 - 7:04 AM

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On this week's "Project Runway," movie magic ruled. Alas, there was no Hollywood ending for Ra'mon-Lawrence Coleman, formerly of Minneapolis.

The challenge was related to the show's Los Angeles location. Tim Gunn had contestants pick from genres -- action/adventure, film noir, science fiction, period piece and Western -- to design an outfit.

For a 19th century Paris period piece, Christopher Straub of Shakopee made a "vampire bride" with layers of fabric and a beautiful halter neck with pearl beading and a double drape in back. Judge Heidi Klum called it "spectacular." He placed in the top three, though he ultimately lost top prize to Nicholas Putvinski's white evil ice queen.

Coleman was in the bottom three with his green reptilian dress in the sci-fi category. The self-proclaimed "Trekkie" made it after scrapping his original design, a bodysuit that he described as, "very Kermit the Frog gone wrong." The last-minute switch did not pay off. Klum called it a "hot green mess."

"He did great, and we're all so proud of him," said Katherine Gerdes, who sent him an encouraging text message. Coleman now lives in Milwaukee, where he designs for Kohl's and his own line, which he debuted during New York's fashion week.

He may have taken his final stitch on the show, but Straub will sew on in the top 10.

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