Five finalists from the popular ‘Project Runway’ show on Lifetime Television visit the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles to gain inspiration for their clothing designs.

In season 6, episode 12 of ‘Project Runway’, the five finalists meet the mayor of Los Angeles, visit the Getty Museum, and take a tour to find that special something in the museum that gives them inspiration for their design in the last challenge.

In this episode, the list will be narrowed, with only three going to Fashion Week in NYC.

The five finalists are: Carol Hannah, Gordana, Althea, Christopher, and Irina.

The J. Paul Getty Museum was built by architect Richard Meier and sits atop a hill that overlooks the San Gabriel Mountains, the Pacific Ocean, and the city of Los Angeles.

The exterior of the museum may certainly be comprised of Italian Travertine stone, but natural light is also an integral part of the building. The stones can change color when bathed with intense sunlight during the day or reflect the warm tones at sunset.

The inspiration that these five finalists found in the Getty Museum was diversified.

Carol Hannah loved a bed from the European Decorative Arts Department. This was not just any bed, but "Lit à la Polonaise" (1775-1780). What fascinated Carol Hannah were its beautiful modern silk upholstery and ostrich feathers. She would create a very sophisticated gown after seeing this amazing French bed. Her gown would be considered the most tailored and best fitting.

Bed (Lit à la Polonaise)

Gordana was inspired by Monet’s painting, "The Portal of Rouen Cathedral in Morning Light." She used silk organza as her fabric in such a way that it assimilated brush strokes like the master Monet himself. Gordana created a gown that Heidi Klum said was the closest to replicating the object of her inspiration.

'The Portal of Rouen Cathedral' painting


Monet created a series of thirty paintings of cathedrals. When the painting is seen up close, the viewer can see that the dried, thickly layered paint actually absorbs and reflects light. This is what Monet hoped to achieve by painting light and its affect on the façade of Rouen Cathedral in Normandy.

Althea found the architecture of the Getty to be her inspiration with its curves and lines. When her outfit was judged by the panel of experts, it was said to be overdesigned and not a finished dress.

Christopher found the rock fountain with green algae as his inspiration. He was by far the most emotional of the group when describing his outfit as his best work. The judges didn’t agree, as they felt the skirt of the gown was too heavy and just didn’t work well with the top.

Lastly, Irina was inspired by a painting from a British artist, John William Godward, "Mischief and Repose" (1895). She loved the sheer clothing worn by the fleshy, goddess-like women in the painting. She chose chiffon as her fabric for a sensual, ethereal look.

'Mischief and Repose' painting


If you watched the finale of episode 12 of 'Project Runway', then you know that the last three standing were: Carol Hannah, Althea, and Irina.

Best Wishes to all the finalists and congratulations on their remarkable perseverance and ingenuity in dealing with the fast paced world of fashion design.

You can own your own framed art print of the Getty Center Museum in Los Angeles.

This is an interesting book by Getty Museum architect Richard Meier titled, "Building the Getty."