Jay Nicolas Sario, Hawai'i's first contestant on Project Runway, came very close to becoming one of the final three designers in the reality-TV program.

In an unprecedented move, the show's producer, Heidi Klum, and the judges, Michael Kors and Ellen Garcia, decided to give Sario and fellow contestant Mila Hermanovski a run-off opportunity for third place.

The top three designers will show their collections at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.

While the judges had high praise for Sario's collection, inspired by Japanese samurai, ultimately, they chose Hermanovski to go to Fashion Week.

Sario will be back in Honolulu next week as a celebrity judge for the senior fashion show at Honolulu Community College (his alma mater): "Flight," on April 24. Tickets are $20; 845-9203.