No amount of fame could make Wendy Pepper leave home for success.

When her 'Thrill of the Hunt' collection started down the runway at Fashion Week, it was immediately clear that of the three Project Runway finalists, only Pepper understood and could design for the most critical customer and market: the upper demographic woman who wants her wardrobe to express her personal style not compete with it, and has the bank account and civility to indulge in fashion as an asset.

Pepper's collection was all luscious, autumnal Hunt Country textures and colors shaped to cosset and create a context for the woman who demands the very best independent style. Her equestrian cut orange pantsuit drew cheers from the audience; the shimmed brown silk jersey off-the-shoulder blouse and short leather shirt had even Jay's fans on their feet; and Ivanka Trump nodded in appreciation with the boys from 'Queer Eye for the Straight Guy' when the impeccably tailored gossamer tulle, shirt strolled past.

Every piece gestured to tradition and soared into the future of a highly articulate and confident woman's life. These were not clothes for the junior set, nor were they appropriate for either slaves to or victims of fashion.

That's why Wendy was not the final winner on Project Runway. Her Fashion Week Collection was designed for her clientele, the women she admires, respects and who fascinate her. Not for the bitchy hangers on whose understanding of the fashion business is slim at best.

In two weeks, those women and the thousands who have emailed her following the conclusion of Project Runway, will find Wendy and her beautiful collections in her new shop at the corner of South Pendleton Street and Federal in Middleburg, Virginia.