by Gina Scarpa

Last week, on Project Runway, the designers were given a task that seemed simple enough: create an outfit for their model to wear to a high profile event.  They would have to keep their model’s input in mind when designing.  Qristyl constructed a black dress for her model, Valerie, which the judges say aged her by ten years.  Couple that with the fact that she used black and no other color and pattern… and Qristyl found herself in the bottom.  Up against Logan and Johnny, the panel felt that her design was the weakest and she was eliminated from the competition.  This week, Qristyl took the time to speak to RealityWanted in an exclusive interview about her experiences on the show.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What was your design background, prior to joining the show?
A. Qristyl: I have a B.F.A Degree from Stephens College in Columbia, MO.
 
Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What made you want to try out for Project Runway? 
A. Qristyl: I am a fan of the show and I tried out 4 times.  I was determined to be on the show, because being an independent designer and at this for many years, I felt that this was the platform I needed to let the world know that I exist and that I have something to offer to the world of fashion and to its fashionistas.
 
Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Earlier in the competition, you struggled to get along and see eye to eye with Epperson.  What was the main problem there?
A. Qristyl: From the beginning, he obviously did not want to work with me. Always go with your first instinct. I actually wanted to work with Irina and his work station was next to hers.  I also know that he did not care for Johnny, so I thought I was being the bigger person and did not want to stick him with someone I knew he did not want to work with.  I was like, “I am sure we can work together,” and man, was I WRONG!  Always follow your gut…
 
Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Do you think you could have done something better in this week's challenge, where you had to design a look for your model?
A. Qristyl: Yes, again, follow your gut.  I have many clients that I please all the time and should have chosen a color that I wanted to do. I should have done what I was planning originally.
 
Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Did you and your model see eye to eye when it came to color scheme and design?
A. Qristyl: Yes, Valerie was pleased.  The judges were a bit harsh but it really did not affect me because this was still a phenomenal platform, one I wanted very much, and I am very proud of myself for my determination.  This was my dream and a dream fulfilled. I follow the book, The Secret and so many things have come to fruition since I have been doing The Secret.
 
Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Do you feel that you should have been the one to go this week or was there another designer that you thought should've been eliminated instead?
A. Qristyl: No, I do not but I have been in the bottom and the one judge, she totally was flirting with Logan. I was up against two cute white boys that had never been on the bottom. One cute and straight and one cute and gay, so I already knew I was going home.
 
Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Which designers on the show really stand out to you?  Whose work are you a fan of?
A. Qristyl: Everyone is good and talented on the show.  I only truly admire designers like Valentino, Diane Von Furstenberg, Michael Kors (if he designed his own line), Givenchy, Donna Karan, Zac Posen, Marc Jacobs, Jean Paul Gaultier and Doo.Ri.
 
Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What will you take away from this experience and what is in your future?
A. Qristyl: That you must keep striving, keep achieving your dreams. I always wanted to be seen a phenomenal, talented, and inspiring fashion designer with great character.  No matter what, you can be who you want to be in this life. I am in the process of reinventing myself. Although one of the oldest designers on Project Runway season 6, who has had many struggles in my journey as a designer, I should have gone much further in the competition.  However, that does not take away from me, how I did or did not do. I needed to be there no matter what because of my determination. I am planning on doing something new and something never done before in the fashion industry. I plan to showcase the first ever Plus Size… no, as I call it… the Plus Sexy Collection in the tents for Fall 2010.  I plan on being very near to it and a part of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. This has always been my dream since I landed in New York City from my hometown of St. Louis.


Project Runway airs Thursday nights at 10pm ET on Lifetime.

(Image courtesy of Lifetime)

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