by Gina Scarpa

 

Last week, on Project Runway, the designers were taken on a little field trip to the farm, where they found out that they would have to create a hot look for their models using burlap sacks. Pamela did a great job dying her material but the fit ended up being too short and too tight. The judges just couldn't get past it and eliminated her from the competition. Today, Pamela spoke to RealityWanted in an exclusive interview about her experiences on the show and the exciting things that she has coming up.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What made you try out for Project Runway this season?
A. Pamela: My fashion design students kept bugging me to do it.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Were you a fan of the show in the past?
A. Pamela: Yes, I've watched every season.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Which designers on the show stood out to you immediately as people to watch?
A. Pamela: Jay, because of his courage in "challenging" the silhouette of the woman's body with avant garde forms.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What was your reaction when you found out that you were going to have to make a fabulous outfit out of a burlap sack?
A. Pamela: I was certain that I would fully line it in muslin so that it would not scratch the model. I think it is very unkind to make the models suffer.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Have you ever worked with burlap before?
A. Pamela: No. I worked on the Paris Haute Couture. They don't do burlap.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What are some of the challenges of working with the material?
A. Pamela: The weave is very loose so it flexes out of shape. If the model sits, the loosely twisted fibers untwist and bulge the fabric.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You were complimented on your artistry but not on the fit of your design. What do you think went wrong there?
A. Pamela: I followed the requests of my "client" model who wanted the dress short, tight, strapless and casual. I would never ordinarily combine those features in a dress (Look at my website and you'll see it's not my aesthetic at all.), but the model was young and I wanted to please her. Essentially, I acted as more of a dressmaker than a designer. I'm surprised the judges didn't kick me off for that reason. It's a MUCH better reason than the one they gave!

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: It was a little surprising that you were the one eliminated on last week's episode. Were you surprised?
A. Pamela: Not after I heard the way they were asking the questions. I felt their minds were made up. So I accepted their decision gracefully... always a lady.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What did you learn on Project Runway that you'll take back with you in your work as a designer?
A. Pamela: Stick to your own vision & aesthetic. Don't listen to critics. Don't be swayed. It's the same thing Ralph Rucci told me once when I was freelancing for him on the Haute Couture. He said you have to adhere to your vision. For one brief moment I forgot that. I'll never do it again. So it was a good lesson.

 

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What's next for you?
A. Pamela: I've been signed with Showroom New York to represent my Pamela Ptak line. I'll be showing my Fall/Winter 2010 collection in NYC. I'm thrilled with the incredible advances my brand has taken. Elegant, intelligent women have something to look forward to!

 

 

Project Runway airs Thursdays at 10pm ET on Lifetime.

 

(Image courtesy of Lifetime)

 

Follow Gina at twitter.com/ginascarpa

 

For more Project Runway links, visit SirLinksALot.net