By Lindsay Strouse

Last night ended yet another fabulously dramatic season of Project Runway. Despite critiques about her insufficient sewing ability, Anya pulled through and won over the judges with her Caribbean-inspired collection. Today, she spoke with RealityWanted about winning the competition and the struggles she had to overcome.

Q. Lindsay, RealityWanted: One of the biggest issues highlighted this season was that you had only been sewing for four months before coming to Project Runway. How much did you grow and how did it feel competing against such technical experience?

A. Anya: It absolutely pushed me to another level in terms of design and getting such great critiques every few days or so. It was like doing a very intense Masters program. In terms of being with other people, I tried not to think about it or else I probably would have gotten too overwhelmed. I'm just very grateful for the experience.

Q. Lindsay, RealityWanted: What was the vibe like once the challenge prizes started getting monetary and Josh highlighted how badly he needed to win for financial reasons?

A. Anya: It was a little bit uncomfortable at that point because Josh and I really have a good friendship. When the money really started coming between us in a way, I didn't really like the vibe. He moved on pretty quickly though which was good. I think we're all kind of in the same financial situation, Josh was just more vocal about it.

Q. RealityWanted: What can we expect to see next?

A. Anya: I'd like to show again at NYFW in February. I'm building my own line on my website and have a few fun projects here and there that have happened in the Caribbean. Right now, I'm really trying to bring them to the US retail market.

Q. What did your parents think when you dedicated this collection to your brother?

A. Anya: My mom particularly was so touched. I think it was really emotional for her. They know my entire career as a fashion designer has been because of my brother and that it has been a big part of my experience.

Q. The judges really focused on how they could see you as a brand. Do you think that had more to do with you winning than your actual collection?

A. Anya: I think they definitely took my performance as a whole into account. They noticed what I did throughout the process and they saw that as a brand. I do see myself as someone who can market a whole range of products and I'm really looking forward to that.

Q. When you were talking to Tim at the end, it seemed like you really thought you weren't going to win. What was going on?

A. Anya: I really did not expect to go further than 3^rd or 4^th. I think because I had such a terrible critique the days before, I was very surprised. In order to enjoy the process, I had to let go of the pressure of thinking about what it would be like to win. So yes, I was completely shocked. When they told Viktor to leave the runway, I got really confused and was like, "what's going on?"

Q. What do you have to say about the critiques concerning your technical skills?

A. Anya: I would feel very frustrated with myself in terms of construction. I do feel that having design skill is more important in some ways, and I have that. I have a degree in graphic design. When it comes down to it, a designer designs and doesn't always have to sew. I'm glad that's what it came down to in the end.

(Image courtesy of Lifetime)

Follow Lindsay on Twitter @LindsayStrouse