by Todd Betzold

 

The designers ventured to the United Nations headquarters on last night's episode of Project Runway All Stars and came back with six countries to inspire them in their design of a dress. The judges were not inspired by the dress Mila Hermanovski created from the flag she chose, Papua New Guinea, and she was sent home. Today she spoke to RealityWanted and reporters in a conference call about her experiences on Project Runway All Stars.

 

Q. What is it about Project Runway that made you want to return?
A. Mila: I think that there is a little bit of a masochist in me, first of all (laughs). Secondly, for as much as I was criticized about this in a way, for me I'm trying to develop a collection and a line. From a professional standpoint, I just wanted to showcase and use it as an opportunity to show everyone what I'm doing and show them more about who I am as a designer.

 

Q. Your good friend Kara had you picked to win. How does that make you feel?
A. Mila: That made me feel great because honestly, we weren't really pals like she was with Kenley during the competition. So, it was a nice surprise to hear her say that, for sure and to hear she can step back and see things objectively as well.

 

Q. What did you think about the judges' feelings about your outfit?
A. Mila: I couldn't see how they couldn't appreciate my risk-taking and I feel like my design was too conceptual for them. I didn't agree with most of what they said, frankly. If I had more time to develop my design...fine-tune it to more of their liking, but the perimeters of the challenge were pretty strict and sometimes when you get a challenge like that we're all faced with this, like ok, are they going to criticize me for not using all the colors in the flag, are they going to criticize me for not reflecting the culture of the country and that kind of thing. You sort of have to pick what you are going to be most inspired by and for me it was important to show my point of view as a designer and I absolutely was inspired by that country, contrary to what they thought.

 

Q. There was a lot of talk about your opinion on people helping each other out on the show. We want to get your thoughts on how that was covered on the show?
A. Mila: Well, I honestly feel that they wanted to create a story out of that and it's unfortunate that people might have thought I was jealous or that I was a sourpuss because of the commeradirie in the workroom...there's nothing wrong with being friends. I developed friendships as well on the show, but I do feel that when it comes to competitions that I said it before and I'll say it again, I wouldn't ask anyone to finish my garment for me...that's not my work ethic and it is a competition. But like I said, if I finish early, I would gladly help someone do a hem on their dress. There is a big difference between finishing a garment, like sewing it for them, compared to helping them with a last minute touch.

 

Q. Do you wish you would have picked a different flag last night?
A. Mila: No, I think all those flags were challenging in different ways. I was kind of excited about Papua New Guinea because it really was challenging for me to take something from that culture and that flag and translate it. Especially given the fact the culture itself is extremely tribal and extremely different from my point of view, so I was just pushing myself. I don't know what else I would have chosen, honestly. I definitely wouldn't have chosen the Seychelles (laughs).

 

Q. How does the All Star season differ from your previous season on Project Runway?
A. Mila: For one thing, we all come in with our eyes a little bit more open and we've all been through this before. In that respect, from a psychological standpoint, we kind of know what we're up for and not quite as stressful from a psychological standpoint, but from a physical and mental standpoint it's just as hard, for sure. You're up against these others who most of them have made it far in their season...that's definitely more challenging because the stakes are higher and the competitors are better.

 

Q. What's next for you? What are you looking forward to in your career and everything?
A. Mila: In the immediate future, I have a Fall/Winter 2012 collection that I am going to be showing, hopefully in L.A....I'm trying to secure a spot in L.A. Fashion Week. Immediately following that, there is El Paseo Fashion Week in Palm Springs, Michael Costello helped organize that. It's going to be myself and I believe five other Project Runway designers showing our most recent collections there, So, that's what I've been up to, as well as working full-time on a movie.

 

Q. In costumes or acting?
A. Mila: (laughing) Oh no, in costumes. I am very lucky to have been invited to contribute to the film, Star Trek. It's right up my alley...an awesome job. The costume designer is Michael Kaplan and he's got quite a resume and it's just awesome to be a part of the team.

 

Q. Do you think someone else should have gone in your place last night?
A. Mila: Yeah. Usually I am able to look at things objectively and accept responsibility if my design sucks, basically. For example, I know my design was not so great on the Broadway challenge and that was definitely my least favorite of everything I had done on All Stars. However, last night I really do stand by my design and I feel like Austin could have been eliminated before me and Jerell could have been eliminated before me. I wasn't a fan of Kenley's design either...I felt like it didn't reflect the Latin culture as much and the flag, but honestly I was shocked I was eliminated for that design.

 

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: Now that you are out of the competition, is there anyone left that you are rooting for?
A, Mila: I feel that out of the designers left, I definitely feel that Mondo is the strongest of the designers, so he would be the one I am rooting for.

 

Project Runway All Stars airs Thursdays at 9/8c on Lifetime.

 

(Image courtesy of Lifetime)

 

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