by Todd Betzold

 

It was all about Red Carpet elegance last night on Project Runway, as the designers partnered up and designed looks for previous designers from Project Runway as they prepared to attend the Emmy Awartds! Raul Osorio was ecstatic when he was partnered with Alicia, but they decided to go with a gown instead of a suit for the partners that are more comfortable with menswear. They tried to challenge themselves and in the end, it meant a loss for them and Raul was sent home by the judges. Today he spoke to RealityWanted and other reporters in a conference call about his experiences on Project Runway, designing for Mila Hermanovski and more.

 

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: In the first challenge, you had your designs shown on the runway in Times Square. What was that experience like for you?
A. Raul: It was awesome. Coming from Minneapolis and coming from Honduras as well, I never thought I could have the chance to show my work there. To have the chance to show there and in front of multiple designers that are extremely talented, it was amazing. Like I said before, it was better than sex. It was one of the most beautiful things I've ever experienced.

 

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: You said designing for Mila was difficult. Is there any celebrity you'd love to work with?
A. Raul: If I could go back in time, and this may sound very silly, but I'm a big fan of Johnny Cash. I think that if I had a chance to do something for him a little more modern, I would love to do it. I think it's more about personality. I really think it is about personality and the way that you carry yourself can make your outfit work for anyone.

 

 

 

Q. Do you think it was weird that it was not a double-elimination, seeming it was a dual project and not something you did on your own?
A. Raul: We both did 50-50 and someone needed to go home. At this point if they choose to pick me, I'm fine. It's just about a gown and that's not my expertise. I don't do dresses for the Red Carpet. I'm not hurt by the fact that I was the one going home. Their decision was okay by me.

 

Q. One of the criticisms you did receive from the judges on the runway was why didn't you and Alicia, who are more familiar with menswear, go for a suit or something. After hearing that, would you go back and do something different or would you still challenge yourself and do a gown?
A. Raul: I would definitely do a suit. We are very good in menswear and we could have done a suit and that would have been the perfect choice. If I could go back in time, I wouldn't listen to Mila. I would never change my fabric and my design because of her. That was the biggest mistake. I think the original design would have worked perfectly. There were too many cooks in the kitchen. It was very annoying. I love Alicia and we got along very well, but at the same time I don't like the team challenge because you have to complement your design and I didn't like that at all. I hated every single minute of that challenge (laughs).

 

Q. You and Alicia did seem to get along well on that challenge, but is there someone else that you would have preferred to work with on that challenge or was Alicia the best possible scenario for you?
A. Raul: Since the first day I got on this show, I said I wish I could work with Alicia. I was extremely excited when I found out I was able to work with her. The outcome was not the best, but I am glad I got to work with her. She was my first choice and I was lucky enough to be able to work with her. I wish we would have done something different.

 

Q. If you would have had a different client do you think the result would have been differently?
A. Raul: Yes, definitely. It was very limited. She said that people know her as the woman in black. I was like, how do I make this work. She looks very gothic to me. I was constantly thinking that I had to make a black dress and I don't do gowns. She was tall and this long dress and everything was a mess. I just wish Alicia and I could have made the most beautiful suit ever.

 

Q. Out of your fellow designers, who do you see going to the final three at this point?
A. Raul: It's hard because I think everyone is very talented. As soon as I met everyone, I was like oh my god. I would be lying if I told you I saw someone. I don't have a favorite, I just think that everyone is very talented. The competition is up at this point and things just keep getting hotter and people are getting nasty to each other and this is just the beginning.

 

Q. What do you think of the preview we saw with people leaving? Do you wish you could be in their place, since clearly they didn't want to be there?
A. Raul: All I think is that if people didn't want to deal with competition, then they shouldn't even of applied for it. If you don't have the balls to confront what's coming at you, then just move on. Don't take other people's spots.

 

Q. What's next for you?
A. Raul: I want to pursue menswear more than womenswear. I think I have a big passion for men. Also, I think I would like to move. I'm currently living in Minneapolis and I'm thinking of moving to New York and looking for more opportunities.

 

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

 

(Image courtesy of Lifetime)

 

Follow Todd on Twitter @tbetzold