by Todd Betzold

 

It was an overload of drama this week on Project Runway, as we saw two designers pack their things up and walk out of the competition on their own terms. It is a pressure-filled environment and it seemed to be too much for Andrea and Kooan and they decided enough was enough and headed home. That left for a very somber workroom, but things must go on. As Michael Kors said, "Fashion isn't for sissies!" After designing a look for a woman on-the-go, Buffi Jashanmal was a woman on-the-go, as she was sent home after her look didn't impress the judges. Today she spoke to RealityWanted and other reporters in a conference call about her experiences on Project Runway, her love of Tim Gunn, her "argument" with Christopher last night and much more.

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: On last night's episode, Christopher offered his black chiffon for you to use instead of the pink. Do you regret not using the black or do you feel it wouldn't have been your design without the pink fabric?
A. Buffi: I felt bad with seeing how upset Christopher looked. The thing about me when I am stressed, I can't talk about it. All my friends watching that know how I get when I get stressed out and I wasn't trying to cut him off. I really don't care right now and don't want to have this conversation because I'm trying to finish this thing. If I had used the black chiffon, it just wouldn't have been me and if I would have gone out on the black chiffon I would never have known if I would have stuck to my guns. I think it was just better to stick with what I wanted to do. I don't design like that and I don't like not wearing color. Me and Chris got along so well and I don't want anyone to think it was us having an argument and I genuinely appreciated him saying that.

 

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: Who would be your dream client to design for?
A. Buffi: I would really like to do, as cliché as it sounds, something for Lady Gaga or Nicki Minaj. I know that sounds cheesy, but it's true. They wear things that are completely outside the box and it does make sense. I'm sure Nina and Michael don't think they things they wear makes sense, but it makes sense to me and I would love to be given the opportunity to do whatever I want. It doesn't have to be editorial for Nina, but to have a client like them would be amazing.

 

 

 

Q. What made you want to do Project Runway?
A. Buffi: I wanted to be on Project Runway since the beginning and I want to apply for it so many times and I started the application and didn't get all the way through and you needed a portfolio. I always had too many other things going on and this year I said I am definitely doing it and committed myself. I felt like this was the right year to do it.

 

Q. What's the best piece of advice you received from the judges?
A. Buffi: I feel like they didn't give me advice so much. They kind of put me down, more than anything. To me, that was a good thing. I am so different from them and my aesthetic. The fact that they didn't get what I was trying to say or they didn't like what I liked made me realize that I don't get what they like and that's cool because I'm completely different. I do like the things that I do and it's fine. On Project Runway you've got time constraints and you have to work under so much pressure, so I don't think I always did my best work, but I definitely did something Buffi-ish.

 

Q. What did you think of Raul coming back?
A. Buffi: I was so happy because the first few episodes I thought he was really talented. Even in the first episode, I loved the dress he made with the layered flowers. It was super cute. I think the challenge he got knocked out on was not his best work and I felt he had more to show us as a designer, so when he came back I was super happy. I hadn't known him that long, but I definitely thought he had a lot more to offer.

 

Q. Had Andrea or Kooan stuck around, do you think they would have had a shot at making it further?
A. Buffi: I'm kind of mad at them leaving because I think, in the order of people would have gone, I think they would have gone before me. Had Andrea stayed, I think she might have gone out this week and I would have another week to show something maybe a little bit different.

 

Q. Who is your favorite designer this season?
A. Buffi: From day one, Chris has been amazing. He's so talented. He works so quickly. It's like he has a sweatshop in both of his hands. He's draping, he's making beautiful garments, he's making his own textiles. I was completely blown away with how talented he was and all the other designers in the room. It was so cool being in that workspace because all of us were so different and to see how everyone works was so incredible. Chris, from day one, I was like this guy is out of control.

 

Q. I know you didn't get along with the judges that well, but how did you feel about working with Tim Gunn?
A. Buffi: Oh my god, I love Tim. I think he's a genius. I think he's amazing. He's so clever and sweet. Anytime he gave me advice, he always gave me advice seeing it through my eyes. Tim and I obviously dress completely differently, but he's such a good teacher that he understands everyone's point of view. Any advice that he gave me, it was always in the way that I would think of it and I think that's what makes him so brilliant. I'm so glad I was never one of the people that he put down, like he said to Andrea how he was overly underwhelmed. For Tim to criticize me, that would make me cry. Nina, Michael, Heidi I really don't care because I think they are very narrow-minded and they only like what they personally like and that is it. Tim is not going to wear anything that I make, but he can appreciate what I am trying to say.

 

Q. What's next for you?
A. Buffi: I have a book coming out May 2013. It's a book on dress making and sewing, which I'm sure Nina (Garcia) will be horrified to hear that I am teaching the world how to sew (laughs). I started working on that before Project Runway and I am just completing that with Storey Publishing. I'm working on a few design projects with some New York performers. I have some people that like loud, crazy pieces and I think that is perfect for me.

 

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

 

(Image courtesy of Lifetime)

 

Follow Todd on Twitter @tbetzold