by Todd Betzold

 

It was another team challenge on Project Runway and we saw again the demise of Raul Osorio. Raul was sent home two weeks ago when he and Alicia struggled in their challenge. However, with Andrea and Kooan both walking out on the show, Raul was brought back! Last night, Raul struggled again in a team challenge and the judges were not impressed with the shirt he made. He was sent home, but before he left he had some harsh words for Elena. Today he spoke to RealityWanted and other reporters in a conference call about his relationship with Elena, getting that second chance and much more.

 

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: The other team each did one look for each designer, but your team did specific garments. Which is a better way to do it?
A. Raul: If we would have done what Team 5 had done, maybe I would be safe. We decided to split priorities. I think Elena tried to become the lead in the entire thing. A lot of them are roommates and they have each other's backs. It was just like me and Dmitry, we're here and we're part of this challenge too. It was tough to deal with.

 

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: There was no specific team leader on this challenge, even though you did say Elena tried to take over. What was it like working on a team with no specific person calling the shots?
A. Raul: I think she tried to become the leader, I don't think that she did. In the end, especially with the photos, we all decided we were going to do our own thing, so that's why Alicia and I decided to team together for that photo because we get along very well. Even when things went down in the third challenge, our relationship is very good. We all decided we had a different point of view in every photo, but we all decided we all needed to get involved. Elena was trying to play the role of our director, but you can't do that especially when you have six people that never change their minds. I think she has a great eye for it.

 

 

Q. Can you talk a little bit about what was going through your mind as you said goodbye to everyone for the second time?
A. Raul: I was very upset. Getting kicked out for the second time really made me have mixed emotions about it. I don't want to say it was my time to go, but I think that obviously we won the challenge and we made a very cohesive collection, so none of us should have gone home. I did see Elena's reaction and other people's reactions and it made me very upset and I exploded on them once I got in the room. I'm not saying I am proud of treating Elena the way that I did. I talked to her a few days before and we had a conversation and we both apologized for our behavior.

 

Q. How did you feel about the design that you created?
A. Raul: I love it. If anyone goes to my website they will be able to see that I work with chiffon. I like to create volume. I love ruffles. Some people, my designs don't work for them, but for me they do. This is my thing, this is why I'm a designer. Going home with those two pieces made me feel very good just because it represents who I am. I love the part that I did for that collection and bring that to the table and for me, it looks very cohesive.

 

Q. Clearly you stick by your garments, but do you think if you had a chance to make something other than tops you would have had a better chance of sticking around?
A. Raul: My original plan was to make a full look. I wanted to do a shirt and a skirt, but somehow they decided to split that with different designers. I wanted them to hear my voice and it was hard to get that connection with them. Either I had to scream or just stick to my guns and at one point I decided to just do what I wanted to do. It was too late for me to say hey, I'm going to make a skirt. It's not time for me to make excuses. I made two tops I am proud of and that was what I was able to give to this challenge.

 

Q. There seemed to be a lot of questioning of Gunnar's taste level. What do you think of his aesthetic?
A. Raul: It is very questionable, but at the same time there are designers for everyone. How boring would it be if we all looked the same? There are clients even for Buffi, ya know? (laughs) It's what fashion is. Fashion is for everyone.

 

Q. Do you think your fate would have been different if you would have been on the other team?
A. Raul: I am actually happy that I got to work with the team that I worked with, obviously we won the challenge and somehow I got eliminated. I think Christopher was actually right when he said if he would have picked me there would have been way more conflict because during the entire show, and it was not seen in the episodes, Ven and I do not get along. There were cameras there and I exploded on him. His attitude and his ego are horrible.

 

Q. Are you glad you went back or do you regret the second experience?
A. Raul: It's weird. I'm glad I was able to leave on a better note. I'm not going to say on a good note, because obviously I wasn't very nice at the end. I felt very good about the garments that I left for, but I also think the first time that I left, I left on a very good note with everyone because I was calm. I'm glad I did it, but tough call if I'd do it again.

 

Q. As the season continues, is there someone you feel is especially talented and you are rooting for personally?
A. Raul: The funny thing is I think the most talented one on the show is Elena. She thinks at a special level when it comes to fashion. She is very good at what she does. I think that Christopher has the talents and the personality to go far. I wish for Christopher because he is my buddy. If I didn't know Christopher, Elena would be the one I am rooting for.

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

 

(Image courtesy of Lifetime)

 

Follow Todd on Twitter @tbetzold