by Gina Scarpa

 

Whether Suede is your cup of tea or not, you can't deny that he has been a memorable Project Runway designer. On this week's all star challenge, the designers were asked to create wearable art, but the judges felt that Suede missed the mark. Following his elimination, Suede talked to RealityWanted and reporters in a press conference call about who he felt was his competition, how he feels about Joanna Coles versus Tim Gunn, his thoughts on the drama in the workroom, and what he's up to now.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Was there anyone on Project Runway All Stars this season that you had your eye on from the beginning?
A. Suede: Well you know, I really obviously hadn't worked with any of them because no one from Season 5 was on. I couldn't really know how they were in the workroom. I had my eye on Josh, I know him personally. I knew he was very, very talented. Uli was someone I was watching.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What did you feel like the biggest flaw was with your design this week? Did you agree with the feedback from the judges, especially Isaac saying it wasn't wearable?
A. Suede: Well, I mean, making something that's an art piece is so open to interpretation. I really don't do artwork in terms of clothing. I do very commercial work. I've never held a can of spray paint in my entire life. Did I agree with the judges? No, but that's what I'm a contestant and not a judge.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Is it very difficult to do your best work in a setting like Project Runway, being under time constraints and told what to create?
A. Suede: Oh my god, totally! Absolutely! It's the hardest thing to do - being told what you're going to do and everything is a challenge and there are cameras in your face. Reality tv is not really real because I would never go out with a can of spraypaint and 7 yards of individual fabric on the windiest day in New York City. It's super challenging and I bow down to anyone who's ever been on Project Runway. Every contestant is so talented, they're all All Stars.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Can you tell us a little bit about what you're up to now?
A. Suede: Absolutely! The Suede Says brand is available worldwide. It's available in 4000 stores in the states. I have a new product line coming out, I have a launch next year, and I have some more projects coming in 2013.

 

Q. What is it about Project Runway that made you want to come back for All Stars?
A. Suede: It's such an amazing opportunity to be able to showcase what you can do. It was a great experience the first time and I was thrilled to be asked to come back and try to make it work yet again.

 

Q. What was it like working with Joanna Coles?
A. Suede: To be honest, I actually prefer working with Tim. I'm on Team Tim.

 

Q. Wendy Pepper said you were like a brother to her. What do you think of her?
A. Suede: I love Wendy. We had a really strong bond and moment during the show. I was going through some really personal stuff this whole year that involved domestic violence. I told Wendy everything that was going on so we got really close.

 

Q. What was your favorite design of yours from this season?
A. Suede: You know, I really dug what I did for the disco challenge. I could totally see someone wearing that in the 70s. I don't have a lot to choose from but I'll go with that challenge!

 

Q. What did you think about the drama between Ivy and Laura Kathleen?
A. Suede: I really don't have time for drama and kind of keep to myself. I don't know... it's just really hard to say because I wasn't involved in any of that. I think people need to focus on their work but I guess that makes good tv, right?

 

Q. Can you see Joshua or Uli being one of the winners?
A. Suede: I would love to see both Joshua and Uli in the final group. Joshua just left my apartment a few minutes ago. I'm a big fan of his work and he's so talented.

 

Q. If you could dress one celebrity, who would it be?
A. Suede: Do they still have to be alive? I would love to work with Marilyn Monroe!

 

Q. Do you have any regrets about your design?
A. Suede: Absolutely! I wish I hadn't gone home. Looking back, there are a lot of things I would've done differently. Fashion is an evolution and especially on a reality show, it's an in the moment decision and you have to go with what you do. Like I said, this whole concept of creatng wearable art is so open to interpretation. It's not my forte and I stand behind that it's wearable art.

 

Q. Do you think that someone else should've gone home instead?
A. Suede: We were told we had to have 80% of our garment with the fabric we used. I fulfilled that challenge clearly. I stand behind my comment on the show that Althea's was not 80% of the fabric she created.

 

Q. Where can people keep up with you?
A. Suede: Everybody can keep up with me at suedesays.com.

 

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

 

(Image courtesy of Lifetime)

 

Follow Gina @ginascarpa