By Lindsay Strouse

It's always been a dog-eat-dog world during the last few weeks of Project Runway. This season, however, the judges have traded in the dogs for a few exotic birds. After failing to be inspired by the vibrant colors of an Amazon parrot, Bert gave up early in the challenge and produce a drab garment even he was not proud of.

Today, he spoke with RealityWanted in a conference call, dishing out the goods on his "controversial" behavior and what we can expect to see from him in the future.

Q. Lindsay, RealityWanted: You were one of the few designers who really didn't sacrifice their personal style and aesthetic to please the judges. Do you feel that hurt you at all in the long run?
A. Bert: In the long run, no, absolutely not! I think people have seen me out there doing what I do. Betsey Johnson came on the show and she met us in the workroom and gave us a pep talk and I remember looking in her eyes when she was talking to us and she said that the most important thing is to be authentic. It may take a while for it to catch on, but if you're not authentic, you really don't have anything to show. I don't just make clothes for whatever the vibe is that day. I'm glad I stuck by my guns. I've had a lot of compliments from viewers and people in the industry and it's given me a lot of courage and confidence to keep doing what I'm doing.

Q. Lindsay, RealityWanted: What challenge do you feel showed off your personal style the best?
A. Bert: I liked my first challenge a lot. I love making dresses. But I do wish there was an eveningwear challenge. I did like the Nina Garcia challenge, and I know she really liked my design and thought it was chic. I also really enjoyed the peacock challenge because that was something fun. Definitely not the stilts challenge! I liked the 70s challenge too, but I wish I did the shorts in a different color.

Q. Do you agree or disagree with the judges' decision last night, or do you think it was your time to go home?
A. Bert: I don't think it was my time to go home, but when I saw who our guest judge was last night, my heart sank. He is someone who I really admire, and I just couldn't wrap my mind around the colors. I think they made the right choice, but I think my look is more realistic than Laura's, but I had no problem with it. I wish I brought my second look onto the runway. It was much more what I was about. But that's the way the cookie crumbles.

Q. You were quite controversial throughout the season. Do you think you were portrayed accurately?
A. Bert: I don't know that I was controversial. It took me a couple weeks to realize the age difference thing. I'm almost twice Josh M.'s age. I think at first it seemed a bit weird to some of them. About two-thirds of the way through the series we all became quite friendly with each other and have kept in touch. They all told me it took them a long time to get caught up with my humor. But after they understood I wasn't being malicious, they started to like it.

Q. What can we expect to see from you in the future?
A. Bert: Well, I'm in LA and I'm working at my studio. I have a few clients and I'm making something for Julie Bowen. She contacted me on Facebook and it took a while to hook up with her stylist but I'm actually working on it right now. That'll be exciting and she's like, the perfect client for me. She's not in her 20s, just very chic and I like her sense of humor. She doesn't take herself too seriously and is a modern woman. I really admire all that.

Project Runway airs every Thursday at 9/8c on Lifetime.

(Image courtesy of Lifetime)

Follow Lindsay on Twitter @LindsayStrouse