Has your win sunk in yet?
It's getting there. For Trinidad, where I'm from, this has been the equivalent of the World Cup. One of the first congratulatory e-mails I got was from the prime minister saying what it means not just for the country, but for the entire Caribbean region.
Last year, Gretchen Jones was blasted for winning over fan favorite Mondo. What reactions have you seen?
Ninety-five percent of the comments out there are positive, with that small dissent of, "Well, Viktor [Luna] was a great tailor," or that I didn't show enough range in my collection. And I one hundred percent agree with all that. But the reality is, I can't sew that range yet. It's not that I can't design it, but I wasn't going to try to sew things I knew I couldn't pull off on my own. So I went with my strengths.
You didn't have any finished garments to show Tim Gunn during your home visit. What on earth were you doing during those five weeks?
I landed in Trinidad and was completely overwhelmed. Suddenly, the entire country knew I was on Project Runway, and there was so much anticipation. We're a country of only a million people, so it sat very heavily on my shoulders that everyone expected me to do well. It really got to me.
In September, Anya Ayoung-Chee sent her island-chic collection down the catwalk to garner a from-behind win. Here, the season nine champ talks about procrastination, sewing skills, and the legend of "Reggae Jesus."
So you suffered the designer's equivalent of writer's block?
Absolutely! I'd blast music trying to inspire myself; I'd drape fabric on the form and rip it off; I'd go up to the roof to have a beer or wine, and then back down again. Nothing was working.
Was Tim's visit a reality check?
Yes. He wisely told me to lock myself in a room, ditch the sketches, and start making clothes. In the end, I came to New York with 10 pieces — I didn't love them, but at least I had them.
Were you the kid who started her book report an hour before it was due?
[laughs] Oh, yes. I come from a last-minute culture, but I'm not going to pat myself on the back for that. It became such a workroom joke — when people needed to redo a dress last-minute, they'd say, "I have to pull an Anya."
Halfway through the season finale, were you convinced that you had lost the competition?
At that point, I ranked myself in last place. I felt so dejected because it wasn't my best work. There was no question Viktor's collection was strong; I really thought he would win.
Do you think that you would have won without that extra $500 at Mood?
No. I made four brand-new looks in a day — 40 percent of the collection.
A lot of people don't believe that you learned to sew just months earlier.
That's a roundabout compliment because that means I did it well. But I really did start sewing lessons in the four months leading up to the show.
Fashion in Paradise! Summer Sizzle VI is a fashion destination event. Now in its third year, this spectacular weekend is a lifestyle escape combining the trendiest fashion event in the Caribbean with fashion gala, upscale parties, island tour and a sailing excursion to create the perfect vacation. The festivities kick off on Thursday, July 21st and run through Sunday, July 24, 2011. The event, previously held in the British Virgin Islands will now be held in the United States Virgin Islands.
Summer Sizzle Virgin Islands festivities includes The Culture and Style Welcome Party, The Sunset White Fashion Fete, A Day Sail Excursion to St. John and the Summer Sizzle Fashion Gala & VIP Party and other fabulous activities.
The "Global Glamour" fashion show, the highlight of Summer Sizzle VI, serves as a platform for showcasing international trend-setting fashion designers and models from some of the world’s top agencies from Ford, IMG, DNA, Marilyn, MUSE, Major Models and Q Models.Sessilee Lopez, Arlenis Sosa, Georgie Badiel and Tara Gill are among the diverse selection of top models that rocked the Summer Sizzle runway.
Schedule of Events
Thursday, July 21 - Culture & Style Welcome Party at Yacht Haven Grande Poolside 6pm-10pmFriday, July 22 - Sunset White Fashion Fete at Oceana, French Town 6pm - 11pmSaturday, July 23 - Summer Sizzle "Global Glamour" fashion show at Mark C. Marin Center at Antilles School at 8pm; VIP After Party at Yacht Haven Grande EsplanadeSunday, July 24 - Sailing Excursion to St. JohnSunday, July 24 - Bon Voyage Bacchanal & Karaoke Night
Originally created in 2007 by Terry Donovan (of “Signature by Terry Donovan”), Summer Sizzle began as a fashion show with the purpose of promoting the British Virgin Islands. Since then, Terry’s vision has culminated into a four-day fashion and lifestyle event.
Summer Sizzle is the central highlight United States Virgin Islands each July and has attracted visitors from the Virgin Islands, Caribbean and the USA. Summer Sizzle brings together a number of leading international and regional designers, industry executives, models, celebrities, international media and press, and attracts a diverse audience of affluent professionals and influencers from around the globe. Previous headliners from Summer Sizzle VI Fashion Show include: Kevan Hall, one of Hollywood leading designer, Korto Momolu - Project Runway finalist, Cesar Galindo from the hit Bravo TV show “Fashion Show”, Tracy Reese, Baby Phat by Kimora Lee Simmons, LaQuan Smith, top New York designer, Roger Gary, Guyaneese born New York designer and Caribbean’s most notable designer Claudia Pegus. The event also has featured USVI’s designer Andre Etienne and BVI’s designer Kristin Frazer, Trefle Designs.
info@summersizzlevi.com
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