AE: That moment when everyone is rushing around trying to help
you finish that dress is one of the best little moments of the season. Were you
surprised by this act of selflessness?
SR: I’m glad [Bravo] showed that. I think that moment really
showed that it wasn’t all about, "Well screw him, it’s his problem." There was
none of that attitude. There’s Ricky sewing a cuff and Kit coloring in one of
the buttons with magic maker. That sort of teamwork really made our season
different than any other.
AE: Who have you kept in contact with from the show?
SR: We’ve all been in
contact with each other. . .
AE: Yes, but who would you say you’re closest too?
SR: I’ve had the most lengthy exchanges with Kit or
Jillian.
AE: Who do you think is going to win this season?
SR: Well, in the words of the incomparable Bravo channel:
Watch. What. Happens! [laughs] No, I can tell you that on the very first show,
the show where Rami’s dress won? I was working five feet away from him and I all
saw was this grey fabric. And for hours and hours all I saw him doing was
pinching pleats! And I thought to myself "This kid hasn’t picked up a pair of
scissors — how in the hell is he going to finish in time?" And what he made was
so lovely.
AE: As an up and coming designer, what are your thoughts on
designing for the ‘everyday woman’?
SR: I enjoy designing for the every day women. It’s very ironic — the first job I had when got
back from the show, out of all the jobs I could possibly have, was designing a
plus-size wedding dress. I remember hemming the skirt and then having an ah-ha
moment when I went "Oh shit, I’m doing something that I got the boot for!"
AE: The opposite of the every day woman is Sarah Jessica Parker.
What was it like working with her?
SR: Sarah is just as absolutely beautiful as can be. I was
slightly nervous when she came into the room, but you know, she was so humble.
It was so difficult for her to give a critique, you could tell she was in
physical pain, that she was cringing. When I got back, everyone was saying, ‘Oh
my God, you got to meet SJP’ which was usually quickly followed by ‘I don’t
think she is as pretty as everyone says she is.’ I had to verbally bitch-slap
them. You’re not talking trash about my girl!
