Interview with "Project Runway's" Chris March

AE: It’s interesting noting that all of the final four collections on the show — from what we’ve seen so far — are very dark. They’re dark in palette and dark in tone. A friend watching with me said, “Well, it’s the times we’re living in.”
CM: I do think that’s true. I think that’s where part of my feeling for the collection came from, because we are living in a very — “dark” is a simple way of putting it — but we’re living in a time in which it’s kind of hard to find some hope. So I think when you feel that way, you need to express it, and that helps to get it out. Maybe we were all feeling that way.

Tim Gunn, Jillian Lewis

AE: And can you tell me anything about Jillian? What’s she like?
CM: The great thing about Jillian — and I wish this had happened sooner — she finally started letting go a little bit. As the show progressed, her character came out more and more, and I think near the end, people are seeing, “Oh, look — she’s actually very funny.” She’s very clever and well-spoken and she’s not just quiet and meek. She doesn’t want to talk and joke, like I do. That’s just her work style.

AE: I have to say, too, that I loved how the show had so much fun showing you in drag, showing those shots of you as Wonder Woman or Cruella…
CM: Let me tell you, the day after the prom challenge where they showed so many pictures of me in drag, my website got 60,000 hits.

AE: It’s ChrisMarchDesign.com, right?
CM: Yes, and that whole side of things has been amazing. My website has gotten a million hits since January 1st. It’s nuts!

AE: And what’s next for you?
CM: I have lots of different offers right now. I’ve got an offer to be the costume designer on a big-budget Hollywood movie, and I’ve always wanted to write and produce and design a theatrical show in New York, and there seems to be some interest in that now, since people have seen me on television. And it’s been amazing to meet all of these incredible fans. People have just gushed so much love in my direction, I wish everybody could have this experience.