Transcript of Bonnie's Exit Interview - Continued

Personally and professionally the most frustrating moment was probably this last runway competition. You know at the end and really realizing that I completely misinterpreted who the consumer was, and you know, that alone ... otherwise I’ve been pretty confidant about everything I’ve done. Even on this challenge up to this point I was confidant that I had a design that was for the right consumer but I was completely wrong. So that was my most frustrating point.

* * * * *

I’m not beating myself up because I totally thought that you know, it wasn’t just me up there who obviously misinterpreted the consumer. You know there were six of us clearly standing up there that were like, “what?” We were just, wow, we totally didn’t get it. And you know I’m not beating myself up, I’m actually in my mind I’m like “doo doo doo” [makes hand gestures as if ideas are flying into her head] “this is what I could have done, this is what I could have done, this would have looked so cute, this would be more like me than like what I already did.” So, that’s kind of more how I am. I think anyone can snap under this constant lack of sleep and constant working. Obviously somebody already did, and it’s somebody I least expected to. I don’t know. I guess anyone could.

* * * * *

I don’t think it was shocking that somebody snapped. I actually was surprised of the consequences because you know I kind of thought it just snowballed into this huge deal where maybe ... I don’t know if there was any cheating going on or if it was just like you know, whatever like ... I think it’s just became an out of control huge situation and everybody just overreacted. And it’s kind of like no sleep, constant working, you know you’re not around your friends or your family ...

* * * * *

... you know it’s all what you define as cheating. I never saw Keith actually using patterns from a pattern book. And I can’t see it feasible for somebody to come home after working all these hours and sitting, studying the pattern book to get more ideas.. I mean maybe he did that, maybe he didn’t.

BONNIE’S EXIT INTERVIEW, PART II

My design style is you know a bit classic with more of a, kind of like, a funky edge I guess.

* * * * *

I find my design inspiration you know from all different things, it’s not one thing in particular. It’s just whatever’s going on in my life at that time, whether I’m traveling or you know with people or shopping or going to museums, it’s you know, everything.

* * * * *

Where do I buy my clothes? I buy my clothes like all over. I get to travel a lot for work so I usually shop in you know Asia or in Europe or New York when I come to New York, I like shopping here. You know and it’s mostly in small boutiques, kind of funky boutiques. That’s where I get my clothes.

* * * * *

Um as far as having a favorite outfit? You know I kind of really don’t because I have a couple of things I really like to wear so there’s probably many go-to outfits for me. But usually something black or red, I think they’re my favorite colors. And you know a pair of good-fitting jeans. It’s kind of my staple.

* * * * *

Um it’s really interesting like being behind the scenes because it’s really weird that you’re having this camera follow you all day, you kind of just get used to it. Like you’re whole lifestyle here – you kind of just get used to it even though it’s like this bizarro world going on around you. And it’s interesting how easily you fall into this kind of living situation.

* * * * *

I think human nature easily adapts to different environment. So you know we all adapted really quickly. I think that’s why ... you just kind of get used to these cameras and microphones and ... getting up early, staying up late, you know working crazy hours. It’s just all ... you get used to it, your body adapts.

* * * * *

As far as like my mental state holding up? You know I think I’m fine. You know I think we all went through like the emotions of like “Oh, we want our normal life back,” “Oh, we love it here.” But you know I feel good, you know wish I could stay longer, that’s only if my brain could hold up, totally, so yeah, it’s kind of, I’m doing good.

* * * * *

The funniest moment on the show, it’s so funny, well to me. There’s a couple. One of them was just Vincent and his hats. And Laura and Vincent are such great personalities. So Laura was like making fun of him about him not ... like he got reamed for the first challenge for having a hat and then the next challenge he was doing, for the dogs, Laura said, “Oh, what are you doing” and he’s like, “Oh, I’m making a hat” and she’s like, “Oh, didn’t you learn your lesson?” and he’s like, “Well I’m making two this time!” – one for the dog and one for the mom -- of the dog -- or the model. So I think you had to be there, but I couldn’t stop laughing because she was like, “Well did you do your dress?” And he’s like, “No I haven’t even thought about my dress yet.” So it’s like, that’s so Vincent, he was just like ... not even concerned about the dress, he’s concerned about these hats the whole time. So that was kind of funny. And then one time when we were practicing the runway -- we got to see our models walk – and Uli’s kind of quiet and our model had some tape on her dress and you could see it and she’s just ... we had two run-throughs and we’re like “Oh my gosh we’ve got to tell her she’s got tape!” And then all of the sudden at the end of the runway Uli just screams out “The tape! The tape! Take off the tape!” And I just started ... you know, again, I think you had to be there but it was so much fun. It was so funny I was dying laughing. So, those were my two funniest moments.

* * * * *

Other than being kicked off and being completely wrong about a challenge being unexpected, I think that ... well exciting unexpected? I think was probably the dog challenge. I thought that was so cool. So, in good unexpected that was cool, in bad unexpected was me getting booted off for being completely wrong on a challenge.

BONNIE’S EXIT INTERVIEW, PART III

The experience on Project Runway ... I don’t know if it’s changed me, it’s just been you know a fun challenge, and you know it’s been a great experience. I guess it’s changed me in the fact that I have rediscovered something that you know kind of was tucked away for years and years. That’s kind of exciting. Yeah I guess it will change me eventually. I don’t know maybe not that much because no one will remember me because I will be the girl that got kicked off at the beginning of the season. So, who knows.

* * * * *

I don’t think it’s really like ... I don’t know if I’ve feel like I’ve been on Project Runway yet. I’m like, you know it’s been so surreal the whole time. Maybe it will start hitting me when people are like “Hey, you’re that girl that got kicked off” or something, I don’t know. But yeah, I’m ready for it, I guess. I don’t know if so many people are going to be like constantly coming up to me, but maybe I’m wrong. Who knows. We’ll wait and see. I guess I’ll find out sooner than later.

* * * * *

I don’t think I said anything I want to take back. Until I watch the show and then I’ll probably think of lots of things I wanted to take back. As for now I think I’m ok.

* * * * *

If I could say one thing to one person it would be Uli and I’d say, “Go get ‘em, make it to the final three!”

* * * * *

What’s next for me. I’m going back to San Diego, going to go back to work. Eventually move up to San Francisco because my husband’s moving up there. And then we’ll see. I want to focus on my design, you know my art, I’m an artist, I want to paint more and focus on that. So yeah, maybe start another collection of ready to wear and still like hopefully do footwear on the side as well. Just do it all, I guess.

* * * * *

Yeah, my husband’s really proud I made it to Project Runway. He was expecting me to make it all the way so, so was I, but I’m sure he’ll be happy just to have me back though.




Click here to comment.