BPR: Have you remained in touch with the other season 8 designers?
GJ: I do keep in touch with a handful of my peers. However, its truly been non stop since I moved to New York City, so I hit the ground running and haven't really slowed down [if anything, I've gotten busier by the minute] so time to connect with even my family has been challenging. Anyone starting their own business can attest- all your energy goes into it. But its really lovely to hear from those people I connected with on the show. They mean the world to me and I love that even just a text hello makes me feel like we are in each others hearts.
BPR: Please catch us up on all that you have been doing since the finale.
GJ: I'm not even sure where to begin!? A/W 2011 soft launch of the GJ brand, Piperlime project, the OSCARS, design, design, design...I am working my bootie off trying to establish my brand, while staying open to other fun opportunities and connections. Diving into the community in NYC and creating my 'family' here has been the main focus of all my time and energy...
BPR: If you could go back, is there anything that you would do differently?
GJ: I think its silly to have regrets like this. The only things in life worth wishing you could do differently is when you don't do things...or aren't authentic while doing things. I am who I am, I know that I was honest and pure. I love who I am because of what I've learned from my choices, and I'm humbled by where its all gotten me.
BPR: What is the best thing about Project Runway? What advice would you give to future contestants?
GJ: I suppose the best part is that for people like me, you can really use it to reach those you need to be everything you can be...but in the end, its still comes down to you, your drive, your talent and your goals. It can be many things to many people. It's just about knowing how you want to use it.
BPR: I admire your optimism and positive attitude. I also appreciate your devotion to sustainable design.
GJ: Gosh Laura, that means the world to me to have you say that. I truly, truly believe we can have everything we want in life...we just have to be willing to work for it....So much of our culture these days is about immediacy. The best things in life have to be mastered. Entitled behavior gets you nowhere you know! I wish I could tell the youth of the world that if you want something that bad...you need to be willing to put in the time, be humble, learn, refine, grow and then attain/achieve the things you want- because you have the experience and community around you to accomplish it.
