SW: Hello.
BPR: Even though you were eliminated, you still got to show a collection at Fashion Week. Congratulations!
SW: Thank you.
BPR: Of course I could tell right away that it was you.
SW: Yes, the first look had the head wrap...
BPR: That's a great signature for you. Have you always worn a head wrap?
SW: Actually, it's kind of my "bad hair day" look. Sometimes I just like the way it will make my outfit look and if I don't have time to fix my hair, I can still look fun and funky.
BPR: Is this the same collection you would have made if you were still in the competition?
SW: Yes. Whether they love or hate it, doesn't matter. Even when I was in the competition I never really wanted to make things that were safe and that what the judges wanted. I just wanted to make something that was really "me" and that is what I did for the finale.
BPR: Which is your favorite design in the collection?
SW: Definitely my finale piece. It was short, it was long, had fringe in the middle...
BPR: We hardly get to know the models. What is your model's name?
SW: Her name is Alex.
BPR: Have you kept in touch?
SW: Absolutely. In fact we just talked the other day - she is moving to Paris. She was a genuinely good person. She really helped me relax.
BPR: Which was your favorite challenge?
SW: It's between the candy challenge and the kid challenge. I was really out of my element so it was fun to do it well.
BPR: Well you were robbed in the candy challenge...
SW: Thank you.
BPR: Have you seen your baby design in the store? Have you purchased it?
SW: My mom purchased it! I took a photo...I didn't think I should have to purchase my own design...
BPR: Who was your best friend from the cast?
SW: I don't think I could say I have a best friend. Christopher and I have similar personalities. I talk or text to Melissa, Elena, Alicia.
Dmitry and I facebook...The people who were around the longest, obviously I got to know the best.
BPR: Your elimination was heartbreaking, if you could go back, is there anything that you would do differently?
SW: I might have chosen some different fabrics. It's so hard, I mean there are only 30 minutes in Mood. I don't sketch so I am shopping but I am also being inspired and coming up with my design. It's a lot to happen in 30 minutes.
I don't take back anything though. I feel good about what I made mostly. Everything happens for a reason. Especially with the piece I was eliminated with - I mean I love that piece - it really represented me as a designer. if I had been eliminated for the Rockettes challenge I might feel differently, but the avant-garde piece I really liked.
BPR: Besides fashion, what are your other interests?
SW: I love athletics, I ran track in high school, I danced in college, I was a gymnast. Anything I do, I want to be the best at. I am very competitive. I play the piano. I love movies, I love jewelry, I love crochet. I'm actually an old lady at heart.
BPR: What are you working on now?
SW: I have returned to my blog. I am selling pieces in my etsy store. I will take photos of pieces that I have made, post them on my blog and then sell them in my etsy shop. I am hoping that more opportunities will come my way.
BPR: Sonjia, we are almost out of time, is there anything else you would like to say to your fans?
SW: I want to thank everyone for their support. I appreciate the twitter followers and the facebook friends. It's hard to believe that I am an inspiration to others. I certainly want to live up that. I am very appreciative for all of the love and support.
