BPR: This is Laura Kluvo from Blogging Project Runway and I'm on the phone with season 3 all-star designer, Melissa Fleis. Hi Melissa.
MF: Hi, how are you?
BPR: Congratulations on making the cast of All-Stars.
MF: Thank you so much.
BPR: Our readers definitely disagree with your elimination.
MF: I agree with them!
BPR: Did you watch the episode last night?
MF: I have not yet.
BPR: Christopher and Viktor both expressed concern over your design in the confessional. Did either of them say anything to you?
MF: Not at all. That's a part of the competition, though. You never know what people are saying in the confessionals vs. what they say to your face.
BPR: Did you agree with the judges on the winning design?
MF: That's interesting. No, I did not think that dress would win. I wasn't sure who would win, but that one surprised me.
BPR: If you could go back, is there anything that you would do differently?
MF: Not at all.
BPR: That's good to hear...
BPR: What time of day did you visit the club?
MF: It was at night.
BPR: We were surprised that we didn't see Jay-Z or Beyonce or even any other customers.
MF: They closed the club so that we would be able to film privately.
BPR: Did you expect Jay-Z to show up as a judge?
MF: Yes, actually I did. I was surprised that no one from the club showed up to judge.
BPR: How was this experience different from the season 10 experience?
MF: It was a lot different. The entire concept was different for me. When you go in the first time, you don't know what to expect. It is definitely more magical. For all-stars, you already know some of the competitors. You already know what is going to happen. People arrive with new motives and tactics for the game. Yes, it is a lot different.
BPR: Did you miss Tim Gunn?
MF: Yes. definitely.
BPR: I have a reader question from Amy: Do you wish you had defended your dress more strongly on the runway?
MF: It's interesting. That style of dress is very difficult to create in ten hours. It is much more work than say a four-seasm slip-dress, or something that only has to be draped around half the body. This dress requires a lot of seaming and fitting. I thought it fit very well, and I was happy with it, so I was very surprised to be eliminated.
BPR: How long did the judges deliberate?
MF: It was different for every challenge.
BPR: Do the designers get to choose their models this season?
MF: No. We were assigned a model at the beginning and kept the same model for every challenge.
BPR: I have another reader question: This question is from Susan. Do you feel that time-management was an issue for you?
MF: Actually, not in the episode where I was eliminated. The first two challenges, yes - especially in the first challenge, I spent a lot of time on my leather jacket. In the real world, I think my clients appreciate the time that I put into each design.
BPR: You are a wonderful designer. What are you working on now?
MF: Thank you. I have completed my spring/summer 2014 collection so that will be in stores very soon. I am also working on a jet-set kit for Yuli Skin Care - (a new cosmetic bag.) I'm working on custom orders, and my "Basics" line will also be available very soon. I'm very busy.
BPR: What is the most popular item from your line?
MF: Right now, my leather jackets, and also my basics line.
BPR: Melissa, we are almost out of time, is there anything else you would like to say to your fans?
MF: I just want to say thank you to all of my fans. Your support is amazing. This is the real world, not reality TV and I really appreciate all of my fans and customers.
BPR: Thank you Melissa!
MF: Thank you!
