He flipped to a picture of Cordy and Mickey taking a bow. âThe skyâs the limit.â
But Mickey didnât even notice he was showing her picture to the class. She was already buried in her sketchbook, dreaming up her next design.
Obviously, I am a HUGE Project Runway fanâand season elevenâs winner, Michelle Lesniak, is one of my fave designers. She recently rocked the runway on Project Runway All Stars , making it all the way to the final four. Her clothes have an effortlessly cool vibe to them, and I love how they move. Michelle was nice enough to answer all my questions. Check out her line at michellelesniak.com !
Carrie: When did you know you were going to be a designer?
Michelle: Iâve always designed. I donât think itâs about it becoming your career; itâs part of who you are. Even if I donât design to pay my bills, Iâll always be a designer!
Carrie: Who taught you to sew and how old were you?
Michelle: My mother and grandmother taught me to sew. I probably picked up my first needle when I was five or six.
Carrie: What is the best part of being a fashion designer? What is the hardest part?
Michelle: I donât know if itâs necessarily being a designer, but any career you do out of love is really great. Whether itâs designing clothing, being an interior designer, or being a chef: following your dreams and doing what you love to do is the best part.
The hardest part about being a fashion designer is that itâs a tough industry. Getting people to realize the value of a garment in this day of throwaway fashion is really difficult. It can be challenging to pay your bills.
Carrie: How would you describe your design aesthetic?
Michelle: Emotional, layered, romantic, fairy taleâlike, whimsical in some aspects, sometimes a little dark.
Carrie: What designers do you idolize?
Michelle: Designers that can bounce back from financial failure or troubles. Jil Sander is one. Designers that can transform the marketplace: Bottega Veneta. And designers who wear their hearts on their sleeves.
Carrie: What was it like being on Project Runway twice? And winning ?
Michelle: It was incredibly difficult both times, but not an experience I would trade in for the world. Iâve met some of the closest friends Iâve ever had as well as really honed my designs and aesthetic.
Carrie: What advice do you have for kids who want to grow up and follow in your footsteps?
Michelle: There are so many different careers in the fashion industry. Donât become frustrated if youâre not good at drawing or sewing, because you can still find a career even though you may have weaknesses in some areas.
Many thanks to all our friends and family: Daddy, Maddie, The Kahns, Berks, and Saps: love you to the moon and back!
A big thanks to the inspiring Michelle Lesniak of Project Runway for her interview. Mickey wishes she can be you when she grows up!
To all our great friends at Vital Theatre for the AMAZING musical adaptation of Fashion Academy âthank you all for bringing the characters to life. Steve, Sam, Jaimie, Kyle, Julz, Michael, Shani, Annjolynâ¦couldnât have asked for a better team. To our brilliant cast, you brought such joy to the stage with your talent and heart. Thank you, thank you, thank you, and bravo!
And last but not least, a ginormous thank-you and shout-out to the gifted Sabrina Chap for the endless hours, endless laughs, and your brilliant music, lyrics, and partnership on the script.
Girl, you rocked it!
To Katherine Latshaw at Folioâalways our cheerleader; to the gang at Sourcebooks: Steve, Kate, Alex, Elizabeth. We are so happy and proud to be with you!
âOoh, la la!â JC exclaimed as Mickey walked into the hallway of FAB wearing an Eiffel Tower print T-shirt, a can-can inspired tiered ruffle skirt, and a purple studded beret.
âYou like?â she said, giving her ensemble a twirl. Sheâd paired it with a
But Mickey didnât even notice he was showing her picture to the class. She was already buried in her sketchbook, dreaming up her next design.
Obviously, I am a HUGE Project Runway fanâand season elevenâs winner, Michelle Lesniak, is one of my fave designers. She recently rocked the runway on Project Runway All Stars , making it all the way to the final four. Her clothes have an effortlessly cool vibe to them, and I love how they move. Michelle was nice enough to answer all my questions. Check out her line at michellelesniak.com !
Carrie: When did you know you were going to be a designer?
Michelle: Iâve always designed. I donât think itâs about it becoming your career; itâs part of who you are. Even if I donât design to pay my bills, Iâll always be a designer!
Carrie: Who taught you to sew and how old were you?
Michelle: My mother and grandmother taught me to sew. I probably picked up my first needle when I was five or six.
Carrie: What is the best part of being a fashion designer? What is the hardest part?
Michelle: I donât know if itâs necessarily being a designer, but any career you do out of love is really great. Whether itâs designing clothing, being an interior designer, or being a chef: following your dreams and doing what you love to do is the best part.
The hardest part about being a fashion designer is that itâs a tough industry. Getting people to realize the value of a garment in this day of throwaway fashion is really difficult. It can be challenging to pay your bills.
Carrie: How would you describe your design aesthetic?
Michelle: Emotional, layered, romantic, fairy taleâlike, whimsical in some aspects, sometimes a little dark.
Carrie: What designers do you idolize?
Michelle: Designers that can bounce back from financial failure or troubles. Jil Sander is one. Designers that can transform the marketplace: Bottega Veneta. And designers who wear their hearts on their sleeves.
Carrie: What was it like being on Project Runway twice? And winning ?
Michelle: It was incredibly difficult both times, but not an experience I would trade in for the world. Iâve met some of the closest friends Iâve ever had as well as really honed my designs and aesthetic.
Carrie: What advice do you have for kids who want to grow up and follow in your footsteps?
Michelle: There are so many different careers in the fashion industry. Donât become frustrated if youâre not good at drawing or sewing, because you can still find a career even though you may have weaknesses in some areas.
Many thanks to all our friends and family: Daddy, Maddie, The Kahns, Berks, and Saps: love you to the moon and back!
A big thanks to the inspiring Michelle Lesniak of Project Runway for her interview. Mickey wishes she can be you when she grows up!
To all our great friends at Vital Theatre for the AMAZING musical adaptation of Fashion Academy âthank you all for bringing the characters to life. Steve, Sam, Jaimie, Kyle, Julz, Michael, Shani, Annjolynâ¦couldnât have asked for a better team. To our brilliant cast, you brought such joy to the stage with your talent and heart. Thank you, thank you, thank you, and bravo!
And last but not least, a ginormous thank-you and shout-out to the gifted Sabrina Chap for the endless hours, endless laughs, and your brilliant music, lyrics, and partnership on the script.
Girl, you rocked it!
To Katherine Latshaw at Folioâalways our cheerleader; to the gang at Sourcebooks: Steve, Kate, Alex, Elizabeth. We are so happy and proud to be with you!
âOoh, la la!â JC exclaimed as Mickey walked into the hallway of FAB wearing an Eiffel Tower print T-shirt, a can-can inspired tiered ruffle skirt, and a purple studded beret.
âYou like?â she said, giving her ensemble a twirl. Sheâd paired it with a
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