Project Runway: Latest Bootee Tells Stylehive What Went Wrong

After manically working until the very last second, most of the Project Runway constants were forced to send unfinished looks down the runway. While some craftily managed to get away with it (Jack, who won the challenge actually GLUED the buttons onto the shirt!) others were unable to persevere in the face of inexperience and massive time constraints, and at the end of the day it was no surprise when Carmen, who draped a piece of fabric around her model in a futile attempt to pass it off as a shirt- was out.

Stylehive just spoke to the latest bootee to find out what went down.

Stylehive: How was the overall Project Runway experience for you?
Carmen: It was a great experience. I was really honored to be on season 4 because it seriously is an all-star cast as far as the designers, you know. I feel like it€™s a great pleasure when you are working with your peers.

SH: It seemed like almost everyone struggled with last night - did you think it was too difficult, especially since it was only the third challenge?
Carmen: I think for a third challenge it was a serious whammy! It was like the wrench thrown into the engine. For others, we were all given out like our game plan and how to stay on the game and how to stay focused and I think it was a serious run for the third challenge. We were all like freaking out, but that€™s what the show€™s about- the whole challenge about it.

SH: The judges noted that some of the contestants bit off more than they could chew- was this where you went wrong?
Carmen: Well I think where I went wrong is that I didn€™t buy enough fabric to have a backup plan. And with Ginny- we were all freaking out were like why would she come so late in the game! If we would have had this info before we started cutting we would have gotten a better idea of what direction to go in. I really cut myself short by not having tons of extra material as a backup plan. And it€™s tough because while Mood is a luxurious place to buy goods, they€™re not cheap when it comes to menswear. Some of the fabrics were $25 to $50 to $70 a yard. I mean, you don€™t want the design to be so cheap that it€™s ridiculous, but you don€™t want it to be so expensive that it goes over your budget. So I cut myself short by not allowing myself to have enough fabric and I just kept re-working it because I was so focused on €˜okay, this has to be right before I can cut the fabric.€™

SH: How do you feel about the judges€™ decision?
Carmen:Of course I€™m not happy with it at all because I definitely still want to be in the running, but I have enough integrity to say I missed the mark and I have to agree with them. I think that if I had completed my three pieces I would still be in the running. I mean Tiki talked about the charity work he does with kids and that he likes to take his jacket off and play ball with them- so I thought a sportier look would have been sweet for that type of event.

SH: Which remaining designers do you really like?
Carmen: I like Kit- I think she has great vision- I love her vision in many ways. I think Rami is incredible. Christian- he€™s a star I mean come on! He€™s extremely talented- this young soul at 21, but with the general feel of a 60 year old- he€™s mastered gathering material and getting everything done. It€™s such a hard question because there are so many fantastic people.

SH: Any Regrets?
Carmen: No, I mean what€™s done is done. Like I said, I missed the mark on not buying enough fabric and reworking in such a short time.