Little Mr. Sunshine

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Project Runway

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They were overly harsh on you at times.
I started calling Nina Garcia ''El Nina'' because she would wreak devastation on everything.

When you saw Vincent and Angela walk into the room and turn the top five back into a top seven, what went through your mind?
I definitely knew we had to step it up a bit. They're good; you know what I mean?

Not really.
Well, I knew I had already made it to the top five with them getting kicked off anyway. I felt like my talent had shown. It was going to be really hard for them to come in and take our places. I did not understand a lot of their garments and did not see them as mainstream or appealing for the masses or a lot of people. But I think they won a challenge for a reason. At least one time they pulled something off.

You're so nice about them. And in a room with Laura and Jeffrey, you seemed to be, as Uli said, the ''sunshine'' of the top five.
Well, I have five sisters and two brothers, and I was always the comedian and the person who could settle a dispute. I'm pretty easy to get along with. I hope I came across as likable and fun and not just the flaming gay man. I thought they would all compare me to Austin Scarlett.

How are the people in Oklahoma reacting to the show? Are you being accosted on the street by dress buyers?
I am, and I love it, I love it, I love it. I think it also helps that I'm from Middle America where there aren't a ton of fashion designers. They think I'm Calvin Klein in Oklahoma. What I love about Oklahoma is that it's the belt buckle of the Bible Belt and a lot of people are really understanding and open-minded. Even people I didn't think would be. Normally it's a little harder for an openly gay man to be received well. But I think people honestly just like that I have been very true and honest on the show. It's made some people more accepting.

So you think you'll stay there?
Oklahoma's not so bad. I love traveling, but I love it here. The people are good to me here.

Any plans to expand your pageant business?
I've started a line of evening gowns — red carpet and pageant. I sold them at the Atlanta Market, and I ended up selling through every couture in every state east of Oklahoma. I had a goal what I wanted to do during the five days of the Market and I did it in the first day. I have hired four sewers and a couple of women to do beading. I have all these dresses to be done by the end of the year. I'm just taking it slow. I've also had quite a few job offers, to design my own line of bridal and shoes and prom. I've had some really great offers. I have to mull them over with my lawyer. I haven't agreed to anything yet.

Will you talk it over with Tim Gunn?
I have not talked to him yet, but I'm very anxious to see him. I totally respect him.

That's so nice to hear. I've heard similar praise from each Runway contestant I've spoken to... except for Vincent, for some reason.
Well, Vincent is a kind, gentle soul, but he's crazy.