'Project Runway' Exit Q&A: Ricky

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You made comments that your competitors didn't want you there. Did they make that apparent?
For me, my journey was a real personal journey. I made friends with a couple of people that were real in the sense that it was like, ''Okay, you're not putting up a front.'' But then you have the kind of people that think that the world is entitled to them. When you are around those kind of personalities, you go with what you think is right and what in your heart feels good to you. No one really said, ''You don't deserve to be here,'' but when you're on the bottom for so long it's hard not to doubt yourself.

The blogosphere has been eating you up over the multiple times you cried. Some people are just criers — are you? Or do you think the producers played that up?
If you know me as a person, you know it takes a lot for me to cry. I grew some really thick skin. But when you're exposed to certain things and are really putting yourself out there — not only creatively but also emotionally and, I guess, sexually — it was kind of exploiting myself to the people that I love and care for. I didn't want that to impose on them, and I didn't want it to be ugly for them. I felt like at times I was disappointing them by my actions.

But they're proud of what you did?
Oh, yeah. That's my perception when I went into it. But coming out of it and seeing all this and hearing from my family how great it all is, it's just the best thing I could have done. There is no hiding who I am and denying who I am, not only to my country but also to my family. I thought that was a nice bonus.

I didn't feel like you hid who you were at all...but you mean you didn't have to put it on display?
That's my point. When I went on this show I told myself, I told everybody, ''I am going to be who I am and myself.'' Whatever that means. I internalized a lot and I think by kind of doing that the frustration turned to tears. It's better tears than me blowing up and being an a--hole. I'd rather do it to myself than make someone else feel horrible. I know there were opportunities to, but that's just not me.

What are you up to now?
I'm building my website. I'm actually working on a photo shoot right now. I just finished my fall collection, Lizalde, my lingerie label. That will be on my website, coming very soon. My line is retailing at Neiman Marcus, select Nordstrom stores, and little specialty boutiques across the country.

What's the idea behind your lingerie?
I like pretty things, obviously, whatever form of pretty they may be. I want the woman, whoever is putting on my lingerie at the end of the day, to feel sexy if she wants to, comfortable if she wants to, pretty. At the same time, lingerie serves a purpose: to make the women feel great about herself or to entice her partner. That's what I think my purpose is with my lingerie. It's a high-end line, but it's for your special moments, so to speak. That's the best way to put it: My lingerie is for those special moments.

What about a line of hats? They're your personal trademark.
Yeah, I'm working on putting my hats on the market. All the hats you see on the show are mine, except for the trucker hat. I'm also in the works on doing a swimwear line. It's so similar to lingerie, and it's also that sexy thing... I said to somebody else, ''If you can't go to bed in it, you can go to the pool in it.''