Project Runway Canada has finished its second season, and after many difficult challenges, Sunny Fong was named the winner. Through the months of competition, Brian Bailey was there for it all, and here, the fashion designer and mentor reflects on the final Toronto Fashion Week show, how the designers fared and the Project Runway Canada season as a whole.

Are you satisfied with the winner of Project Runway Canada? Who did you think would win?
Yes, I am satisfied. But who had time to think about who will win with so much happening with every challenge? Sunny was a strong contender from the beginning.

What do you think elevated the winning collection over the other two collections?
Innate ability to make dreams a reality through tenacity, focus and bloody hard work. That is Sunny Fong!

Conversely, what was it about the other two collections that, ultimately, didn't work?
For Jason, it was execution and falling short of keeping his eye on the refinement of his design style. For Jessica, I believe it was simply lack of experience on the BIG runway.  Give her one more show and look out, fashion world!

Which was your favourite outfit from the Project Runway Canada Fashion Week show?
The coat that opened Jessica Biffi's collection was pure brilliance.

Why did you and Jason butt heads so often?
Did we? I don't know that we did; however, I felt that Jason knew I was never going to let him get away with second best delivery. My motto for Jason was to bring it all to the table and work it out.

Which was your favourite challenge from this season?
I loved the Post-It note challenge, as this was taking fashion to its most abstract form and truly putting it out there on a creative level!
 
Over the course of the season, which designer listened to your advice the most? Who listened the least?
I like to think they all heard my advice and used it to help them win the challenges. Jessica heard it the most and Genevieve heard it the least.

Which judge did you most often disagree with?
All of them, but if I had to pick one, it would be Rita because she puts up a strong fight.
 
Regardless of who won the show, which designer improved the most during their time on the show?
Jessica Biffi went from 50 to 5000 in 12 weeks.
 
Why do you think Kim and Genevieve were so vocal in their criticism of other designers?
Who knows and who cares. As you grow in age so does your ability to zone out what is not really important on the opinion front.

What was the best moment of this season for you?
Hearing Sunny Fong's mother tell me that her Sun rocked the runway.

What was the worst?
Hearing of Danio's passing. That moment was such a tragic loss of talented life.
 
What final advice do you have for the designers of Project Runway Canada (and any other aspiring designers)?
My advice would be to know that fashion is only pretty from the outside. It is only through very, very hard work that designers are allowed to stay in the game. Fashion design is not for the faint of heart; it is for those that can see their dreams in their minds and bring that vision into reality.

Check out our interviews with Project Runway Canada's Sunny Fong and Jessica Biffi

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