The Project Runway Canada designers had to show off their flair for innovation this week, as they were paired with recently divorced women who wanted new outfits made out of their wedding dresses. Right off the bat, it looked as though either Kim or Jeff would be sent home, as Kim struggled to make an acceptable garment out of very little fabric and Jeff did little more than tailor the dress he already had.
Shockingly, however, Jeff didn't even fall into the bottom two, leaving the judges to choose between Kim and mild-mannered Baylor. Ultimately, the judges were less impressed with Baylor's creation, a ruffled dress made out of a sari, and the 37-year-old designer from Montreal, Que. was sent home.
Why do you think the judges didn't like your outfit this week?
I think making dresses for a panel of judges to evaluate is like a wheel of fortune. Sometimes they will like your designs and sometimes they won't. This week, they considered other outfits were stronger than mine in the competition. Obviously, this was not the first time the judges surprised me with their opinion but that’s part of the game and is part of life. It is always hard to please everyone when you are a creative person – I would say impossible. But critics are something that you have to digest in order to absorb the good things they have to offer.
Would you have done anything differently?
Absolutely nothing! When I decided to step into Project Runway Canada I assumed the challenge as it was a job I was taking. And everything I did during the time I was competing, even this last one challenge, I did convinced that I was doing the right thing; for me as a designer, and in this particular case, for my client, who, as you all may know, was amazed and happy with her outfit. And that is a feeling of reward that no one takes away from you: the feeling and the conviction of a job well done.
Do you think you deserved to be sent home this week? If not, who should have?
Well, clearly my design was not the weakest. That's why I was so surprised to find out I was in the bottom 3. I personally think Kim had lots of problems with her dress for many reasons and we all could see how those circumstances affected her design this week, which I thought would mean her indisputable elimination. On the other side the lack of design in Jeff's outfit made me also think at some point that he could be sent home this week.
What was your favorite design (yours or someone else's) you saw on the show this season?
My favorite design this season was the one I made for the "Re-fashioning the Houses" challenge. Inspired by Yves Saint Laurent, I conceived a beautiful dress made out of one pair of wool men's pants, a polyester bridesmaid dress and a cotton men's white shirt. My concept was to fuse in one piece both the woman and the man's shape, having, as a result, a totally unexpected new silhouette. I would say 40 per cent of the dress was exquisitely made by hand. All the pleats in the front and back of the upper part of the dress, the one made out of a shirt, were stitched one by one by hand to the rest of the dress, creating a unique effect of a two pieces outfit which in reality was only one piece. I simply loved that dress!
In your opinion, which remaining contestant has what it takes to be the winner this season?
I have to say that in my opinion Sunny has what it takes to be the winner this season. He has the skills, the passion, the talent and the discipline. In every challenge we completed, he clearly showed he had everything under control, even during those challenges that he didn’t win. Good luck, Sun!
What are you taking away from your experience on Project Runway Canada?
It is definitely a once in a lifetime experience. Something that I never thought I would do but once I had the chance, I could not refuse it. A thousand designers would kill for this opportunity and for me it's real and happening right now. Things happen for a reason and I'm more than honored to be part of this season. Even now that I have left the competition, I have with me the satisfaction of a job very well done and I know I did my best in order to get the best results out of this experience. I have confirmed that you have to be true to yourself. You have to be passionate about everything you do, never be afraid of taking risks and always understand why you do what you do in fashion. Our mentor, Brian Bailey, is a talented and experienced designer and together with Rita Silvan, Editor-in-Chief of Elle Canada magazine and Shawn Hewson, all of the advice I received was feedback that came from people who have been working inside the fashion industry in different areas and for a long time. So I think it's important that, as a designer you have to be open to critics and comments, because you learn from them and they help you grow up and develop yourself from a different point of view.
What's next for you in the world of fashion?
I have many projects in mind; I never stop and I always want to do something new and different. I'll keep that one to myself for now, but for sure you will hear more of Baylor very soon! Life is too short not to dream and have new plans every day. Routine kills me and I think changes make life interesting and worth living. It is full of challenges. Don't think everything ends after Project Runway Canada. It is just the beginning of many more things to come!
Project Runway Canada airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET on Global.
© (c) CanWest MediaWorks Publications Inc.
