Project Runway's Bradley Speaks!

The finalist with the heart of gold met his maker when attempting to design a modern outfit for Cher. Bradley was usually the last one to be involved in any on-air drama, instead preferring to keep his nose clean and and his focus on the meaning of the show – his designs. Flustered at times, yes, but he always managed to keep his head and not lash out at fellow contestants… This begs the age-old question, do nice guys really finish last?

TV.com: How did you get on the show? What kind of selection process did they have you go through?

Bradley: Well they first go from city to city trying out, I don't know how many designers, a lot. And then you get screened and you go and meet with Tim and I met with another designer from the past season and a few other women I think from Elle Magazine, maybe. And they do a short interview and you show them three different looks and your portfolio and they tell you to get the hell out! They're not interested in seeing more from you.

TV.com: Could you tell they were interested in you from the get go?

Bradley: No, actually I didn't think I was going to get in, given a couple of pieces that I showed them. And then they really liked this other piece that I showed them. So they kind of shifted really quickly. I mean, that was my perception.

TV.com: Well, I was glad that you got in because I thought you were a great designer for the show.

Bradley: Thank you. Thank you.

TV.com: I was really sad actually when it was your turn to go last night.

Bradley: Yeah, me too a little bit. Especially watching it last night, you know, it was like, man…

TV.com: Right. On the challenge last night the models got the chance to pick the designer—Which is a sort of switcheroo. What was your reaction to that switch?

Bradley: The whole show, it's really dynamic. They're like throwing all these different challenges at you and you're dealing with a variety of different things all the time. So it was just—it was just different. And yeah, you just kind of roll with it. It's like, okay, this is going to be interesting.

TV.com: Were you nervous when they announced the models would also pick the icon you would design for?

Bradley: A little bit, just because Katie doesn't know me. None of the models really, their understanding or knowledge of who we are and what we do and gravitate towards and why, it was so limited, they'd only seen like what, three or four designs from us. I mean, they have some sort of background but it's very, very short. So I was a little nervous. You know, I've never worked with Katie and yeah, there was a little bit of ambiguity to it all [what would happen] who the hell she's going to pick.

TV.com: When she got Cher— What was your thought?

Bradley: If you saw last night, she didn't pick Cher [it was the last one]. So, that made it a little bit more interesting.

TV.com: Yes, yeah, it was quite a scramble for the models--

Bradley: Yeah, it was great, what a great shot.

TV.com: Even Tim's reaction.

Bradley: That was so good. It's such a good show. I really think that Bravo does a really good job with it. I mean, they even show the models, the hands like, nervously twitching, ready to just tear off the next girl's head for whichever one she wants. Really well done. The music, it's really well done. I was watching it with some friends last night and they commented on that it's not like some low budget reality TV show. My neighbor is kind of out of the loop on the whole thing and he was like, "Yeah, when you told me you were on this reality TV fashion competition, I was thinking like low budget, like bad, you know, reality TV." Yeah, they do a good job.

TV.com: They do a really good job. I mean, that's why people keep tuning in every week and every season it does really, really well.

Bradley: Yes, absolutely.

TV.com: If you could have chosen your own icon, who would you have chosen?

Bradley: You know, I don't know. Like, if I would have had Prince like I said earlier, you know, it would have been different. Part of the problem was that you get my knowledge of Cher and I just—given just the way I was brought up, I wasn't exposed to Cher too much at all. And in my adult life. So I don't know.

TV.com: It's really hard to choose one person.

Bradley: Perry Farrell would be awesome to do. Yeah, someone like that you know, that'd be great.

TV.com: Definitely. What did you think of Tim Gunn—some of the hosts on some of the reality shows can be kind of insulting maybe? But Tim actually seems like a pretty decent guy. Did you kind of dread seeing him walk your way?

Bradley: Not dread, but you're a little nervous and he's so sweet. I loved Tim Gunn. My experience with him has been really good. When he comes in you're like, Oh, god. You know, what's he going to say about this. And then they start filming you and you start sweating maybe a little bit.

TV.com: Did he give you helpful tips and tricks though?

Bradley: Yes. And also, sometimes he's off.

TV.com: True. And what did you think of the judges themselves?

Bradley: I really liked Vera Wang. I always thought that she came from a really sincere genuine place. I think that she was always really mindful of what she was saying. I think that her criticism was constructive all the time. I really liked her as a judge. And then you know, Nina Garcia too. I mean, she can be like, cutthroat and but you know, like if no one is cut throat [once it's done] you know... It kind of gives it a bad rap I think sometimes.

TV.com: Yeah, I mean, some of her comments make me cringe but they're needed sometimes, you know?

Bradley: Yeah, someone needs a kick in the ass sometimes, you know? What the hell are you thinking? What the hell was I thinking?

TV.com: What did you think of your design, your Cher design?

Bradley: It was bad. I just—I funked it up. Yeah, it wasn't good. When I saw her it was like, 'yes'. Messed that one up!

TV.com: I need a do over!

Bradley: Yeah, are there retakes? Can we do this over please?! Let me try again.

TV.com: Right, can I have a pass?

Bradley: [I'm] a new celebrity here and I want to re-do, cause – [let's take two]. And you know, when it broke, when it was over and everything happened, and you know, it was like—that's it. It was so quick. You know, like, Shit! I'm off! But I'm really relieved at the same time.

TV.com: It's over and you can move on.

Bradley: Yeah.

TV.com: Did you prefer the team challenges or working alone?

Bradley: Sometimes it was nice to be on a team, you know, just—it's like, relieve some of the pressure. Like you lose some—you lose control, you lose direction, you lose, you know—I like working both ways. Yeah, there was times I was like, man, I can't wait for the you know, the [independent] ones. But you know, it didn't bother me.

TV.com: Okay, that's good. You can kind of be pretty well rounded, work in any kind of environment.

Bradley: Yeah. I can be gentle.

TV.com: So I'm sure the million dollar question everyone asks you is about the infamous departure of Keith. How did you feel about that? Do you think he should have been let go?

Bradley: Of course, no question. Because you start questioning the integrity of the show if someone does that and they don't get kicked off, do you know what I mean?

TV.com: Right, no definitely.

Bradley: If you break a rule and you don't get kicked off, then what the hell's going on?

TV.com: Right, anyone can do anything at that point.

Bradley: Yeah, we all knew what the rules were going in and if you break it, you know, you're off. So it's pretty obvious. I was concerned that he wasn't going to go, I think a lot of us were.

TV.com: Yeah, definitely. And for the challenge last night, a little bit of drama was between you and I guess Angela and your sewing machine?

Bradley: Good old Angela.

TV.com: What happened there? She actually broke it?

Bradley: Mucked up the machine, and you know, I get back on it, it's like every one of us, or a few of us had these machines that we kind of like, okay, like Jeffrey's using that one. Bradley's using that one. And she busts in and just decided to do her thing. And then, messes up the bobbin thread and the tension, and you're trying to construct a garment and you're working with a deadline, and you know, it—fix the thing! You broke it.

TV.com: So basically she used your machine.

Bradley: Yeah, there was a little bit of drama.

TV.com: Yeah, it was tiny—it was a tiny bit of drama comparatively. That was what's so great about you is you managed to kind of keep yourself out of most of the trouble.

Bradley: Yeah, I was attentive to that before I went on the show, that's the way I try to be anyway. I just like to do my work and put a lot of attention into what I'm doing in my work. And your own internal drama [will come out] and that's enough.

TV.com: What would have been your dream challenge on the show, what would have showcased your talents do you think?

Bradley: What would have showcased—like, me as a designer? You know, like, give me a week.

TV.com: Yeah, right. More time.

Bradley: More time, but that's what makes the show so great. I'm sorry, I don't really like kind of like [things] like that, like the ideal challenge. I would have loved to have a runway show at the end. I think that that would have been fantastic.

TV.com: To just design what you would truly design.

Bradley: Yeah, that would be a showcase for me, that would be really ideal, you know, or ten months, whatever, to do it.

TV.com: Do you keep in touch with anybody from the show?

Bradley: Yeah, I already have. One of the designers emailed me today about last night. Yeah, absolutely.

TV.com: Being on Project Runway, did it kind of inspire different thoughts of a career for you? Like maybe going into the show you thought, okay, I want to design within this aspect of the fashion industry. And maybe as you went along the show you got turned onto a different aspect of the industry—

Bradley: No, not so much, just—I don't think the show—well the show did influence that a little bit, but you know, I would like to get more—more of my draping techniques down and you know, that's the only thing I would say that it's influenced. As far as my direction, I feel like my direction has been taking a natural kind of course--

TV.com: What do you think is next for you?

Bradley: Before and after the show, regardless of the show...just the way I've been working in the past, I've been working with pattern makers and sewers and focused on you know, color [waves], color combinations, fabric designing, designing detailed silhouettes. And so the show added to my idea of draping more. I haven't draped very much in my life at all.

TV.com: What do you think is next for you in terms of your career?

Bradley: I'm working on designing stuff right now. I would love to work with a fashion house, a really good fashion house, a really good line, as a designer, or I'm just going to keep making my own stuff under my own label.

TV.com: Okay, great. I can't wait to see the stuff that you're going to come out with.

Bradley: Thank you. Yeah. I just made a dress, actually. And yeah, I have a new label and a new idea and a new direction in mind that I'm working on. I have my own label called Mountains, Rivers & Peacocks so I'm going to finish it. I really want to start doing more forward stuff. Like in the past, with Mountains, Rivers & Peacocks, it was a contemporary sportswear line and I'm interested in going a lot more forward getting out of sportswear so to speak.

TV.com: Do you think more of a super modern sort of look?

Bradley: I wouldn't say super modern, but maybe avant garde, but still accessible. I'm really young as an artist and as a designer. I feel like I've got a lot of growing to do. In a good way, I feel like I'm fresh.

TV.com: Yeah, definitely. And you have time, you know. Who do you think will the be next one to go, do you have any ideas?

Bradley: Well I think all America would answer the same question, what's going on with Angela? I mean, my friends are just like, "WHY is she still on there? How did she get on there—she doesn't sketch!" "What are those things she's making?" I think that's kind of universal isn't it? I don't know.

TV.com: In your opinion, who do you think will win the show? Or who do you think should win?

Bradley: They're awesome you know. That's a real tough one.

TV.com: There's a lot of good people.

Bradley: Actually I think a lot of the good designers dropped away already.

TV.com: Do you think so?

Bradley: Yeah, a little bit. Malan, Bonnie, Keith. Yep.

TV.com: I was surprised Malan went so quickly actually.

Bradley: Yep.

TV.com: That was a shocker. Well, I appreciate your time.

Bradley: Thank you.

TV.com: That was great. And yeah, I honestly do look forward to seeing your designs.

Bradley: Oh, thank you. The last stuff I did is up on my website if you want to check it out.

TV.com: Perfect. I will check that out. (To check out Bradley's label, go to Mountains, Rivers, and Peacocks.com)