I was excited to get the chance to speak with eliminated contestant Beatrice Guapo from Season 10 of Project Runway.  Beatrice comes from a family that has been in the business of making clothes for more than 25 years.

In 2011 she launched her GG Collective line with her business partner, and sister, Luvi.  Their spring 2012 line aims to blend the sophistication of uptown New York with the laid back, casual lifestyle of Los Angeles.

Interview with Beatrice Guapo:

I think a lot of people expected Lantie to be eliminated in week one.  Were you surprised by the judges decision?

Given that I knew  I had to rush that top in like 20 minutes....I was hoping and praying inside my head, but I knew there was a chance it would be me.

If you hadn't made that mistake with cutting the hole in your garment, do you think you would still be in the competition?

I definitely would have had a much better chance....

 I've noticed that on many of the newer fashion competitions, such as Fashion Star and 24 Hour Catwalk that the designers are given professional sewers to work with.  Do you think Project Runway would be a better show if they went this direction or is sewing an important part of determining the winner?

I think it is an important component of Project Runway, but it's funny that you mention that because I don't sew my own samples.  My mom is actually a fantastic sample sewer and she usually sews all my samples.  That is how it is set up in the industry.

I think you were given like one day to produce  your second look on Project Runway.  How long would it usually take you and your mom to produce a similar look?

It would usually take a good day.

So the time pressures on Project Runway are pretty intense?

Definitely!

 How long do you usually spend on coming up with your designs?

In real life, it's more of an organic process.  I'm always thinking of and marinating ideas.  I might come up with an idea while I'm driving or just doing day to day stuff.

What motivated you to try out for Project Runway?

Exposure mostly and the chance to show at Fashion Week.  I'd really like to gain a nationwide audience for my line.

Are you just marketing your line locally right now?

No, we are expanding nationwide and we even have some stores in Canada.

Where can we find your designs currently?

Fred Segel, Dawn Baker, Ron Herman and others....

What have you been working on since you left Project Runway?

We just wrapped up our Spring line and we're getting our Fall line ready to show at ENK Vegas.

What is it that attracted you to work with knits over more traditional high fashion fabrics?

It's just my laid back California casual lifestyle.  I love clothes that are comfy.  That on the go girl who is looking for clothes that are comfy, practical and affordable is my girl.

I've looked at some of your line and I was definitely impressed with how affordable your clothes are.  Do you see knits as having a place in high end fashion, as opposed to just being "casual" clothes?

Most definitely!  I think knits can be very sheik and fashionable, while still being comfortable and affordable.

 I was really disappointed to see you get eliminated in the first week, because your point of view was so unique.  Knits is not really something we have seen a lot of on Project Runway.

Exactly!  That was definitely a big part of why I got cast on the show.  They really loved my samples, which are all items direct from my Fall line.  I had really hoped to get more exposure for knit wear on the show.

 What was your favorite thing about competing on Project Runway?

I really loved getting to show in Times Square.  That was pretty huge.

Other than being eliminated, what was your least favorite thing about the competition?

The time constraints in the workroom.  They were really tough.

Who are your biggest fashion inspirations?

Rick Owens and Stella McCartney

Which of your fellow season ten competitors has your favorite designs?

Her pallet is kind of dark, but I really like Melissa's work.  Sonjia's stuff is cute and I also like Chris.

Who is your favorite designer from previous Project Runway seasons?

I love Mondo!  He was part of the casting team for my season, which was a lot of fun!

Mondo seemed a lot more relaxed and laid back during the audition footage than he did during the Allstars season.

He was great.  I think now that he's already won, he was able to just kick back and enjoy the process.

 What would be your advice to aspiring fashion designers?

Always go with your instincts and be true to who you are.  Embrace who you are.  You have to design what you love.

In reading up on your GG Collective line, I was impressed with your emphasis on using local garment factories that maintain humane working conditions.  Is that an important part of how you want to carry your business forward?

Keeping business local is very important to me.  I check on the working conditions at all my vendors.  That is very important to me.

What is your ultimate goal?  Where do you see yourself say five years from now?

I want to be selling my clothes nationwide and in better stores all over the world.

Would you like to have maybe one line in higher end stores and another line in more mid-range retail outlets?

I'm pretty much focusing on the higher end stores.  Because we produce all our garments locally, it isn't really cost effective to produce them for the more mainstream retail market.

Who is going to win season ten of Project Runway?

It's still so early, I think it's really anybody's game.

The designers all seemed very impressed with Ven.  Is that primarily due to his construction skills or his design work?

Mostly his construction skills.  He is just at a very, very high level in his ability to craft garments.

I really enjoyed my chat with Beatrice and she was very gracious and fun.  I hope you will all check out her collection on the GG Collective web site and check out the photos of her Spring and Fall collections on their Facebook page.