Designs on Success Terri Stevens’ Mom in Maplewood Will Be Watching Her Daughter on ‘Project Runway’
By Amy Carlson Gustafson, Pioneer Press, St. Paul, Minn.
Jul. 16–Switch that sewing machine on, it’s time for another installment of “Project Runway.” Tonight (8 p.m.) the fashion design TV competition marks the beginning of its fifth and final season on Bravo before relocating to its cable competitor Lifetime Network. Making their “Project Runway” debut alongside show regulars — judges Heidi Klum, Nina Garcia and Michael Kors and fashion mentor Tim Gunn — are 16 designers including Terri Stevens, whose mother, Kathleen Stevens, lives in Maplewood and works at the St. Paul Pioneer Press production plant.
“She’s enthusiastic, friendly, very much a people person — when she goes after something, she gets it,” Kathleen said about her daughter.
We caught up with Terri, a Columbia College grad who grew up in Chicago and is currently working as a Victoria’s Secret visual manager, and asked her about her time on the show.
Q What was it like when you first hear Tim Gunn say his trademark phrase, “Make it work”?
A “He’s absolutely right, make it work. That is probably one of the best lines ever because whatever you do in life you better make it work and work it. It was great to just see Tim. He’s so nice and friendly, and he really wants everyone to win.”
Q Were you a fan of the show before you were on it?
A. “A die-hard fan. I tell people that I only have cable to watch ‘Project Runway.’ I pay $64.34 a month just for that one channel.”
Q What surprised you most about your time on the
show?
A “I was really surprised that it’s truly the way it is. It is real time, nothing is phony on this show, trust me. It’s real. Believe it. I think most of us felt that way — nothing’s set up. It’s real time. And I think that’s probably why the show is an amazing show and a hit. Especially if you were a designer, you’re like ‘Oh my god, I can’t believe people are actually doing this.’ When you see the time frame of the challenge and things are actually being completed in that — it’s just amazing. I sew quickly anyway … I think that was one of my strengths on the show is that I was able to complete the garments in the allotted time.”
Q Who would be you dream celebrity to design for?
A “I love me some Michael Jackson. I used to be a female Michael Jackson impersonator ,and that’s all I’ve ever listened to was Michael — love him to death. But I have a top 5 — it’s Michael, Madonna, Janet [Jackson], Prince, Gwen Stefani.”
Amy Carlson Gustafson can be reached at 651-228-5561.
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