The new winner of Project Runway All Stars 2015 was crowned last night on Lifetime, as Dmitry Sholokhov wowed the judges again and took home the victory for the second time while competing on Project Runway. While he is still basking in his victory on Project Runway All Stars Season 4, he took some time and talked with us this morning about his victory, winning a second time, his favorite challenge of the season and much more! Check out our exclusive interview with Dmitry below in our Project Runway All Stars 2015 spoilers!
Todd, Gossip & Gab: So, what does it feel like to be a two-time winner of Project Runway?
Dmitry: It feels amazing. The second time was very, very hard. It was very hard the first time as well, but the second time and you go there and feel like you have to win because everyone expects it from you, so it is much more pressure. I am extremely happy.
Todd, Gossip & Gab: What made you want to come back and do it again on Project Runway All Stars Season 4?
Dmitry: I actually declined it a couple times. I did not want to do it the first time around; I was too busy. The second time around, I thought, why would I do it again when I already won it. Then I was invited to judge the auditions on Project Runway Season 13. After doing that and after seeing familiar faces and the producers and cameras, I just felt like, why not? And I love television, so that is why I did it.
Todd, Gossip & Gab: You came off as arrogant this season and I never got that from you during your original season. Was that a bad edit for you or maybe a strategy for this season?
Dmitry: Not really a strategy. Being confident and being direct and being arrogant are different things. I would just go with how I felt. A lot of people don’t say how they feel, but I had no time for games or for being catty. I was just focusing on what I do and I was expressing myself.
Being different from my original season, I think we all grow and I am older and I have much more experience as an artist, a person, as a human being. What kind of artist am I if I am not different. You have to change and develop for the rest of your life.
Todd, Gossip & Gab: You said you are a perfectionist, so how hard was it for you to get those eight looks done in just four days?
Dmitry: It was insane. I was literally going crazy and I was so stressed out. You do your best and I pushed myself to the limit. By doing that, I discovered a lot of things about myself. I discovered a lot of new tricks and new ideas. I think being overwhelmed and stressed in that environment pushes you to the limit and you surprise yourself, as well as others.
Todd, Gossip & Gab: What was it like walking into that workroom on Day 3 and seeing Jay there to help you out?
Dmitry: It was amazing. I love Jay! He was my roommate actually and he is a great designer. I was so happy that Jay was there for me because, technically, he is very, very strong. He knows who I am and I know who he is, so it was a great help.
Todd, Gossip & Gab: What was it like working with Zanna Roberts Rassi as a mentor on Project Runway All Stars 2015?
Dmitry: It’s always great to work with different people because people different approaches and different opinions and that is how you grow. Everyone sees things differently and it was a great experience and gives you another vision.
Todd, Gossip & Gab: Out of all the challenges this season, which one was your favorite?
Dmitry: I had a few favorite ones. I loved the avant-garde and I loved the Wicked challenge. The red carpet inspired by Marilyn Monroe movie. We had a lot of great and exciting challenges.
Todd, Gossip & Gab: What can our readers expect to see next from you?
Dmitry: My collection with Marie Claire is on the shelves. It came out today. I am debuting my QVC collection tonight! I’ll be appearing on QVC from 8-11pm with a new collection and this collection is based on my finale collection. It will be a lot of similar details and treatments and I am very excited about that. I also started to teach at Parsons. I teach seniors and it is a very exciting part of my life. I have 16 students and 16 collections, so it is a great experience as well. Hopefully I will show next season during New York Fashion Week.
Todd, Gossip & Gab: Anything to add?
Dmitry: I’d love to say thank you to Project Runway. I think it is an amazing for young artists and young designers. Also, I received so much love and support from fans all over the world. I was overwhelmed on Twitter and Facebook, so I’d like to say thank you. These people inspire you to go forward, so I am very grateful.
Our congrats go out to Dmitry on the second big victory!
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