Chris March presents his collection at New York Fashion Week earlier this month

I’ll be honest, it took me a while to warm up to Chris March on Project Runway. Now, I am an avid fan of the outrageous designer with enjoyable cackle of a laugh.

Without Chris, the show would be bland and monotonous. He added MUCH needed charisma to the show’s entertainment value and a great amount of dramatic flair to the runway.

Keep in mind, Chris already showed his collection at New York Fashion Week. The people at Project Runway always do this. They always let the final four or five designers show in the tent, but they only show the real finalists on TV - which is kind of unfair to the designers, but I understand that they do this throw us to avoid any spoilers.

Here is a continuation of my interview with him that ran in today’s paper (click here to read the article).

How is it like on the actual day of Fashion Week when you showed your collection?

It was a pretty intense day. It was pretty amazing and fantastic - the end of a long journey.

Where did you draw your inspiration from for your collection?

I was also inspired by Almodovar films, but I also had a vision of dark, glamorous, Gothy and religious. It’s something I am very in tune with. My house is decorated in religious icons. I grew up in a religious family and I just think all of that is beautiful.

I really loved the outsized graphic on the blue dress.

I had the idea to play with scale. The graphic on that dress was St. Therese.

The outstretched face of the Saint fits beautifully on this chic blue gown

What are some of your favorite pieces from your collection?

The black lace beaded halter dress with a hair skirt. People were upset about that one because it was made with human hair (laughs). I used to make wigs in Beach Blanket Babylon. I wanted it to imitate monkey fur. I like to use interesting and unexpected material.

A hair-raising skirt!

Did you know that Meryl Streep was at the show?

She was actually my special guest.

Really?

Yes - she is very close to a dear friend of mine. I was completely blown away that she accepted my invitation to come to the show! She and her daughters are huge fans of the show.

When you were on the show, how did you please the judges without compromising your own creative vision?

That is the toughest part of the whole show. In the usual creative process, you’re the only critic. You have the (judges’) voices in your head the whole time - ‘Will they think it’s fresh? Will they think it’s dated?’ The only thing is to make something that is unimpeachable. There is little leeway as possible.

March works on his sweet garment on the show’s “Eye Candy” challenge

Who did you see as your biggest competition on the show?

I think it was pretty obvious: Rami. I knew of him before I got there. Then there was Christian. Right out of the gate, he was there to win. He has this really distinct vision and is a very fast sewer.

What was your favorite challenge?

Definitely the avant garde challenge - there was such freedom. I wanted to show the judges and the rest of the designers what I was capable of.

Chris created this epically ruffled masterpiece with his castmate Christian on the show’s avant-garde challenge

Now that you are living in New York, what difference do you see in terms of fashion and style between the two coasts?

New York is more conservative, upscale and designer-driven. West Coast style is much more individual and quirky - people are less afraid to look weird. New York is more defined by the label they wear.

Chris wears a Jedi-riffic creation, one of many he made during his days with SF’s Beach Blanket Babylon. Photo Credit: Beach Blanket Babylon

When was the last time you were in the Bay Area?

Hmmmm…I haven’t been in the Bay Area in two years.

What do you absolutely have to do when you come back?

(laughs) I have to go to the Mission to get a burrito!

All photos courtesy of Barbara Nitke/Bravo unless noted