This past Thursday, Ricky Lizalde from Project Runway Season 4 was in San Francisco to show his five one-of-a-kind denim designs he created exclusively for Levi’s 501 Day, an annual event that “encourages Levi’s employees to participate in volunteer activities in their local communities.”

Ricky chats with some FIDM students

Armed with his signature hat and his cheerful, yet mildly sassy demeanor, Ricky’s Amy Winehouse-esque piece from the show’s Levi’s challenge was on display (the dark denim mini sold out in 8 hours after the show aired) along with four new pieces that will be auctioned at www.shopgoodwill.com starting today. The sales will help fund Goodwill job training programs.

Plenty of people showed up - including one person who called into a radio station saying that he was determined to take Ricky out to dinner (uh…that’s a bit creepy).

I got a chance to talk to Mr. Lizalde about the pieces he created for Levi’s and his post Project Runway life.

Besides the Levi’s and Goodwill project, what have you been up to lately?

Well I am doing a fashion show next week in San Diego. It’s in the city I grew up. I am doing a fashion show that benefits abused women.

Are there going to brand new pieces in the show?

It’s going to be bits and pieces from my new spring line that will be presented in August.

With these five pieces for Levi’s and Goodwill, what is the inspiration?

For me, it was about the 501 jean. I wanted to present denim with a different approach. I wanted to make denim pretty and feminine and sexy. (Levi’s) has plenty of jeans so I wanted to give the idea that a woman can zip on (the dress) and go out and feel as good as if they were in a pair of jeans.

How did the relationship with Levi’s start?

After the show, they approached me. It was a good match. Once the (Levi’s) challenge happened, it was the natural next step.

Do you think that Project Runway was a good representation of your talent?

No. Cause it’s hard to represent your talent when you are under constraints like the ones on the show. Did it show off a lot of what I could do? Of course it did. But was it the best representation? No – there could’ve been more, I’m not going to cry about it. It is what it is.

What was your highest and lowest moments of the show?

My highest moment of the show was when I won the Levi’s challenge. My lowest moment was when I got booted off. In between, I had plenty of highs – personal highs. I liked working with people. I liked the challenge when we worked with overweight women and the prom challenge. My strengths are designing for real people. Designing for women. Those are the challenges where I thought I was doing something fun and you could see it. There were other times like making a man’s suit. It isn’t my forte. That was a really low, low point.

He even created a version of his trademark hat out of denim…

When you saw the final Project Runway show in New York, were you satisfied with the outcome?

Here’s my answer to that – are you ready? (laughs) The winner that won Project Runway gave a really good show. He deserves to win because he gave a good show. As far as craftsmanship and work? I think Rami should’ve won.

What do you and don’t you like about the fashion world right now?

What I like is that every designer right now is finding out who they are and they’re designing for their customer. There’s a point in fashion where everyone hops on the same trends and does the same things and then fashion becomes a pot of the same stuff. Like, if somebody does a baby doll, everyone has a baby doll. I feel that fashion is good when everyone is doing their own thing because people can pick what they want and make their own choices because there is so much out there.

Who are some of your favorite designers?

I will always love Oscar (de la Renta) because he is an amazing designer. I am always looking at Prada because she’s always making you look at fashion in a different way. For me, that’s what’s important about fashion. I love fashion, but if it’s not interesting, then what’s the point?

What about some of the more contemporary designers?

I am fan of Proenza Schouler because they are just two guys finding their way and having fun with it.

What do you think about this “green” movement with fashion?

I think it’s great. I think the fashion industry in general should figure out ways to not overproduce because that alone can save a lot.

Ralph Rucci was recently here for the Academy of Art University Graduation Fashion Show. It seemed like he and fellow designer James Galanos had a bone to pick with media and how it is ruining fashion at one of the university’s symposiums. How do you feel about that relationship between press and fashion?

Well, from (Rucci’s) perspective, I can understand where he is coming from. With his approach to fashion, he is really creating pieces of art. But how do I feel? Well, on one hand, I have to say that I like it because I was on a show that gave me lots of (press). On the other hand –it’s a double edge sword. There are a lot of mediocre (fashion) coming out of media that makes it look so great. I think that’s a detriment to fashion. You can make anything look great in a picture. (laughs) The people who are really interested in fashion, they are going to look for what is quality and what is good.