Heidi Klum

How Melissa Fleis Makes It Work
Melissa Fleis, Fashion Designer

Melissa Fleis, Fashion Designer

 

If you’re looking for a Project Runway alum with edge and drive, Melissa Fleis is your woman.  A finalist from season ten, and a competitor on All Stars season three, she plays with leather, angle and line, often accented with pops of color.  She likes her black, but she’s not afraid to think outside of the little black box that some designers can get trapped in.  Melissa  uses color wisely, whether it’s to accent her desired silhouette, or to draw attention to details.  She’s a badass, sexy woman, and when we look at her clothes, that’s who we envision wearing them.  We caught up with Melissa, getting her fashion hustle on from San Francisco, and she shared more details about what’s up-and-coming in her fashionable world.  Before we give too much away, we’ll let her tell you in her own words.

HOW MELISSA FLEIS MAKES IT WORK

1.  Who are you, and what season/s did you participate in? 

Melissa Fleis, fashion designer based in San Francisco.  I was a finalist on Project Runway Season 10, and designer on Project Runway All Stars Season 3.

2. Please give a brief description of your design style.

Artisanal modern design with a feminine edge.
MelissaFleis-24-3219081779-O
From Melissa Fleis' Defiant Collection

From Melissa Fleis’ Defiant Collection

 

3.  What was the most challenging thing about the Project Runway experience BESIDES the challenges themselves?

The most challenging thing for me was time management. I always found myself working until the final seconds before the runway.

4.  Who have you met or worked with during or since the Project Runway experience that you are most proud of or excited about?

I have been showing a lot with Mychael Knight, Daniel Esquivel, Jeffrey Sebelia, and Michelle Lesniak. I can’t say who I’m proud of the most. I’m just proud of us all!
Melissa at Dirty Habit, Palomar Hotel, San Francisco

Melissa at Dirty Habit, Palomar Hotel, San Francisco

5.  What are you currently working on or excited about professionally?

I continue to work on my own collections, as well as, custom orders, and designing uniforms for a new Kimpton restaurant in San Francisco. Hustling to make this all work!

 6.  Besides the basics, what sewing notion or tool could you NEVER do without?

My leather hammer!

 

 7.  Is there anything else you’d like us to know or see?

Some of my pieces are currently being sold at CHURCH Boutique in Los Angeles and Olivia Boutique in Los Altos, CA. I will also be launching my e-commerce site soon, so customers can order directly from the website!
(Update:  Since our interview, Melissa has launched her site!  You can find it here: http://melissafleis.com)
From Melissa Fleis' Defiant Collection

From Melissa Fleis’ Defiant Collection

Thanks so much to Melissa for taking the time to talk to us!  Melissa, we wish you nothing but the best with the Defiant Collection and the new site! – C.Scott
You can get in touch with Melissa on Twitter @MelissaFleis, or check out the website at melissafleis.com.
All text and images provided by Melissa Fleis unless watermarked, linked, or specified.

 

PROJECT RUNWAY SEASON 13 PREVIEW

The Project Runway Season 13 teaser is so flashy.  Are they too cool for school now?  We’ll see.  We plan on taking a deeper look into garment construction this season, and hope to share what we know about what we see this time around.  After all, what we like about the show is the focus on the craft of it all.  Make it WORK, people!  And good luck to all!  Live Tweet with us @ProjectMIW TONIGHT!

 

Project Runway Season 13 Premieres THIS THURSDAY!
Project Runway Season 13 Cast

Project Runway Season 13 Cast

It’s almost that time again!  Time to cheer for your favorite designers and talk all the drama about off-the-wall designs and people coming together to “make it work”.  We are so excited to see what’s in store this season.  Live Tweet with us @ProjectMIW this Thursday at 9pm EST.

In tribute to the beginning of the season, we’ll be continuing with our “How They Make It Work” Interview series, starting with some beloved designers from Season 12!

How Shan Keith Makes It Work

image-1

 

In this season of Under The Gunn, designer Shan Keith was a front runner the entire season.  His innovative designs, and use of bold prints, paired with his mastery of the jacket, were impressive and exciting.  For his last designs, Shan stepped outside of the design box the judges came to expect, and we think this risk, though stunning, is what kept him from being closer to the top.  Still, Shan is an amazing designer, and we want him to get the attention he deserves.  We caught up with him recently, and he chatted with us about his Under The Gunn experience, and the wonderful things he’s up to now.

HOW SHAN KEITH MAKES IT WORK

1. Who are you and what season(s) did you participate in?

 My name is Shan Keith and I am a designer from St. Louis, Missouri.  I sew and design for men, women, and children.  I was a finalist in Season 1 of Project Runway: Under the Gunn.

2. Please give a brief description of you design style.

My design aesthetic is ready-to-wear.  I try to be resourceful with my garments and combine different prints and textures!
shan keith 3

Shan Keith, Finalist on Under The Gunn

3. What was the most challenging thing about the Under The Gunn experience BESIDES the challenges themselves?
The Most challenging thing about being a part of the Under the Gunn experience was first trying to stick to your own point of view, while conforming to the challenges, and also pleasing the judges.  Secondly, it was hard being away from my family for so long , but it was well worth it!
Under The Gunn Judges

Tim Gunn, Jen Rade, Zana Roberts Rassi, Rachel Roy, Under The Gunn Judges

4.  Who have you met or worked with during or since the Under The Gunn experience that you are most proud of or excited about?
 I got a chance to mentored by Anya, which was great.  Also great, was a chance to be critiqued, and  getting to know the judges; Jen Rade, Zana Roberts Rassi, and Rachel Roy.
5.  What have you been working on, and what are you excited about since Under The Gunn?
 Right now I am currently designing and sewing a lot of looks for different people, and also working on trying to produce my own line.  A lot of projects in the works!
6.  Besides the basics, what sewing notion or tool could you NEVER do without?
 I could never do without my scissors!  They are glued to me, and when I can’t find my certain shears I feel awkward!
7.  Is there anything else you’d like us to know or see?
 I just want to thank you for the opportunity to answer theses questions.  Please keep looking out for my designs.  Follow me on Instagram @shankeith1, Facebook Shan Keith, and Twitter @shankeith.  Also for inquires, email me at shankeith48@gmail.com
3 Looks from Shan's Designs on Under The Gunn

3 Looks from Shan’s Designs on Under The Gunn

Special thanks to Shan for chatting with us.  Shan, we wish you all the best and would love to catch up with you if you find yourself in New York City!- C. Scott

All interview text and photo content provided by Shan Keith, unless watermarked, linked, or specified.

TBT: That Time in “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” when Jason Segel Cried While Watching Project Runway.

You’ll just have to watch the whole movie, “Forgetting Sarah Marshall”...or get the dvd and skip ahead- to see the hilarious moment in the 2008 film, that shows Jason Segel’s broken-hearted character bundled up on the couch crying as Heidi Klum says “Auf Wiedersehen” on an episode of Project Runway. It still has us laughing out loud every time. Watch it.