This Season of Under The Gunn brought with it a plethora of talented designers, and Michelle Uberreste is no exception. She fought a good long fight during the season, but when it comes down to it, we think she was just too alternative for the judges tastes. She demonstrated her mastery of creating intricate seaming that fits the body magically, and use of special materials including vinyl, leather, and lace. Michelle strikes us as a Nerd in all the coolest ways, and her clothes reflect a post-apocalyptic, comic book world, where everyone looks fabulous in a harness. We caught up Michelle for an EXCLUSIVE interview, to find out what life is like after Under The Gunn.
HOW MICHELLE UBERRESTE MAKES IT WORK
1. Who are you, and what season(s) did you participate in?
Michelle Überreste, Project Runway: Under the Gunn, Season 1.
2. Please give a brief description of your design style.
Edgy and dark with a lot of imagination.
Michelle Uberreste Design
Michelle Uberreste Design
3. What was the most challenging thing about the Under The Gunn experience BESIDES the challenges themselves?
I think the lack of sleep. People don’t realize that the challenges are all back to back. And even though you see us in the workroom for 10 hours, that also includes waking up and getting audio attached, placing cameras, travel to the challenge or set up, traveling back, waiting for more cameras to get set up, etc. Its literally like a 17-18 hour day every day for 6 weeks. You get a few down days, we had Thanksgiving off, but mostly the lack of sleep drives you insane, and makes it hard to focus and keep pushing.
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’ve met a LOT of people since the show, but one of the most exciting is Tyler Green, who competed on Face Off. He is extremely talented, and someone I admire a lot, and I felt super fortunate to work on a project for him that he presented at the Creativity Conference in Washington, D.C. It’s also kind of neat to work with someone from ANOTHER reality show because a lot of people can’t understand what it was like. You have to have been through it.
5. What have you been working on, and what are you excited about since Under The Gunn?
I started my own company the day after I got kicked off the show! Since then I’ve been doing a lot of side projects with anyone who is open or needs something, and designing my own line at the same time. I love working with other creative individuals and making things come to life!
Michelle Uberreste Design
Michelle Uberreste Design
6. Besides the basics, what sewing notion or tool could you NEVER do without?
Pins. Pins are the key to everything. Besides pressing, I can do wonders with pins. I would totally be lost without them!
7. Is there anything else you’d like us to know or see?
my website is www.michelleuberreste.com and features what I have for sale now, but I love to work with custom requests and stylists! I had the time of my life on the show and was so thankful for the opportunity to participate and showcase my work on a national level!
Michelle Uberreste Design
Special thanks to Michelle for chatting with us. Michelle, we wish you the best and would love to collaborate with you if you find yourself in New York!- C. Scott
All interview text and photo content provided by Michelle Uberreste, unless watermarked, linked, or specified.
Project: Make It Work 