TV Watch

Project Runway‘s Simone First to Get Auf’d

11/15/2007 at 12:00 AM EST

15 designer hopefuls fired up their sewing machines on Wednesday's Project Runway season 4 premiere–and just an hour later, only 14 remained. The first to get auf'd? Simone, whose jacket and dress combination struck the judges as poorly sewn and mismatched. (Michael Kors remarked that it looked like Simone's model dressed in the dark!) And while Simone didn't exactly agree with the comment ("My aesthetic is definitely not Michael Kors's–and I'm totally OK with that"), she says she's "happy with how the show went" and is now spending her time on her own clothing line, TS BLOOM. First, though, the designer talked to PEOPLE about what it was like to watch herself be the first one to go and which designer she predicts will go all the way. –Brian OrloffDid you watch the show last night? I watched it with about 20 . Of course everybody was like, "Oh my, God, we're going to watch you all season." Laughs And I couldn't say anything. It was quite a surprise for everyone.

How did it feel to watch yourself, knowing the outcome?I enjoyed it. I thought I did quite well on camera, I have to say, so that felt good. I think I had it built up in my mind that it would be a lot worse than it actually was. It's so brief. Actually–and this might sound strange–but I was kind of happy with how the show went.



Describe standing on the runway before the judges announced their decision.I was surprised. And then I was angered. And then I was amused by the situation because I thought my dress was far superior to Elisa's; it's not my thing–the whole hand stitching and stuff. And I was very surprised that it was going to be me rather than her. So, that was kind of shocking, but then I had the sense of, like, "maintain your integrity. Don't even start yelling at these ."

Which castmates did you bond with most?Marion–he and I are kindred spirits. We're like little twins together, and were curious about us because we just connected so strongly, so quickly. He and I almost developed a second language together–and we have a lot of aesthetic similarities. He's a real talent, a real artist. Other I really clicked with, I'd say Rami as well. He and I have a natural ease together.

So, who do you predict will go all the way?I think Rami's technical abilities–he's pretty superior. And love the way he looks, so that always helps too laughs.

Tell us: Do you think Simone or Elisa should have been auf'd first? And, do you think the PR producers kept the loopy Elisa on for upcoming dra-mah?

Photo: Mitch Haaseth/Bravo ; Barbara Nitke/Bravo