Project Runway's April Johnston Talks to Movieline About Her Unfair Elimination, Michael C.'s Work, and Gretchen's Issues

apriljohnston225.jpgApril Johnston was Project Runway's baby this season, a 21-year-old college grad from Savannah, GA, who preferred black garments, light fabrics, and a droll one-liner every so often. We spoke with her about the show's pressing issues going into Fashion Week: the fairness of her elimination, the lionization of Michael C., and the mystery of Gretchen. She does not disappoint.

The judges laid into you for turning out similar garments throughout the season. Couldn't they have said that about any of the other designers -- like Mondo with his prints? Did their comments seem unfair to you?

Yeah. I think you're exactly right with that comment. We all have our things that we kind of are known for, you know? Mondo's is -- whenever they [showed] whatever he'd done throughout the season, I'd say, "I've seen that fabric numerous times." So yeah, I think it was a little bit abrupt for them to kind of call me out on something that a lot of the other designers also stick to. These are the things that make me think I was gone for a different reason, like that I didn't fit that role anymore. My story line was done or something. I just don't want to believe, I think, that it was because of my design.

While your design walked the runway, you said you believed your design was better than a couple others out there. Can you elaborate on that?

I hated Michael C.'s and I think a lot of people know how I feel about his work. I couldn't understand how he stood up there and didn't know what fabric he used. I felt it in the workroom, and it was acetate -- it was like, almost a heavy-fusion knit that he used. I just think as a designer you need to use these things. If you don't know every fabric, that's fine, but if you're going to design something, look a little bit more into it or research a little more into it. He just, you know, kind of did a number-five stitch on it and ruched together and put it on a cord. That's how a lot of his designs have been. And it's another dress. He's done a lot of dresses. I think that's the one thing I kind of felt conflicted about with my elimination -- and Gretchen as well. Her look was obviously vulnerable for elimination as well. But I was the one to go, so I don't know.

At different times this season, the judges picked random moments to suddenly adore Michael C. and lionize his work. I don't think the average fashion buyer would agree with them. Was their constant praise of Michael depressing?

I think him getting that kind of praise from the judges was definitely peculiar to me, coming right out of design school and knowing what forward fashion is. Project Runway, for me, was about being a new and creative and innovative designer, somebody that's up and coming. The stuff that he produces? Sure, that's fine. If that's what he produces, that's what he produces. But come on, honey, that's not forward fashion. You know what I mean? That's why I got so up in arms about it. I deeply believe it wasn't fair for him to surpass me in the competition. But in the real world, you're right, a lot of people wouldn't give him that praise.

Once and for all, set us straight about Gretchen. Sometimes she seems smart and other times she seems evil. And you seemed to get along with her at the end. So what's her deal?

OK, I'll let you in on this little Gretchen thing. The thing is, a lot of people thought I was starting to be, like, best friends with her toward the end of the show. What people don't realize is the production part of it. When we're the only two girls left stuck in a room, we can't just sit there in the morning on reality TV and just not talk to each other. We have to talk because people aren't going to understand what we're thinking or what we think of the boys in the competition, you know what I mean? So the producers tell us, "You guys have to talk to each other. You have to talk about this." So it's more or less like, we had to get along. I wasn't going to sit there and stir up some drama because I had to live with her, you know? I just wanted to make do, do my best, and not try to psych myself out about her by getting upset with what she had to say. She had told me numerous times that because I'd only won one challenge, I wasn't going to go on to Fashion Week. I thought that was kind of immature. I tried to tune her out towards the end and just get through with it. When she was on the runway talking about how she was tired of the challenges and all that, I really deeply felt that if you're tired of the challenges and sick of it all, then go home and let someone like me go who really wants it bad. That's where I kind of stand about the Gretchen situation.

Finally: Who do you want to win?

I would like to see Mondo win it. That's my personal opinion.



Comments

  • Morgaine says:

    I dunno about April making it as a designer, especially if she has to work for someone else or in a collaborative group.
    The kind of crap she and Gretchen pulled is so disruptive. Their scapegoating of MC could get an employer or director sued if that scapegoated person tried to kill themselves--and people who are isolated and scapegoated like MC are prime candidates for suicide.
    The GJ-April disruptive BS wastes resources (both worker energy and money resources, as sub-par work does translate into having to re-do or the design not selling at the optimum price).
    ANd they both are completely unable to accept blame for anything they do. That is why the scapegoated MC. They wanted attention on him so it would be less likely viewers would focus on the problems with their own designs.
    Let's face it--when April insisted on sending her diaper down the runway, even after Gunn had strongly recommended against it, showed she has real problems operating in a reality-based environment.

  • Morgaine says:

    I can make a sleeve...in my sleep.
    I could not have survived Project Runway.
    ... especially this season, with Gretchen and her Coven (April and Ivy in a struggle over the head-toady position) scapegoating MC 24/7.
    In such an isolated work environment, to be made further isolated and ostracized, everything he did berated--Sweet Baby in the Manger, how could they be so cruel?
    I invoke the Three-Fold Return for GJ, April and Ivy: I wish them to all experience x 3 what they did to MichaelC. I wish the nonstop scapegoating and vicious derision follow them all the rest of their lives.

  • Morgaine says:

    I dunno...that strange screen print on the t-shirts has some loser vibes in it, IMO.

  • Beatrix says:

    The interviewer was fine. She set April up, and April naively fell into the trap.

  • Beatrix says:

    Good letter. It says it all. I think your mother would have worked well with Tim.

  • apriltoo says:

    Surprised April went as far as she did, very boring clothes

  • LaudiMsClaudie says:

    The only person less inspiring than Gretchen from the final 5 was April. I could have come up wtih the crap she put out there. And I can do it, anyone can. Sorry April. You are lucky you made it as far as you did. In fact, you are one of the reasons I am not watching PR anymore. It's bad enough that the best designers don' make the top 3, - or WIN for that matter - but I have to watch people with limited vision send crap down the runway. Go somewhere and grow and learn to see the world outside of your tunnel vision-ness.

  • tom says:

    I will forgive you..since you are only 21. But you are a horrid human being at this point...there is no joy in your clothes..there is no joy in YOU..what happened to you.. i guess it was the divorce... stop this nonsense..of 'that's who I am... i own it' ... you are a rude, negative person..and own the fact that when you saw all of your looks for the challenges.. you are a one trick pony.. . the sameness was SO BLAH.... BLAH.. like your demeanor..and your life.. try finding some of Michael C's good energy.. you will have a much better life.. or else, you are headed for a dim, bland, negative life...

  • rhinolien says:

    April is the one who told the truth and be honest! She is good at designing and she is good at cooperating. She is the one that keeps me watching the Project Runway.