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Michael Costello

OUT 10/21/2010

Age: 27

Hometown: Palm Springs, CA

Profession: Fashion designer

Favorite Designer: Elie Saab, Tom Ford, Valentino, Donatella Versace, Basil Soda

MICHAEL'S SCORECARD

The Finale, Part 1: Out
View Michael's scorecard

Michael Costello Video Blog: Episode 14

Michael Costello returns for a reunion with the other designers from "Project Runway" Season 8. In this video blog, he shares his experiences of being on the show, including what he learned, who he liked and disliked and..

MICHAEL'S DESIGN IN EPISODE 13: "The Finale, Part 1"

The designers must create an 11th look and incorporate it into a three-piece mini-collection. Aired October 21.

Tim Gunn's Workroom

See what Tim says about Michael
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OVERALL RATING:3.8 /5
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Episode 13 Photos

View his Episode 13 moments.
SEE MICHAEL'S PHOTOS

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
1 of 55 questions
What was the first garment you ever made?

I designed it and picked out the fabric, and a seamstress named Esperonza whipped it up in 1 day.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
2 of 55 questions
What is your music of choice when designing?

Amy Winehouse, Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Melanie Fiona. Lauryn Hill, Joss Stone.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
3 of 55 questions
When did you realize you had designer potential?

When I was about 10 or 11. I've been designing and sketching since I was 4.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
4 of 55 questions
Favorite designer(s)?

Elie Saab, Tom Ford, Valentino, Donatella Versace, Basil Soda.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
5 of 55 questions
Current occupation?

Fashion designer.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
6 of 55 questions
Can you describe past jobs you've had?

I've always been in fashion, though I have worked in a few restaurant kitchens too.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
7 of 55 questions
What is a fashion must?

A reallllly amazing, slimming jacket in black!
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
8 of 55 questions
What is your design training?

Never been to school. I learned hand-sewing from my mom and then learned on my industrial machine.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
9 of 55 questions
Have you won any awards related to design?

The 2009 Project ASID Award, with Dorothy Willets, for a dress made from upholstery and wallpaper.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
10 of 55 questions
What are your strengths as a designer?

Draping, fit and my time to deliver a finished garment.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
11 of 55 questions
What are your weaknesses as a designer?

Invisible zippers, men's clothing, some tailored pants.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
12 of 55 questions
What's influenced your designs over the years?

In the past, low-cut styles from Valentino and Versace. Now, more structured styles like YSL.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
13 of 55 questions
What's your favorite material or fabric to work with?

It's been jersey and knits for the longest time, but now I am loving brocade fabrics.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
14 of 55 questions
What's the item you're most proud of designing?

An amazing little black and gold dress.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
15 of 55 questions
Do you prefer sketching or draping?

I am great at both.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
16 of 55 questions
Do you prefer patterns or solids?

I like patterns but adore a great solid.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
17 of 55 questions
What are your favorite colors?

Black, burgundy, gold.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
18 of 55 questions
What's your biggest fear as a designer?

Not satifying my customer.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
19 of 55 questions
What fashion faux pas drives you crazy?

'Muffin tops,'' large women in tight shirts with skinny jeans.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
20 of 55 questions
What's the ugliest thing you've ever worn?

Cargo shorts with way too many pockets, in brown! Dreadful.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
21 of 55 questions
Who are your favorite style icons?

Sarah Jessica Parker.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
22 of 55 questions
How would you dress first lady Michelle Obama?

A cream and lilac silk gown with a fitted top, and tulle and lace layers from the waist down.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
23 of 55 questions
What celebrity would you like to design for?

Angelina Jolie and Cameron Diaz.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
24 of 55 questions
Who's your supermodel muse?

Esther Canadas, Gisele Bundchen, Suwana Perry.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
25 of 55 questions
What do you look for in a model?

Height, sharp features, big lips, exotic eyes, long hair, killer runway walk, good-sized boobies.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
26 of 55 questions
If you had to name your label, you'd call it . . .

Michael Costello.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
27 of 55 questions
If you weren't designing, you'd be . . .

Designing.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
28 of 55 questions
Dream place to set up your design business?

New York, in SoHo or in Anna Wintour's office. Hahaha.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
29 of 55 questions
Websites that feature your work, including your own site(s)?

michaelcostello.com, boxeight.com, Facebook, MySpace.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
30 of 55 questions
Any other cultures or places you wish you could design for?

I would love to design somewhere in Paris or Rome.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
31 of 55 questions
How were you described as a kid?

The little closet gay kid, but everyone would say I was a child prodigy, a great kid, well-behaved.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
32 of 55 questions
How are you described now?

Mom and Dad would say amazing, just want me to be married and straight. My friends say I'm awesome.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
33 of 55 questions
Can you describe your family?

Very wonderful, but only when you obey their rules LOL. Great parents and even better grandparents.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
34 of 55 questions
Marriage or kids?

Have a boyfriend, not married. Two kids: Giovani, 6, and Coco, 5.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
35 of 55 questions
Do you have any pets?

Four dogs: Rocky (pit bull), Bailey (mini goldendoodle), Picky (bichon frise) and Charlie (no idea).
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
36 of 55 questions
Do you have any nicknames?

Brother and sisters called me ''American boy,'' 'cause I wanted to step outside the box like my dad.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
37 of 55 questions
Why are you (or aren't you) easy to live with?

Not easy 'cause if you don't put something away, I am going to tell you to do it!
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
38 of 55 questions
What's your favorite hangout back home?

In Palm Springs, I have to say Hunters.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
39 of 55 questions
What are your hobbies besides designing?

Redoing my kitchen.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
40 of 55 questions
What are your favorite movies and TV shows?

Sex and the City, Desperate Housewives, Project Runway, anything on the Food Network.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
41 of 55 questions
What are your favorite websites?

Eonline for fashion, Sinternet for music, YouTube for music videos.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
42 of 55 questions
What are your favorite books and authors?

I don't like books, but I love magazines.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
43 of 55 questions
iPhone or BlackBerry?

Love my iPhone.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
44 of 55 questions
Fast food or gourmet?

I'm fat! I like it all, but Taco Bell has my heart right now.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
45 of 55 questions
Cooking or takeout?

Cooking, definitely!
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
46 of 55 questions
Favorite food?

Anything with cheese turns me on.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
47 of 55 questions
Beer or wine?

Neither. They have a flavor that just doesn't work for me.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
48 of 55 questions
Guiltiest pleasure?

Some emo boys, hahaha. They can be kind of cute.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
49 of 55 questions
Biggest pet peeve?

Slow drivers, traffic, and left-out food.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
50 of 55 questions
Favorite designer from past seasons of Project Runway?

Christian Siriano, Nick Verreos, and my heart goes to Rami Kashou; what a man!
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
51 of 55 questions
Project Runway challenge you hope they bring back for your season?

I would've kicked ass on the Sarah Jessica Parker ''Bitten'' challenge or the drag-queen one!
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
52 of 55 questions
Project Runway challenge you hope they don't bring back for your season?

The wedding-gown redo or the mom challenge, 'cause my mom is picky!
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
53 of 55 questions
Your take on team challenges?

Don't like them, but I'm up for it if I get to do what I am strongest at.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
54 of 55 questions
How did you end up auditioning for Project Runway?

I checked out the site to see if there was a casting, and sure enough, there was, so I followed the steps.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: MICHAEL'S TAKE
55 of 55 questions
Why are you going to win?

I know the business, how to appeal to a buyer's eye and give my customer what she wants.

MICHAEL'S PHOTO GALLERIES

Check out Michael Costello's personal and work photos

All Project Runway Photos

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