Q&A with Project Runway Contestant Anna Molinari

Anna Molinari. Photo by Disney/Heidi Gutman

The fashion world’s favorite series is returning for a new season, and a familiar face for some in Rhode Island will be present as one of the competing designers. Fashion designer and St. George’s alum Anna Molinari will compete on season 22 of Project Runway, adding to the list of Rhode Island natives featured on the show. The former Rhode Island resident now resides in New York City, creating her sustainability forward designs and visiting home when she can. We chatted with Molinari about the upcoming season, how St. George’s supported her artistic abilities and where in Rhode Island she misses the most.

So, I know you weren’t born here but can you tell me about your connection to the state?

I was actually born in the UK, but my dad was in the Navy for 28 years and we moved around a lot. When I was 15, we moved to the Naval Station in Newport. I ended up going to St. George’s because the school had just gotten a military grant so that they could give military scholarships to children of military families so they could attend the school. I applied and was the first student to receive that scholarship, which was a full ride. Going to St. George’s for three years was totally life changing. I was accustomed to Department of Defense schools and pretty bad public schools, so it was a total culture shock.

Do you have any favorite spots you like to go to when you come back to visit Rhode Island?

So, after my dad retired on the Navy base, my parents moved over to Jamestown and now I take the Amtrak as often as I can to visit them. Rhode Island is really my happy place now. Whenever I have friends from New York visiting, we always go to The Narragansett Café, which I think is the best bar in Rhode Island. I also love the restaurants Beech Restaurant and Bar and Village Hearth Bakery & Café. I love Jamestown because it doesn’t get all the crazy lines and tourists that Newport gets.

How did St. George’s handle your artistic goals?

To my surprise, St. George’s was very accommodating. They had never really had a student interested in fashion design before, and they really allowed me to kind of pave my own path. I started a fashion column in the school newspaper, and they allowed me to take over the costumes for the musicals. They gave me an award upon graduating for the student with the most creative and artistic excellence and that really shifted my education as a whole. I had never gotten that attention and appreciation before, so that was amazing. They also allowed me to explore the untraditional and unconventional material elements in my classes, which was very cool.

So, it seems that even in high school you were already aware that you loved fashion. Where did that original love for design come from for you?

When I was eight years old, I watched a Project Runway marathon and that’s when I decided I was going to be a fashion designer. That night I made a little top on my sister. I hand stitched it on my little five-year-old sister with her little baby belly sticking out. From then on, I started using materials that my mom would have around the house. If she was getting rid of old tablecloths or curtains I would make something out of them, and we would go to the thrift store and get materials there. So, using secondhand materials has sort of been like second nature to me since I was a kid. It’s never really had to be a conscious decision, it’s always been instinctual for me.

PROJECT RUNWAY – Freeform’s “Project Runway” stars Heidi Klum, Christian Siriano, Nina García, Law Roach, and Tyra Banks. Photo by Disney/Rankin

 After St. George’s did you go on to study fashion in college?

Yes, I studied fashion design and entrepreneurship at Syracuse University in Upstate New York.

Tell me about what you do full time.

I’m living in New York City, and I run my brand, do social media and I fit model, so I’m very busy. Fit modeling has been very helpful because it allows me to perfect the fit in my own designs from really knowing and understanding how a garment should properly fit. What I like about fit modeling is that I don’t have to rely on my brand and my garments for income because to me that really sucks the fun out of it. We’ve seen so many great designers out there who, once they begin mass producing, their happiness deteriorates. It’s really important to me that I can hustle so that I don’t need to monetize my creativity.

How would you describe the creations that you make?

It’s always evolving but right now I would like to think that it is more elevated street style all constructed from secondhand dead stock or unconventional materials. I think that sustainability should always be at the forefront of any Gen Z or younger designers brand at this point.

How do you think the clothing you make differs from your personal style?

Oh, it differs big time. I wear sweats every day and just want to be comfortable. My p4rsonal style is very much so thrifted leggings and tank tops every day. I let my designs really be my outlet and I love designing thing that I wouldn’t wear every day because it makes them feel more special. I think of my designs as pieces of art and me not caring what I wear really allows me to pour everything into the things that I’m making.

When you first went onto Project Runway, how did that feel?  

It was very, very surreal and so exciting, but then quickly it became very nerve wracking because we found out there were 21 other designers. In all my years watching Project Runway, that has never happened before. The excitement quickly turned to nerves faster than I thought.

When you first went on the show, aside from winning obviously, what did you hope to get out of the experience?

My main goal going on the show was just to accomplish my childhood dream. I think I felt really lucky to be in a place where I can accomplish my lifelong dream at only 28 years old. Really my priority was getting there and making that little girl proud, whether that meant winning or not.

When I was scrolling on Instagram I saw the photo you posted of yourself as a child with a little Project Runway sign, which just shows how much of a fan you’ve always been. What would you tell your younger self, knowing all you’ve experienced now?

I don’t want to give anything away, but I think I would just tell her to stay true to herself and keep trying.

What advice would you give to other aspiring designers?

There is no dream too big or too small. I think one thing I learned from this whole experience is that you can really accomplish anything you set your mind to. I was able to do things during this experience that I had no idea I was capable of. I would just want any creative out there to know that whatever they think they can do, they can certainly do even more than that when push comes to shove.

To follow along on Anna’s journey, tune in to Project Runway airing July 9th and follow Anna on Instagram here. Watch the trailer for the season down below.