Chic Galleria Interviews Althea Harper: Project Runway Season 6

Althea Harper has always loved to draw, but it was at the young age of ten when she found her niche for fashion.  She recently graduated from The University of Cincinnati's College of Design, Art, Architecture and Planning.  Althea also received additional training at Central St. Martin in London.  She's interned at Anna Sui, Zac Posen, Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, Victoria's Secret and Garden Inc.  Her fashion designs are inspired by Bridgette Bardot, 30's glamour and architecture.

Recently, we caught up with the Project Runway Season 6 star and asked her a view "allowable" questions.  Being that the show is still airing, we have to wait to ask her the question on all of our minds, "Who won?"

CG: Althea, can you share a little bit about yourself and how you got started?

AH: I am 24 years old and I grew up in Dayton, Ohio (which was great because living around the world and meeting all types of people, you realize how rare Midwestern openness and kindness is) and now I reside in Brooklyn, NY.   I have always know that I wanted to be a fashion designer. While my fellow high school students struggled over decisions of where to go to college and what to major in, I always knew exactly where I wanted to go and what I wanted to do.  I applied early admission to my college, got accepted soon after and never applied anywhere else.  I chose to go to the University of Cincinnati School of Design, Art, Architecture and Planning because it was in state and had relatively cheap tuition (I had to pay for college myself) and it also offered the co-op program where you would get work experience while still in school.  I chose to take advantage of this opportunity and worked to get internships with Anna Sui, Zac Posen, Victoria's Secret... and then traveled to London where I worked at Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood as well as attended Central Saint Martins. Living in Europe was such an amazing experience and really opened my eyes to possibilities outside of American fashion.

CG: Where do you draw inspiration for your designs?

AH: I draw inspiration from all types of things.  It can be a feeling, a plant, another garment, or a place.  I especially love architecture.

CG: What designs have been your favorites?

AH: I love my knitwear designs, especially this huge knit jacket that I did in college...otherwise it is often just whatever  I am working on at the moment.

CG: What are your future plans?

AH: I have BIG plans for the future!!  I want to have my own line that I sell to high end department stores and then eventually open my own stores.  I believe that my designs fill a niche that is missing.  It is still downtown cool without losing the glamour.  It combines tailoring and drape that I have learned from all my experience at different fashion houses.

Photo Credit: Kannie Yu LaPack, Lifetime Entertainment Services