Stylenotes Q&A with Project Runway's Jack Mackenroth
We were lucky enough to nab a bit of Jack Mackenroth's time, the Project Runway Season 4 contestant and designer extraordinaire. He's engrained in our minds for smoothly executing (and winning) the menswear challenge while the rest of the contestants choked, and whose time on the show was cut short due to a medical emergency. Stylenotes was definitely craving more from the talented designer, and he delivered to us a string of insightful and witty responses to our long-awaited questions:
SN: As a designer, what was the most valuable thing you learned from being on Project Runway?
JM: How to make executive decisions quickly, and how to trust your taste level.
SN: Is Christian your closest friend from the show? What would it be like if the two of you did a design collaboration?
JM: Christian is one of my besties from the show. A design collaboration would be interesting because he is so couture and I am very ready-to-wear. I think it would be amazing.
SN: Have all the contestants ever gotten together for drinks or to hang out, without the watchful eye of the Bravo cameras after the filming?
JM: Yes -- Kevin, Victorya, Kit, Sweet P, Christian, and I all still keep in touch and see each other whenever possible.
SN: I know you've probably been asked this about 1 million times, but would you return to Project Runway for a future season?
JM: I'm still not sure. I was never in the bottom three and I won a
challenge and I think I'm the only designer in Project Runway history
who can say that. I was never auf'ed and I think I really got what I
needed from the show. Plus, it was a really grueling experience and it truly takes up almost a full year of your life. On the flip side it was
SO much fun. My mind changes on a daily basis.
SN: Are any other reality TV shows on the horizon? We also heard you make an appearance in the upcoming Sex & the City movie -- can you give us a hint as to when you appear?
JM: Well, if I'm not on the cutting room floor I have a scene where I walk past Samantha (Kim Cattrall) and she checks me out and then I walk into the arms of my on screen boyfriend. He was straight. It was a hoot. I am also working on some really great show ideas that involve design. I'll keep you posted. You never know.
SN: What's in the works for your menswear line? Any plans to show at fashion week?
JM: Right now I don't have plans to show at fashion week. I would need a big chunk of change to get my own line off the ground but I'm working on it!
SN: Would you ever design a women's collection?
JM: Yes. After the Project Runway experience I have a new love for womenswear.
SN: Would you ever consider doing a diffusion line, a more affordable line for the masses, such as Target's Go International Collection?
JM: Yes! I come from a mass market background and I don't consider it a dirty word at all. I've actually been interviewing with UNIQLO which is based out of Tokyo and they are sort of Tokyo's version of H&M meets the Gap. They are about to explode here.
SN: Where do you shop online?
JM: Zappos.com, BenSherman.com, eBay, Bluefly.com, Whiteonwhite.com, Justanotherrichkid.com, tons more…
SN: What do you buy the most of, online? What is the best deal you've gotten online, that you've bragged about to your friends?
JM: Sneakers on ebay. I think some are fake but they look amazing regardless.
SN: What sites do you frequently check for fashion coverage and inspiration?
JM: Style.com
SN: What are the three items you always have with you/can't live without?
JM: My iPod, metrocard, and good jeans (genes).
SN: On a closing note, what's the most important piece of advice you would give to aspiring designers?
JM: Practice until you think you're gonna die of barfness. It makes all the difference.
And we couldn't agree more.
To view Jack's collection and updates on the designer, click here.
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