TV DivaGal: Project Runway Winner Anya Ayoung Chee Wants to Dress Rihanna!

By DIVAGALS | October 31, 2011 | Entertainment

TV DivaGal has a message for superstar singer Rihanna: Anya Ayoung Chee, who was named┬áProject Runway winner last Thursday, wants to dress you now!

The designer, who wowed series judges Heidi Klum, Michael Kors and Nina Garcia with her breezy, beachy collection at New York Fashion Week (yes, TV DivaGal was there!) tells us, “I’ve wanted to dress Rihanna for a really long time. I think she has great style and I really admire her spirit.” The Trinidadian designer adds, “And of course, Rihanna’s from the Caribbean. I think we have a similar vibe.”

With her first New York Fashion Week show under her belt, Anya hopes to show again next February. She’s also building an online retail presence “at my website, which is www.AnyaAyoungChee.com,” she shares.

While Anya will be doing a few fun projects in the Caribbean, “I’m really pushing to bring my brand to the U.S.” She plans to expand her line from its resort-wear feel to include pieces that would work in fall and winter. Which means mastering the one design element that stumps Anya the most.

“I really don’t like making sleeves. They’re really quite hard for me,” she confesses. Anya does plan to continue her technical training. “I really was envious of the other designers who could execute things I may have wanted to if I had the skill to do it. And I’ve found that having knowledge of construction improves my design skills.” While Anya won’t be actually sewing for her customers, “I think that it’s important just to have a broader base skills wise to design more and expand my imagination,” she says.

Learning to make sleeves isn’t just an executive business strategy. “I’m officially moving to New York,” she reveals. After the weekend we’ve had here, they certainly will come in handy!

Craving more Project? Check out Lifetime’s newest series, Project Accessory, airing Thursdays at 10 p.m.

photo credit: Lifetime