For four years, while she was a student at Sacramento's Loretto High School, Emily Brandle wore a uniform.
"After that, I ended up in fashion. I learned to love accessories!" says Brandle, 27, one of 16 contestants on Season 5 of "Project Runway."
The Emmy-nominated show gets under way at 9 p.m. July 16 on Bravo. (The finale is Oct. 15.)
Brandle, who moved to Sacramento when she was 1, now lives in Los Angeles. She left Sacramento at age 17 to attend Otis College of Art & Design in L.A.
Her parents, Warren and Susan Brandle, still reside in Sacramento. Family members include older brother James, a teacher in Livermore, and younger sister Laura, a student at Sacramento State.
The Bee caught up with her while she was visiting an aunt in New York. The question on everyone's mind: Will there be fierceness this go-round? You bet.
Q: You can't reveal details of the show, but what can you tell us about your "PR" stint?
A: It's the best roller-coaster ride there is. The highs and lows. It's meeting new people and having new experiences. And it's absolutely exhausting!
Q: Where did you audition? Was it harried?
A: In L.A. Actually, it was really fun. I've been in the industry for a while, but I wasn't going into the competition for myself; I'm doing it for my company. With the economy the way it is, what better way to get the brand name in the public eye?
Q: So, what about your L.A. company, Smoke & Mirrors?
A: I started it in the fall of 2006 with Michelle Chaplin, who is my business partner and best friend. There are three high-end fashion collections that are geared toward the contemporary woman.
Q: What has owning a business taught you about the fashion industry?
A: That the industry has so much to offer. But I learned a lot working at trade shows, meeting designers from big companies like Nike to small, independent stores like Nisa (clothing) in San Francisco. I met buyers, too, to get a feel for what would work in their stores.
Q: Are your fashions carried in Sacramento?
A: Not yet. I wish. I could see the clothes in maybe the Savvy department at Nordstrom or at Madam Butterfly (in Pavilions). I actually met the owner (Denise Masunaga) when I was just getting started.
Q: Have you followed the first four seasons of "Project Runway"?
A: It's kind of curious. I don't own a TV, and I'm on a TV show. There's a little bit of irony in it. If I'm on vacation or visiting friends, I've watched. And I loved last season's finale. Rami (Kashou) is an L.A. designer and a fantastic dressmaker. I would wear Jillian's (Lewis) stuff in a heartbeat. And (winner) Christian's (Siriano) collection was absolutely gorgeous.
Q: Mentor Tim Gunn said this season has already proved to be the most drama-filled yet, and it hasn't even aired. What are your impressions of him?
A: Tim is like our den mother. He's courteous, insightful and the guy we have the most face time with. We all did our impersonations of him. We'd be sewing, heads down, and someone would walk in the room and shout, "Now designers!" We all panicked because we thought time was running out. It was just one of the designers fooling around.
Q: You'll be back in L.A. for Wednesday night's show, right? Will you watch?
A: Heck, yeah! I'm going to Michelle's house. My boyfriend will be there along with some other friends. She's got the TV!
FYI: "Project Runway" will feature the usual cast, including host Heidi Klum and judges Michael Kors and Nina Garcia. Guest judge for the first episode, which is constructing outfits from unconventional materials, is Austin Scarlett, a contestant from Season 1. During the show's run, guest judges will include Natalie Portman, Brooke Shields, RuPaul, Apolo Anton Ohno, LL Cool J and Diane von Furstenberg. To see Brandle's Smoke & Mirrors fashion collections, go to www.smokeandmirrorsclothing.com.
Reach The Bee's Leigh Grogan, (916) 321-1129.
