Anya Ayoung-Chee is a former beauty queen turned sex tape star turned reality show contestant. She can add winner of Project Runway Season 9. The charming, cerebral Trini designer represented Trinidad and Tobago in the 2008 Miss Universe pageant before a salacious sex-tape scandal with Miss Japan made her a point of controversy across the Caribbean that same year.
After catching the judges attention with her resort-inspired prints, the former Miss Trinidad and Tobago swept the competition in the final round with her sexy, fluid collection. In a tribute to the first Caribbean fashion designer to get a major international TV platform and be the winner of Project Runway, Easy magazine features some of her designs from the show’s challenges and a short interview with her.
FabSugar: How did you celebrate after winning the competition?
Anya Ayoung-Chee: I slept a bit because we hadn’t slept in a while. My parents were in New York, and it was really special to have them there and enjoy it with them. Knowing they were so proud of me was my biggest reward.
FS: Give us three words that describes your style.
AA: Sexy, easy, and island style. It’s an island vibe. Those three words describe the resort genre I’m in, but I am hoping to branch out and cater to a bigger market now that I am in the United States.
FS: Who are your biggest designer influences?
AA: I particularly like the work of Isabel Marant, Stella McCartney, Suno, and Alexander McQueen. Though he’s not around anymore, his work is just genius. I also like Mara Hoffman; she has a similar style and approach as my own.
FS: You have an amazing eye for prints. HP provided you the technology to make your own. Do you plan on designing your own signature prints in your future collections?
AA: The HP challenge was a big eye-opener for me and actually making my own prints has made me consider making that a habit. It was so cool, because I have a graphic designer background; I had the best time with the HP challenge.
FS: How is your personal style going to change now that you’re living in NYC?
AA: I just cut all my hair off. It’s super short and it kinda lent itself to a more rock ‘n’ roll-punk vibe. I started to buy pieces that are more in that kind of zone. So I think I’m going to explore that avenue a little bit.
