With that Jasmine waves her hand and the screen drops Standing behind it are contestants from past seasons of Design Diva The cameras are poised to capture our reactions but when I see who’s holding my name I’m so excited I almost forget all about the filming It’s Liesel McKay my number-one Design Diva role model I met her once before back in California Her son Jake introduced us at the final round of auditions for the show I went to her store when I first got to New York but she wasn’t there At least I got to see Jake though That made the trip worth it Liesel I exclaim I mean Ms McKay Liesel please she says with a smile as she walks toward me Ms McKay makes me feel old Is this okay I ask Do the judges know we’ve met Liesel nods Yep that’s why they thought I’d
make the perfect mentor for you she says We already know each other Ready to head out and discuss strategy Definitely I say Where to Liesel walks toward the doors leading out of the hotel lobby We’re headed to inspiration I keep a notebook with me all the time Liesel tells me as we stroll down the crowded sidewalk I write down everything You never know what might come in handy I’ve woken up from dreams jotted stuff down and in the morning found banana peel in my notebook Then I spend all day trying to figure out what it means She laughs Do you always figure it out I ask Not always but it’s worth writing down anyway
Liesel says My biggest fear is running out of ideas It’s probably the biggest fear of most designers honestly I can’t believe that someone as successful as Liesel McKay worries about running out of ideas All of her clothes are so creative and she makes jewelry and accessories on top of that It seems like her creativity is never-ending I have the opposite problem at the moment I tell her The show gives us ideas It’s figuring out what to do with them that’s hard Liesel nods Yeah some of them are really out there But I watched the previous challenges and you’re definitely improving It seems you’re connecting with the work more I nod thinking about what Jake Liesel’s son told me about making a connection I think I have Jake to thank for that I admit I came by your store a few
days ago and that’s the exact advice he gave me Does he know you’re my mentor Liesel laughs Yes It was impossible to keep it a secret from him The producers made him sign papers swearing his life away if he breathed a word I can’t wait until everyone knows everything I tell Liesel I hate not being able to talk with Alex about the challenges She’s my best friend from back home Not being able to tell her what’s going on is torture I think I have something that what will put you in a better mood Liesel says with a secretive grin When she smiles she has a dimple in her cheek just like Jake When I spot a giant sculpture of a needle threading a button I suddenly realize where we are the Garment District It’s been on my list of must sees since I first watched Design Diva High-profile
