So there you have it folks. This wild and crazy and overly documented ride has come to an end.
This whole Project Runway experience has been quite the roller coaster. Excitement, fun, stress, exhaustion, elation, misery (ahem….nausea), anxiety, relief, and peace. I began this experience with few expectations. It just seemed like a fun way to get my work out there, meet some interesting folks, and share what I love to do with the world.
In the long run, it doesn’t take much to make me happy. As long as I can keep making my dresses, I am happy as a clam. And that’s a lot easier to do when five million people aren’t watching. My life is not about tv. It’s not about causing drama or being the center of attention or being “fabulous” (ha!)- it’s about people, relationships, finding beauty in life. I’m so grateful to know the difference between “reality” tv and reality.
So I thank you for coming on this ride with me so far. I cannot tell you how it feels to have so very much support and encouragement from you all. I may not have time to respond to all of your messages, but I do read every single one and am beyond moved. One morning this week in particular I woke up to such a slew of encouragement that I actually found myself in tears by the time I’d reached the end of my inbox. It warms my heart to know that what I love to do and what makes me happy, in turn, makes you happy too.
Happily Yours,
Carol Hannah
You are so talented!
Wait I am confused. What does this mean?
Carol Hannah, you have the best personality among all the contestants project runway ever had.
I wish you all the best in your career-
Cheers,
I’m glad to see such a good-natured and talented young woman as yourself to have made it to Bryant Park. You truly deserved your place in Project Runway, and it has been a pleasure to watch your beautiful designs one after the other, week after week.
I love your perspective on life and fashion, and I truly hope that you continue experiencing such huge success in every aspect of your life. Take care.
Just found your Etsy Store and couldn’t be happier. Pat yourself on the back because you’ve just found a cure for the bridesmaid dress epidemic. Jersey may just be that dream fabric all us designers have been looking for. Your bridesmaid dresses can actually be worn on the big day as well as easily going out to lunch in Santa Barbara without screaming, “I WAS ASHlEY’S MAID OF HONOR!”. Worn with flat sandals I’d feel great wearing any of these dresses around town to do errands as well as to a summer art reception.
Bravo kiddo and kudos to you.
Hi Carol Hannah. I am from Greenville SC and my dad lives in Charleston. I am not one to normally comment on others blogs, but I just wanted to say that you have inspired me to learn to sew. I am 31 and a mother of 3. I have watched ProRun for many seasons and had some thoughts of wanting to learn before, but the fact that you are “self-taught” is encouraging to me. Unfortunatly, I do not have a grandmother to teach me, and my mother is hopelessly un-domestic (as am I, ask my husband who has to do ALL the cooking around here!) but I have checked out some books from the library and asked “santa” for a sewing maching for Christmas. Your work is very beautiful and even though I am partial, being a South Carolinian, as many others have said, your collection was the best!
Good luck in NY. I really want to visit NY at Christmas time one year. I’ll bet its really pretty.
I was your fan since day 1 girl, you have all the talent and passion you need to make great things happen! On behalf of the Carolina’s: Great job for representing us well!
Carol Hannah – you were by far my fave on the show this season! Your clothes look so wearable (and not to mention beautiful)…I would just love to have a few pieces!
I stumbled across your Etsy sites recently, and was just enthralled with the potential for bridesmaids’ dresses! I am getting married in May, and oh how I wish that I hadn’t already selected my bridesmaids’ dresses! I’m still hoping to get my hands on a dress for my rehearsal perhaps…wish wish wish…we’ll see if I can come up with enough $, since planning a wedding is full of oh so many wonderful costs!
Lots and lots of luck with everything! You are awesome!
This is a wonderful post full of gratitude and sweetness.. the photo to accompany it is perfect. So now take deep breaths and create with abandon and joy.
xox Rella
Hi, Carol Hannal!!
I am from China and every week I’m so excited waiting to watch the latest episode of PR this season via internet! I love you so much. You are cute and fun, and most importantly you have strong personality and make beautiful dresses which is outstanding among the all, Especially the golden dress which is the first one in the final show! It’s a pity to watch the final result but I know there must be hundreds of thousands of people arround the world who appreciate you as I do. It so far away across the earth! Hope that you read this.
Best wishes!
Carol Hannah, I loved watching you on Project Runway. I thought your designs were amazing. I pray you have an incredible design career. God bless you.
Carol Hannah you are not only a beautiful designer but a beautiful person as well. On Project Runway your personality came shining through. You are already a huge success, you found a job you love to do and your getting paid to do it! Always remember who you are! You are my favorite new celebrity!
Hi Carol Hannah,
I loved watching you on Project Runway! You are so talented and definitely one of my favorite designers of all the seasons! I hope your beautiful designs and good spirit gets you far! Best of luck!
Carol Hannah,
I watched the show because of YOU! What an incredible designer and artist you are. I am from Charleston and it was so much fun to see you immerse yourself in your wonderful work. Such beautiful clothes.
I know I will be seeing more from you. You are such a kind person. Life will treat you well.
Go get em!
Hi Carol Hannah,
I’m a guy from Fort Worth, Texas. We like to shoot things and stuff like that. Not in a hundred years did I think I would ever be interested in anything on a runway, though I am very interested in creativity and design on the fly. I was channel surfing one night and stumbled on the show about halfway through the competition, got hooked on it and I couldn’t wait for the finally. I watched reruns over and over and I so wanted you to win, as you should have. But, C’est la vie. My draw to the show was you, just as it was for friends of mine who also watched; you seem to be such a real and beautiful person inside and out; so talented and smart. Just wanted to let you know and say I wish you the very best!
Best regards, Mike
My daughters (age 12 and 11) and I really enjoyed watching you throughout the competition on Project Runway. The only thing that would have made it better is you winning.
My oldest daughter looks through your wedding shop on etsy and has picked out her wedding gown already. And she agrees with you (Logan is hot!). Best wishes in your future endeavors. Doing what you love is just the best thing in the world and your smile says it all.
Carol Hannah..you just simply rock! Thank you for not adding drama to the “reality” in the show. I am a totally huge fan, and you have inspired me so much. After reading this post, I get why…you are real and I very much appreciate and look forward to what you will bring to this real world we live in. (I even asked for a dress form for Christmas:)) Blessings to you and your roommates, and cheers to your new workspace and your future!!
I’m so glad I found your blog. I was cheering for you on PR, but know that you’ll do well even without winning. Congrats on moving to NYC. And keep writing. It’s as beautiful as your dresses.