‘The Fashion Show’ Exit Interview: Haven Sent (Home)

Last night The Fashion Show seized it’s latest victim: 80’s style enthusiast Haven Howell. Despite her win with Anna last week, her YSL-inspired look (a designer she admits is one of her favorites) this week left the judges unimpressed. In an interview from New York this afternoon - where she was shooting part one of the season finale - the Los Angeles transplant spilled on her experience on the show, how Michael Jackson has inspired her, and why she thinks gay men look best in shorts.

Would you say you have an unnatural obsession with shorts? You know what it is? They keep saying shorts, but it’s not shorts, it’s jumpers! That’s what I have an obsession with, I really do. In my line right now I have four jumpers. I think they’re the cutest things. When I was little I used to wear little jumpsuits. It’s like Three’s Company. As for shorts, I like them, and I live in LA with the warm weather. I think girls look great in shorts, and you don’t have to worry about how you cross your legs like in skirts.

What do you think about men in shorts? And what’s an appropriate short length for them? It depends on the leg, and the man. I love men in shorts. I like a pair of seersucker’s with a white button down shirt. You know, gay men pull off shorts better than anybody.

Why? Because, I don’t know. [With] shorts I normally think of the Hamptons, just very very clean like Hillfiger, Polo, so I think of a little clean cut gay man. As for length, probably to the knee. Definitely not those baggy ones that go past the knee. And nothing much above the knee, either [laughs]. You know what’s so funny? I keep picturing Markus in these shorts, and I don’t know why. Whenever I picture anyone dressing - because he’s such a great dresser - I always picture Markus’ face [laughs].

Do you know how well your winning frock with Anna last week is selling? No, I’m terrible with the blogs and the website. I have no clue. I should probably check with my mom as she follows it.

Who decides the price points on this stuff and do you get a cut of the proceeds? No, Bravo gets it, and I don’t know who decides the cost. I have nothing to do with that. I wish I did.

In Reco’s blog post today he said that you whispered in his ear when you were leaving: ‘don’t trust anyone, this is competition.’ Is that true? Absolutely never. I would never say that. That’s not even been my attitude on the show. [hesitates] That’s so weird. Why would I say that? It’s funny to me that Reco said that. The only thing I remember saying to him is that he should be given a chance because he deserves it. Those words never came out of my mouth.

So you’re an 80s fanatic and Michael Jackson just died. Any thoughts or feelings on how his style influenced you during that period? Oh my God, yeah it was awful to hear that. I’m so inspired by his red jacket from Thriller, and the glove. I loved his pants and the way he always wore them to his ankles so you could see his dance moves and socks. The loafers, too. Everything he did. It’s so sad. That is my era, and that’s where all of my inspiration comes from. I grew up with a poster of Michael Jackson in my bedroom. Even still, Markus and I were talking about how he dresses like someone from Dynasty, with all the rhinestones and the embellishments on his shoulder padded jackets. I loved his style. I was so sad to hear that he died. Farrah Fawcett, also, with her hair. They were both style icons and there are certain things we’ll always remember them both for.

Was it weird watching last night when you knew the inevitable outcome? You know what? I haven’t seen it yet. I hate that because I really want to see myself get kicked off! I really do. We were all crying and boo hooing because everyone was so stressed out. If I could have picked a way to go, that was fine for me. I was so thrilled to get as far as I had gotten. I didn’t think I was going to be able to get that far when I first saw all the designers and how talented they were, especially as far as execution goes.

Speaking of execution, you seemed to struggle with that at first, and then you were improving. Then there was the zipper snafu last night. [laughs] I think I just let it get to me. I was just overwhelmed and stressed. I got the designer of my dreams, YSL. I was so excited but also terrified of letting him down. At that point I was so tired. The sewing was really getting to me. I just wasn’t handling it well. I could feel myself falling apart, and really losing my mind. I had lost all patience and I was frustrated with myself.

Do you feel like there was any way you could have prepared for the pressure and stress of the show? Maybe there’s a way to prepare, but I don’t think you ever really know. Personally, I think it was the best experience I could have had. I sew from time to time for myself, but do I finish many garments? No.

Because you don’t feel confident in your sewing abilities? No, it’s because I’m really impatient and sewing is not my favorite thing to do. Pattern making? I love it. It’s [sewing] just not something that I find fun. I’m just one of those people who wishes it was just done, that I could wave my wand or wiggle my nose and it was done. But I have to say that the last time I was sewing all the time with certain time constraints was when I was in school, and it definitely prepared me, but the show was the best opportunity for me. But I was telling my mom the other day that if they asked me to do it again now, I don’t think I could do it again. It’s amazing what you can do when you’re put in a situation where this is what you have to do to improve your skill and your talent. I kind of amazed myself. The beginning was difficult for me, with the teams. I’m one of those people who thinks I’m going to let somebody down and I’d hate to think that I would. And honestly, I’m not trying to say anything bad about Reco, but he’d finish before everyone else because he’s such a quick sewer. That would make me more nervous because I’d feel like he had nothing better to do than just look over my shoulder. It was terrifying, you know?

So if you were put on the spot right now you wouldn’t do it again? No, I had the best time ever! I’m just saying that if someone said Haven, will you make me a jumper? I probably wouldn’t want to and I wouldn’t finish it. I guess when you’re in lock down and you’re not allowed to leave, it’s amazing what you can do. I learned so much about myself.

Like what? One, I had no idea that I could sew like that. It’s been a long time. But more than that, just getting along with people. I was very worried about coming here and staying with people day-in and day-out. It’s not something I do. I’m an only child. I live alone. I was very worried about that, and I had the greatest time. I think I learned a lot more about myself personally, like patience with people and myself. And just what you’re able to accomplish if you put your mind to something.

I ask this every week: what’s the deal with Merlin? I don’t know. I really don’t. If you spend enough time with anybody, you’re going to find the good in them. That’s how I really feel. I don’t really know him well enough. We didn’t spend a lot of time together during the competition.

If you could sum up your experience on this show in one word, what would it be? Awakening.

More on These Topics: The Fashion Show