SeenON!: We hear you’re in France. Are doing anything exciting?
Devin: Actually, I’m not in France…I’m studying abroad in Florence, Italy.  I was in Paris, London, and Stockholm for fall break.  I have also visited Capri, Sorrento, Napoli, Roma, Milano, Pisa, Mykonos, Athens, Munich, Dublin, Glasgow, and Madrid.  I’m taking the History of Italian Fashion and am really enjoying it.

SO!: Was your experience on the show everything you thought it would be going into it?
D: My experience on the show was nothing at all similar to what I had expected it would be going on to the show.  Since it was a show about getting a “job” and displaying editorial skills, I had expected it to be more along the lines of a love child between The Apprentice and Project Runway.

SO!:  How do you feel about your elimination?
D: I felt really good about my elimination.  I felt ready to leave.  I felt by that point, I got what I wanted out of the experience and I was happy to have stopped then.  The reason why I was eliminated also made complete sense to me.  I should have been more vocal in my group.

SO!: What Was The Hardest Challenge For You? Why?
D: Each challenge was hard in a different way.  I HATED the very first assistant challenge…getting Anne her breakfast. I don’t cook.  It just wasn’t fun to run across the city in heels, a hat and a party dress. Haha.

SO!: Who was your favorite team to work with?
D: I absolutely adored the team I worked with on the challenge I got eliminated.  Johanna, Dyshaun, and William are all truly lovely, truly talented and truly great people to be around.

SO!: We See Megan Giving You a Lot of Flack on The Show. First Calling You “Hat Girl” Then Announcing You Should Go Home Because Of Your Age and Experience. Was That Hard For You?
D: This situation is absolutely hilarious.  Calling me “hat girl” didn’t bother me at all.  I like hats and I like wearing them…if that makes me a “hat girl” then so what?  I suppose I could have been called worse things on the show like “the bitch” or the “bimbo.”  I did find it interesting that she was immediately rude to me with in the first 30 seconds of meeting me.  Her defensiveness and instant rudeness was a certain sign of insecurity…therefore I didn’t read into it or let it effect me that much.  However, if I wasn’t on national television I probably wouldn’t have been so neutral in my reactions towards her.

Yes, I was the youngest.  No, I didn’t have the least experience.  There is no denying that I was the youngest on the show (but only by ONE year… if that difference even counts).  However, the assumption that I had the least experience was absolutely asinine.  I worked for fashion designers, for Mood Fabrics, as an editorial and marketing assistant for Store Adore, Inc., was the Editor-In-Chief of NYU’s newsletter, and started a fashion magazine, NYChic…and I did all of this in under two years of my young life.

I am not going to speak badly about my other cast members…but there were SEVERAL of them who had far less experience than I…and if the age thing is such an issue…then lack of time shouldn’t have been a factor in their lack of experience…their lack of dedication is the catalyst for their lack of experience.  With my resume, for the age of 19, lack of dedication surly was not my problem…and if I am capable of accomplishing all of the above from the ages 18-19…then there is no saying what else I am capable of…but then again, if I stand up for myself and justify myself like I just did…then I am considered and called the 19-year-old with an attitude—apparently there is no right way to conduct myself.

Furthermore, I don’t think it is logical to assume that someone can not handle the responsibilities of being a junior editor at a fashion magazine because of their age.  This isn’t rocket science.  I’m not performing brain surgery.  I’m certain that being 19 or 28 doesn’t determine how well one can do that job.  It is simply a matter of taste and the understanding of aesthetics.  If they were attacking my taste rather than age…that is one thing…but attacking my age was entirely pointless.

SO!: Do You Still Talk To People From the Stylista Cast? If So Who and Why?
D: I speak to quite a few cast members…quite often. Johanna would probably be the person I speak to the most.  Since I’m in Italy…she keeps me up to date on everything going on with the show.  I really admire her for many different reasons and I think she is a wonderful person whom I can see myself being friends with for a long, long time.  The beginning of the show was a bit rough, but I ended up leaving with a few great friends.  The experience was so bazaar that it is very difficult to even try to explain to anyone else afterwards…therefore the cast members and I have a bond that is something only we can understand.  In a weird way we were each others family on the show.  Dyshaun made extra strong coffee for me most mornings and William straightened the back of my hair every morning…and Johanna was always there to help me complete my outfit when I needed something.  We were like this big, bitchy, dysfunctional family…and I loved every minute of it.

SeenON! : What was it like to watch last night’s episode?

William: It was pretty painful to relive it. Watching it was kinda sad…like the whole last day of the challenge. It was sad to have to watch myself knowing I was going home.

SO: Did they portray the events pretty accurately or did they leave anything out

W: I’d say it was pretty accurate. I mean there were times where I think I tried to disagree a little more. But it was pretty accurate.

SO: Having a fashion editorial background what did you think going into this challenge?

W: It’s in the bag. No I’m just joking. I think it doesn’t matter if you have a little experience or a lot. They are asking you to do  something they know will be challenging.

SO: Who do you think should have been eliminated

W: I don’t know . I mean it was Devin was the leader and Dyshaun had the idea. Johanna had a crazy idea and maybe a bad layout but it she won the power struggle.

SO: Some people think Megan should have went home even though she was on the winning team

W: (laughs) I love you guys. Yeah, Megan should have definitely gone home.

SO: In this episode we see you stick up for Devin When Megan was getting on her about her age and experience

W: Yeah I didn’t get that at all. I am usually in the middle of fights like these. I think people will single out the weak people and let them know they’re weak. Almost like a bully. I am usually in the middle and have to say “Leave them alone!”

SO! Who do you still talk to from the cast?

W: I love Ashlie, Cologne & Dyshaun. Danielle is awesome too. Jason I didn;t really get to know. Me and Megan didn’t really get on. Oh and Kate. When she gets back in the city we going to go out and party hard. Everyone was attacking her, and I think people have their good points and she has a lot.

SO! We hear you’re at Maxim

W: Yes I am. Maxim is awesome.  Kelly Rae and I actually worked together at Stuff before it closed. She moved over to Maxim and couldn’t immediately take me with her. She is the Fashion Director at Maxim and  she got here and needed some help and so I came. We get on like a house on fire. I think this is a great job. The guys I work with are amazing.

We enjoyed William and know he is going to do well. Read the rest of our Stylista Interviews!

We open last night’s episode right where we left off on Episode 3 with Ashlie and others balling their eyes out at Cologne’s elimination. Back at the house the sadness and shock don’t subside and the Stylista’s prepare for the next challenge.

Assistant’s Challenge

The following morning Devin receives a call from Brett asking she and all the Stylista’s to meet her at Department store Henri Bendel where they will be  personal shopping for Anne. While most are excited about this challenge there is also a feeling of terror at having to pick out an outfit that Anne will find both suitable and stylish.

The Stylista’s rush around the store on a tight $1,000 budget trying to put together Anne’s look and then meet Brett on the street with their outfit for Anne’s inspection. Just like the breakfast challenge we marvel at the unknowing mistakes some of the Stylista’s make in picking out pieces for Anne. How was Ashlie to know that Anne loves color but not orange which she says is unflattering on her? To make matters worse Brett announces two Stylistas will go home.

Anne picked Devin’s sapphire colored tie-neck blouse and cream pants as the winner of the assistant challenge making her the Stylista responsible for picking the teams for the editorial challenge.

Editorial Challenge

Brett announces that the Stylistas will be split into teams of two where they will style a fashion spread with a look from designer Tory Burch. Devin picks team one as Danielle, Ashlie, Kate, and Megan seriously denying she chose the members based on their friction. Then she chose her own team choosing to work with Dyshaun, William, and Johanna. Immediately there is friction as team one tries to plan their layout. They all four have different ideas and Kate continues to threaten that she will be heard or she will say something at eliminations.Team two seems to agree and it appears as though with their cohesiveness and their and team work that they will take home the win.

In the prop store Ashlie, Danielle, and Kate lean towards a retro feel as Megan seems to feel like they should go in another direction. Kate picks a retro TV she loves and thinks it will be perfect for the shoot. Team two decides on a minimalist aesthetic which seems risky but depending on the team works it could actually be fashion-forward. Team one continues to argue as they build the set and even as the model comes unto their set to pose. Megan retreats and barely participates. Meanwhile, team two seems to be working smoothly with mannequins lined along a back wall with their model as the focal point in the room.

Eliminations

It’s no surprise that Tory Burch herself is the guest judge and the Stylistas seem delighted to have her. Although Tory admits she was not inspired by a retro feeling when she designed the beaded tunic she likes Team One’s layout. Anne and Joe agree but feel similar to Megan as far as taking a theme and being too literal. As Megan proceeds to tell the judges they worked as a team and she went with the concept, Kate intercedes and tells them this is untrue. Additionally Danielle admits that she helped plan but basically abandoned their photo shoot.  Tory was confused by Team Twos concept and found the mannequins strange. Anne and Joe did not like it either however Joe did commend them for taking a risk and being fashion forward.

Although Team Two took a risk with their layout it feel flat and they lost to Team One. It was down to Dyshaun, Devin, and William as the bottom three. Ultimately William was eliminated for not showing his point-of-view and Devin for her lack of leadership and point-of-view. We leave the group as Dyshaun is welcomed with open arms and the eliminated two pack their boxes.

Watch the trailer for next week when the Stylistas will have to dress to the nines and network. Can you say drama?

We have a Stylista Spoiler! Apparently tonight not one but two Stylistas are going home. Do you think you know who they will be? We must say after last week’s elimination anything can happen. We certainly did not see Cologne going home.

Come back tomorrow for our Stylista Poll - and read Cologne’s interview giving her thoughts on her elimination, her time on the show, and her style.

We reluctantly bid adieu to dear Cologne this week on Stylista, shortly after commencing a love affair with her  East-Coast-meets-West-Coast fashion and flavor. No, it was certainly not Cologne’s time to go. But saying goodbye to the show does not mean the end of the road for this Stylista. Since her reality TV debut, Cologne has started her very own clothing line, “Oh de Cologne,” which features vintage-inspired pieces blended with Southern California style. We had a chance to speak with Cologne and get her thoughts about her time on the show, her elimination, and what’s next. We absolutely adore this Styista and know you will too!

SeenON! : We couldn’t help but notice your great fashion sense on the show. What are some of your fashion inspirations?

Cologne : Definitely vintage fashions. I like to pull from the 60s, 70s, and a little bit from the 80s. I fell in love with the vintage stores in San Francisco when I was in college, but I also like styles from H&M and Forever 21.

SO! : Who inspired you on the show…fashion-wise?

C: Ashlie, because she wears whatever she wants and she owns it! Also Dyshaun - he’s such a great stylist.

SO! : You grew up in Newport and studied at Cal. But you now live in New York. Which do you like more - East Coast or West Coast?

C: I love New York City right now! Everyone from New York knows I’m from California because of the way I look and act, and the fashions I like to wear. I love Newport too, though. I want to go back and raise my family there some day.

SO!:There were certainly some intimidating moments on the show. How do you think your experience on Stylista compares to working for a major fashion magazine like Elle?

C: It was definitely a crash course in fashion editing! I learned so much and I will take it with me throughout my career.

SO!:With all the editing that happens behind a reality show, do you feel like the cast members were accurately portrayed?

C: I think they did a good job getting the villain and the crazy girl down. They jumbled a few of my sentences and cut out some major parts of the presentations, so sometimes it looked like I didn’t have much to say. They made it look like I was the leader for the Trends Page challenge, but that wasn’t true - I just did the most work so we could get it done.

SO! : We’re sure you’re tired of hearing it, but, for the record, should Kate have been eliminated?

C: Are you kidding me? It was such a joke. They didn’t put it in the show, but the cast took a poll of who they thought would win the competition and I was the winner. Everyone knew Kate should have gone home.

SO! : Just for kicks, if you had to be stuck on a desert island with one other Stylista, who would it be and why?

C: Either William or Ashlie - they’re both amazing. William is absolutely hilarious and Ashlie is so talented.

SO!: We heard that you started your own line since the show. Care to plug?

C: Yes! It’s called Oh de Cologne, and right now it features five dresses and crystal cologne bottle necklaces. Pieces are only available online right now, but I’m working on getting them into stores.

In honor of one of our fave Monday night shows Gossip Girl we bring you the Angelic Headband in Silver as today’s Fashion Find. Not only does this sweet and polished look work for Blair Waldorf on Gossip Girl, but it looks equally as chic on actresses like Sophia Bush for red carpet events.

Shop SeenON! for this fab headband - and come back tomorrow for another great Fashion Find!

It wouldn’t seem like Kim Raver – who stands at a model-esque 5’8” – needs towering platforms with every outfit. But if this is what it takes to look as amazing as she does in every frame, we’ll look into it.

Here’s what we found, thanks to SeenON: In last night’s episode, Raver (as Nico Reilly) wears these Brian Atwood sandals ($680) in on-trend purple, and Dior’s calfskin peep-toes ($590). They’re both gorgeous, but the upwards-of-$500 shoe market isn’t where we usually fall.

To get the look of Nico’s purple patent platforms without the price tag, try these Chinese Laundry sandals ($80). They’re chunkier than the Brian Atwood ones, but that really just means you’ll be able to walk in these.

These Nine West slingbacks ($56) provide the luxe textured look of Nico’s Dior pumps, along with a 4” lift and that same peep toe to show off your pedicure.

One pair whose price tag doesn’t send us running: Nico’s Calvin Klein platform pumps , available on Amazon for $104 – a pretty good deal for a pair of interesting but staple-worthy, walkable work shoes.

You can also see this post at Shefinds blog, and don’t forget shop our Lipstick Jungle page for fabulous pieces from last night’s episode.