run way READY Queens designers compete in ‘Project Runway All-Stars’ Some of Project Runway’s most accomplished designers will compete on the Lifetime show’s All-Stars season next week and two of those stars have ties to Queens. Astoria’s Sam Donovan, 25, a contestant on “Under the Gunn” and Ridgewood’s Alexander Pope, 40, who competed on season 12 of the show, are both back to show off their design skills on “Project Runway All-Stars,” which is set to air on Feb. 11. Donovan, who lived in Astoria before moving to Hamburg, Germany last month, said his interest in fashion design began at an early age. “I think I’ve always been interested in fashion design,” Donovan said. “I was always designing costumes for the barbies I stole from my sister.” He moved to Astoria after college and said he loved the neighborhood feel. “I had a really beautiful window that looked out into Astoria,” Donovan said. “It was my favorite apartment that I’ve ever lived in and my favorite neighborhood.” The Parsons School of Design graduate has been working toward a fashion career since he was 16-years-old and applied to be on the show after he was disqualified from presenting at panels for his senior thesis because he did not finish his pieces on time. Donovan incorporates sustainable design elements into his work and was using a type of construction process called the zero waste pattern design ― no fabric is wasted in the making of a piece, which “takes forever.” Since he was not able to present his work at school, Donovan applied for “Under the Gunn” instead. After the show, Donovan did freelance work and presented his work at shows in Boston. He was working as a designer for Macy’s when he got a call from the show producers to request his presence on “Project Runway All-Stars.” By Angela Matua
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