SO the beloved Tim Gunn of Project Runway has taken up hosting duties — sans Heidi Klum — on another Lifetime fashion reality show during Project Runway’s Season 13 hiatus while Klum meets her hosting obligations on Germany’s Next Top Model. This new series, titled Under The Gunn, premiered last Thursday night, and features everyone’s favourite ‘Make It Work’ mentor in the driver’s seat aided by three designer mentors who have all come through the ranks of the Project Runway machinery. Most recognisable of the three to us here in the Caribbean is the Trinibagonian Anya Ayoung Chee, who joins fellow mentors Mondo Guerra and Nick Verreos. They’ve already shown their ability to hold their own as contestants in a competitive environment courtesy of Project Runway, now they must prove who possesses the best business acumen to steer a design label and manage 15 up-and-coming designers-contestant placed under their collective watch. There’s $100,000k at stake!

SO catches up with Anya Ayoung Chee in Los Angeles mere hours before the Lifetime Televison show Tim Gunn describes as “Project Runway meets The Voice”.

Style Observer (SO): Tell us about the call for Under The Gunn.

Anya Ayoung Chee (AAC): The initial call last year October from Project Runway executive producer Sara Rea was all very vague. In fact, I had already turned down the opportunity to do Project Runway All Stars.

SO: Why?

AAC: I didn’t want to go back. I felt that I had done that and wanted to focus on my two lines. The subsequent call in November gave me more information and I felt that this was another great opportunity for me.

SO: Why do you think the three of you were chosen?

AAC: There were many members of the Project Runway alumni that were considered for Under The Gunn, but I think the three of us were shortlisted due to our popularity among Project Runway fans and how we resonated with audiences. I also feel the producers selected us based on their own expectations that we had a clarity of point of view to guide the designer hopefuls in positive ways.

SO: What can we expect from Under The Gunn?

AAC: Essentially, Under The Gunn is a fashion competition reality show very much in the vein of Project Runway, but where Tim was the mentor on Project Runway, we three are the mentors on this show so it expands complexity of the format. Not only are the up-and-coming designers competing, but we are as well. We also get a lot more contact time with the contestants than Tim ever had with us on Project Runway.

SO: How does it feel to be working with a different side of Tim Gunn?

AAC:Tim Gunn is one of the most incredible persons I have ever met. I knew that since I was on Project Runway, but being on Under The Gunn affords us the opportunity and access to be something like protégées to him, and he in turn mentors us to be better mentors to the contestants. Everyone knows he’s the ultimate mentor, so to be guided by him is an absolute honour.

SO: And to be on the other side of the camera?

AAC: Technically, I’m still on the same side of the camera but in a manner of speaking, I’m on the other side of the work table. And that experience has been exhilarating, challenging, and has placed me in a very vulnerable position however it is a place that has taught me to harness skills I didn’t even know I had. Additionally, I get to witness the magic of creation, right before my eyes.

SO: With the 13 series wrapped, What’s next for you?

AAC: Trinidad & Tobago Carnival is coming up and I’m typically engaged in a range of projects. This year I have launched the cANYAval Experience, which includes the cANYAvalshop.com, an e-commerce site for all things Carnival and there’s also a pop-up shop, a physical version of the online shop, which will open in the week leading up to Carnival. I’ll also be throwing the 3rd Annual cANYAval Fete on March 1st and 2014 marks my third year designing for the Cheyenne section of the band Tribe. For the rest of the year my focus will be on the continued development of my lines ANYA and my secondary line PILAR, which can both be purchased on anyaayoungchee.com.

SO: What’s your 2014 style tip for the Caribbean woman?

AAC: Whether it’s 2014, 1985, 2035 my style tip remains constant: Express who you truly are through what you wear.

SO: What are your thoughts on Lupita Nyong’o, who stunned at the Golden Globes in that vermilion red cape Ralph Lauren gown?

AAC: Lupita actually wanted to wear something of mine back before she was famous. We’ve not been able to do that yet, but, hopefully it can happen in the near future. It would be fabulous if she could wear an ANYA design this year (laughs) but if I had to go with another designer I would love to see her in a Haider Ackermann — it would be a fabulous look on her. She looks stunning in everything!

SO: Who else would you like to dress this year?

AAC: Tessanne Chin, of course — hopefully soon!