Utah woman gets chance to walk the 'Project Runway'

LAYTON — You might think that the prospect of appearing on a popular reality show watched by millions of viewers would be a little daunting.

But for Utahn McKell Maddox, the really intimidating part of being on "Project Runway" was meeting mentor Tim Gunn.

"It was so exciting to see Tim Gunn because I am just so in love with that man," said McKell, who first met him when she was called in for an audition for the show. "I was so star-struck when I saw him. I just blew it because I was so nervous."

Well, she couldn't have blown it too badly because, of the thousands who applied to be on the show, Maddox was one of 17 who made it. And the Utah designer was thrilled when she got the news.

"It was so exciting. It was kind of unreal," she said. "There were just so many emotions. My family was so excited."

The Utah native — a graduate of Layton High and The Academy of Art University in San Francisco — has been a painter, a ballet company seamstress and a design assistant for Jeremy Scott. She'd love nothing more than to launch her own line.

(You can check out her designs at mckellmaddox.com.)

And that's nothing new for the 29-year-old wife and mother.

"I loved clothes from birth. I was just constantly drawing," Maddox said. "I was always changing my clothes. I would paint on my clothes. I would get my grandma to sew designs. For as long as I can remember."

Which is why she could hardly control her excitement when she learned she was going to be a contestant on "Project Runway."

"I was beside myself," Maddox said. "I was so excited — and a little sad because I was going to leave behind my baby girl."

(Maude is 9 months old.)

And Maddox is no newcomer to the "Project Runway" phenomenon, either.

"I think I've seen every episode. I am a complete addict," Maddox said.

And she admits to being a bit flustered as she advanced through the show's audition process.

"My husband and I went, 'Oh! We get to meet Tim Gunn! He's coming to our home!' " she said with a laugh.

And the chief creative officer at Liz Claiborne Inc. and popular "Project Runway" mentor was everything she hoped.