I’ve said before that I’m so lucky to have so many wonderfully creative people right here in my backyard in Minnesota. One of them is Samantha Rei.

She’s a designer with a true sense of style. Her website explains, “Samantha Rei draws her inspiration from such illustrators as Chris Riddell, Brom, Tony DiTerlizzi, Brett Helquist and Mihara Mitsukazu as well as stories like Alice in Wonderland and Snow White. Her hero Alexander McQueen along with designers Vivienne Westwood, Hirooka Naoto, John Galliano, and Anna Sui have all influenced her style.”

You know your girl had to interview her! Take a listen to our chat on Very Vogue with Val Kleinhans.

If she looks familiar, it’s because you probably know her from season 16 of Project Runway.

Samantha continues to do big things. Keep an eye on her Instagram! She’s been killing it with the lives lately.