We said farewell to Ashlie in this week’s episode of Stylista. It was ultimately getting knocked again for not editing down photos that led to her elimination. But we wanted to get her perspective on how things went down. Check out this exclusive interview as Ashlie tells it like it is.

SeenON!: How did you hear about Stylista?

Ashlie: My boss at Armani told me about it. He heard what they were looking for and said “This is you to a ‘T’.” Even though I had missed the auditions, I still got an opportunity to interview, and they liked me!

SO!: Who inspires you most fashion-wise?

A: From the show - Brett, the photo director, and Lina, an editor at Elle. Brett’s style is very rocker while Lina’s is very Sarah Jessica Parker. Also, I love Rihanna’s style - it’s so fun and definitely not cookie cutter pop star.

SO!: You were knocked for editing in the Model Behavior challenge with Kate, and we see it again here with Dyshaun. What gives?

A: I said from the start that I would only be responsible for the copy. Dyshaun was responsible for the photos and he added way too many. Sure there was a typo in the copy, but he used the excess photos as a strategy to put the poor editing on me.

SO!: If you can change one move you made in the competition, what would it be?

A: Going into that room, I wish the first thing I would have said is “I’m not responsible for the photos on this page.” Ha! Other than that, I don’t have a whole lot of regrets from the show.

SO!: In a conversation with Johanna, Kate said she refuses to dress like the other girls at Elle. What stereotypes do you think you’ve broken? What’s new that you bring to the table?

A: I think I broke the stereotype of the black girl being the diva. I am not Omarosa, I’m not confrontational and I think I represented myself well on the show.

SO!: What are you doing now? Do you keep in touch with anyone from the show?

A: I’m working for Calvin Klein in fabrics and production. I keep in touch with William, Cologne and Jason - a little with Johanna, but not Kate or Megan.

SO!: Who do you think will win and why?

A: It could be any of them - they’re all capable. But I think if she pulls her resources and knowledge together, it will be Johanna.

SO!: What’s next for you?

A: I’m writing for Elle’s blog and I’m getting ready to start my own business in fashion. I’ll be launching a headband line soon so make sure to look out for that!

SO!: Do you have any advice for those trying to break into the industry?

A: Get part-time internships and build up as much experience as you can. Take freelance work and focus on building up a portfolio.

Hopefully those Stylista fans who may have missed an episode caught up with everything on the recap show last week.

Last night’s new episode was a welcome return to the Elle offices where Ashlie, Megan, Dyshaun, Johanna, and Kate prepared for their next challenge.

Assistant’s Challenge:

The remaining five Stylistas were given their assistant’s task: Prepare a room for a supermodel Maggie Rizer and her dogs for her visit to New York for a photo shoot. With $300 dollars in hand the model’s list of items requested the Stylistas set off to prepare the best suite. We honestly thought Kate who seemed to zoom past everyone else and get everything on the list would win. However, it was Dyshaun who chose to focus on quality not quantity when picking which items to get who Maggie Rizer chose as the winner. He was also smart enough to keep the food on the low table wrapped so her dogs wouldn’t eat it.

Editorial Challenge

Dyshaun chose the teams for the editorial challenge where the team would style, create, and direct a shoot for an Elle layout. In the same formula that everyone has used in previous episodes, Dyshaun tries to eliminate a strong competitor (Ashlie) by putting her with the weakest perceived competitor (Kate).

Honestly, based on the shoot and the chemistry within the team we were conviced Team One’s Ashlie and Kate would win with their 80’s inspired colorfest. Team Two, led by Dyshaun, seemed to keep it too basic with their shoot and layout and we assumed they would chastised for this by Anne and Joe.

Eliminations

After a heated argument where Dyshaun and Kate had a war of words over Kate’s refusal to help name a hairstlist for the layout credits(can you blame her?), it was time for eliminations. We must say were all on pins and needles wondering who would rule in the boardroom.

Ultimately, although Anne and Joe wish that Team Two would have taken more chances they felt the layout was very “Elle” and was cohesive. Ashlie’s decision to have multiple pictures on a page, as well as the overworked concept, was criticized and Team Two won the challenge. Ashlie and Kate faced eliminations. Depsite, Kate’s plea that Team Two never checked in with their hair and makeup team during the shoot she was not saved from being eliminated and was told by Anne she was not the “right fit” .

Kate left on a good note, thanking Anne and Joe for all she learned and happily carrying her banker’s box into the office. We’re not certain but we can bet she won’t miss Dyshaun.

What happens when you mix crazy Elle hopefuls, Anne Slowey, and a Supermodel together. You guessed it! Mayhem. Watch the preview for tonight’s Stylista above and be prepared to root for your fave Stylista. As always come back tomorrow to vote in our Stylista Poll.

SeenON! : What was it like to watch the show last night?

Danielle: I was watching it last night with a pillow over my face, so I was hearing it more as opposed to watching it.

SO!: What was the most difficult part to watch?

D: Inside the Elle closet. They made it a lot more dramatic than it was. But I knew they would try and do that. What you didn’t see was that after Malinda gave us the challenge we ate lunch. I got really sick and my stomach hurt worse than it ever has. It is also hot in the office and we can’t open the window because of the sound. So I was in pain and hot and I was supposed to find something in the Elle closet. It was stressful.

SO!: We thought it was interesting that you confronted Ashlie and Johanna about how you felt about body image.

D: I was extremely fed up.It might have been unfair how I did it, but I needed them to know how I felt. Johanna was the one who made me feel the worse always walking around the house talking about how one’s body should be like a coat hanger.

SO!: Given that Johanna was the leader and it appeared you and Kate split most the work, many people were surprised you went home and not Johanna.

I thought it was going to be me and Kate [up for eliminations].When I realized it was me and Johanna I knew I was going home. Kate gives good television, and Johanna is your visual representation of what Elle is.

If you base it on the challenges; I mean I won three challenges in a row. I definitely think I earned Anne and Joe’s respect. I don’t feel like [Anne] wanted me to go home. But there are many things that go into deciding who goes home.

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

Well everyone moved to the city but Kate. I live here and grew up here. Everyone invaded my city. I love Kate. She has been the most supportive to me with everything that has happened after the show. I do not speak to Johanna, and Megan and I can be civil.

SO!:How did you learn about Stylista?

D: Well I’ve always been a writer. I was in school for writing. I wanted to work in magazines. But I had to leave school. I was at a fashion after party with an ex boyfriend and someone approached me and told me about the show. I had to jump through hoops to get on the show. They were many interviews and other things we had to do. I had to break out of my comfort zone immediately. if I had heard about this on the radio or seen it on the TV I may not have tried out.

SO!: What’s your advice for people trying to break into the business

D:I would tell people to try and get an internship. I would also tell them to use common sense because a lot of people in the industry don’t use common sense. Also if you get the chance to do the reality show, I say do it. I don’t regret going on the show. I would do it a million times over.

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?