On The Rachel Zoe Project, only your work life was in front of the cameras. How has it been baring everything for Bravo, on your own show?
"At first, Gary (my boyfriend) was just going to pop in and out and be a side character, but the producers made it about our lives. I love how we were portrayed — it was very realistic, and we remind many people of a married couple — we love each other, but we fight. The best compliments I receive are from straight guys who stop me on the street and say how much they love me and Gary together. During Fashion Week, there were truck drivers shouting out of their windows at me that they love the show. Ha!"

But is the stress of life on camera ever just too much for you?
"I was bullied every day of my school life, but I came out of it and got to where I wanted to be. Seeing the suicide rates today, I really want people to take away from the show that you can do whatever you want to do. I was in a very dark place for ten years, and I think that makes me stronger because I can handle missing a FedEx package, or if someone didn't like how I was dressed. Like, come on, fashion is a joke compared to what I've been through!"

Photography by Mike Rosenthal