Project Runway is back, ready to ``make it work, people.''

And this time Floridians have one of their own to cheer on: Pompano Beach native Kenley Collins, one of a new crop of designers battling it out in the reality series' fifth season, 9 p.m. Wednesdays on Bravo. Guest judges this season include Diane Von Furstenberg, Sandra Bernhard, Brooke Shields, RuPaul and Rachel Zoe.

We caught up with Collins by phone. She's 25, a Florida State grad, daughter of a tugboat captain, now a Brooklyn resident and, who knows, maybe the next Coco Chanel, one of her idols.

Pompano Beach isn't exactly Fashion Central. Where did you get your inspiration growing up?

``It's more like Retirement Central. There was this one cool vintage boutique called Jasmin's. I went to a lot of thrift stores, Goodwill and Salvation Army.

``When I was a teenager, I started reconstructing vintage [clothing]. Three years ago, I started [designing] from scratch.''

When did you leave Florida?

``When I was 21, I moved straight to Manhattan with no job. I started managing a restaurant in the West Village. And then I got a job in sales for Missy Wear.''

What's Missy Wear?

``It's like, really cheesy old women's clothes. They promoted me to a design position. I was creative with embroidery. I got a lot of experience in mass-market women's wear.''

How did you nail the Project audition?

``After Missy Wear, I started my own line, and then I started teaching sewing. I think [the judges] loved that. And I had a good, cohesive line put together. I do party dresses.''

The show's pre-recorded. How did it go?

``You're running on no sleep and cranking out designs. It was stressful. But it was an awesome experience.''

-- KATHRYN WEXLER

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