Miami contestants close to end on Project Accessory

Let’s hear it for Miami! Of five left standing, two locals remain on Lifetime’s Project Accessory. Nina Cortes, who owns Nina Loren boutique in South Miami, and Brian Burkhardt, who owns Triian jewelry studio in Wynwood with his wife Trisha Brookbank. The 40-year-old Burkhardt, who grew up on Long Island, N.Y., has a slight advantage due to winning a key challenge last week on the Project Runway spinoff. Designer Kenneth Cole chose his designs — a supercool goatskin “Unicorn Clutch” and resin “Bolero Necklace’’ — to sell on kennethcole.com; 100 percent of net profits go to Cole’s foundation, AWEARNESS. The two pieces are available for preorder for $300 and $125, respectively, and hit stores in February. We talked to Brian, who is the father of a 7-month-old son, Oliver, about the challenge and juggling reality TV with real life.

How did you prepare for the challenge?

Kenneth Cole is an American staple and I felt like I wanted to create unique pieces that would add a little edge to his line, but not change his line. I wanted to create a look of a woman going away during the holiday season to Upstate New York. I guess you could call it “Adirondack chic.’’ It had the feeling of someone who was stylish traveling to a lodge, with the fireplace going, and taxidermy on the walls. The unicorn had kind of a playful element to it, a sense of mystery. That was the visual I had in my head.

Sounds like you miss the winter. I like it but only when I know I can back to Miami. I can go visit the cold!

How are things going in your studio?

Triian is not so much of a storefront but more of a workroom. It’s a mix of both our names. My wife and I manufacture and design everything there. So all the pieces are 100 percent handmade but are accessible. We have a baby boy, so it’s hard but it’s all worth it.

Obviously you can’t say if you won, but how was it being on the show?

The experience alone of was really amazing and I still keep in touch with many of the people. The caliber and energy of that group blew me away. With that said, it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, hands down. Just super draining. It was actually more intense than the way it was filmed. I just thought, ‘Oh, it’ll be easy. We’re going to take a break, they’ll set up the cameras now, sit down and have a cup of coffee,’ but no. I’d eat at 1:30 in the morning because I just wouldn’t have time.’’

This story was originally published December 14, 2011 at 4:12 AM with the headline "Miami contestants close to end on Project Accessory."