Last Wednesday night more than 50 Hotwire Coffee customers and employees crowded into a shallow room at the Ginomai arts center to watch one of their own compete on Bravo's popular television show "Project Runway."

Richard "Blayne" Walsh, a 23-year-old Yakima native has worked at West Seattle's Hotwire Coffee for two and a half years. He took a break this spring after he was selected among thousands of applicants to participate in the fashion design competition.

"I was at the point where I was in the same routine," Blayne said. "I watched the show and had always talked about applying and I thought 'Why not?'"

Blayne's design experience began in 2003 when he attended the Art Institute of Seattle on a fashion design scholarship.

"I knew around graduation that he was going to make it big," said Maggie Edwards, Blayne's administration advisor. "He is one of my top five students that I've ever worked with."

Anyone who's ever been to Hotwire has probably seen Blayne in his bright red beanie, dancing to techno music and trying to convince others to join him.

"He's really energetic," said Jessica Jones, a fellow barista at Hotwire. "He's one of those people who puts everyone in a good mood."

Around Hotwire coffee, Blayne's appearance on the show was no surprise. The barista is known for his colorful, edgy street wear.

"His fashion is very approachable to a lot of age groups. It's Urban Street, but it has a refinement about it," said Lora Lewis owner of Hotwire Coffee.

The Hotwire shop itself is a reflection of Blayne's style. The artist painted the walls of the shop bright, golden yellow with neon-turquoise windows and doors and black trim. Some of his artwork, charcoal drawings on cardboard, are posted for sale.

Many Hotwire customers have commissioned him to design them original garments or create visual art of their loved ones.

Although only one episode has aired at the time of this article, Blayne has already stood out among contestants on the show as a risk taker.

The first episode challenged Blayne and his competitors to make a garment solely from items found in a grocery store. The Seattleite produced a brightly colored, and sensationally small outfit he titled "girl-licious" from jump rope, shoe laces, shelf liners and windshield wipers.

"It was weird to start with such an unconventional challenge," Blayne said. "It really didn't showcase who we are as designers."

Initially confident, Blayne finished his dress first and matter-of-factly declared, "I said I was gonna dominate, and I am."

While his energetic personality and love for tanning were endlessly entertaining to many West Seattle viewers, Blayne's first design didn't score well with the judges and he was almost sent home.

"I'm very conceptual," Blayne said. "A lot of people aren't ready for the stuff that I do but a lot of people rock my stuff, no question."

Those who know Blayne well believe that his personality will help him be successful on the show as much as his talent.

"People will appreciate the person that comes with his designs," Lewis said.

Watching the first episode with his family in Yakima, Blayne says the first episode captured his personality perfectly.

"I felt like I was witty and funny, just like I am (in person,)" Blayne said. "I'm going to stay true to myself."

Back in Seattle, the designer is serving coffee at Hotwire once again. On his first day back, frequent customers joyfully greeted their favorite barista and congratulated him on the show.

"I love Hotwire so much!" Blayne said. "I love my community and I love connecting with people. I like stepping out of the fashion world so I can have some normalcy."

What's in store next week? Although Blayne cannot reveal how the season will play out he promises lots more drama in the next episode.

"You'll see a lot more of who we area as designers on the next show," Blayne said. "Seattle's going to love it."

Rose Egge may be reached at 932.0300 or rosee@robinsonnews.com