"Project Runway's" first winner and most popular contestant, Jay McCarroll, is showcasing his design collection during New York's Fashion Week.

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Eighteen months after winning the first edition of the Bravo reality show, McCarroll is in the big leagues. He told the New York Post he has a love-hate relationship with the fashion industry.

"I hate it. Oh god. Just mean people. Shallow. Their intentions are not right," McCarroll said. "It's all about using and abusing and quicker and faster and cheaper."

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But he doesn't hate everything about the industry.

"Marc Jacobs -- love him. Think he's great. He's mysterious," McCarroll said. "People love his clothes, he has an aesthetic, he rips from everybody -- I love him."

He also said he loves Alexander McQueen.

"Same thing (as me): His father's a taxicab driver. He has a passion for what he's doing. Fat kid makes good," McCarroll said.

Regardless of how he feels about fashion industry leaders, McCarroll said he has to be involved because he is new.

"Project Runway" guru Tim Gunn put him down for not having a collection by age 29. And supermodel and "Runway" host Heidi Klum told NBC's Jay Leno that McCarroll designed Halloween costumes.