Molly Sims Talks 'Project Accessory' Drama, Jewelry Tips & Wedding Bling

We've long been "Project Runway" addicts (and still keep tabs on some of our favorite alums, such as Chris March and Christian Siriano). So we were psyched to learn that series spawned a spinoff called "Project Accessory," in which contestants design baubles, bags and other accoutrements. The format is similar -- Molly Sims steps into Heidi Klum's ultrastylish shoes as host, while In Style editor Ariel Foxman and designer Kenneth Cole play judges. And a rotating cast of guest judges includes Debra Messing, Kelly Osbourne and Jenna Lyons. We caught up with Sims for the scoop on the show, which premieres on Lifetime this Thursday night at 10:30 EST.

Why did you want to host "Project Accessory"?
I love the competitive aspect and the creativity that you see from all the designers. I have an accessories line and I'm a huge fan of shoes and handbags and jewelry, and those are the three categories. The trick is, they have to be competent in all three. The challenges are so difficult and they have such a limited budget. It's like "make three things out of sand!" One designer made the most incredible necklace out of rat traps. And so seeing things like that, getting that vibe, is awesome.

What kind of drama can we look forward to on the show?
I think anytime you stick 12 designers in a room for three weeks with no communication with the outside world you're going to get a little drama. We have men and women of all ages, and it was interesting to see who would help who. Some people were leather designers so they were great at making handbags, but they weren't great at making jewelry. So, it was interesting who paired up and who didn't help anybody. You've got your criers and the ones who get angry and ones who didn’t listen to the mentor. And then you've got the ones who didn't finish the challenge.

What are the biggest challenges of creating accessories versus clothing?
Working with metals, working with resin, working with fine jewelry. The materials are very different. Normally with clothes, you're working with fabric and maybe with leather, but with this you can be working with anything -- you can be working with rocks or whatever materials you find on the floor. Bending copper and bronze and creating a gold cuff that wraps up your arm -- that's pretty difficult to make in a day.

What was the craziest project on the show?
There were some fingers bleeding. There were some blowtorches involved. For the first challenge, we bought these storage units, but the contestants have no idea what's in them and whatever they get out of those bins is exactly what they get to use.

What's your rule to accessorize by?
Know where you're going; know what you're doing. Don't mix boho with a classic pearl. Either go rocker chic, or go elegant and cool, or go boho. I think that's the best trick for women -- when they dress in theme and don't mix themes so that half your body is going one place and your lower half is going another. A good rule: If you take your hand and put it on your wrist, don't go higher than that with the number of bracelets you wear. Then it looks like you're wearing jewelry all the way up your arm. And I love mixing metals. A lot of women don’t know how to wear it, so I would say get a bracelet that's gold and silver or get a watch that's multicolored and then you can wear both.

What accessory do you wear every day?
My wedding ring.

Speaking of your recent nuptials, how did you accessorize for the big day?
I wore Lorraine Schwartz -- this amazing gray flower made of gray diamonds. And I wore a dragonfly that was made of gray diamonds as well. And these dusty pink diamonds with a little bronze to them -- droplets encrusted with pink diamonds.

What's one accessory every woman should own?
Probably some type of gold chain. I'm not saying look like Mr. T, but a beautiful gold bracelet or necklace that looks great with anything. It looks great with a pair of jeans and a T-shirt, or with a simple black dress. And a great pair of stilettos. Try not to make them too platformy, because you can look like a hooker really easily. And in terms of a bag, get something not too big but not too small. Don't go too big, because you won't wear it out at night. If you go midsize, it's good because you're not bringing your whole desk and kitchen with you. But, I also yelled at someone and was like, "There is no way I'd take that purse. It doesn't even fit a room key."

Like "Project Runway," the show's judges include a magazine editor and designer. Who tends to be the greater diva, editors or designers?
Ariel Foxman is so knowledgeable. He was a great addition, because he sees everything and he really knows that woman who wears high-end but also wears low-end. He can tell the designers, "Would I put this in my magazine and would women wear it?" He's inundated with articles and knowledge. Sometimes designers get caught up in who they're designing for, and I think you have to be broader. You may like this look, but some women don’t go for that and they would rather go for another look. When you have a designer, it's from their point of view. I don’t know who's the biggest diva.

"Project Runway" is known for having spawned some choice catchphrases. Do you have one?
I'm from the south, so I'm definitely not going to be saying Auf Wiedersehen. I might say "Bye y'all, you're out," but no.