St. Croix native is 'HGTV Design Star' in the making
Published: June 11, 2010
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Photo courtesy of HGTV Alex Sanchez to compete on “HGTV Design Star.”
St. Croix native Alex Sanchez makes his television debut this weekend as a contestant on the fifth season of “HGTV Design Star” when the series premiere airs at 10 p.m. Sunday on Home and Garden Television.
The St. Croix Educational Complex graduate says he has always been a creative type. As a child, he was happier building things out of the popsicle sticks and glue his father bought him rather than playing with toys.
“I knew whatever I did it would center around homes,” Sanchez said.
Creativity runs in the Sanchez family. For many years, his father, Hugh Sanchez, had a hand in designing the Festival costumes for the Sanchez and Associates Festival troupe, and his sister, Elisa Sanchez, puts her creativity to work as a civil engineer at V.I. Water and Power Authority.
The 26-year-old, who now resides in Washington, D.C., left the territory after high school to attend North Carolina A&T State University where he earned a degree in architectural engineering, graduating at the top of his class. While in school, he earned money designing custom tattoos and T-shirts, and helping friends redecorate their rooms using thrift store finds.
“Times were very tight when I was in college, so I used my artistic ability to make it through,” he said.
Sanchez says he has been a fan of “HGTV Design Star” since the first season, so when he saw the call to apply for the fifth season he just decided to go for it.
“I felt like it was meant for me to do,” he said.
In his designs, he says his Caribbean background is evident in the “punches of color” he uses, as well as his sense of freedom, something he inherited from his parents, who often break the rules of design to find what works for them.
On the show, Sanchez will be competing against 11 other contestants from across the U.S., with backgrounds ranging from interior designers to contractors, stylists, architects and artists.
Each week, the finalists will compete against each other in challenges that test their skills as designers.
The season was shot in New York City and features a panel of judges that includes HGTV designers Genevieve Gorder, Candice Olson and Vern Yip.
“HGTV Design Star” will air on Sundays for 11 weeks through Aug. 22. Beginning Monday, the show becomes interactive when audience members share their views about the show online at HGTV.com/designstar.
— Contact reporter Genevieve Ryan at 774-8772 ext. 340 or e-mail gryan@dailynews.vi.
