The Insider.com

Kenley Collins is back on Project Runway, but her attitude isn't.

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The season 5 designer, who gained a pretty rank reputation both on-screen and off, has stepped back in front of the cameras for Project Runway: All Stars. And Kenley claims that while she's the same designer, she's a totally new person.

Insider.com: First off, were you apprehensive about returning to reality TV given the not-so-great first experience you had?
Kenley Collins: I know, I know [laughs]. I didn't want to do it at first but, in the end, I just said why not – I decided to put myself back out there and do my thing. It was a good way to get myself back out there. Plus, I have grown a lot [since 2008] and that's one of the reasons why I wanted to be on the show again. You'll see a big change in me -- and my designs.

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Insider: Are you not as retro-obsessed anymore?
Kenley: It's very similar. I can't escape my love for vintage and prints and colors. I'll never change that, but things have cleaned up a lot. You'll see a more mature designer – but it's still fun and fresh and very Kenley.

Insider: Project Runway reruns are inescapable -- what do you think about Kenley circa season five?
Kenley: I just think she is a girl who really knows what she wants but doesn't know about getting it in the right way [laughs].

Insider: Would you say you were less competitive this time around?
Kenley: Totally. I wasn't as crazy about the competition. I just laid back and did my own thing. I know I'm not competing with designers who have totally different aesthetics now – there's completely different markets out there for our work. Some people definitely got a little competitive but this time around I really stayed true to what I do and just did my thing.

Insider: How do the challenges compare to your season?
Kenley: It was just as hard – it's never easy. It's always tough in that environment. You do feel a competitive pressure come out but I think it was equal in terms of difficulty. The big difference is that I was much better prepared on how to handle it this time around. I'm not as extreme. At least that was the way that I feel.

Project Runway: All Stars premieres tonight at 9 p.m. on Lifetime.