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by: jasongutierrez
photo credits: mikeruiz, barbaranitke Somewhere between New York City and a traffic-congested area of New Jersey, Tim Gunn, Chair of the Fashion Design Department at Parsons The New School for Design, is thinking about balancing a busy schedule. As horns are honking and sirens wailing, you’d think Gunn was on set of the next Will Smith blockbuster action film. “What is that police car doing? Good heavens, I feel like we are in some third world country... it’s New Jersey, there you go.” Rushing from here to there is nothing new for the fashion guru turned reality TV star. The recently published author of A Guide to Quality, Taste, and Style, which he co-wrote with Kate Moloney, the assistant chair at Parsons, is famous, friendly, and extremely well spoken. Easily, Gunn could be called an encyclopedia of fashion knowledge and style advice, and putting his expertise on paper was something he had always wanted to do. However, timing for the project was never in alignment with his busy schedule. When the opportunity presented itself, it took some personal convincing to seize the moment.
“I’ve had the idea of a book in my mind ever since I became the chair of the department of fashion,” Gunn says. “I was thinking more of a fashion history book of a different type and variety. I wasn’t thinking of this particular reiteration of a make-over book. I probably would have never sought out this opportunity considering how busy I was and am, but once there was a vote of confidence and a little bit of prodding I thought, “’I’ll do it, but not without Kate.’”
The book is a hit and Gunn has been on a whirlwind tour of the country, meeting and greeting his fans. While the subject matter of Gunn’s book revolves around women’s fashion, the pressing question is—what about the guys?
“I’d like to (write a men’s fashion advice book),” he says. “In fact, we are already talking about it. I’m not sure when it will be, but I can honestly say, it won’t be in the next few months, but very possibly this fall or winter.”
Gunn’s fame once centered on his exposure from Project Runway. Since then, he has graced the covers of magazines nationwide and with the release of his first book, Gunn was catapulted into a multifaceted realm of stardom.
“Well I think me being a star is pushing it,” Gunn says laughing, “If I am a star, I’m a television star and I never dreamed of such a thing, never. All of this happened after I turned 50. I arrived in New York at 30. I was on a certain trajectory and loving it. I had never dreamed of this. When we did the first season of Project Runway I never dreamed we’d have a season two. I just thought, this has been fun and now onward.”
Onward was right. Casting and preparation for Project Runway’s fourth season started in April, and Gunn says he is delighted.
The difference between “TV” Gunn and the “real” Gunn, is his outstanding personality and willingness to laugh out loud. Although he says there is some intentional censoring on Project Runway, Gunn finds the loopholes, primarily his body language and classic motto, “make it work.”
“There are more dimensions to me than you see on the show,” Gunn says. “That’s the calm, even-keeled educator and let me tell you, I have my moments.”
When approached on the street because of the fame that he so modestly claims, Gunn says his fans are very flattering and endearing. “People assume that I am very accessible and that they do know me because of the show and I find it very flattering.”
While Gunn has had the comfort of co-stars on Project Runway, it’s time he shines on his own. Currently in the works at Bravo, Gunn is going to be starring in a new reality show based off his new book. Long story short, Gunn is going to have his own makeover show, but not in the traditional sense. It’s unscripted and captures spontaneous interaction. He says, “... it’s not a prescription, I’m not choosing clothes for someone in a dressing room waiting for them to come out and show us how they look. It’s more fashion therapy than anything.”
Still the idea of being in front of the camera, solo, gives Gunn butterflies.
“Oh that whole thing, I’m telling you, has my stomach in knots. This could be the worst time to talk to me about it, just because I fear the unknown more than anything else,” he says. “I felt similarly before we first started Runway and then similarly after we finished because I didn’t know what it was going to look like.”
Nerves aside, Gunn is an elegant gentleman; his color choice is simple, his style is refined and well thought out. Though it will be a rarity to see him in jeans and a t-shirt, you’ll never catch him in jeans and flip-flops. He says style comes down to personal taste and point of view.
“Style can be good, it can be bad and it can be ugly,” he says. “Style doesn’t mean something is necessarily good, but there’s something there. A t-shirt for me isn’t style, but a t-shirt that is embroidered in some way can be style. It’s certainly individualized. I’d like to think we’d all subscribe to high style and good taste and to the best quality. That’s not going to happen but it spices life up.”
Matter-of-factly he says a man’s wardrobe is quite simple when it comes to looking professional. A man must have a proper suit, a good sport coat and overcoat. We can’t forget the comfortable loafer and classic lace-up shoes either. “For men, these are basic things, but if you look in my closet almost everything is black... ties are good to have, but then again ties are so individualized according to taste, point of view and what you do.”
It’s in the details that men’s fashion takes shape. He says the cut of the suit and the fit is what will make you stand out from the norm. While Gunn believes spending money for quality is good, when it comes to practical items, like underwear, not everything has to be pricey.
“I didn’t have time to do laundry (while traveling) and I knew what my schedule was and knew I wouldn’t have time to do my laundry so I needed a few pairs of underwear,” he says. “I ran into Saks Fifth Avenue and picked up socks, three pairs of underpants and one undershirt, the bill was about $260. It was a surgical strike to pay that much, I was in a state of shock and guess what, they weren’t that comfortable. So much for thinking I had purchased the cashmere of cotton for that price.”
Another bit of advice Gunn shares—always try things on. When it comes to outlet shopping, Gunn notes that some companies make clothing specifically for the outlet stores so the sizes are a little different. Although regular stores aren’t always exact in sizes either.
“I was in a Lucky Jeans store and depending on the cut of the jeans and the style, I went from a 32 waist to a 31 and in one cut a 30 waist. That’s quite a range,” he says.
At the end of a long day in the classroom or on the set, Gunn is just a normal guy. Alternating between Bravo and Food Network to relax, he finds his therapy and release.
“I can’t imagine life without design,” he says. “Well, if someone would say, I can’t have anything to do with design, then I’d like to run a bookstore...”
Fashion and books, what more could a guy want? {EM} |
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