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3/12: Tim Gunn makes it work in Atlanta
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
ABOVE: Tim Gunn co-hosts a fashion show at Macy’s Wednesday night at Perimeter Mall with Liz Claiborne director of marketing Leah Caruso. PHOTO CREDIT: Rodney Ho
I got to catch a few minutes with the always engaging, uber-nice Tim Gunn, the fashion expert who helped propel Bravo’s “Project Runway” into a true pop culture phenomenon. He was at Macy’s Wednesday at Perimeter Mall on behalf of Liz Claiborne, hosting a practical fashion show with tips on how women can accessorize different pieces of clothing. He then spent two hours meeting and greeting with fans.
“It’s like waiting for Santa,” said Janet Patterson, a “Project Runway” acolyte and friend of mine who waited in line for more than an hour to meet him with no regrets.
ABOVE: Tiffany Mathis (left), 26, of Atlanta, works at Liz Claiborne Shoes and got a chance to meet Tim Gunn.
I informed him upfront that “Project Runway” a week earlier pulled in Bravo’s strongest ratings ever among 18 to 49 year olds at 3.75 million, up from 3.44 million for season three’s finale. (Overall ratings were down slightly from 5.36 million to 5.18 million.) Fierce 21-year-old Christian Siriano won over two very strong competitors. In fact, arguably, it was the strongest collection for Fashion Week to date. I noted how this season was less about the drama and more about the fashion and that this didn’t appear to hurt the show.
“I was really thrilled that these designers were so absorbed in their work that they weren’t thinking about catfighting,” Gunn said. “They had a sincere respect for each other. With impunity, this was the best season of ‘Project Runway’ in terms of quality and point of view.”
About Christian, who early on especially veered between confidence and arrogance: “I would alternately want to give him a big hug and smack him.”
At first, he said he was worried about Christian’s relative youth and inexperience. But in the end, he deemed him a “prodigy.” Last summer, he recommended that Christian get a business plan together and not wait until he won. “He’s very far along now,” Gunn said. “He’s already talked to Sevven on Six for Bryant Park this fall. That’s music to my ears.”
Gunn said he still loves Atlantan Mychael Knight, a finalist from season three. “He’s been diligent about moving forward,” Gunn said. “I know he’s been presented with a lot of opportunities. I’m not sure he’s zeroed in on what he wants. I will say as much as I love the fact he’s stayed in Atlanta, there is so much more available for him in New York. And I miss him. I wish he’d come to New York. He’s committed to being here.”
He’s not sure if Bravo will renew his makeover show “Tim Gunn’s Guide To Style,” which didn’t pull in the ratings that Bravo had probably expected.
If there is a second season, “I would creatively liked to approach it a little differently. I’m not unhappy with season one but I recognize what it could be. There would be more education and I’d get rid of the underwear drawer. I want to banish things that are unecessarily embarrassing for the subject. The journey is difficult enough.” Later, during a Q&A with the audience, he added: “It was horrible. Even I was weeping!”
One thing he learned: of the eight women, he said none of them wore the right size bra. “There’s a big veil of mystery over that,” he said. “Women need bra experts to make certain things are right. The right bra can improve carriage and posture and make not-so-great clothes better.”]
ABOVE: Tim Gunn watches runway model Leann.
As for his own fame, he’s cool with it. “It’s the most lovely thing in the world. When I first came on ‘Project Runway,’ I was a consultant. They were worried nobody would talk while they worked so they brought me in.”
Overall, “I’m blown away by the whole phenomenon. I’m riding the wave. I’m loving it. I know how rare it is. I’m not playing a character.”
He’s supportive of the Human Rights Campaign and GLAAD. I asked if he had met with part-time Atlantan Elton John. “I haven’t yet,” Gunn said. “I saw him at the Dreamworks party before the Oscars. I was way too starstruck to say hello. He was walking around with Cher!”
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By trp
March 13, 2008 8:39 AM | Link to this
Good post, Rodney. Tim Gunn is a huge part of PR’s success.
By LSG
March 13, 2008 8:50 AM | Link to this
Who cares?
By Bob
March 13, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this
yawn…..
By WTF
March 13, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this
I thought all that over coverage of The Regular Guys was boring…..that was exciting stuff compared to this project runway drivel. I have no doubt now….Rodney is gay.
By Babs McGlintock
March 13, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this
Tim Gunn is a class act. I’ve never seen his show, but kudos to him for taking the high road. Wish there were more of him around!
By Sophy
March 13, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this
Ignore the trolls Rodney & keep reporting on Project Runway! I (& a considerable number of friends) LOVE it!!!
By RLU
March 13, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this
I sure wish I had known he was going to be there!! I am a big fan of Project Runway and would have enjoyed meeting Tim. Keep up the coverage and I can’t wait for the new season!!
By grrtch
March 13, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this
Tim Gunn rocks! Rare that a reality show personality isn’t some attention grabbing narcissist. Besides, he has brought essential fashion info into the wider pop culture arena, quite a feat in this frumpy nation. He’s the face, the constant element on a consistently high rated show that’s enough of a phemon that bars hold viewing parties. Other than sports, what other television programming draws viewers out of their homes to watch? That alone makes Tim Gunn worthy of coverage in any column that covers television.
By Yaughn
March 13, 2008 5:40 PM | Link to this
Yaughn
By bdad
March 14, 2008 6:16 AM | Link to this
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
By Dan
March 14, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this
What a bunch of morons. Hey, all you toads out there saying Rodney is gay, maybe you need to watch a little more Bravo and lose the stupid looking wrangler jeans and walmart pullovers. I am straight, married with kids, and know how to dress. Maybe your woman, if you have one, would love for you to get a pedicure and keep those nasty feet you have off her at night. Maybe she would like to see you wearing something besides those tired clothes you have. Maybe she would like you to get your fat butt of the couch and get a better body. Yeah, your opinion on this matters. yeah, whatever. You are the guy women laugh at when you go out in public. Have fun with that. Rock on Tim Gunn.
By WTF
March 14, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this
Dan, I like wrangler jeans. They are practical. I’m in the gym about five times a week and bench press about 350 lbs — so much for your out of shape theory. (I’m 47 years old). I have a beautiful wife of ten years. She likes my feet just like they are. I think you might be gay and don’t know it.
By Corey
March 14, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this
Ok meathead, nice with the 350 pounds. WHO CARES. Anyone who wears wrangler jeans and says they are practical needs to get off of fashion blogs, because frankly, you have none. Dan is right.