Interview: Christian Siriano
Photos and interview by Brad Walsh
In the first two episodes of this fourth season of Project Runway, youngest designer Christian Siriano went from promising golden boy to the bottom two when turkeyfish Nina Garcia complained that his creation was too “fashion eighties.” So far he’s forged one of the favorite pieces and one of the least-appreciated, but he seems to be most talked about as the one who’s likely to be at the center of whatever dramatic hullabaloo presents itself each week. Some people, of course, revel in that and hope for the worst. Others are simply fans of him and his work. What does he think of the hot and cold reaction thus far?
BRAD: People either seem to be completely infatuated with you on the show, or they can’t stand you.
CHRISTIAN: I think it’s great that viewers have such strong opinions about me! That was my intention, to some extent.
BRAD: You haven’t done anything particularly villainous on air yet, where do you think those strong reactions come from?
CHRISTIAN: When I make sassy comments I know they will give impact in one way or another, and honestly some of the other designers have very quiet personalities for television. I want to be remembered on this show, or I would not have auditioned. And I think it’s entertaining. I am a hard person to forget. Whether [that’s] a good or a bad thing, I’m not sure.
BRAD: Did you live in New York prior to this? Do you plan to stay in New York?
CHRISTIAN: I have for about a year now. I’m planning on staying, unless some fabulous job arises…
BRAD: You’ve been working in fashion since you were pretty young; do you ever get sick of it? Or frustrated?
CHRISTIAN: I still am young, so I don’t think I’m allowed to be sick of anything yet! I love everything I do or I would not be struggling to do it. It is very frustrating sometimes, but what job isn’t? Frustration is a must in fashion because it’s so subjective.
BRAD: What’s your tattoo?
CHRISTIAN: My ink is a squid and octopus. A friend in Maryland did it for me right before I moved to New York.
BRAD: You looked pretty thrilled when Sarah Jessica Parker walked in for the second challenge, did you expect she would finally make her Project Runway guest appearance on your season?
CHRISTIAN: I was very excited to see Sarah Jessica! I only wish things went a bit different that challenge.
BRAD: Your bio says you’ve worked with her before, at [Alexander] McQueen or [Vivienne] Westwood? What were the circumstances then?
CHRISTIAN: When I was working at McQueen we made her a dress for the Anglomania exhibit. I wasn’t there during her NYC fitting but I worked very closely on that dress, designed for her.
BRAD: How difficult is it to keep secrets about the show? It’s got to be such a glaring part of your life, being on a currently running show like this and not being able to really discuss much about it.
CHRISTIAN: It is so hard to keep quiet about the show! When people are judging you, it’s hard not to spill the beans. I hate it sometimes, but we all knew it would be hard!
BRAD: Which designers did you particularly enjoy in past seasons of Project Runway?
CHRISTIAN: I did enjoy Jay, Kara Saun, Santino, Chloe, Kara, Allison, Laura, Jeffrey, Malan… I don’t care for the designers that judge us so much; they should know better than anyone that it is hard work sometimes, and little comments can hurt!
BRAD: You told Denovo that you Google everyone you meet. Is that (reasonably) true? I mean, we all do it, I guess.
CHRISTIAN: I did mean it, but I meant more that after the show I Googled the other designers.
BRAD: What’s your favorite 90’s song?
CHRISTIAN: Anything Ace of Base!
See more photos here.
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