During the presentation portion of the book signing event, Daniel recounted his audition process from the grueling eight hours in line to being extremely nervous in front of Tim Gunn to the shock of being put through to the next round. After discussing his experiences in getting on Project Runway and life during the taping, he tried to explain the process of his life after the show. After the humbling experience of not taking the final win during his season, Daniel decided to step back and figure out which road he wanted to follow.
He saw his two options as the "choice to continue on the hype from the show, or step back and return to the original path he had defined for himself." He chose the latter, and since the show he has worked on designs for "Lipstick Jungle" and "Gossip Girl." He also signed on to design separates for NYLO Hotels that could grow as the hotel chains and hotel staff grows.
Daniel was extremely happy at the book signing because the bags and luggage he designed for NYLO have just returned from production in Italy, and will be sold in three locations across the US.
After writing his blogs for Bravotv.com, Daniel was contacted by a Publisher to write a book about fashion. The publisher contacted him because his writing voice was so well received. The publisher's idea of the book was to be a "how-to" guide much like a Rachel Ray show or book. Daniel refused to follow that path, and they worked out the idea to create a book that represents the whole process of fashion from concept to the sale. Daniel very specifically stated that the book is not meant to make you go out and purchase more clothes, but to help give you an inspiration to define yourself and grow your confidence. Throughout the book, there are more than 24 interviews with people across many fields, from fashion photographers to fashion editors to designers to stylists.
Daniel went through each section of the book and gave his take on each, including the concept of Point-of-View being that which makes the difference between brands, and that which defines each designer's stance on fashion. Daniel then opened the event up to questions from all of us in attendance. Most of the questions revolved around how to build a brand and grow a business. The strongest point he made all night was not to miss an opportunity. No matter what is going on in your life, do not lose the chance to just talk with people in your field.
Daniel stated, "Even if you have a job, don't overlook new opportunities." Also, make sure to keep in contact with all those people you have met in your day to day happenings. Daniel always takes the time to write Thank You notes, even if it just an e-mail to the person. And lastly, know that the networking you are looking for is already around you, just grab it and do not over-think the situations. At one point, a six-year-old in the back of the room asked Daniel what he needed to do to become like Daniel. Vosovic informed the little boy, also named Daniel, that he is already ahead of the curve because he has the passion, and just to continue to build on that.
Sweet P joined Daniel for the event to support him as a fellow Project Runway alumni. During the Q&A session, she fielded the same questions that Daniel took, and provided some different perspectives from a different season. One of the questions that both of the PR designers agreed on was whether the show was scripted. They both answered that they portrayed themselves on the show and were in no way scripted into parts--even to the point at which Sweet P said her only regret was wishing she hadn't cussed as much because it horrified her father. Also as far as filming goes, the two mentioned that they developed a great bond with the crew to the point of carrying on conversations with them during the interview portions of the show. In the end, they had very similar experiences on the show in terms of dealing with the time crunch caused by the show and trying to develop a career after the show, but they also had to face different problems with the differences in casts and challenges. It was so great to meet Sweet P and as many have said before Sweet definitely fits her.
Having to stop the question and answer session because the library was about to close, Daniel sat on the stage as each person brought his or her book to sign.
He had been hilarious all night from cracking jokes to his facial expressions, but something that knocked me back was Daniel's genuineness towards each person as they got their books signed. It was more than just the typical, what is your name, who is this for. He asked each person what they did for a living, why they were at the event, where they want to go in their future,etc. It was almost as if Daniel was interviewing people for another book, and in a very personal way. It made it a better night because of this atmosphere, and it really reinforced the points he had mentioned throughout the night about networking and just talking with people.After the auditorium cleared out, I was lucky enough to get a chance to interview Daniel while he signed a few extra books for the library.
If you have not picked up on this as of yet, I am quite a Daniel-fan. As a young person myself, I loved his ability to think both in and out of the box on the show, and the fact that he as a young designer was successful helped me realize that
age does not determine talent. The first question I asked Daniel was had he ever considered an acting career, and/or does he have any experience with acting. He answered that up until this point, his acting experience has consisted of high school drama programs, but if he was not in love with fashion he would want to be acting.
In the long run, Daniel would love to move into the realm of film director and combine this love for fashion with the career of directing. Acting/Directing would open other doors for him that he believes will only further his career.
I then asked Daniel if he was traveling alone on his book tour. According to Daniel, he is completely by himself on this book tour, but in each city he is accompanied by a media escort. The media escort picks him up from the airport, moves him through the city, and helps him in all aspects of getting to the places he is supposed to be.
Then I asked about his interviewing process and the difficulty of it all. In the book, he coordinated over two dozen interviews, but for Daniel the process of lining up the interviews was not as difficult as the process of editing down the interviews to the most important information for the book. Daniel had asked so many questions throughout the interview process, that he was left with too much information. I asked who was his favorite person to interview, he could not come up with a direct answer because he purposefully chose a variety of people from different areas to complete a well-rounded book. Finally after being pushed a little, he admitted to loving the Tim Gunn and Karl Aberg interviews, but the most important to him was Todd Oldham's interview because of his ability to motivate people and because he is an advocate for inspiration in the design process.
Along the same line, I asked who would be the one person you would have liked to interview for the book, dead or alive, and it took him a few seconds, but he responded that it would have to be someone like Coco Channel because of her influence in the world.
When asked if the book was how he expected it to be, Daniel stated that it was not how he first envisioned it, but it turned out better. He loves the book because there are hidden tricks in the book that he has added, and the reader will find those little bits as he or she reads the book over and over. And as for the stunning graphics that make this book as remarkably beautiful as it is, all thanks again go to the photographer, Michael Turek, who has shot his look-book, his website, his NYLO collection, and now his book.
The last two questions asked were not about the book, but just interesting points about Daniel. In the Season 5 challenge where he returned for the horoscope challenge, Daniel voted for Leanne's Scorpio dress. In fact, Daniel had called Leanne to win the whole season because of the confidence in her designs and her very specific point of view. Daniel also discussed the problem that many people are asking about the show: Where is this "amazing designer" that Project Runway is promising? His very valid point was that$100,000 is not enough for a winner to truly start a business, create a line, market the line, and have continued success. It would at minimum take a monetary prize like those given on Survivor or other shows to provide enough for the winner to harness that talent into a business.
After all the talking and interviewing, I took the time as that huge fan to have my Season 2 DVD, the shirt my sister and I created to wear during Season 2,and the books we bought signed. My sister, who is eight years younger, and I bonded over Season 2 of Project Runway and more specifically over Daniel Vosovic's designs. Every Wednesday night we spent on the phone discussing each designer's piece, and that season will forever be the season I fell in love with the show and built that relationship with my sister. Thanks to all at BPR for giving me this opportunity. Thanks to Robert Graves for coordinating the event. And most importantly, thanks to Daniel Vosovic for being perfectly personable and the coolest.
Jonathan Trimm
