Saturday With Tim Gunn - Continued

LK: Do you have an iPod?

TG: No, I have been presented with iPods but I give them to my associate Marsha Tonkins, who now has lots of iPods.

LK: Do you ever miss teaching?

TG: I feel like I am still an educator. The Liz Claiborne Inc. events like the Kate Spade event today, contain an element of education and even the role that I play on Project Runway, even though I'm not telling them what to do, there is an element of teaching. There's a quality of interaction and dialogue that I find enjoyable and stimulating. Right now we're out on the audition tour - which has been fantastic - for Season Seven and even that has been a substantial dialogue. Can I talk about the process?

LK: Yes, please.

TG: Anyone who is interested in being on the show has to apply in advance and then they are vetted by the Bunim-Murray casting experts ahead of time and they have a 15-minute appointment. So, its not this rush rush rush rush rush and oh there are 500 people waiting outside. Its very civilized and very organized and we have quality time with each individual. My feeling about it is that they are "innocent until proven guilty" rather than "Oh God, what do you have to bring to the table?"

LK: So when they come in you are expecting something good?

TG: Yes.

LK: How many designers have you seen so far?

TG: About a hundred and fifty.

LK: How many do you move forward?

TG: Owing to the fact that they have been vetted ahead of time, we have a high percentage. About twenty percent.

LK: That's a lot!

TG: We also have our eye on who will mature and I am encouraging others to come back.

LK: Are you working on another book?

TG: YES!!!! Just did the contract on Thursday?

LK: What can you tell us about it?

TG: My deadline for the manuscript is January 1st.

LK: Do you have the same publisher?

TG: No we have a new publisher. I now have a book agent named Peter Steinberg, who is fabulous!

LK: How are the Lifetime people treating you?

TG: I don't have the adequate words to sing the appropriate praises of the Lifetime people. They are so fabulous. From the president and CEO, Andrea Wong, all the way through David Hillman, Julie Stern, Dan Suratt... They're incredible, I love them. David is a very important presence at the auditions. He's very nurturing. They really celebrate the quality of the design work of these contestants. They are very respectful of the fact that if we don't have talent, we don't have anything.

LK: But you also have to have personality.

TG: Well you do, but in my experience, you can't have a fashion designer who doesn't have a big ego - an over-the-top personality of sorts, but what we don't know is how they will really be on the show. This is one of the things that I love about the show. You just can't predict what is going to happen. How will they respond to the design challenges...

LK: The lack of sleep?

TG: It's emotionally, physically and creatively draining, and you just don't know who is going to be able to sustain it.

LK: Tim, are you going to do a podcast for season six?

TG: Well, I'm certainly going to do something podcast-like, if not a podcast because I love doing the podcast. I only did it for one season - for season three and it was purging and cathartic for me. Boy is there a lot to talk about in season six. Boy is there a lot.

LK: We will look forward to that!

LK: Did you see Uli in Miami?

TG: No I didn't but I gave a shout-out to her on the morning show yesterday! I also did a live-chat on the computer yesterday. Also, Kenley's mom and sister were at yesterday's Kate Spade event.

LK: Let's talk about the new apartment! Do you love it?

TG: Oh, I couldn't love it more! I plan to live there for the rest of my life!

LK: What is the status, are you unpacked?

TG: Oh, no, I'm having it painted.

LK: What color?

TG: Oh, that ochre color that I love - a little darker than the last apartment because I have so much light! I don't even have to turn a lamp on!

LK: Since purchasing it, how many nights have you slept there?

TG: Four!

LK: Tim, do you travel first class?

TG: Well, if I am traveling for Lifetime, my agent very nicely worked things out so that I do travel first class, but if I am traveling for Liz, I go coach.

LK: How is Isaac Mizrahi's collection for Liz Claiborne selling?

TG: Accessories are flying off the shelves and apparel is a little slower. It's indicative of the whole retail industry right now. it's not coincidental that I am traveling for Kate Spade right now, because that is mostly accessories.

LK: Does Isaac has an office at Liz, do you pass in the hall? This is a question from one of our readers.

TG: No, Isaac has a large studio on Tenth Avenue, about a ten-minute walk from where we are and he has an entire staff there. He is really a contract player rather than an employee. That's an important distinction.

LK: Which do you think was the best season of Project Runway?

TG: I'm very conflicted... Two...Three...Four....

LK: What about Season One?

TG: We had some clunkers...when it came to designers... people who I knew would not make it all the way through the show...but it was our infancy... for me always, the best challenge will be the first challenge from season one.

LK: Who is your favorite Real Housewife of New York?

Pause...

TG: Well, LuAnn is the one that I like to watch the most...because I find her to be such a mass of contradictions. I mean she's the purveyor of all things proper, yet she behaves very inappropriately.

LK: Is it okay for me to post this?

TG: Absolutely.

LK: As a result of becoming well-known has anyone contacted you from your past that you were surprised to hear from?

TG: Yes, people show up at our events. A friend named Barbara whom I worked with 27 years ago at The Corcoran was at yesterday's event! I was thrilled to see her.

LK: Do you love working for Liz Claiborne?

TG: Yes! What I love most is my boss, Bill McComb - love him!

LK: Okay, what is the status of the decorating in your apartment...it's painted...

TG: No! We are still working on it. Most of the apartment is aubergine. It's like living in a bruise - so it requires several coats. Also, the half-bath I am leaving the way it was decorated because it's hilarious. I've had a couple of dear friends in to see the place and I don't prepare them for the bath and they scream when they see it.

LK: Is it aubergine?

TG: No, it has pink color-blocked wallpaper, a faux Louis 14th commode for the sink. It's over-the-top, it's wild.

LK: Do you watch American Idol?

TG: No, I never have. I'll be honest. I have an addictive personality and I just don't want to become invested in it.

LK: Have you watched "Army Wives?"

TG: Yes! I have, I think it's really excellent.

LK: What about Lost?

TG: No.

LK: How do you keep your schedule straight?

TG: Marsha - it's all Marsha!

LK: Where do you go from here?

TG: I return to New York tonight...

LK: Sleeping at your own apartment?

TG: Yes, and then tomorrow is the AIDS walk. I'm walking with the Liz Team.

LK: How many hours of sleep do you usually get?

TG: If I'm lucky - five.

LK: Do you have a book you could recommend?

TG: Yes, it is by Michael Sims called Adam's Navel. It's about the evolution and societal aspects of the development of our bodies. It's fascinating.

LK: What is the must-have fashion item for the summer?

TG: A pop of color!

TG: Wait until you see what our first model is wearing this afternoon. We start with jeans and a t-shirt and add accessories.

LK: How can we stretch our fashion dollars?

TG: Well, first take a fashion inventory of your closet. Determine what you already have, ask yourself "What do I want?" and "What do I need?" When contemplating a purchase, ask yourself how that item will fit into what you already have, what role it will fill and how often you will wear it. That is our message at Kate Spade.

LK: What's the most fun you've had in the past twelve months?

TG: I have fun all the time. I love these events. I love them.

LK: But this is your last one...

TG: It is and then we will start with John Bartlett...

TG: Actually the most fun I've had in terms of "I really can't believe that.." was doing the red carpet at the Oscars. That was phenomenal.

LK: Let's get back to Project Runway, what will we really really love in Season Six?

TG: I think you are going to love Los Angeles as a backdrop. Season Seven is moving back to New York.

LK: They will continue to alternate?

TG: I believe so.

LK: How many more seasons are you committed too?

TG: Four more - through the tenth season.

LK: Tell us about the "Models of the Runway" show.

TG: I was dubious about the idea, but I have to tell you, they have raised the bar. There is content that used to be on Runway, that will now be on "Models" which means that there will be room for more designer content on Runway.

LK: More designing, sketching, sewing?

TG: More of everything! And Heidi is clearly a mentor to them and it is really good.

TG: And Adair, our Kate Spade model, I encouraged her to audition for season seven.

LK: Models have to audition?

TG: Now they do!

LK: Which of the Project Runway designers are you most proud of?

TG: Chloe, Emmett, Nick, Austin, Christian, Laura Bennett, Uli, Mychael Knight...

LK: We don't hear too much from Uli....

TG: It's a scale issue. She insists on doing everything herself. She's also doing a lot of styling.

LK: How do you spend a typical Sunday morning?

TG: Well tomorrow I'll be doing the AIDS walk, but I'm usually traveling.

LK: Are there any questions you are tired of hearing?

TG: Some questions are difficult if they are personal style questions. These require a Socratic approach and they can go on and on and they aren't that interesting to everyone else.

LK: How many frequent flyer miles do you have?

TG: I haven't a clue - when would I ever use them?

LK: When is the last time you had a vacation?

TG: When I took my niece to Paris in 2001.

LK: Do you need a vacation?

TG: When I do have time for a vacation I am going to stay in New York. I want to go to the museums and go to the shows and take long walks and do all of the things that I love to do.

LK: Thanks very much for your time, Tim, you are so generous.

TG: Thank you!

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Tim Gunn in People Magazine - Continued

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Renee's Field Report from Olsson's Bookstore in Washington DC - continued

Jade mentioned that she was a huge PR fan and along with her daughter (for whom she had also bought a book), and they get together to watch the show, especially to watch Tim.

Another woman, Tracy, said she was a big Tim Gunn fan. Asked why, she responded, “He has the ability to cut somebody down in the nicest possible way.” Two friends, Mary and Kay came together. They claim they are PR fanatics. Kay began watching it and then got Mary into it. They came to see Tim because “on so many reality shows, people get mad and he (Tim) is always nice.”

Sean, Christine and Sarah, all Georgetown University students, were seated together. Sean was the one who got them into coming to see Tim. For him, “Tim Gunn makes PR because of all his pithy comments.”

Kathy found out about the book signing through BPR. She admires Tim for his graciousness. As she said, “I admire someone in the modern world who uses big words and then I point him out to my son to show him that SAT words are useful in the real world.” Rob and Lane liked the way that Tim approaches people. Julie’s comment was that Tim is “frank when he tells them things. He is both funny and helpful.”

By 2:45, there were at least 34 people waiting. I met Abrams’ publicist Jason Wells who mentioned that this was the first book signing that Tim and Kate were doing. At 3:00, Tim had not yet arrived. I looked around the room and noticed the diversity of people who had come to see him. It encompassed every age group and demographics. Most of the people were between 20 and 40, but there were a number of us individuals of a certain age. Tim’s fan base definitely has a great variety.

Shortly thereafter, I saw Tim and Kate walk by on the sidewalk and enter the bookstore. Leaving his trench coat and briefcase with Jason Wells, they came to the area where more than 60 people now gathered, applauded their entrance. Wearing his black Banana Republic suit, a blue striped shirt, black tie and black shoes, Tim definitely was style personified. Kate had on a lovely black dress that she later admitted getting online.

Tim talked about writing the book, harking back to the time when he joined Parsons and felt that in the academic world, it was the old “publish or perish” syndrome. Kate had an editor friend at Abrams, and the concept of the book came up. As Tim said, he was “exhilarated and terrified.” He knew that he had to work with Kate since she would help him with his Bravo blogs and they are so “spiritually and intellectually aligned”, i.e. finishing each others’ sentences.

He said that he never “worked so hard for so little” but that he wrote through the love of it. Tim mentioned that each of them developed their own way of working, in his case waking up at 4:30 and writing from 5 a.m. to 8. Kate mentioned her method which included her cat and wine (sounds good to me). Tim mentioned that the manuscript was due Labor Day and they needed to “cross-pollinate and edit” it.

The manuscript went to the editors and then both Tim and Kate got together with them around New Years in order to spend two days with the proofs. They wondered if anyone would respond to the book. After being away from the manuscript for several months and reading it, Tim’s comment was, “This is pretty good.”

Just prior to the question and answer session, Kate mentioned how Tim is so generous of spirit. His response was “Don’t ever leave me.” Then the questions began.

One woman in the front row asked about wearing head-to-toe vintage looks, even though stylists say no to that. Tim’s response to her 1920s-1930s look was “You look smashing.” He also mentioned his disdain for stylists and wished he could see actresses, for example, put themselves together as in the older days. As to the vintage look, he felt that, “if you feel confident, people will respond to it. There are no hard and fast rules. It is important to know who YOU are and how you dress for that person.” Kate added that one should “keep accessories simple to keep it fresh.”

Someone asked Tim about his new position. He said that he would be there as cheerleader to champion the designers to produce an irresistible product. He hopes that by spring 2008 the changes would be seen.

Getting around to PR, one person commented that she/he (sorry, can’t remember) liked it as a reality show because “the public doesn’t vote.” Then the question came up as to the producers’ input and involvement in the decisions that were made. Tim was quick to say that the only time the producers would get involved was if the judges were at a stalemate. Asked about how he felt about some of the votes, Tim mentioned that he had to give his say at times. “I have to. I’m thinking what the audience is thinking.” Then someone mentioned that PR has “the most integrity of any reality show.”

As for Season 4, Tim mentioned that with the individuals who applied, the producers could cast three seasons. He said that so many surpassed in technique and high design. “There is no excuse for it not to be great.”

Several other questions were offered and the time came for the Q&A to end. All the books at the store had been purchased and we lined up to meet Kate and Tim. Luckily, since I was #13, I was up there fairly quickly. On meeting them, I mentioned that I was representing BPR and Tim spoke up that he gets all his information from BPR. He couldn’t have been more gracious. Although Jason the publicist offered to let me speak with Tim some more after the book signing, I unfortunately had to get back to my office. As I was leaving, I asked who had the last number and what it was. The man told me, “63.” Behind him, there were more people waiting. What does that say about Tim’s appeal?

One final personal note, when leafing through the book, I noted some appendices. There is one for “Films of Style.” I wish to quote the paragraph: “We are not recommending these films solely for their wardrobes—even though many of them are exemplary. These are films that give your eyes a workout, either because of their breathtaking cinematography or because there is nothing like watching Cary Grant and Myrna Loy for two hours….” As a rabid Cary Grant fan, I can honestly say that Tim Gunn, who was already very high, in my estimation, has gone even higher. He definitely has quality, taste and style.

Renée

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Big Gunn Showdown at the Standard Hotel - Continued

As we were walking through the lobby of the Standard, she informed me that both the other reporter and I would have five minutes each with Tim Gunn to interview him one-on-one. All of a sudden I got REALLY nervous, and extremely excited!

She guided us upstairs to the platform where many hopefuls were waiting and then into the area where Tim Gunn was interviewing with TV Guide Channel. The Bravo representative asked us which of us would like to interview first, and I turned to the Entertainment Weekly reporter next to me and said "You can go first." I needed time to calm down and evaluate this whole interviewing thing from afar. I also wanted to listen to her questions so that I would not repeat any. While waiting for my turn to interview Tim one of the questions was "What could we expect from Season 4?" Since it has not been cast yet, Tim responded that we could expect a whole new group of designers with their own style and point-of-view. Some other standard questions were also asked, most of which any Project Runway fan already knows the answers to, like "Have there been designers you have enjoyed or did not get along with on the show?"

Next the EW reporter sat down with Tim and began her five minutes. She asked a couple of interesting questions, one of which was about Tim's book. Tim's face lit up when she asked about the book, and he responded that it is at the warehouse being printed at the current moment. He also informed her that he had seen a copy of the book and it was so beautiful. He then went on to say it was one of his proudest accomplishments, since it took so much time and effort to get it published. She then asked about Liz Claiborne and what his role was there, and he told her that he loved his new job, which has him as the Chief Creative Officer. He then went on to tell her that he was not designing for the brand at all, but he was the creative head of certain lines that the company produced including the major "Liz Claiborne" line. She finished by getting Tim Gunn to record her friend or boyfriend's voicemail for him.

Finally I got my turn to interview Tim Gunn. Let me emphasize again, one-on-one. I was introduced as the Blogging Project Runway field reporter, to which Tim lit up again and said, "I love BPR!" Then he asked, "Where is Laura?" I told him, "Well she is driving from Arizona, leaving this afternoon and will be here late tonight." As we were sitting down, Tim looked at me and said, "I just talked to Robert Best about the fact that I loved what he suggested to the hopefuls on BPR and that some of these people should have read it before trying out." I responded jokingly by saying, they should make it a requirement for every applicant to read the suggestions on BPR, and he agreed. He then said, one of the biggest problems they have had with contestants was that they did not know how to respond to the question, "Why do you want to be on Project Runway?"

My first question was an extension of the EW reporter's question, which was, "What is the difference, if any, in mentoring for Liz Claiborne and for the students at Parsons?" He began by talking about the difference being in the size of the corporation and the scope of of the number of people he was mentoring. Then he started talking about the idea of taking risks in fashion. He discussed how taking calculated risks that will provide the consumer with pieces that will not be repetitive, but will stay inside their comfort zone of the Liz Claiborne aesthetic. To this response I quickly asked, "What happens when risks go bad?" because we know when risks go well it results in a huge payoff.

He stated that by calculating and offering risk in small doses you can better adapt to missteps in risking. My next question kind of tied into this same idea of business, money, and risk taking, was "How does the business side of fashion play into Project Runway since the winner gets the $100,000 to start their own line?"

He responded by saying that as they are casting and as the show continues forward, they are always looking for contestants and keeping contestants that they feel can honestly grasp the business side of fashion. He stated that fashion is not only about the design and artistic nature, but also the ability to build a brand and a business. It is important for the contestants to understand how to do this and how to go into the world and make a career in this field.

Then I asked how to the younger contestants just out of school can prove themselves. He stated that it will be hard for a younger designer, like Daniel Vosovic or Diana Eng to get onto the show. They would not be completely disregarded if they could wow the judges with their designs and catch their interest, but it will be much harder than in past. He said it would be harder for the younger group because the show took a turn during Season 3 with the casting, in which they cast all seasoned and veteran designers.

Finally, I asked how he felt arts-and-crafts fashion (since I had seen so much of it in line) fit into the nature of Project Runway.

He responded by saying that much like an inexperienced designer, it would be hard for arts-and-crafts designer to get on the show because the idea behind fashion is to catch an audience and to be relevant to current trends. He said that it is hard for the arts-and-craftsy people to fit into this show as PR is looking for a designer who was more into the current trends of fashion. [Editor's note: What? Crafty fashion isn't current?] With that, my one-on-one ended faster than my whole wait to get up there, but Tim had to grab lunch before getting back to panel. In all of this nervousness and because the space was so poorly lit, I did not even get a photograph with Tim (which I am sure I will regret forever).

I headed back downstairs to which I found the same people waiting in line as before I left to go up to meet with Tim. I said my goodbyes and good lucks and left back for school for my studio review.

I have to thank Laura K. many times over for allowing me to do this as such a young inexperienced reporter.

It was too wonderful for words. -JRT

More from Jonathan about the "hopefuls" that he interviewed in line as well as his lunch with "the gang" tomorrow! Thank you Jonathan for representing BPR so professionally. Imagine - Entertainment Weekly, TVGuide, and BPR!

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