CHRISTIAN SIRIANO IS FAMOUS FOR WINNING PROJECT RUNWAY, BUT HE’S ALSO THE ONLY REALITY TV STAR TO ACTUALLY SUCCEED IN THE REAL WORLD OF HIGH FASHION. Christian Siriano Intvw This season, for some reason, I did go a little dark and demonic I guess; this kind of weird inspiration coming from bats. THIS IS ERIC WILSON, A FASHION REPORTER FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES. A FEW DAYS BEFORE NEW YORK FASHION WEEK BEGINS, SIRIANO GAVE ME A PREVIEW OF HIS FALL COLLECTION. Siriano showing off clothes These fabrics, this is like a really beautiful chevron wool, and I love the texture and the lacquered-ness of it. SIRIANO STOOD OUT IN THE FOURTH SEASON OF PROJECT RUNWAY FOR HIS YOUTH, HIS TALENT, AND HIS SASS. Siriano on show My fabulous diva crystal. She wanted it lace and leather, so I made chaps. Oh my god they are so fierce. Siriano Wow I had this instant exposure to people that wanted to buy clothes, so I thought I needed to have something for them, so that’s is why we showed my first collection 5 months later, and really opened it to market. HIS STAR TURN LANDED HIM LUCRATIVE LICENSING DEALS THAT FINANCED HIS FLEDGLING COMPANY: HE DESIGNED ACCESSORIES FOR LG PHONES, SHOES FOR PAYLESS A GIFT CARD FOR STARBUCKS AND EVEN PUT HIS STAMP ON A SPONGE. Siriano I’m proud of my sponge. // What a great design project to do. // I mean listen, I have 40 years to be stuffy and be that way, and I just don’t think fashion is that way anymore. I think it should be fun and exciting. Siriano on Project Runway Ew. Don’t get bitchy. WHILE HIS OUTRAGEOUS PERSONA ON THE SHOW MADE HIM POPULAR, IN THE FASHION WORLD HE HAS TO PRESENT A MORE TEMPERED SIDE. Siriano [01:29:32.11] I think definitely now, the goal is to show that, I run a business, and a pretty big business that’s worth money and costs a lot of money to run and it’s not everyday that I can be this fun flamboyant person, I also have to be professional. BECAUSE OF SIRIANO’S POP CULTURE PEDIGREE, THE FASHION ESTABLISHMENT SNUBBED HIM: THE MAGAZINES IGNORED HIM, THE INFLUENTIAL COUNCIL OF FASHION DESIGNERS OF AMERICA REJECTED HIS APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP, AND CRITICS, MYSELF INCLUDED, DISMISSED HIM. BUT HIS SALES CONTINUED TO GROW. LAST YEAR SOMETHING CHANGED WHEN SIRIANO HIRED A NEW STYLIST. THE RUFFLES AND POOFS THA MAEDE HIM FAMOUS WHERE TONED DOWN FOR AN EDGIER SPORTSWEAR LOOK. THE CRITICS LIKED IT. Siriano I don’t wanna care, but I kinda do, because especially when you are a designer in clothing, clothes can be so emotional. Siriano showing off collection So we are going to be doing a lot with jackets and outerwear pieces that you can kind of like mix and match. HE HOPES THAT THE COLLECTION HE IS WORKING ON WILL BE A FURTHER EXAMPLE OF HOW SERIOUS HE IS ABOUT PLEASING BOTH CUSTOMERS AND CRITICS. Siriano showing off dresses So we’re gonna do these tops that are gonna be put with different types of skirts, different shapes. // This one is a really great jacket. FOR HIS BIGGEST FANS THERE ARE PLENTY OF ELEGANT AND CLEAN JACKETS AND DRESSES. Siriano This is a beautiful cashmere jacket that is in that kind of icier tone, which I think is very soft and sculptural. // You get this idea of kind of flight, movement. FOR THE CRITICS, SIRIANO IS ESPECIALLY PROUD OF THIS AMBITIOUS NEW LOOK MADE FROM LEATHER PIPING. Siriano with bat dress The whole idea again was the idea of these like veins and bones in a bat wing. // So it was definitely an experiment, but I think turns out really cool. // I’m showing it in this way because I think its like the ultimate inspiration, but I’m showing it in other ways as well, that’s a little softer and a little bit more wearable, as a jacket sleeve or as a top of a gown, so you kind of see all the different worlds the technique can be. Siriano I think the young designers, what’s fun about fashion is that we’re all taking risks in our own way, at least I know I do. // Now I feel like I sometimes have more to lose, so I can’t be as risky, but I