'Project Runway': Tim Gunn, Man About Towns
If there's a nicer gent than Tim Gunn roaming the reality-show dial -- when not roaming the red carpet -- we've yet to make his acquaintance. The man's in New York. The man's in the City of Angels. He's got places to go and Galliano dresses to see, yet here Tim was, charming, candid and right on time while phoning Channel This yesterday. (He might log major time in cities of the Fashionably Late, but somehow he makes it seem far more fashionable to respect a blogger's time as much as he respects a tidy hemline.)
As "Project Runway" nears Bryant Park tonight, Gunn offered his quick takes on fashion at the Oscars and in Washington. (For his fuller, honest thoughts on this season of "Runway" -- as well as a recap of tonight's episode --- watch this space tomorrow. Also: Tim makes *his* picks for Channel This's official "Runway" award, The Gunnys.)
Heidi Klum (AP)
Tim Gunn on:
...CO-HOST HEIDI KLUM'S RED-CARPET, RED-GALLIANO APPEARANCE AT SUNDAY'S OSCARS:
"She *made* the red carpet. ... I'm lucky I'm attached to Heidi's hip. She was phenomenal."
...ON ONE OF HIS FAVORITE RED-CARPET PICKS:
"It didn't photograph well, but Helen Mirren's dress was fabulous. It was a very innovative construction, and had a faux train -- great innovation."
Helen Mirren (Reuters)
ON HIS RED-CARPET PHILOSOPHY: "My thing about runway clothes is: You can't separate them from the wearer. I was eviscerated by the press after the 2007 Golden Globes because i was positive about Cate Blanchett. The New York Post and some places went after me. [They asked:] 'Who else would wear it?' But it was that particular gown. You can't separate them."
...ON HOW THAT PHILOSOPHY APPLIES TO THIS YEAR'S OSCARS: "I feel the same way about [Best Supporting Actress winner] Tilda Swinton. Was that a wacky dress? Yes, she's a wacky person. She's very bohemian and she's a big risk-tasker. It was sublime. [CHANNEL THIS: "We thought she looked luminous."] "Luminous is the perfect word for it. We're not thinking: Could we wear that dress? Some are applying the wrong evaluation tools."
...ON FASHION IN WASHINGTON:"I always go right to the top: to [political] Washington and Capitol Hill. ... I was there a year ago [in an official capacity] and people were fleeing from me, saying: 'I'm not a fashion person.' I finally said to an elected official: 'Why don't you think [how you look] is so important? You have constituents who evaluate you. Surely they're looking at your clothes.'
...ON ONE FASHION EXCEPTION ON THE HILL: "There is one person who gets it right, and that's [House Speaker] Nancy Pelosi. She gets fashion right and owns up to the fact that she's a woman. She's willing to own up to her own characteristics."
For Tim's candid opinions on the show's season so far, the Bryant Park collections and the Ongoing Issue that was Victorya, check here tomorrow. Till then, bring on the Chris-vs.-Rami showdown...
-- MICHAEL CAVNA
By Michael Cavna |
February 27, 2008; 11:37 AM ET
Project Runway
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Next: 'Project Runway': Tim Gunn Tells All
Posted by: Janet | February 27, 2008 01:41 PM
Why would anyone run from Tim Gunn? No one could give you fashion advice in a more non-threatening way. He is a true gentleman.
Posted by: jmom | February 27, 2008 02:09 PM
run away from Tim Gunn?! I wouldn't be able to look him in the face for fear of not being worthy but run away... he's totally fierce..had to add that one in!
Posted by: Jamea | February 27, 2008 02:35 PM
I wish I had him in my closet most mornings. Although I disagree with his take on Tilda's gown. I really have to go against him on this one.
Posted by: petal | February 27, 2008 04:35 PM
I loved the way Tilda Swinton looked. Again, I could never carry that off, but on her, it looked fabulous.
I can't think of another person in the public eye who could have carried that off with such panache and confidence.
Posted by: Doris | February 27, 2008 11:50 PM
He is totally correct about Nancy Pelosi. Her clothes are always great and she looks great in them.
Posted by: jws | February 28, 2008 02:00 PM
I happened to see you on the street, Tim Gunn, when you were here in DC to go to the Capitol and I have always regretted not stopping you to say to tell you how much I enjoy you and your perspective on Project Runway and in the blog. Keep being your fabulous self. You do DC proud.
Posted by: gcb | March 1, 2008 06:23 PM
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yay, Tim Gunn!!! You are the coolest dude ever and the best reason to watch PR. Gives me such hope that you're from DC.