Although last time I did that I wasn't sitting in a private dressing room at Bloomingdale's, on a beautiful chair.....
chatting with Project Runway's esteemed mentor Tim Gunn.
But that's what I was doing today....and I was loving every minute of it!
Tim was in town promoting the Kate Spade Spring/Summer 2010 collection at Bloomingdale's, He's the Chief Creative Officer at Liz Claiborne Inc, the parent company of Kate Spade.
He was nice enough to sit with me and dish.
About everything.
And he didn't hold back.
Tim told me he was so thrilled that Project Runway was about to start casting for their 8th season. He couldn't believe it took off like it did and has had such huge success.
He's like a proud papa referring to the show's designers as his children. He couldn't pick just one that he loved....but boy oh boy could he pick the one he DIDN'T!
Emilio Sosa.
Just saying his name brought a sour look to his face.
That "damned Emilio" was what he told the Boston Herald.
But he told me even more when I brought up a recent challenge on the show where the designers got to create their own fabric using whatever colors and print they so desired.
Emilio chose to use his own initials, Louis Vuitton-like, in his design.
Tim hated it.
"I thought Michael (Kors) was going to eviscerate Emilio for his design";
But he didn't. And Emilio won the challenge. Much to the dislike of Mr. Gunn.
"The judges act like he invented fire!"
Tim went on to say he couldn't believe Emilio used his own initials, "branding" himself so soon.
I agreed and said I was equally as horrified at what the designer produced and was also not happy when he was chosen the winner.
Tim was still shaking his head back and forth so I decided to change the subject...
onto something nicer....
Season Four Winner, Christian Siriano.
"I didn't even want to meet him".
He thought Siriano was too young.
Until he read his dossier and saw his work.
Then he called him a "prodigy". telling me he'd never seen anyone like him in all the years he was at Parsons The New School for Design in New York City.
He was so proud of Christian. I asked him if he saw Christian's show on Bravo "Christian Siriano: Having a Moment". He regretted that he didn't but asked me, "What was he having a moment about?"
"Life in the fashion world". I said. "It's his new catch phrase. Apparently he's still Fierce...but that's so yesterday. So now he's Having a Moment."
Tim laughed loudly and shook his head, obviously delighted that the prodigal son was a huge success.
Not such a success?
In Tim's opinion...Vogue's Editor-in-Chief, Anna Wintour.
Oh yes. You just read that. And oh yes, Tim had a very strong opinion on Ms Wintour.
Very Strong.
I explained how I recently attended the Health Matters: Weight and Wellness in the Fashion World forum at Harvard, where Anna Wintour was a panelist.
He asked, what does Anna know about that...."She sucks on celery sticks all day"...clearly commenting on Anna's lithe frame.
He added that fashion magazines "perpetuate" the "skinny model" as normal and acceptable.
Tim raised his voice a bit for this comment: he said it's "preposterous" that she has so much power in the fashion world.
I said Ms Wintour called a size 10 model "plus size". He looked incredulous. I told him I read the article in Vogue about the plus sized model and the writer referred to her as "Amazonian".
He prickled at that and said he felt the same way about the article. He was deeply disappointed in Vogue for having an issue devoted to a woman's shape and then putting Gisele Bundchen on the cover.
I have to stop....I think I'm having a moment.
Let's reflect: I'm SITTING IN A ROOM WITH TIM GUNN!
Reflection over.
Back to the dishing...still starstruck but I'll carry on....
Apparently Mr Gunn also gets starstruck. Who knew?
When asked who his fashion icon is, he said it was George Clooney and that he met Clooney while covering a red carpet event a while ago. Tim was a little verklempt about it!
Clooney thanked Tim for naming him his fashion icon, Tim said he was very welcome and then George Clooney said "Now let me fix your tie". Nicely played Mr Clooney!
So he did.
On live tv.
He fixed Tim's tie which was a little askew.
Tim was thrilled. How often do you get to meet your fashion icon?
As for the fashions of today Tim loves a suit from Banana Republic. "I love that store!" I shouted a little too excited about the fact that Tim shops at the same store I do.
He loves the store for wardrobe essentials and their suits. I do too! Oh, sorry, already said that....but I have a few fabulous suits from there as well...
I explained that shopping at Banana Republic or Ann Taylor allows me to get well made clothes, then I can accessorize with high end items like Manolo Blahnik shoes and a Chanel handbag.
"I can see that!" he said.
Um, was that a compliment from TIM GUNN?! Breathing, breathing....
After a half hour of fashion, funny quips about everyone from Project Runway contestants to Anna Wintour...it was time to wrap it up.
We laughed, we cringed, we guffawed at the crazy world of fashion and a little show on cable that has become a huge success.
Mostly due, I think, to the mentor who takes the designers under his wing and helps them make it work.
The best piece of advice he offered?
"Be who you are".
Well said my friend, well said.
But can we get back to the "she sucks on celery sticks all day" comment...just for a second...
