When Oprah Winfrey wears something, it works out, too. But if someone's having "a moment," that always helps.
Christian SirianoFor me I'm a luxury brand trying to prove to people and the industry that it's not about being a TV celebrity in any which way, it's about being a designer and having a business and being successful at that.
Christian SirianoI think the "trick" is you have to really want to do it. You're embracing more of the world. Which is great. We're all in the world together, you know? And the models in the show who are "plus size," they're not in a special place, they're not wearing differently styled outfits. They're just beautiful girls who are in the show, like normal. Everything's normal. That's how it should be!
Christian SirianoThe bows, the polka dots, the color, the playfulness - you don't have to over do it. You just have to be able to style it in the right way.
Christian SirianoI even like when girls wear printed Minnie Mouse T-shirts with a cool ball gown skirt, or a ripped up pair of jeans - it's all about how you style it.
Christian SirianoI just think it's great to show a gown that's $8,000 and a shoe that's, like, $25-but still look fabulous together.
Christian SirianoWell I am from Annapolis Maryland. I went to High school in Baltimore, but I grew up in Annapolis. It was a cute town. We lived on a waterfront community. It was good, even though I don't really fit the preppy boater kind of style.
Christian SirianoWorking in a salon, you look at trends all day long. You're looking at color all the time, what new products are coming out. You're a part of the fashion industry, especially if you're working in a higher-end salon.
Christian SirianoThe thing is, if you're a designer, then you want to constantly push yourself and your designs. When we make a new collection, we're changing shapes, we're changing patterns. We get a dress on a model, and it's our first time seeing what the dress really looks like on a woman's body.
Christian SirianoI've been really into a light, bright playfulness that's been missing. I looked at these '60s and '70s photos of Jackie O. She went to Capri every summer, but she was always a little more playful, a little more colorful, than she was in 'normal' life. And it was exciting to see her a little bit "off duty." The colors are from awning stripe umbrellas, from a really clear ocean, and from ripe citrus.
Christian SirianoShoes are a big part of your look. I think that if your outfit isn't really something special, then fun footwear is a great way to jazz it up and make your ensemble more interesting.
Christian SirianoWe found the time and we put in the effort because being a label that different women can wear is really important to us.
Christian SirianoFabrics and lining make a big difference in the garment. If you're buying an expensive trench coat, and it's lined in something cheap, it doesn't feel as nice.
Christian SirianoWhen Gwyneth Paltrow wore a dress of ours, that was probably our number one best seller besides when the lovely Mrs. [Michelle] Obama wore our dress.
Christian SirianoWhen you're a teenager with a creative mind, be as creative as possible. I'd rather you go nuts. Having more ideas is always better.
Christian SirianoYou've got to look at the timing. But Mrs. Michelle Obama. Gwyneth Paltrow. Zendaya. Those are women who inspire other women's style for sure.
Christian SirianoI hate the terminology of "costume" because my clothes are not costumes at all. I think they're high fashion, avant-garde, and more couture, definitely, and yes, some of my pieces are not particularly wearable, but I wouldn't say they're costumes, I'd say they're more couture.
Christian SirianoThere are still places to go, there are still dinners, there are still parties, and you can still get dressed up. That's part of having fun in fashion.
Christian SirianoI am confident and I work so hard to be confident. If I wasn't talented, then I wouldn't be as confident.
Christian SirianoIt was something I was more interested in myself. When I went to see my sister dance at ballet, I was really into costumes and the arts, and my family was also supportive of whatever me and my sister wanted to do. I would say I pushed myself the most to be into design.
Christian SirianoA bad investment is going for quantity over quality. If you're trying to be careful with your wallet, especially with the economy right now, you have to choose staple pieces.
Christian SirianoThese kids are more savvy. They know what people are wearing instantly. It's brutal. We're the ones sending the dresses and we can barely keep up; these kids see it before we do. So we know they're plugged in. Now they can forget that for a few hours. Just go big with ideas! Experiment!
Christian SirianoWhen you're an adult designer, you're either running a business or you're helping someone else's business run. Either way, that's a lot of pressure.
Christian SirianoThe gays like 'Project Runway' because it's a fashion, and the gays are into fashion and into design. It's a creative industry, and most of the gays are pretty creative, in general. That's just like the culture. We're not all into politics necessarily. We're more into the creative environment. I also think Heidi is a big draw. The boys love Heidi and think she's so fabulous. I just think it's a glitzy, fun show, and there are also always lots of gay boys on it, and, you know, that's fun.
Christian SirianoAnd even with traditional fashion models, where it's their job to be a certain size and a certain proportion, you have to make adjustments once you see your clothes on a real live person. Now imagine doing that with more sizes, more proportions. You really have to play with every piece. So timing is a big part of it. You have to make the time.
Christian Siriano