Christian Siriano

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Christian Siriano
Born July 6, 1985 (1985-07-06) (age 24)
Columbia, Maryland, USA
Nationality American
Education American InterContinental University
Labels Christian V. Siriano

Christian Siriano (born November 18, 1985) is an American fashion designer and the winner of the fourth season of American reality show Project Runway. Siriano is the show's youngest winner.[1]

Contents

[edit] Early life

Siriano was born in Columbia, Maryland to Joye and Peter Siriano[2][3] along with his older sister. A former ballet dancer, Siriano was raised in Annapolis, Maryland.[2] He is of Italian and German descent.[4] Siriano's parents divorced when he was four years old, though he has said his father is still a part of his life.[5]

Siriano has said that his parents supported the arts and encouraged their children to pursue creative fields.[4][5] As a child, Siriano studied ballet,[4][5] and on a March 2008 Ellen appearance, he described himself as a "musical theater kid who loved costumes".[6] Siriano's interest in costume design inspired him to pursue a career in fashion.[2][5] He began designing clothes at age thirteen, while working as a hair washer and styling assistant at Bubbles Salon in Annapolis, and eventually began sewing clothes for the salon's annual hair shows.[7] Siriano attended high school at the Baltimore School for the Arts.[7] The school allowed Siriano to choose fashion design as his course of study, despite the fact that they do not offer it.[2]

After being rejected by the Fashion Institute of Technology,[8] Siriano chose to study abroad at American InterContinental University in London, England.[7] Following the recommendation of a teacher during his senior year, he began interning at Vivienne Westwood, and later, at Alexander McQueen,[7] whom Siriano has stated is his favorite designer.[9] Siriano moved to New York City after graduating from college.[2]

[edit] Project Runway

[edit] Overview

Before auditioning for the fourth season of Project Runway, Siriano worked as a freelance make-up artist for Stila cosmetics and made wedding gowns for private clients,[5] as well as holding a brief intern position at Marc Jacobs.[2] Siriano decided to audition for the show after the suggestion of a friend's mother.[5] During his time on Runway, Siriano won four challenges, the most of any contestant that season (followed by Rami and Victorya, who each won two).[10] Siriano advanced to the show's finals, and won a spot to show a twelve-piece final collection at New York Fashion Week. His collection was comprised of Musketeer-inspired couture, featuring ruffles, feathers and headwear.[11] During the finale, which aired on March 5, 2008, celebrity guest judge Victoria Beckham praised Siriano's collection as being a "breath of fresh air" and stated that she would be "honored to wear" any piece of his clothing.[11][12] Siriano was announced the winner of the show's fourth season, winning a fashion spread in Elle magazine, a 2008 Saturn Astra, and $100,000 US to start his own label.[13] In addition, Siriano was awarded the season's Fan Favorite award, based on votes from viewers. He received a check for $10,000 US, which was presented to him by season three Fan Favorite Michael Knight.[14] In a March 2008 interview, Runway mentor Tim Gunn stated of Siriano, "I really believe he is this generation's Marc Jacobs. I really do. We have found America's next great fashion designer... I'm confident."[15]

[edit] Media

Siriano began to receive pop culture attention during his time on Runway, primarily for his asymmetrical upswept hair-do (which Siriano called a "bi-level fashion hawk" during a March 2008 appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno) and his flamboyant attitude.[1] Several of Siriano's catchphrases, such as "fierce," "ferosh," and "hot tranny mess", were parodied in the media by multiple blogs and television shows like Saturday Night Live.[4][16] In March 2008, Siriano appeared as a celebrity guest on an episode of Bravo's Make Me A Supermodel, where he critiqued the contestants' catwalks and designed an outfit for one of the contestants, Holly Kiser, to model on the runway. (Kiser went on to win the competition).[17] On May 1, 2008, Siriano appeared as himself on an episode of Ugly Betty, and designed some of the cast's costumes.[18] In June 2008, Siriano appeared in the music video for hip-hop artist Estelle's single "No Substitute Love."

[edit] Design career

In April 2008, Siriano signed on to design a fifteen piece collection for Puma.[19] In May 2008, Siriano designed virtual promwear for Gaia Online's virtual prom.[20] He appeared on Total Request Live to promote the event. As part of his prize for winning Project Runway, Siriano's first collection for Bluefly began retailing on the website in July 2008.[21]

Siriano's first fashion line, Christian V. Siriano, debuted at New York Fashion Week on September 11th, 2008. He has since shown at New York Fashion Week for the Spring 2009 and Fall 2009 seasons. His entire Fall 2009 collection was picked up by New York City retailer Saks Fifth Avenue.[22]

Shortly after the debut of his line, Siriano began collaborating on a maternity line, Fierce Mamas, with Moody Mamas founders Elise Rosemarin and Marta Abrams.[23]

[edit] Other projects

On December 4, 2008, it was announced that Siriano has signed a deal to design a line of low-cost shoes and handbags for Payless Shoesource.[24] The shoes and bags will be available for retail in Payless stores in Fall 2009. In April 2009, Women's Wear Daily announced that Siriano partnered with Victoria's Secret to retail his own makeup line, Christian Siriano for VS Makeup.[25] The makeup brand will be endorsed by Adriana Lima.

[edit] Criticism

In March 2008, Margaret Price, a columnist for Bitch magazine, wrote an editorial entitled, "Is Christian Siriano Making A Hot Mess of the Term 'Tranny'?", in which she expressed that Siriano's use of the terms "tranny" and "hot tranny mess" were offensive to the transsexual community and that, by using them, he was popularizing an "as-yet unclaimed slur."[26] In a May 2008 interview with Time Out New York, Siriano responded to a question about the lasting power of drag culture by stating, "If you think of heterosexuals, they have white-trash women and trailer parks, and we have drag queens and trannies. I don’t know if I’m the one who can explain it. It’s, like, drag queens are just there."[27] The remark garnered criticism for its derogatory slang and its comparison of transsexuality and drag queen culture to "white-trash" and trailer parks.[28][29] Siriano released an apology to GLAAD in which he stated, "I mean no disrespect to the transgender community and I never will."[29] Of his comments in the article, Siriano remarked, "I wish that my words were not taken in that way. When I was speaking, some comments that I made were not used in the article."[29] He further commented that he is "actively working to remove" the term "tranny" from his vocabulary.[29]

[edit] Personal life

Siriano has tattoos of a squid and an octopus on his right arm that he has said are "a tribute to Maryland and the sea life".[2] However, Siriano later contradicted this statement by saying that his tattoos "mean nothing... Totally random. And yes, it's permanent, but I'm young. In twenty years, there's totally going to be ways to remove it."[8]

Siriano is openly gay and lives in Williamsburg, Brooklyn with longtime boyfriend Brad Walsh.[28][30][31]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Buckman, Adam (03-05-2008). "Christian Siriano Wins 'Project Runway'". The New York Post. http://www.nypost.com/seven/03052008/tv/christian_siriano_wins_project_runway_100585.htm. 
  2. ^ a b c d e f g White, Tanika (6 July 2007). "Sheer Talent". The Baltimore Sun. http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/tv/bal-lifestyle-siriano0304,0,2567815,full.story. 
  3. ^ Sterwald, Drew (July 14, 2008). "Fort Myers Father Proud of 'Fierce' Son's Accolades". Fort Myers Free-Press. http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080714/SS13/807140321/1013/LIFESTYLES. 
  4. ^ a b c d "Transcript: 'Project Runway' Winner Christian Siriano". The Washington Post. 03-10-2008. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2008/03/07/DI2008030702951.html?referrer=emailarticle. 
  5. ^ a b c d e f Moreno, Andrew (November 2007). "Denovo Interview with Christian Siriano". Denovo Magazine. http://denovomagazine.com/Christian_Siriano.html. 
  6. ^ "11 March 2008". The Ellen DeGeneres Show. 2008-03-11. Season 5. 
  7. ^ a b c d Tucker, Abigail (03-05-2008). "Christian Siriano Shows Why He's A Fierce Competitor". The Baltimore Sun. http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/tv/bal-runway0305,0,2942327.story. 
  8. ^ a b "Interview with Christian Siriano". gURL.com. http://www.gurl.com/showoff/spotlight/articles/0,,648254_715217-1,00.html. 
  9. ^ Dyball, Remmie. "Fierce Factor". People magazine, March 26, 2008, 80.
  10. ^ Wenzel, Ryan (03-11-2008). "Rubbing Elbows, Making Art". The Advocate. http://www.advocate.com/exclusive_detail_ektid52624.asp. 
  11. ^ a b Cavna, Michael (March 6, 2008). "Christian Siriano Wins On 'Project Runway'". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/03/06/ST2008030601518.html. 
  12. ^ "Christian Siriano Wins 'Project Runway'". Us Weekly. March 6, 2008. http://www.usmagazine.com/Fierce_christian_siriano_wins_project_runway. 
  13. ^ Barker, Olivia (03-05-2008). "'Project Runway' Winner is Fierceness Personified". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2008-03-05-project-runway-winner_N.htm. 
  14. ^ "Annapolis Native Wins Fan Favorite on Project Runway". The Baltimore Sun. http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/tv/bal-to.people22feb22,0,2341146.column. 
  15. ^ Marcus, Bennett (March 18, 2008). "Tim Gunn: Christian Siriano Is The Next Marc Jacobs". New York magazine. http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2008/03/tim_gunn_christian_siriano_is.html. 
  16. ^ "'Runway' Winner Reacts With 'F' Word To SNL Skit". People magazine. 10 March 2008. http://tvwatch.people.com/2008/03/10/runway-winner-reacts-with-f-word-to-snl-skit/. 
  17. ^ "Naomi Catwalks Onto 'Supermodel'". OK! Magazine. March 18, 2008. http://www.okmagazine.com/blog/post/5316/Naomi-Catwalks-onto-Supermodel. 
  18. ^ "Project Runway's Christian Siriano to Appear on Ugly Betty". Us Weekly. March 27, 2008. http://www.usmagazine.com/christian_siriano_to_guest_on_ugly_betty. 
  19. ^ "Christian Siriano Designs For Puma!". People magazine. April 30, 2008. http://offtherack.people.com/2008/04/30/christian-siriano-designs-for-puma/. 
  20. ^ "Gaia Prom Crashers with Christian Siriano". Gaia Online. http://www.gaiaonline.com/prom. 
  21. ^ "1st Peek at Christian Siriano's Exclusive Bluefly Collection!". May 14, 2008. http://flypaper.bluefly.com/archives/2008/05/mayjah_news_1st.html. 
  22. ^ "Born-Again Christian". Women's Wear Daily. http://www.wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/whats-another-day-for-chloe-toledo-time-timberlake-does-oprah-2083475?page=2#/article/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/whats-another-day-for-chloe-toledo-time-timberlake-does-oprah-2083475?page=4. 
  23. ^ "Christian Siriano To Launch "Fierce" Maternity Line". New York Magazine. August 18, 2008. http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2008/08/christian_siriano_to_launch_fi.html. 
  24. ^ "Christian Siriano To Make Payless Fierce With His Shows". People magazine. December 4, 2008. http://offtherack.peoplestylewatch.com/2008/12/01/christian-siriano-to-make-payless-fierce-with-his-shoes/. 
  25. ^ "Victoria's Secret Beauty Takes Cue From 'Project Runway'". Women's Wear Daily. http://www.wwd.com/beauty-industry-news/victorias-secret-beauty-takes-cue-from-project-runway-2090644?browsets=1238784992483. 
  26. ^ Price, Margaret (14 March 2008). "Is Christian Siriano Making A Hot Mess of the Term 'Tranny'?". Bitch magazine. http://bitchmagazine.org/post/is-christian-siriano-making-a-hot-mess-of-the-term-quottrannyquot. 
  27. ^ "Let the Gays Begin". Time Out New York. May 29, 2008. http://www.timeout.com/newyork/articles/features/29893/let-the-gays-begin. 
  28. ^ a b Caplan, David (May 30, 2008). "Christian Siriano: I Didn't Mean To Offend Transsexuals". People magazine. http://tvwatch.people.com/2008/05/30/christian-siriano-i-didn’t-mean-to-offend-transsexuals/. 
  29. ^ a b c d Romine, Damon. "EXCLUSIVE: Siriano Clears The Air on Trans Trip". GLAAD. http://glaadorg.nexcess.net/cinequeer/2008/05/siriano-clarifies-trans-statem.html. 
  30. ^ Pompeo, Joe (7 March 2008). "'Project Runway' Winner's BF Unveils Nightlife Photos -- In Park Slope!". The New York Observer. http://www.observer.com/2008/nightlife-photographer-brad-walsh-presents-debut-photo-show. 
  31. ^ Cohen Blatter, Lucy (June 5, 2008). "Hot Fashion Designer Claims 'Fierce' Williamsburg Loft". The New York Sun. http://www.nysun.com/real-estate/hot-fashion-designer-claims-fierce-williamsburg/79325/. 

[edit] External links

Preceded by
Jeffrey Sebelia		 Project Runway winner
Christian Siriano		 Succeeded by
Leanne Marshall
Preceded by
Mychael Knight		 Fan Favorite
Christian Siriano		 Succeeded by
Korto Momolu
v • d • e
Project Runway
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1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6
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Jay McCarroll · Chloe Dao · Jeffrey Sebelia · Christian Siriano · Leanne Marshall
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Kara Saun · Wendy Pepper · Daniel Vosovic · Santino Rice · Uli Herzner · Laura Bennett · Mychael Knight · Rami Kashou · Jillian Lewis · Korto Momolu · Kenley Collins
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