TIM GUNN TALKS TO STAR ABOUT NEW GIG!
Project Runway's Tim Gunn spoke exclusively to Star reporter Shira Levine at the John Bartlett show during New York Fall Fashion Week 2007 about his future on the Bravo show and his new deal with Liz Claiborne.
Are you wearing John Bartlett today?
I'm wearing Banana Republic!
Congratulation on the Liz Claiborne job, what an unexpected job change for your fans and students!
I'm thrilled about it. I never expected to ever leave Parson's and Liz's new CEO came to me and made me an offer I couldn't refuse.
What will you be doing?
In this role I am going to be a mentor to the 350 designers and the 40 plus brands for Liz Claiborne. So I will be working with their designers very much the same way that I will be working with my students.
So this is goodbye to Parson's and your students?
I'll finish out my class this semester. I will work with the thesis review. I'll host the fashion show, and I'll keep a tie, certainly.
Are you still going to be doing Project Runway?
We're coming back. I'll still be on. It's separate. [Liz Claiborne] is only incredibly supportive of the whole thing.
Will you bring any Liz Claiborne flavor to Project Runway?
I don't know how we would integrate it to be honest. Unless Heidi (Klum) was wearing one of the brands, I don't know that it would be a natural thing — and Liz isn't looking for anything like that. They really said, "Lets keep these things separate." But they like the idea that I will continue be out in the world and visible in that capacity. Quite frankly, during the Project Runway auditions, I could find some good candidates for design positions.
What about your new TV show, is that still on?
We're still doing it. It's going to be based on the book that I have coming out in the Spring. But we don't even have a producer yet. So its not going to happen at just any moment.
Are overwhelmed with all this opportunity?
I'm thrilled! I'm having a blast. I'm really having a great time in my life and all after I turned 50! Isn't that amazing. I'm 53 and heading into 54 in July." Click here to see our Fashion Week Photo Gallery!
