The
Bizarre
Designer of the Future
Season Four Project Runway Winner
Christian Siriano
mrstyyles@excapethematrix.com
On March 5, 2008 the fourth season of Bravo’s original series Project Runway crowned Christian Siriano the winner of the reality series. Siriano is the youngest designer to win the show since its 2004 premiere on cable television. Christian was born on November 18, 1985 in Maryland. He comes from a background of Italian and German descent which explains some of his creative talents as a designer because his great grandfather was a furrier and several of his relatives were tailors in Italy. He was first introduced to the arts through his sister’s interest in dance. It led him to perform with The Ballet Theater of Maryland but of course his passion for dramatic costumes outshines his plies.
The Project Runway Winner would often spend time backstage at his s
ister’s dance recitals, where he befriended costume designers and developed an interest in fashion. At the age of thirteen, Siriano began designing while working at Bubbles Hair Salon in Annapolis, Maryland where he was a shampoo assistant and later became a hairstyling assistant and make up artist for the salon. His biggest accomplishment was sewing and designing clothes for the salon’s annual hair shows.
Christian’s education in design began at the Baltimore School for the Arts where he was allowed to choose fashion design as his course of study despite it not being offered. After graduating he was inspired to attend FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) but was denied. After his denial of acceptance to FIT, he decided to study abroad at American Intercontinental University in London, England. Siriano was blessed with a recommendation from a teacher at the university during his senior year where he began to intern at Vivienne Westwood and later at Alexander McQueen which happens to be his favorite designer. After graduating from college Christian moved to the fashion capital of New York City.
Before Siriano’s big break on season four of Project Runway he worked as a freelance bridal designer, make up artist for Stila Cosmetics, collaborated with Rosetta Getty as well as held a brief internship position at Marc Jacobs. So Siriano was no stranger to working with high distinguished and well known designers before debuting on the series. Once Christian was on the show during that time he won the most challenges out of any contestant on the season. After battling through many challenges, contestants, trials and tribulations he went on to the finals.
Siriano was granted a spot to showcase a twelve-piece final collection at New York Fashion Week. I have to say that Christian’s collection was very Haute Couture and blew the minds of those that attended Fashion Week and those who tuned in to watch the season finale of the reality series. His collection totally expressed who he is as a designer and the detail and structure of the garments spoke something of taking a chance and opening the minds of those that can’t see out of a box. During the show he was known for saying the word “FIERCE” a million times throughout the season so now when you think of Christian Siriano you think of being “FIERCE”.
At the end of the showcase Siriano was awarded the winner of Project Runway along with the Fan Favorite award which was presented by season three Fan Favorite Michael Knight. Christian Siriano has been said to be America’s Next Great Fashion Designer and all of this at the early years of his twenties. After winning the show Christian has signed to design a fifteen piece collection for Puma, designed virtual prom wear for Gaia Online’s virtual prom and his first collection for Bluefly is set to debut on the website in late July 2008. Siriano just recently made his television debut on ABC’s hit show Ugly Betty.
For more information on Christian Siriano log onto www.christianvsiriano.com