WEATHER ALERT

Siriano, fresh off Oscar glory, talks ‘Project Runway’

Advertisement

Advertise with us

NEW YORK - Christian Siriano didn't want the tuxedo gown he designed for Billy Porter at the Oscars to shock anyone. He simply wanted to make a bold statement about celebrating identity.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Subscribe and receive a limited-edition Free Press branded hat or tote.

Digital Subscription

One year of digital access for only $205*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

*Your next Brandon Sun subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $17.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 08/03/2019 (2700 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

NEW YORK – Christian Siriano didn’t want the tuxedo gown he designed for Billy Porter at the Oscars to shock anyone. He simply wanted to make a bold statement about celebrating identity.

“You should be who you want to be on a red carpet, off a red carpet. Wear what you want to wear, no matter who you are, and I think that’s what that was all about,” Siriano said at a launch party Thursday ahead of the upcoming 17th season of “Project Runway,” which premieres next Thursday on Bravo.

The velvet custom tuxedo look for Porter did cause a sensation on social media, but Siriano did not focus on any of the negative reaction, especially when he heard how it empowered school-age children in search of their identities.

Christian Siriano attends the season premiere of Bravo's
Christian Siriano attends the season premiere of Bravo's "Project Runway" at Vandal on Thursday, March 7, 2019, in New York. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)

“I was thinking about reading these emails from young kids being like, ‘I feel like I can wear what I want to wear to school now because of what Billy did.’ And that’s what it’s all about,” Siriano said.

There are plenty of changes in store at “Project Runway.” Nina Garcia, who has been with the series for its entire run, returns as a judge. But Siriano, a winner from Season 4, will replace Tim Gunn as show mentor. Another new face is model Karlie Kloss, who takes on duties as the show’s host, replacing Heidi Klum.

“I think Christian is our superstar from ‘Project Runway.’ He knows exactly what it takes, what it took, and how it’s going to change your life once you’re done with ‘Project Runway.’ So, I think he’s a perfect mentor,” Garcia said.

Elaine Welteroth is another new addition to the show, serving as a judge. The former Teen Vogue editor called Siriano “America’s designer darling.”

“People watch him rise up on this show and they’re invested in him and his career and so it’s so cool to see this full-circle moment where he comes back, and he can kind of raise up the next generation of ‘Project Runway’ superstars,” she said.

Siriano, who tried to separate himself from the show while he was building his company, is happy to come home and share his experiences with the young competitors.

Nina Garcia, from left, Elaine Welteroth, Brandon Maxwell, Karlie Kloss and Christian Siriano attend the season premiere of Bravo's
Nina Garcia, from left, Elaine Welteroth, Brandon Maxwell, Karlie Kloss and Christian Siriano attend the season premiere of Bravo's "Project Runway" at Vandal on Thursday, March 7, 2019, in New York. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)

“If they have a red carpet challenge, I was like, ‘Well I just dressed seven people at the Oscars.’ I know something about a red carpet challenge.”

___

Follow John Carucci at http://www.twitter.com/jacarucci

Report Error Submit a Tip

More Stories

Today’s horoscope

Georgia Nicols 4 minute read Preview

Today’s horoscope

Georgia Nicols 4 minute read 2:00 AM CDT

MOON ALERT: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The full moon peaks in Aquarius at 9:36 a.m.

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

You might feel tension with romantic partners. Because of the full-moon energy, you might also feel at odds with a friend, member of a group or even your kids. This is gone in about a day or so. Don’t get your belly in a rash.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

Read
2:00 AM CDT

Troubling photo worth a significant number of words for coach who refuses to speak

Dan Lett 5 minute read Preview

Troubling photo worth a significant number of words for coach who refuses to speak

Dan Lett 5 minute read Monday, Jul. 27, 2026

There’s nothing funny about violent hazing rituals in youth sport. Why then, you might ask, is Doug Kovacs laughing?

Read
Monday, Jul. 27, 2026

Puzzles Palace

1 minute read Monday, Jul. 27, 2026

To solve our puzzles, please subscribe with this special offer: |

Siriano, fresh off Oscar glory, talks 'Project Runway'

John Carucci, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Siriano, fresh off Oscar glory, talks 'Project Runway'

John Carucci, The Associated Press 3 minute read Tuesday, Mar. 12, 2019

NEW YORK - Christian Siriano didn't want the tuxedo gown he designed for Billy Porter at the Oscars to shock anyone. He simply wanted to make a bold statement about celebrating identity.

"You should be who you want to be on a red carpet, off a red carpet. Wear what you want to wear, no matter who you are, and I think that's what that was all about," Siriano said at a launch party Thursday ahead of the upcoming 17th season of "Project Runway," which premieres next Thursday on Bravo.

The velvet custom tuxedo look for Porter did cause a sensation on social media, but Siriano did not focus on any of the negative reaction, especially when he heard how it empowered school-age children in search of their identities.

"I was thinking about reading these emails from young kids being like, 'I feel like I can wear what I want to wear to school now because of what Billy did.' And that's what it's all about," Siriano said.

Read
Tuesday, Mar. 12, 2019

It may be frustrating, but it’s necessary

Editorial 4 minute read Preview

It may be frustrating, but it’s necessary

Editorial 4 minute read 2:00 AM CDT

Many of this country’s public utilities are virtual monopolies, and because of that, their ability to set rates and their long-term capital plans need review in order to protect their ratepayers.

Read
2:00 AM CDT

Sottobraccio brings Harth’s Italian flavours to new location in Osborne Village

Eva Wasney 4 minute read Preview

Sottobraccio brings Harth’s Italian flavours to new location in Osborne Village

Eva Wasney 4 minute read Yesterday at 5:21 PM CDT

Sottobraccio is the answer to a common refrain at Harth Mozza & Wine Bar.

“The No. 1 thing we always hear from guests at Harth is, ‘We love coming here, but it’s such a drive,’” chef Brent Genyk says of his popular fine-dining restaurant in South St. Vital.

Harth’s new sister restaurant opened in the heart of Osborne Village in June, joining a raft of other eateries that have moved into the central Winnipeg neighbourhood in recent years.

Sottobraccio is located at 160 Osborne St. in the main floor of the Zü, a new retail and residential complex built on the former site of the Osborne Village Motor Inn and its well-known music venue, the Zoo.

Read
Yesterday at 5:21 PM CDT