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Fashion Guru Lines Up New Project

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By CLOE CABRERA, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 4, 2007

TAMPA - With all the fashion makeover shows on TV right now, one can only wonder: Are there really that many women with wretched wardrobes in desperate need of a do-over?

Apparently so.

And who better to deliver the make-it-right magic than fashion guru Tim Gunn, the suave-yet-sweet breakout star of Bravo's hit 'Project Runway.' (Heidi who?)

'Looking good takes hard work and commitment,' says Gunn, 54, former chair of the fashion design department at Parsons The New School for Design in New York City.

'It's really an education about who they are, with whom they interact and how they want the world to perceive them,' he says. 'It's all about the message that our clothes send and how the world perceives that.'

For three seasons, Gunn has offered guidance and tough love to up-and-coming fashion designers. Now, he's making it work with his own reality show.

'Tim Gunn's Guide to Style' will air at 10 p.m. Thursdays on Bravo, starting this week.

The series is based on his new book, 'Tim Gunn: A Guide to Quality, Taste and Style' (Abrams Image, $17.95). Gunn teams up with former model Veronica Webb to lead fashion-challenged women on a journey - often emotional - to discover their personal style. That includes revamping their closets, teaching them how to shop for their body type, even lessons in proper grooming.

'It's not an intervention,' says Gunn, speaking from his office at Liz Claiborne Inc. in New York City, where he serves as chief creative officer. 'These women have self-declared their need for help. And, basically, they share being in a fashion rut. My hope is that we'll inspire others to achieve their own stylish identities.'

Since its debut in 2005, 'Project Runway' has become a cultural phenomenon, catapulting Gunn into television and fashion stardom.

'I still pinch myself every day, and I say I'm the luckiest guy in the world,' he says. 'When this happens to you after you've turned 50, you have a sincere appreciation for what a phenomenon it is. I still can't get over it.'

Gunn says he can't wait to return to the fourth season of 'Project Runway,' which will air later this fall.

As for his new show, does he plan to dish out advice with the same insight, charm and artfully applied tough love as he does on 'Runway'?

Webb, his co-host, says absolutely.

'What you see is exactly what you get with Tim,' she says. 'He has the most even temper of anyone I have ever met in my life. He is always kind; he is always patient. He is always polite ... and he is always genuine.'

The duo say viewers can expect to see a real representation of women today - petite to full-figured - who will not only be transformed on the outside, but inside as well.

'You can't do this for somebody unless you can get inside their heads,' Webb says. 'And you can't help them make it a success unless you care. I think people can expect to be turned around and touched by the transformations.'

Is there anyone Gunn would like the opportunity to make over? Hillary Rodham Clinton.

'I became very excited when she was the senator from New York, and I just find her uniform to be, forgive me, a kind of a crashing bore.'

Webb's choice: Michelle Obama, wife of presidential candidate Barack Obama.

When it comes to celebs who get extra points in style, Gunn points to Angelina Jolie and George Clooney.

Fashion shouldn't be important only to the rich, Gunn adds. Everyone should be concerned about what their clothes say about them.

Gunn explains how bothered he became recently while visiting Capitol Hill:

'I had more elected people, senators and congresswomen, saying to me, 'Oh, don't look at how I look. I don't pay any attention to my clothes. I'm not a fashion person.' I said to several of them, 'You're in an elected office. Don't you feel that your clothes send a message to your constituents about who you are, and don't you think it impacts how they perceive you?'

'Don't you think you should care about fashion? Because I think everybody needs to be concerned about the message that their clothes are sending.'

IN YOUR CLOSET

These are a few basic pieces Tim Gunn says every woman should have in her closet:

•Basic black dress

•Trench coat

•Classic dress pants

•Skirt

•Blazer

•Classic white shirt

•Day dress

•Cashmere sweater

•Jeans

•Sweatsuit alternative (cashmere pants and matching hoodie, black capris, slim black pants or dark jeans)

•BONUS - One indulgent trendy item. 'Indulge occasionally in a $20 something or other,' he says.

Reporter Cloe Cabrera can be reached at (813) 259-7656.

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