GUNN PLAY
TOM & LORENZO
Tim Gunn gets candid about his cocktail of choice, celebrity cage matches and what fashion trends get on his last gay nerve.
Tim Gunn became a household name when he first appeared on Project Runway as the contestants’ kind but stern mentor. His sudden catapult into fame propelled him to a book deal (A Guide to Quality, Taste and Style) which was then turned into a Bravo makeover show (Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style, currently shooting its second season). Add in his ongoing tenure as chief creative officer of Liz Claiborne, and the man’s dance card is full. Still, he found time to sit down with us and show us his lighter side.
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What’s the one trend women are wearing that gets on your last gay nerve?
It’s that [expletive] bare midriff thing! What’s with that? I was assured by almost everyone in the fashion industry that it was going away. Well, regrettably, it’s not.
And on men?
Oh, dear. It’s age inappropriateness. I proudly live in Chelsea, which is a gay mecca. I constantly see guys my age who are dressing and grooming as though they’re twenty-something. Guys, please lose the cargo shorts and the tank tops. Be confident about letting your age and experiences be part of who you are and how you present yourself to the world. And would you really want to return to your 20s? I wouldn’t. And may I throw in one more pet peeve that I have with both genders?
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Knock yourself out.
If you’re going to wear flip flops, then please get a professional pedicure or practice the proper grooming of your feet at home. In addition to poorly groomed nails, few things cause my gag reflex to kick in more than calloused heels. Everyone should own a pumice stone — and use it!
Okay, bitchery time. Who would win in the following cage matches? Heidi vs. Nina
This match ends in a stalemate; that is, neither the Teuton nor the Latina wins or loses. But high drama does, indeed, ensue as they reenact that fabulous scene from Mommie Dearest when Joan (Nina) wrestles Christina (Heidi) to the living room carpet and tries to strangle her while Barbara what’s-her-name from Redbook is present writing an article about La Crawford’s happy home. “Barbara, PLEASE!”
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Michael Kors vs. you
I’m a Platonist at heart, so I’d cede to Michael without so much as a scrap. Besides, I’m a hair-puller and a biter, so I’d immediately lose out on the former.
Santino vs. Christian
Santino would win in nanoseconds. It’s simply a matter of scale.
Hypothetical time: You tumble out of bed and stumble to the kitchen to pour yourself a cup of ambition only to find you’re fresh out. Would you dash out the door to grab some in whatever you were wearing or would we see you in Starbucks at 7 a.m., freshly showered, in a black pinstripe suit?
Since moving to a new apartment a year ago and purging a lot of old things, I still haven’t replaced my coffeemaker. Consequently, I have a going-out-for-coffee routine. At 6 a.m. I go to the corner deli for a large coffee, a banana, the New York Times and the New York Post (I feel it’s my obligation to keep up with “Page Six”). An hour later, I go back out, this time to Dunkin’ Donuts, which opens at 7 a.m. Now that the weather is warmer, you’ll find me in a fairly standard morning uniform of black jeans, a medium gray T-shirt and Converse no-strings (my favorite footwear for pure comfort).
And finally, after a long day of making it work, what’s Mr. Gunn’s cocktail of choice?
If I’m home, then it’s a gin and tonic. If I’m out (a rare occasion, to be sure), then I have a Manhattan. I put martinis aside in favor of Manhattans ever since September 11. It’s part of my own display of patriotism.
And now, more of the Tim Gunn Interview that we didn't have room for in the magazine — exclusively on Metrosource.com!
You’ve got quite the year coming up! TWO seasons of Project Runway, the second season of Guide to Style, PLUS the Liz Claiborne gig. Are you getting enough sleep?
While I have to admit to you that there are times when I feel like I’m a hair shy of a psychotic breakdown, I am one of the luckiest guys in the world. But, I have to share the following anecdote of a mere two weeks ago: I was hailing a taxi and a woman came running up to me, almost breathless. She handed me a business card and, in a thick Slavic accent, declared, “I do not approach men, but you have amazing energy, I can tell, but you are eating very poorly and don’t get enough sleep. Come to see me. I can help.” Her card said, “Astrologer,” Really? Then tell me something that I don’t already know!
What style faux pas have you made in the past? Or do you just not make them?
Oh, I make faux pas all the time, which is why I’m sensitive to these issues and want to help people, rather than hurl snarly barbs at them. My faux pas take the form of white shirts that are yellowing and that I should recycle into dust rags, but am still wearing; suits that have lost their immaculateness; neckties that have had one too many microphones taped inside the knot; and dress shoes that are a little long in the tooth. I will assert that good clothing and accessory maintenance is important to me. And contrary to popular belief, I have an adequate, but not overly abundant, wardrobe.
You have a well-earned reputation for being very gracious to your fans, but come on. You can tell us. You’re sick of having to say “Make it work” all the time, right?
No, I’m never sick of being asked to say, “Make it work!” However, “What happened to Andrae?” is another matter…
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