Alright all you denim-loving Denverites, get excited because you’re about to get lucky! Tomorrow, beginning at 11am, Lucky Brand in Park Meadows mall will be hosting fashion expert extraordinaire, Tim Gunn. If you make a purchase of $100 or more, you will meet and be professionally photographed with him. Additionally, you will receive a personalized and signed copy of his latest book Gunn’s Golden Rules: Life’s Little Lessons for Making It Work.
The expert, author and Project Runway guru has been kind enough to answer some questions for our 303 readers.
1. What are some of the top trends for Spring?
I have to begin by saying that I am not in favor of chasing trends. A trend is only good if it works for you; that is, your lifestyle, your body type, and your taste. This spring we’re seeing short shorts, rompers, maxi dresses, and lots of color, especially in prints.
2. How is Lucky Brand interpreting those trends?
Lucky Brand is a fashion brand, so by definition it must be trend conscious. Lucky Brand’s designers always infuse trend-aware items with Lucky’s DNA — a little hippy, a little counter-culture, a little wild west, and a lot of playfulness. What’s extremely special about Lucky Brand’s spring looks is the custom print work of artist John Robshaw. These arresting prints are exclusive to the Lucky Brand.
3. What are some classic styles from Lucky Brand that work for a range of seasons and sizes?
If you stick with the basics — denim, western style shirts and jackets, t-shirts — then you can wear them year round, especially considering today’s proclivity for layering. Regarding sizes, the Lucky Brand associates are fit experts. When I had my first shopping experience there, which was years ago, I was totally blown away by the associates’ sizing knowledge and expertise.
4. What are some of your favorite tips from Gunn’s Golden Rules: Life’s Little Lessons for Making It Work?
Well, “Make it Work!” of course. But at the core of the book is the following advice: take the high road. This means that no matter how angry you may be, or how frustrated, or how much Strum und Drang you’re facing, rise above it. When I reflect upon the times that I’ve lashed out at someone in response to their lashing out at me, I’ve always regretted it. But when I’ve taken the high road, I’ve never been regretful. In these times of proliferations of bad behavior, we need a behavioral antidote.
5. Lucky founders Gene Montesano and Barry Perlman have just launched a new casual brand called Civilianaire. What are your thoughts about how it fits into today’s style landscape?
Gene and Barry are extremely talented and hugely entrepreneurial. Civilianaire is a modern riff on classic American clothes. I fully expect it to be a big hit.
6. In your opinion, who are some of the most memorable and talented designers from Project Runway?
Oh, there are many! I’m extraordinarily proud of the Project Runway “alumni.” The experience of being on the show is daunting and it requires huge doses of stamina and tenacity to survive from challenge tochallenge. Furthermore, it’s not an easy task to leave the show and launch a brand. That process is a collaborative one the requires additional doses of stamina and tenacity, plus considerable financial resources. I know that many of our alumni are immersed in that process now and we’ll see more from them in short order. The alumnus who has most seriously leveraged his time of the show is Christian Siriano, at least in my opinion. His brand is almost ubiquitous!
7. What are some emerging trends you’re seeing in New York that you expect will trickle into smaller cities, like Denver?
What I love about fashion in New York is that you see everything imaginable, from the sublime to the ridiculous. I find that each metropolitan area in each region of the country has it’s own particular fashion vibe. From my former experiences in Denver, I perceived a sophistication, polish, and even a hip-ness that I wasn’t expecting. Denver has its own special vibe!
8. What’s next for you professionally?
There are many things percolating for me, most of which I need to keep under wraps until they’re done (“You’ll jinx it if you blab…”). But I’ll be covering the Royal Wedding for ABC/Nightline, the ninth season of Project Runway will tape this summer, and The Smurfs movie (I have a small role) premieres in early August.
