My New Happy: Make It Work, Tim Gunn

Friday, June 20, 2014

Make It Work, Tim Gunn


One of my favorite television shows is Project Runway, which isn't all that surprising since I am a fan of fashion.  I love the crazy competitions (make a dress out of stuff from the dollar store?), the arrogant designers, and the beautiful clothing they create in one day. But the main reason I watch this show?  Tim Gunn.

Tim Gunn is a fashion consultant and design expert who started his career at the Parsons School for Design in NYC.  He worked his way up to the fashion department, and turned Parsons into one of the most respected fashion schools in the world.  His role on Project Runway is that of mentor to the designers.  He uses his classic sense of style to provide valuable constructive criticism, always given with a gentle, kind touch.  His catch phrase is "make it work", and somehow they always do.



I'm a big fan of Tim's take on clothing.  "The most important part of fashion is how it makes the wearer feel.  We're all entitled to present ourselves as we choose."  Amen.

Last week, Tim went up a hundred notches in my book when he participated in a reality TV roundtable and stated that he would like to do a season of Project Runway featuring only plus-size models.

The facts are these:  in the United States, the average woman wears a size 14.  Yet what we see on the runway or in fashion magazines are waif like girls modeling garments as if they are merely clothes hangers.  Such a terrible disparity between reality and fantasy, and it's doing a disservice to women young and old.  Today I'm not discussing healthy weight or ideal size.  Not everyone wears a 0, and fashionable clothing should be available for any woman who wants to rock it.

But maybe we're on the right track when someone as well respected in the industry as Tim Gunn says, "When I'm working in the real world with real women and we're shopping, we find that fashion seems to end when you get any larger than a size 12.  How ridiculous is that?  And most designers that I talk to have absolutely no interest in addressing this population, which I find repugnant."

Thank you for so eloquently saying what many of us have been thinking.  Make it work, Tim, make it work.

39 comments:

  1. I stopped watching Project Runway after awhile, but I would definitely watch that version!

    http://audreyallure.blogspot.com

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    1. I doubt they will actually do it, but it would be nice.

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  2. Work it, Tim! I love Tim. And I agree. And PR is one of my very favorite shows even though it pisses me off when the designers diss working with real women. REAL women. Boo hiss! But I do love Tim.

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    1. The designers are such jerks sometimes. Yay for Tim!

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  3. They say if Marilyn Monroe were alive today she'd have taken a size 14...

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    1. I've heard that before. Sizes have definitely changed.

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  4. I agree with Tim...we need to do more stylish options for the curvy and not even call 14 and 16 plus size! I wish there were better options! I got to meet him a year ago and he was very kind and had great advice for those of us over 50 who want to stay in the professional world.

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    1. How wonderful that you got to meet him. He seems like he would be so nice.

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  5. Yeah Tim! Don't we wish we were all 6' and 120 lbs and 20 years old! But let's get real.

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  6. I don't know much about fashion, but I do know our world would be pretty boring if we all looked like waifs or like Barbie dolls!
    I'm glad to hear a designer is speaking up for women of all sizes!

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    1. Now if only someone will listen to him! I agree, our differences are what make the world go around.

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  7. Hi Lana! I'm not much of a fashion person (if you knew me personally you'd agree) but this is lovely news. Tim Gunn sounds like a great guy with his statement, "make it work!" and his willingness to use real people in a reality show. Thanks for sharing. ~Kathy

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    1. Thanks Kathy. The show is really fun, even if you're not that in to fashion.

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  8. Now I am a HUGE fan! It's so true---past size 12 everything sucks! I wear a 14 and someties a 16---very hard to find "cute" stuff on the rack!

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    1. I like Tim more every time I read one of his interviews. Hopefully some designers will start listening to him!

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  9. I absolutely LOVE Project Runway and Under the Gunn! It always surprises me when the designers can't seem to handle designing clothes for the real woman. It would amazing to see a season featuring "plus-size" women.

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    1. I agree. I can never figure out why they have such a hard time designing for something other than the mannequin.

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  10. I love that phrase of his and use it as a motto often in my life. Love Project Runway too!

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  11. Tim seems like such a great person on every show I have every watched that he's been on. Thanks for sharing.

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  12. I've never watched Project Runway, but his comment makes me want to. I was a size 2 once - but had to starve myself to get and stay there. It is just something that is not attainable or healthy for most women.

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    1. Yes, for most of us a 2 isn't reality. You should give the show a try - it's very interesting.

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  13. I love Tim Gunn! I'm always disheartened when the designers on Project Runway complain about working with someone who doesn't have model proportions. I would love to see that version of Project Runway! Found you through SITS!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by! I don't understand the designers either - so silly!

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  14. Tim Gunn!
    I love this man.
    I want to shop w/ him & drink wine!!

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  15. Love Tim Gunn and Project Runway! It would be so great if they did a season representing real women!

    Jill
    dousedinpink.blogspot.com

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    1. I hope they do, but I'm not holding my breath!

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  16. I'm also a big PR fan. (anyone else remember "What happened to Andre?" -- Funny moment!) I didn't know Tim Gunn did that... he's so cool, that Tim!

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  17. Thank you for sharing valuable information. Nice post. I enjoyed reading this post.

    supersmashflash2s.com

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