TV show puts local designer on pins and needles
By Josh McBee
pop editor
In the world of fashion, things are either hot or not. In the world of local fashion designers, Kayne Gillaspie is definitely hot.
Gillaspie, a Tennessee native and co-owner of Norman's Southern Charm boutique, is competing in the third season of Bravo's reality hit "Project Runway," which premiered Wednesday. Selected from thousands nationwide and the only applicant to be accepted from the Chicago auditions, Gillaspie battles 14 other designers for a chance to show during the Big Apple's Fashion Week in September and a $100,000 grand prize.
The designer began gaining steam when he dressed the top five teens, including the winner and first runner-up, in the Miss Oklahoma USA pageant during late 2005. It was earlier this year that he burned rubber to make "Project Runway" auditions in Chicago, but Gillaspie really heated up (literally) once he arrived May 17 in New York City.
"I had no clue, in watching the prior two seasons, that you couldn't have air conditioning because of the cameras and stuff," Gillaspie said, noting he had thought it curious a previous competitor always wore running shorts on the fashion show. The results of this oversight, he said, are obvious. "You will see me sweating like a whore in church."
In addition to the heat, there's also pressure, as the designers compete in weekly challenges where the weakest designs get eliminated (along with their creator). Unlike the previous two seasons, the third installment of "Project Runway" features a selection of more mature designers, with some in their 40s and most spread throughout the 30-something range. Gillaspie said because the competitors were more experienced, the challenges were made more difficult.
But challenges are common at his shop. In one instance, a pregnant woman in a touring singing group needed outfits that would grow with her belly. Still, Gillaspie said the show's challenges are harder than they look.
"There's so many things that the public doesn't get to see. The restrictions are so hard. On the show, they edit it where they say, 'You have a day to finish this challenge.' Sometimes that would mean you don't start until 2 in the afternoon and you have til midnight. That's 10 hours. That's not a day," he said.
As hot as the action can get in the sewing room, the real reward for Gillaspie isn't in the rush of competition or the name recognition that comes with being on TV. For him, fashion is something more personal.
"The biggest thrill for me is seeing a customer pleased and actually wearing a garment that fits them beautifully," he said. "For me to feel like I can make someone feel beautiful just by making a garment that makes them look good or feel good when they put it on, that's the biggest thrill for me."
Since filming ended, the 27-year-old has split his time between his store (where the phone rings almost constantly) and post-show obligations like interviews and red carpet appearances in L.A.
According to a press release, 3.4 million people watched last season's "Project Runway" finale, making it the top-rated show in the 20-year history of the Bravo network.
For more information, visit bravotv.com or myspace.com/projectkayne.
Entertainment
Related Photos
Discussion
That Kayne is so hot right now
- Entertainment
-
-
2nd Friday Art Circuit tonight
Events for 2nd Friday Circuit of Art Feb. 10, 2012: Participating nonprofit organizations: · Firehouse Art Center, 444 S. Flood, will exhibit artworks by students from the Healing Studio Feb. 10 through March 24. Firehouse patrons ...
-
Breathe Owl Breathe flying to Opolis
Breathe Owl Breathe (BOB) is not a typical band. Not surprisingly the trio’s percussionist, Trevor Hobbs, is not a conventional drummer. Between recording music, playing local gigs and touring, he teaches earth sciences at two different ...
-
A rare viewing of “There is More to Love...”
The University of Oklahoma College of Fine Arts and Norman’s Sooner Theatre is presenting a rare opportunity next weekend to see a staged reading of a new musical, “There is More to Love…” Utilizing love songs by Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, ...
-
‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ turns 50
By Carolyn Kellogg Los Angeles Times “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” Sure, everyone’s heard of it. But is it worth reading? Before Jack Nicholson won his first Oscar, before there was a bus full of merry pranksters, there was a writing ...
-
On Se Rechauffe! Let’s Heat It Up!
By Hannah Cruz norman etc. editor Thousands of people will gather the streets of Downtown Norman next weekend to enjoy Oklahoma’s original Mardi Gras parade....
-
An interesting take on espionage with “Safe House”
He must have joined “The Agency” with an eye toward excitement, exotic locales and danger. But in Capetown, a backwater as far as foreign intrigue goes, agency newcomer Matt Weston is stuck — a one-man show, running a never-used “safe ...
-
The artist life of Warrior Spirits
With nearly 1,000 distinct dialects spoken, hundreds of years of colonization from multiple countries as well as vast natural resources, Papua New Guinea is the epitome of diversity. Its native art is no exception....
-
The ONE event is coming to town with chairs
The unexpected will be the center of attention at the Norman Art Council’s ONE fundraiser in March: chairs....
-
Economy on the upswing at the Deli Tuesday
Life-long Norman resident Travis Pierce denies being a Communist. He explained writing a requiem for recently deceased North Korean strongman Kim Jong-il as recognition of his place in pop culture rather than as a tribute to a brutal ...
-
Steel drums to hit OU
The largest steel pan ensemble Oklahoma has ever seen will assemble in Norman next weekend for a steel pan festival, a two-day celebration of Calypso music that will make any stage seem small. “This is going to be the first time we’ve ...
- More Entertainment Headlines
-
2nd Friday Art Circuit tonight
