Shifting the Paradigm

After winning the fourth season of America’s Project Runway, there has been no turning back for the series’ youngest winner - Christian Siriano. He is a beacon of reinventing the runway experience. From Ashley Graham swathing in a glittering curve-hugging dress to Billy Porter arriving in a black velvet tuxedo blazer with a ball-gown skirt, Siriano’s designs have been synonymous to spreading a positive message -‘Fashion belongs to everyone’. Celebrating a decade in the industry, Siriano creates looks that women of all sizes are eager to wear, in and out of the spotlight.

From winning the Project Runway to celebrating your 10th-anniversary collection, what would you like to share about your journey?

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I have always loved to create. I love the idea of transformation. I want people to transform themselves when they put on my clothes. This has been my goal for the last 11 years or so since I started my company.

Did you meet the goals that you set for your brand ten years ago?

I have had so many amazing moments over the years that I am proud of. I have been able to dress and work with some of the biggest stars in the world. I opened a beautiful flagship store in New York, collaborated with many brands, published 2 books, built a business that is now sold all over the world and I got to help change the world’s perception on what is beautiful in fashion.

I think so I have been able to meet the goals.

Tell us about your inspiration that lets you bring diversity in designs.

I think my customer inspires me the most. They belong to all walks of life and from all over the globe. Hence, I try to create things that are for different types of people. This has always been my goal and will continue as we grow as a brand.

How do you want your designs to influence the industry?

I think my work has always been progressive and forward thinking. People might not always like the risks I take but they usually catch up. I’m not just trying to change fashion with my work. I’m trying to help change a culture. No one had ever put 6 curvy girls down a runway until we did, no brand has ever dressed more than 15 women of all sizes, ages and skin types on a carpet in one night, and no designer has ever put a man in a gown at the Academy Awards. All of these things have helped to change the way we think and look at fashion and its purposes. It’s not just about pretty clothes; it’s always more than that!

You make sure that your designs speak a genderless language and promote inclusivity. Have you faced any backlash or criticism for being vocal about it?

I think people should wear what they want to. There are no rules in fashion and anyone who thinks there are has been misinformed. There is no law anymore that says men can't wear dresses or women can't wear a suit. I think fashion is meant for all and you should be able to be who you want to be. I think the only backlash I have noticed is that maybe we lose a customer that doesn’t agree with this thinking, but I’m fine with that.

Do you believe that a brand or label’s success is marked by the number of designs worn by celebrities?

I really don't believe that. It is a great thing but a brand can be successful without celebrity dressing too. The actual success is marked by the real people who buy the clothes in the store or online season after season. Celebrities can come and go but the customer will last forever. I just think the celebrity dressing helps to get your work out to a larger crowd in a faster way, in hopes that more people will become your customer.

The infamous tuxedo gown for Billy Porter is synonymous to ‘Gender-Neutral’ attire. Do you think that the world today is ready to accept such silhouettes in men’s fashion?

I don't know if the entire world is ready but I think they should be. It’s just clothing which we put on new ones, every day. It shouldn’t hurt anyone’s feelings so much in regards to what people choose to put on their bodies and go to the store or work in.

What next should we expect in your upcoming collections?

There will always be colour, self-expression, risks, and passion in my collections. That is what I put into each clothing and I just hope, people like them.