21 Questions with… Christian Siriano

December 1, 2015

In 2008, Christian Siriano launched his eponymous runway collection, worn by every red carpet regular from Taylor Swift to Rihanna. Since then he’s added a fragrance, a best-selling book and an impressive list of collaborations including Puma, Payless, Starbucks, HSN and Kleinfeld — all before the age of 30. It’s no wonder he’s being touted as the “next billion dollar designer.”

In between designing his latest runway collection and his upcoming collaboration with plus-size retailer Lane Bryant, Siriano will be joining Team tFS as our December guest editor. Expect tons of style advice, industry insights and much more. Without further ado!

When I get dressed in the morning, I think… I need to find my favorite jeans to wear, so I’m comfortable when I’m in my studio all day.
If you’d look at my phone you’d see… photos of clothes in the studio, puppy photos, thousands of emails and a lot of text messages.
My biggest fashion pet peeve is… underdressing.
I’m dying to splurge on… a Hermes cashmere blanket.
The last thing I googled was… Helmut Newton photographs.
When it comes to picking models for my show… I look for girls of diversity who also have a strong, powerful walk!
If I weren’t in fashion, I’d be… an interior designer.
My life motto is… never second-guess yourself!
You’d never catch me wearing… sweatpants.
If I had one extra hour in the day I’d… shop online.
The last great book I read was… Habitat by Lauren Liess.
My favorite restaurant is… The Waverly Inn.
I like to de-stress by… buying furniture on One Kings Lane.
My secret talent is… I am a great ice skater!
The one thing I can’t live without is… my gold handle fabric scissors.
My current Netflix addiction is… Orange Is the New Black.
The best gift I ever received was… my 30th birthday video that my partner Brad Walsh created for me!
My beauty essentials are… Sebastian Shaper Plus Hairspray, Aveda Air Control Hairspray, Aveda Pure-Formance Aftershave, Christian Siriano Silhouette fragrance and Classic ChapStick.
On a Saturday night, I’m… eating at a delicious restaurant somewhere in NYC and then hopefully dancing!
My greatest achievement is… seeing women all over the world wear my shoes and clothes.
One thing you’d be surprised to know about me is… I am a hoarder of gorgeous things! For example, pillows.

Following his studies in London under Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen, Christian Siriano launched his eponymous collection in 2008. The Christian Siriano collection is now shown each season at New York Fashion Week, and presented in New York and Paris to retailers. Known for whimsical and showstopping design – from fantasy evening gowns and cocktail dresses, to tailored sportswear, to intricately detailed shoes and accessories – the collection can be found at Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, and other department stores and specialty boutiques around the globe. In 2012 the first flagship Christian Siriano store opened on Elizabeth Street in New York City, and in 2013 he was inducted as a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA).

Siriano counts the world's leading ladies as clients, from stars of film (Gwyneth Paltrow, Hilary Swank, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jennifer Lopez, Shailene Woodley, Patricia Arquette, Emily Blunt, Sharon Stone) to icons of music (Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Solange Knowles, Nicki Minaj, Carrie Underwood) to stars of television (Tina Fey, Lea Michele, Emma Roberts, Christina Hendricks, Heidi Klum, Allison Williams, Oprah Winfrey, Edie Falco) and darlings of fashion (Victoria Beckham, Alexa Chung, Dita Von Teese, Kate Upton, Olivia Palermo, Coco Rocha), to name just a few.