Christian Siriano first found fame when he won Project Runway Season 4.
And after his reality show success in 2007, Siriano went on to create his own line, dressing
A-list celebs in show-stopping looks.
"Who makes this?
Christian Siriano" "I'm wearing a custom Christian Siriano gown"
"This is Christian Siriano."
But recently, media buzz has died down around the designer.
Is his career old news?
Or is he low-key concocting his next act.
Here's why you don't hear about Siriano anymore.
Getting hitched
In July 2016, Siriano married musician Brad Walsh at their vacation house in Connecticut.
As they shared with BRIDES, they chose the locale because
"It's our favorite sanctuary away from the noise of the city."
While the wedding may have taken center-stage for Siriano, that didn't mean he stopped working.
The designer put his skills to the test when it came to the bridal party, telling the mag,
"Since there was no bride, we wanted our best friends to wear white gowns, all from Christian
Siriano, of course, as they stood by our sides during the ceremony."
Real hustle
While Project Runway kick-started Siriano's career, some say it made it difficult for
the designer to win over industry titans.
While his looks appear in many stores, they are missing from some high-end retailers.
Fashion advocate Nicolette Mason told Elle,
"I think there is definitely a little bit of reality television stigma [...] People
who are given this kind of 'industry darling' label are people who have gotten the stamp
of approval from the industry from the onset."
One reason why Siriano hasn't been courting the media may be that he's keeping up the
hustle behind the scenes.
He told the Houston Chronicle,
"My biggest thing is you just have to work hard.
You have to be obsessed with it because it's a really tough business."
Letting the dresses do the talking
Siriano is known for dramatic lines, and over-the-top, jaw-dropping gowns.
But sometimes his designs are meant to let the women who are wearing them steal the show.
Leslie Jones — who claimed no one would dress her for her Ghostbusters premiere — got
a killer red carpet look from the designer.
"It takes a real designer to design for real women...that's what I always say and I will
always say that."
And Michelle Obama famously rocked a Siriano for her inspiring speech at the 2016 Democratic
National Convention.
Siriano wanted to prove he could still turn a simple design into a statement, telling
Glamour,
"[Obama] chose to be simple and a bit demure because her speech was so powerful and was
such an important moment […] Not everything has to be an embellished piece to be powerful
and beautiful."
Facing off against size zero
In an industry where "sample size" is typically a U.S. zero to four, Siriano's design for
Chrissy Metz' initial 2017 Globes look proves he's committed to designing clothes for everyone.
But taking that on, means more work, and less time in the spotlight.
Nicolette Mason told Elle,
"It actually does become a choice, after a while, for a brand to not create other samples,
because the press it's generating out of those opportunities and red carpet moments is so
worth it."
"I like to embrace all women because you know that's what I think the business is.
I'm here to sell clothes and make women feel great and beautiful and why not do that in
every size?"
Fashionista reported the designer even partnered with plus-sized retailer Lane Bryant in 2016,
proving that true Siriano style comes in the shape of you.
Putting it down on paper
Not only has Siriano been busy designing, he was also penning his second book, Dresses
to Dream About, which hit shelves in late 2017.
He told Glamour,
"I want to show that all these women can look beautiful in my clothes.
That's always been really important.
Sometimes the challenge becomes making sure that it's right for the person [...] To show
that you can still have a voice but dress all these different types of people."
Next season's style
Designers always plan months or even years ahead, so Siriano has to work hard to keep
up with the industry.
But the design inspiration for his 2018 pre-fall collection was one of a kind: His mom.
Vogue reported the designer discovered a 1970s portrait of his mother and wanted to further
explore the decade.
The new line stayed true to Siriano's ladylike aesthetic, but with crowd-pleasing options
for every size.
Barbie x Siriano
In 2017, Siriano created five different looks for the inclusive body-type Barbie line.
The designer shared in a statement,
"It's especially exciting to be designing an array of inclusive and diverse doll looks
that can allow girls to see themselves better represented when they play."
Siriano implements his passion for fashion, no matter how much hard work it takes.
He told People,
"I don't go after the young, new It Girl.
They're fabulous, but what's exciting to me is seeing someone different on the carpet
looking amazing, like Leslie Jones or Meg Ryan or Danielle Brooks, whom I love so much."
Expanding his empire
Siriano has expanded his reach beyond the runway.
He told the Houston Chronicle he's collaborating with e.l.f.
Cosmetics, and has launched something unexpected — an entire line of press-on nails — born
from a bad New York Fashion Week moment.
He told the paper,
"The models backstage had really horrible nails from other shows and things.
[...] So I worked with this company, and we were able to do it so fast.
That's why these nails are awesome.
Literally, you put them on, and then you take them off."
...Just like a dress!
Thanks, Christian!
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