queer eye interview
STRAIGHT TALK FROM THE QUEER EYE GUY;TV'S CARSON KRESSLEY SAYS
CONFIDENCE IS KEY San Jose Mercury News (California) October 12, 2004
Tuesday MORNING FINAL EDITION
Copyright 2004 San Jose Mercury News
All Rights Reserved
San Jose Mercury News (California)
October 12, 2004 Tuesday MORNING FINAL EDITION
SECTION: ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT; Pg. 1E
LENGTH: 1216 words
HEADLINE: STRAIGHT TALK FROM THE QUEER EYE GUY;
TV'S CARSON KRESSLEY SAYS CONFIDENCE IS KEY
BYLINE: MARK WHITTINGTON, Mercury News
BODY:
He's the gay man straight men want in their closet.
Carson Kressley
is the blond fashionista and breakout star from Bravo's "Queer Eye for
the Straight Guy." The program paved the way for other reality makeover
shows and helped bring gay culture to a mainstream audience. It also
won an Emmy for best reality show and made the bestseller lists with a
companion book.
Kressley, 34, now has his own book, "Off the Cuff: The Essential Style Guide for Men and the Women Who Love Them" (Dutton, $24.95).
A
few personal details: He was born in Allentown, Penn., graduated from
Gettysburg College and is a nationally ranked equestrian. He's also
just as quick on the phone as he appears to be on television and in
print.
Q
Boxers or briefs?
A
I
think boxers are hot. When I say boxers, I mean guys who actually box,
like Oscar de la Hoya. But I think guys look better in boxer briefs.
Q
What is the one garment that must be in a man's wardrobe?
A
I
think women get this more often than men. If anything, it's about three
great accessories. That would be a great watch, a great belt and great
shoes. Then you can pair them with less expensive things and still look
like a million dollars. It might be a million Canadian, but it's still
a million.
Q
Why is cashmere always the right answer?
A
I think it's the miracle fiber. A little bit of cashmere goes a long way. It's so cuddly and wonderful. It is the feel-good
fiber.
Q
Five basics for a man's wardrobe?
A
Denim
is so important right now; I think a great pair of jeans is essential.
One well-fitting suit. A blue blazer. And a good attitude, because
looking cute is feeling cute, as I like to say.
Q
What is the right attitude?
A
I
don't even like the word "fashion." Because fashion by definition means
"of the moment." What I hope to show guys in the book is that you
finding your personal style might be about disregarding trends, wearing
things that make you look good, first of all, and that translates into
feeling good. I think that confidence is the most attractive accessory
a man can wear.
Q
How do you take your mind off a wax job?
A
You need something to bite on.
Q
Can Californians wear white after Labor Day?
A
Yes.
Q
How about on the East Coast?
A
Not unless you're a nurse or the pope. And Florida's exempt.
Q
Exempt or inept?
A
Exempt. They are only inept at voting.
Q
If the Fab Five were on "Survivor," who would be the last one left on the island?
A
It
would probably be Tom, because he could build a stylish and comfortable
living quarter. I'd have to get off to go to the mall. I'd be the first
one off. I'd be, "Come on. I've got to get out of here. Barneys
warehouse sale is this week. Are you kidding me?"
Q
Speaking of surviving, what one grooming aid can you not live without?
A
Hmmmm.
I would have to say self tanner. I've been accused of being tanorexic,
but I really need to have a healthy glow at all times.
Q
Do you have any style tips for women?
A
I
think they are pretty much the same as for men. If you are confident
about it and you disregard trends and really embrace your own personal
style. If you are confident, you can be like Wynonna and carry it off.
Q
How do you find your own personal style?
A
You
read my book. (Laughs) No, I think you experiment. Kind of like your
sexuality; sometimes you have to do some experimenting before you find
out what feels good.
Q
A lot of guys are colorblind, so if they're not living with someone, how can they dress with flair without screwing up colors?
A
A
lot of men actually are physically colorblind. I just made somebody
over on "Queer Eye" who was absolutely colorblind. I'd show him
something that was pink, and he'd say it was blue. And I was, like,
"Are you just toying with my emotions here?" But he truly was. That's
when you have to go out and find your own fairy god-stylist like me.
Odds are that if you go to your local mall or department store, you
will find some more little Carsons. If you shop at a specialty
store or a good-quality department store, there will be people there to
help you with this. They'll want your repeat business, so they are not
going to steer you wrong. They can give you that second opinion that a
lot of guys need.
Q
What do you do when you get home and try to organize your closet?
A
The
most important thing is to keep it free of clutter so you are able
tomake clear decisions. What I recommend is that if you haven't worn it
in over a year, you should either donate it or throw it out. Just like
the food in your fridge, sometimes clothing gets spoiled. It's better
to work with less and have a few great-quality pieces that you can mix
and match than to have a whole closet full of things that you never
wear.
Q
What do you think when you hear the words "high tech"?
A
I think of pocket protectors.
Q
Is there any place for those?
A
Not really. Only inside the walls of Microsoft.
Q
What do you look for in a man?
A
I look for confidence; I think that's really attractive.
Q
What would you do to remake Gene Simmons?
A
That might be a miniseries. That guy needs a lot of work.
Q
Has there been a downside to the series?
A
Not
really. It's kind of the perfect job -- I get to go shopping with other
people's credit cards and undress strange men in fitting rooms. I mean,
what's not to love? It's kind of like what I was doing before but with
my own credit card.
Q
Of all the people who you've made over on the show, who was the most gratifying?
A
We
made over a cop from Staten Island, a tough guy, little bit homophobic.
By the end of the day with him, he was so excited with his new wardrobe
that he was jumping around in his bedroom going, "Look guys, it's
mauve." "Dude, you're scaring me. You're sounding gayer than I do."
I
have a great job. And I'm able to help people. The things that we're
doing for gay rights, that just happened as a side effect. When you are
out on a book tour and a 15-year-old boy comes up to you and says, "I
think I'm gay, but I'm not sure. Either way, I know that it's going to
be OK because I can see that you can be successful. And my parents are
OK about talking about it." That's been really gratifying.
Q
Do you get out to San Francisco?
A
I'm
mostly in New York, but I love San Francisco. I wish I could get out
there more. . . . I'm not sure that I know the way to San Jose.
THE 10 FASHION COMMANDMENTS ACCORDING TO CARSON KRESSLEY
1. DISREGARD TRENDS.
2. NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF DETAILS.
3. KEEP IT SIMPLE, SASSY!
4. A GARMENT SHOULD NEVER BE MADE OF MORE THAN 25 PERCENT OF AN UNNATURAL FIBER.
5. EXPERIMENT WITH STYLE.
6. NEVER GO SHOPPING ALONE.
7. DON'T OVERDO IT.
8. NEVER WEAR ANYTHING SHEER.
9. SPEND WITHIN REASON.
10. CASHMERE IS SEASONLESS.
Carson Kressley
ON TV
"Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,"
10 p.m. Tuesdays, Bravo
IN PRINT
"Off the Cuff: The Essential Style Guide for Men and the Women Who Love Them" by Carson Kressley (Dutton, 168 pp., $24.95)
"Queer
Eye for the Straight Guy: The Fab 5's Guide to Looking Better, Cooking
Better, Dressing Better, Behaving Better, and Living Better" by Kressley, Ted Allen, Kyan Douglas, Thom Filicia and Jai Rodriguez (Clarkson Potter, 256 pp., $27.50)
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