Recap Rewind: Tim Gunn Talks Fashion — and Cap Hill Frumpiness



At the All Access Fashion Event last month at Tysons Galleria, I got to meet — and chat up — Project Runway sage (and native Washingtonian) Tim Gunn. Here’s a bit of our conversation. (And yes, he’s as charming and quick-witted as everyone says.)

FW: You were born in Washington and lived here for years. Do you think people are finally getting more stylish in the land of seersucker suits and nude nylons?

TG: It’s funny — I’ve been to Capitol Hill twice in the past two years. The first time, I was horrified — there were all these women in shapeless suits. I mean, many of these people are elected officials — don’t they have some responsibility to present themselves as polished? But I was back not too long ago, and what a transformation!

FW: What do you think made people dress better?

TG: I’m not sure what happened, but people looked better. Maybe Nancy Pelosi has had an impact. She’s not ashamed to say, “I am woman” with the way she dresses.

FW: Did Hillary help or hurt how women dress on the Hill?

TG: I think Hillary was confused about her gender. I just don’t know.

FW: What’s the biggest style sin for D.C. women?

TG: Clothes that are too big for them, that don’t fit.

FW: What about Michelle Obama? Is she rocking the fashion scene here?

TG: For me, I think she really is a fashion role model. I like that people can attain what she is wearing. In many ways, she’s Everywoman with a capital E. She knows her silhouettes and her designers and really gets it right.

FW: Now that “Project Runway” is filming in LA, do you find yourself 
dressing differently on different coasts?

TG: Definitely. I rarely wear a suit in LA. You don’t even see studio execs in them anymore. —Jennifer Barger