Since Runway’s conclusion, Siriano, 25, has signed on to design a collection for Puma, and Bluefly.com, has had five collection shows at the Tents, collaborated on a maternity line, designed a shoe line for Payless Shoesource, created a phone for LG, a makeup line for Victoria’s Secret, and published a book (Fierce Style: How to Be Your Most Fabulous Self, Grand Central Publishing). This isn’t even the whole list. It’s absurd. So I was wondering…Christian, where did you get the cloning machine and can I use it?
I didn’t even know the extent of his hyper-achieving career when I went to meet him at his studio, though did get hints of it when our first conversation started to unfold. It went something like this:
Industry: “I love those shoes! How much are they?”
CS: “I think around 35.”
[In my head] “How do I get my hands on $3,500?” [Aloud] “Where are they sold?”
“Payless.”
“Payless!?”
[In my head]: ”I’m camping out at Payless.”
Below are a few non-me-getting-awesome-shoes-related questions that Siriano answered.
Industry: How has your life changed in the time since your first collection show?
CS: I think it has been a great ride and a very fast one. I can remember my first collection; I was shipping production to the store from my living room and struggling to find shoes for the show. Now, life is a bit different. I sell in some of the best retailers in the U.S.—Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus to name a couple—and I’ve been working on a collaboration with Payless, creating shoes and bags.
Industry: Of everything you’ve ever made, what is your favorite piece?
CS: I’m always in love with the last collection that I’ve worked on, but I will say that the gowns are my favorite. I did love the oceanic cocktail dress from spring 2010 that Rihanna wore though. It was a great dress.
Industry: What is the most crucial thing that you’ve learned about life, design, and people since your newfound success?
CS: I’ve learned so many things. I think it’s all about moving forward and not looking back on what I could have said or could have done. I think being friendly and supportive of other brands and other designers is always important. It’s also important to be social. You should always try to put your best features forward.
After talking for some time, he showed me his newest collection, to which I responded by gasping again and again at the sheer beauty of it all. The fabrics were stunning, coupled with the most magnificent cuts and colors I’ve seen in a long time. If there’s an economic slump happening, Christian is unaware of it; there was no sign of conservative-wear to be found in his work, only luxurious, beautiful, opulent pieces.
Sometime during our meeting, I got the feeling that I was in the presence of someone who is on his way to stardom; not the kind you get from reality shows, but the brand that lasts forever. It made me instantly wonder why, at 24, it’s taking him so long to rule the world. •
