Talking Queer Eye with
a gay guy
Carson Kressley is best known as the acid-tongued yet irrepressible
style guru from Queer Eye For The Straight Guy. But he’s
also the pitch guy for Special K, writer of the style guide Off
The Cuff and the children’s book You’re Different And That’s
Super not to mention his success with TV, movie and personal
appearances. When Kressley was in Toronto for Teatro Verde’s opening
I sat down with him and discovered he is a much different in person
than his public persona would suggest. He’s down to earth, hysterically
funny, very proud to be gay and we have a mutual love of Victoria
Beckham. I asked Kressley what he’s up to, got some style tips for
Toronto Pride and found out how he feels about men wearing sequins.
Max MacDonald: Whose style do you admire?
Carson Kressley: Um, definitely Sharon Stone when
she wore her husband’s white shirt and a Balenciaga skirt to the Oscars.
I love Ali MacGraw and George Clooney. And of course, Victoria Beckham,
she has it all.
MM: Isn’t Victoria wonderful?
CK: How could you not love her? She looks amazing,
she’s rich and she’s married to David Beckham. Hello, I think she’s
a glamorous biatch, has great taste and takes risks.
MM: What was your favorite episode of Queer Eye?
CK: It really depended on the guy we’d make over.
Definitely the cop from Staten Island was my fave because he was so
freaked out about all the gay guys in his house. It was like there
was intimidation on both sides with us being gay and him being straight.
It took some time for us to get to know him and for him to get to
know us but eventually we realized we are not that much different.
Really, Queer Eye was groundbreaking.
MM: How so?
CK: Well people’s moms and dads become fans of the
show and we saw we were literally the first gay people some Americans
ever saw. Through the show some parents realized it is okay to be
gay. Queer Eye really did change a lot of people’s opinions
about gay men.
MM: Do you follow your own style advice?
CK: I think I do. But there are times when I look
like a hot mess. I hate where there are fashion rules because fashion
should be about freedom of expression.
MM: What is one fashion rule gay men break all the time, like
say glitter or sequins?
CK: I think gay men should wear sequins! Be yourself
and don’t be afraid to wear something if you love it.
MM: But Carson, Phillip Bloch told fab readers that
sequins on men is a no-no.
CK: Don’t worry about her, I’ll deal with that. I
think sequins on men are just fabulous.
MM: What one piece of advice do you have for fab
readers on dressing well for Toronto Pride?
CK: Mix it up. Develop your own style but keep it
appropriate. Know your accessories and invest in a pair of great shoes,
a great watch and the confidence to pull it off. There is great liberation
in coming out and looking great.
MM: Would you wear a Canadian designer?
CK: Of course I have lots of cool stuff from Roots
but I’ve never been approached by any Toronto designers. On that note
though, I think Project Runway Canada is good for Canada
and helps keep their designers here.
MM: With Pride around the corner, can you provide any advice
to gay men struggling to have a healthy body image?
CK: People have to remember models and porn stars
are airbrushed to death. Gay men need to be accepting of the fact
that gay people come in all shapes and sizes.
If you can’t get enough Pride colours in your design
and decor, why not put them on your mantel? To celebrate
Pride festivities, Downtown Fire Place has developed
a custom fireplace featuring everyone’s favourite color
scheme. 41 Jarvis St. $2,200-$3,000. 416.368.1900. Info:
www.downtownfireplace.ca