Fans of Bravo's wildly successful reality hit Project Runway are well aware of the fact that Season Four of the nationally beloved designer competition has provided more than its share of surprises and talented new designers to create, compete and commiserate in front of the cameras, on the runway, and behind the scenes.
One of the most interesting challengers to hit the runway this season was 30-year old Chicago native Steven Rosengard, who quickly became a fan favorite with his subtle humor, wit and evocative sense of style. The youngest of four children, Rosengard studied Dutch at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, and attended Chicago's Columbia College for Fashion Design. A devotee of famed designer Yves Saint Laurent and the late Christian Dior, the openly gay Rosengard was eliminated (given an "Auf Widersehen" by creator and host Heidi Klum) after episode five, but the intrepid designer graciously agreed to talk with me about his life-changing experience on one of television's hottest reality shows, and his future plans in light of what appears to be an evolving, newfound notoriety.
David Guarino: Steven, I watch Project Runway, and I have to tell you that I think you were somewhat robbed of your chance to go all the way as a challenger. I thought you were really at a terrible disadvantage in the "What's the Skinny" challenge. How did you feel about inheriting a rather ugly, out-of-date wedding dress as your raw material for this challenge?
Steven Rosengard: I would certainly agree with you there, although, let's see, I'm trying to think of how to word this — you know, the most challenging part of working on any garment for an individual is always meeting the client's needs. So, if a client says to you, "I like purple and I like black," then in order to ultimately make them happy you're under the impression that you really have to give them either purple or black.
That was the case with Laura [the middle-aged woman Steven was designing for in the challenge]. With her being an accountant, it felt as though my options were very limited in what I could do for her because she works quite a bit; 13 hours a day, from what she told me. And it didn't sound as if she needed too much of a party dress or anything like that; she needed something that was going to carry her through her workday. And I don't need to tall you that white satin for your workday is not a very popular choice.
Well, I have to say that I thought the wedding dress was rather ugly to begin with, but then to have to design a utilitarian garment for her from that —
It was certainly of a certain time and a certain place, you know, and you just have to kind of take it for what it is. I'm sure 100 years from now, people will marvel at it and think that the dress was such a statement of what was going on at the time in New Jersey in 1993, or whenever it was.
I think many people who watch reality shows believe them to be scripted, at least in part. Were any of the comments made on Project Runway by you or the other designers scripted or somehow controlled?
No, not by far. We all spent quite a bit of time talking to the camera. Basically, anything that you hear come out of my mouth is pretty off the cuff — here it is, this is what I'm thinking at the moment.
Can you share one of your funniest "behind-the-scenes" moments from Project Runway 4?
You know, my actual favorite moment is something that they added on to that last episode I was on that I didn't think they were going to put on. It's that one moment where Tim [Gunn] and Chris [designer] are having their exchange, when Tim is saying, [he deepens his voice to sound like Tim Gunn's:] "You know, and I want you to be very cognizant as you're working this evening, mistakes happen at three in the morning. I've made a lot of mistakes at three in the morning." Then of course I hollered over, "Tim, we want names!"
And to have him just double over and turn red! When you can get a man who is that calm and composed at every hour of the day, and just make him lose it for a half-minute like that! It's just the best!
Project Runway probably has more gay men on it than any other show on television, network or cable, wouldn't you agree? This show takes it to a whole new level — even one of the hosts is gay.
It's kind of funny, because you know how people always say that being a fashion designer or an interior decorator or a hair stylist is tantamount to being gay is all such a stereotype, blah, blah, blah. But those stereotypes exist for a reason.
Does the high percentage of gays on the show create any kind of tension, sexual or otherwise, among the competing designers?
Oh no, in fact I have to say the level of camaraderie among everyone, no matter what you see or don't see, was just phenomenal. I know in past seasons there appeared to be a great deal of conflict and fighting. But I don't really feel that that was what our group was about. It was a very tight-knit group as things go, and remains so.
Didn't you study in Europe for a while, Steven?
Just independently, not at any school.
So you were in Paris, just soaking up the feel of the culture, studying the trends?
I still make trips back and forth, yeah, just to go and see what new fabric is out there. And, when possible, to see exhibitions at museums of vintage clothing, and just see everyday wear that happens to end up in vintage collections.
What's the most difficult part of completing a challenge on Project Runway?
Coming up with the initial concept for the garment. The logic behind the initial sketch must hold up throughout the construction and exposition of the piece on the runway.
Did you learn anything about supermodel Heidi Klum or design guru Tim Gunn that we'd be interested to know?
We really didn't see Heidi all that much, except when she would announce the challenge and when she came out during the runway show and acted as a judge. I have to say that Tim Gunn is just as sweet and caring in real life as he appears on the show. He is genuinely concerned about each individual designer, and he is invested in helping all of them do their best work.
What is the most valuable lesson you've learned from being a designer on Project Runway?
Know who your friends are, and keep them around you!
The fourth season of Project Runway airs on Bravo Wed. nights at 10 p.m. PST.