One winner's 'Runway' reality
Samples of designer Jay McCarroll's handbag designs.
If reality TV has produced a more likable - or talented - star than Jay McCarroll, we can't think who it is. The season-one winner of "Project Runway" wowed us with his designs and charmed us with his wit. But breaking into the fashion business has not been easy: He still doesn't have his own line for sale. Filmmakers Michael Selditch and Rob Tate were likewise intrigued by McCarroll, so they made a feature-length documentary about him. Called "Eleven Minutes," the film chronicles the year leading up to Jay's first independent runway show at New York Fashion Week in September 2006. The movie screens Monday at the Somerville Theatre as part of the Independent Film Festival of Boston. McCarroll will be here to introduce the movie, and we called him beforehand to chat. - MARK SHANAHAN
Hey there. I want to talk a little about "Runway," a little about the film. You game? Am I gay? Yes, I'm gay.
Let's try that again. What are you up to now? I'm actually a college professor. I teach at Philadelphia University.
ood for you. What do you teach? Whatever they need me to. Fashion. I work with seniors who are getting their portfolios together, getting ready for the real world.
Are they talented kids? It varies. They're like sponges. This has been really great for me. I was getting jaded hanging out in the terrible, shark-infested waters of the fashion industry in New York. When you're in college, your creativity is endless. You can make clothes inspired by diarrhea if you want. In the real world, it's all about stuff like buttons and shoes.
What were your expectations going into "Project Runway"? Honestly, I didn't know what the hell I was getting into. It wouldn't have mattered if the show was terrible because there are so many bad shows on TV, but I'm glad people liked it.
In terms of your career, was the show good or bad for you? It's hard to explain. I don't have any regrets about doing it, but I think it's a lot easier for [latest "Runway" winner] Christian [Siriano]. I mean, look, he's on Leno. There's a whole machine now. When I was there, I was like a guinea pig.
What do you think of Christian? I read where he was talking [expletive] about me. What the hell? I kind of helped him get there. I definitely think he's talented, cocky, and so gay.
Why'd you participate in this movie? People may look at it and think it's me just being egocentric, but going through "Runway," I know people have huge misconceptions about the fashion industry. On the show, there are, like, one-minute wrap-ups . . . "Oh, look, they're sewing" or "Oh, look, they're yelling at each other." People wonder why I haven't had 45 lines already? I wanted to educate people about the process. The clever title - "Eleven Minutes" - is how long the [runway] show lasts, but there's so much work that goes into it.
Talk about the transition from TV to the real world. Was it difficult? Everyone thinks I have millions of dollars because I won a TV show. It's not like that. I see Christian has stars in his eyes, and that's great. I say ride it out while you can because by the time season five rolls around, they'll be, like, "Christian who?"
You didn't accept the $100,000 for winning "Runway." Why not? I can't talk about that. It's the decision I made, and I don't regret it.
In the movie, we watch you create this great line. What's become of those clothes? The clothes are in a box in my basement. I sealed it up and haven't looked at them since.
Can people buy them? Well, I'm about to re-launch my website with an online store, and I sell on fredflare.com and at three stores in Philly. I'm also going on QVC.
QVC? Really? I like fashion, but it's a very specific type of character who can handle the industry. I've never been a red-carpet person, someone who says, "Oh, I design for Cate Blanchett, blah, blah, blah."
That wouldn't be bad, would it? Better than designing for Tara Reid. Actually, I like the Tara Reid types better. I love Amy Sedaris and Sarah Silverman. They're not red-carpet whores. They wear hoodies. That's what I grew up on. While people used to talk about Halston, I loved Benetton and
What's your sense of Boston style? I'd say conservative. Boston's a center for education, not style, and along with education comes sweatpants, Uggs, scrunchies, and sweatshirts. People can wear whatever they want around me. I really don't care.
