Q&A with Tim Gunn and Nina Garcia

"Project Runway" stars Tim Gunn and Nina Garcia both offer new guides to style this week-- Garcia with her book, "The Little Black Book of Style," and Gunn with his new Bravo series, "Tim Gunn's Guide to Style." But in a diplomatic manner not often seen in the realm of reality television, neither claims to be the ultimate fashion svengali.

"I would never call myself a style guru. Never," says Gunn. "So the title goes to Nina. I would call myself a fashion spokesperson, a fashion educator, but not a style guru."

And Garcia, fashion director of Elle magazine, isn't about to battle Gunn for the title.

"I could never get into a fashion fight with him," she says. "I love Tim too much. We're offering two different perspectives on style. I think you need both."

We spoke to both fashion experts about their new projects, their advice for busy women, and, of course, the long-awaited fourth season of "Project Runway."

TIM GUNN

Indeed.
I'm standing at an airport right now in Houston, watching it go by me.

Is it a steady parade of track suits?
You know, things have eroded so much that at this point, I'd be grateful for a track suit. I'm seeing lots of gray fleece, including sweatpant cut-offs, more versions of flip-flops than I ever knew existed, bare midriffs, and tummy rolls, I'm seeing it all. I don't know what's wrong with people. In a way I'm in a state of complete apoplexy. It's quite clear that comfort rules.

What inspired you to write the book ["A Guide to Quality, Taste, & Style] and start the TV show? Was it being appalled by what you were seeing in airports around the country?
I started the book at the request of [publishing house] Abrams. The editors contacted me and said, "We love 'Project Runway,' we'd love you to do a book." I have to tell you from the time of my appointment to the chair of Fashion Design at Parsons, I really thought "I'm in one of those publish or perish positions." I never would have done it without some prodding from Abrams.

Were you approached to do the TV show after the book came out?
It's a very funny story. [Bravo president] Lauren Zalaznick asked me to breakfast. She said that the dimensions of Tim Gunn that are seen on "Project Runway" are fairly limited, and I agreed with her. I'm thinking she'll say "We want to show more of you." And instead she said "That's as much as the viewers are going to see of you on 'Project Runway'." I looked at her and asked if I did something bad. She said that she wanted to give me my own show. I was simultaneously flattered, exhilarated, and mystified.

There seemed to be a lot of drama earlier this year surrounding talk of whether you would or wouldn't be returning to "Project Runway." What was going on?
I'll tell you exactly what was going on. I'm nothing if not honest and transparent. A journalist asked "Do you have a contract for season four?" I said no, and then added that I had every confidence that I would have one. And that part wasn't published. It doesn't make as good a story. I told them that the producers would have to beat me away with a stick. I would be there contract or no contract.

Have you finished filming season four yet?
We're about halfway though.

It feels like it's been forever since season three ended.
It's worth the wait. It's the most incredible group of designers we've had. I'm crazy about them. And it made me sick to lose any of them. I have to tell you, any one of them could have made it to the end. They're that talented.

NINA GARCIA

Your book is a basic starting point on fashion. Do you think that American women need a lot of help with the subject?
No, I think we have really busy lives. Perhaps there's not enough time to think about fashion. What I'm hoping with this book is to really inspire them to find new things.

Is there something that a super busy woman could do in 10 minutes a day that would help her attain more style?
Lipstick. It's the easiest thing. Put on some divine color. It's about loving yourself. It just needs to be a little something glamorous. It's like my book says, you have to become your own muse.

Is there is a style mistake that you see all too often that could be very easily avoided?
Many. I think the trick is not falling for all the trends. Women think "This is the trend, therefore I have to wear it." And perhaps it doesn't look good. That's where women take the short cut. "It's a trend, so I'm going to be the victim." They easily fall into it because they don't have to think about it, it's been done for them. Be yourself, do what works for you, and who cares what the trend is.

Let's say there's a woman reading this interview, and she's planning to go shopping this weekend. She has $200 to spend on an essential fall piece for her wardrobe. What would you recommend?
I'm going to be specific. There's a little black dress at H&M. It's $39 and it's amazing. It is beautiful and perfect, and it's great for fall. I'm obsessed with it.

I thought you would tell me that $200 isn't enough.
Well, that's the beauty of what's happening now. Everything is available at a price. It's out there in Zara, H&M, or J. Crew. You just have to be clever about what you buy.

If someone was planning to invest a substantial sum of money in one article of clothing, what do you think that piece should be?
I believe that if you are going to spend the money, then buy something extravagant and fantastic that will live many years. Something that you can wear in five years, or ten years. I'm a big believer that you should invest in one fantastic dress. Whether it's your party dress, your cocktail dress, it doesn't matter what it is.Many women think "I don't go to parties." But we all go to parties sooner or later, and it's worth having a special dress.

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