Meet My Friend, Tim Gunn

“Make it work, people.”

- Tim Gunn, Project Runway

I am a big fan of Tim Gunn. I love his work ethic, his vision and his tell-it-like-it-is manner. In fact, I’m confident he and I would be GREAT friends in real life. Heck, we already are in my imaginary world. He’s a member of my gay Trinity.

What I like most about him is that he doesn’t break designers down with his critiques. He guides people, educates, but never tears them apart; he’s not mean-spirited. When you see him interact with young designers on the show, you see the former instructor from Parsons – he’s a teacher first.

He’s now on the press circuit promoting his new book, "Gunn’s Golden Rules." While I haven’t read it, I’m surprised to hear that he’s called out some big names in his book -- including Anna Wintour and Isaac Mizrahi -- on their bad behavior.

Now, some people may think that’s burning bridges. But, I for one say, “It’s about time!” I am so tired of seeing ill-behaved, bratty adults rewarded for bad behavior. It’s good to see someone finally shining a light on this and saying, “Hello, world, look at who we are holding up in high esteem – why is this okay?! These are not people to emulate!”

I was really intrigued with Gunn’s comments about Alexis Stewart, only daughter of Martha. Before I read his thoughts about Miss Alexis, I wondered what was wrong with this gal. She co-hosts an XM/Sirius radio program that recaps her mother’s daytime television show, breaking down each scene, and making snarky remark, after snarky remark. Hmm, this is how you treat your mom? Although, it is Martha...

In his book, Gunn calls Alexis “one of the angriest people I’ve ever met,” and recalls making a commercial for Macy’s with her where she constantly cursed her mother under her breath. When Martha arrived to film her scene, he said Alexis treated her very badly in front of others, yet Martha seemed to act as an enabler. He then told of an experience with Martha in which she scolded him on the set of her show, in front of audience members, because he was drinking a Diet Coke, something she deemed unhealthy. Okay. On the oddities between mother and daughter, Gunn said, “There’s something very Grey Gardens going on there.” Okay, anybody who says that is begging to be my friend. Seriously, Tim, we need to get together for some cocktails and gossip. I’ll even let you give my closet a makeover.
Image from Amazon