Christian Siriano Biography (Courtesy Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

Christian Siriano (born November 18, 1985) is an American fashion designer and the winner of the fourth season of American reality show Project Runway. Siriano is the youngest winner in the show's history.

Biography

Siriano was born in Columbia, Maryland, and raised in Annapolis, Maryland. He is of Italian descent on his paternal side and German descent on his maternal side. Siriano's parents divorced when he was four years old, though he has said his father is still a part of his life. His great grandfather was a furrier and several of his paternal relatives were tailors in Italy. Siriano has one older sister, a former ballet dancer, with whom he has said he has a close relationship. As children, Siriano and his sister took ballet classes together.

Siriano has said that he had a happy childhood and that his family was supportive of the arts. Of his upbringing, he said, "My sister and I grew up without a lot of crazy limitations, in a bit of an adult lifestyle, so we matured a little earlier than maybe others do." On a March 2008 Ellen appearance, Siriano described himself as a "musical theater kid who loved costumes". He would often spend time backstage at his sister's dance recitals, where he befriended costume designers and developed an interest in fashion.

At age thirteen, Siriano began working as a hair washer at Bubbles Salon in Annapolis. He later began to work as a hairstyling assistant and make-up artist for the salon, and eventually began sewing and designing clothes for the salon's annual hair shows. During this time, Siriano began attending high school at the Baltimore School for the Arts. The school allowed Siriano to choose fashion design as his course of study, despite the fact that they do not offer it. Though he felt his high school experience allowed him to develop, Siriano has said that high school was not his first priority; instead, he chose to focus on "working in the salon and having a career."

After graduating, Siriano aspired to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology, but was denied admission. Siriano has said that his rejection from the school deeply saddened him and caused him to feel "trapped... annoyed and frustrated." He later chose to study abroad at American InterContinental University in London, England. Following the recommendation of a teacher during his senior year, he began interning at Vivienne Westwood, and later, at Alexander McQueen, whom Siriano has stated is his favorite designer. Siriano moved to New York City after graduating from college.

Project Runway

Before auditioning for the fourth season of Project Runway, Siriano was working as a freelance make-up artist for Stila cosmetics and making wedding gowns for private clients, as well as holding a brief intern position at Marc Jacobs. Siriano decided to audition for the show after the suggestion of a friend's mother. During his time on Runway, Siriano won four challenges, the most out of any contestants on the season. Siriano advanced to the show's finals, and won a spot to show a twelve-piece final collection at New York Fashion Week. His collection was comprised of Musketeer-inspired couture, featuring ruffles, feathers and headwear. During the finale, which aired on March 5, 2008, celebrity guest judge Victoria Beckham praised Siriano's collection as being a "breath of fresh air" and stated that she would be "honored to wear" any piece of his clothing. Siriano was announced the winner of the show's fourth season, winning a fashion spread in Elle magazine, a 2008 Saturn Astra, and $100,000 US to start his own label. In addition, Siriano was awarded the season's Fan Favorite award, based on votes from viewers. He received a check for $10,000 US, which was presented to him by season three Fan Favorite Michael Knight. In a March 2008 interview, Runway mentor Tim Gunn stated of Siriano, "I really believe he is his generation's Marc Jacobs. I really do. We have found America's next great fashion designer... I'm confident."

Design career

In April 2008, Siriano signed on to design a fifteen piece collection for Puma. In May 2008, Siriano designed virtual promwear for Gaia Online's virtual prom. Siriano's first collection for Bluefly is set to be available on the website in late July 2008.

Media

Siriano began to receive pop culture attention during his time on Runway, primarily for his asymmetrical upswept hair-do (which Siriano called a "bi-level fashion hawk" during a March 2008 appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno) and his flamboyant attitude. Several of Siriano's catchphrases, such as "fierce" and "hot mess", were parodied in the media by multiple blogs and television shows like Saturday Night Live. However, Siriano's use of the expression "tranny" garnered some criticism. In March 2008, Margaret Price, a columnist for Bitch magazine, wrote an editorial entitled, "Is Christian Siriano Making A Hot Mess of the Term 'Tranny'?", in which she expressed that Siriano's use of the term was offensive to the transsexual community and was popularizing an "as-yet unclaimed slur."

In March 2008, Siriano appeared as a celebrity guest on an episode of Make Me A Supermodel, where he critiqued the contestants' catwalks and designed an outfit for one of the contestants to model on the runway. On May 1, 2008, Siriano appeared as himself on an episode of Ugly Betty, and designed some of the cast's costumes.

Personal life

Siriano has tattoos of a squid and an octopus on his right arm that he has said are "a tribute to Maryland and the sea life". However, Siriano later contradicted this statement by saying that his tattoos "mean nothing... Totally random. And yes, it's permanent, but I'm young. In twenty years, there's totally going to be ways to remove it." Siriano is openly gay and has been dating photographer/musician Brad Walsh since November 2007.

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