This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The weather wasn't really cooperating on Saturday, but fashion icon Tim Gunn made it work on his first-ever trip to Salt Lake City.
The star of "Project Runway" put in a personal appearance at the Lucky Brand Jeans store at The Gateway, offering fashion tips to 250 to 300 people during a runway show on the plaza outside the store. Between snowstorms.
"I can't believe how beautiful it is here," said Gunn. "It's really incredibly beautiful. And to think that 36 hours ago I was in London [covering the royal wedding for ABC]. I'll take Salt Lake City. I really will."
Some members of the crowd made a particular point to be there to see Gunn; others happened upon him.
"I love 'Project Runway.' I think Tim's really great on it," said Josh Lee, who came to The Gateway to see Gunn. "He's a warm character, but he knows how to get sassy when he has to."
Charity Gleason, on the other hand, happened to be nearby when she heard Gunn on the loudspeaker. "I love him. He's always so well-dressed and charming. How can you not love him?"
Well, "Project Runway" judges Michael Kors and Nina Garcia might not love him too much. On Saturday, Gunn said it was their fault that the incredibly unpopular Gretchen Jones won the most recent season of the fashion design competition. And he referred to them as the "crack-smoking judges."
Gunn, who's the chief creative officer for Liz Claiborne Inc., which owns Lucky, was attired in Lucky gear — a plaid shirt, tie, sweater with patches on the elbows and loafers. He offered a variety of fashion tips, including how to combine different denim washes, when to tuck in your T-shirt, how to mix patterns and what's "on trend."
And Gunn mixed his no-nonsense advice with humor:
• "If it's too tight, you're going to look a little inappropriate. And if it's too loose, you're going to look like an unmade bed."
• "You don't want to look like you're home on the range."
• Men can wear white jeans, but "you just have to be mindful of the fact it's for going out — it's not for mowing the lawn."
• "We don't want you to buy anything that uni-tasks, unless it's a wedding dress."
• "I can't begin to tell you how many men I meet who not only don't own a white shirt, but don't own a suit. And I ask, 'What if, God forfends, somebody passes.' 'Well, can't I wear shorts and crocs?'
"No!"
• "If you stand in front of a mirror and you feel like you need to ask someone whether you can really wear this, you probably can't."
"I do subscribe to three elements that I believe are essential for making it work with our apparel, and it's silhouette, proportion and fit," he said. "When they're in harmony and balance, you'll look great in anything."
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