Christian Siriano: Trying to make it in the real world of fashion

Princess sits down with the Wall Street Journal. It's hard out there, bitches.

"His fashion show earned overwhelmingly positive reviews, but retail orders were smaller than anticipated. Like many emerging designers, he soon discovered that buzz and talent don't always translate into business -- especially when trying to sell $650 stretch pants and $2,500 dresses during a financial crisis.

[...]

Despite the harsh business climate, Mr. Siriano says he has steered clear of offers from companies that he feels are less in tune with the image he is trying to promote, including Secret deodorant and Bertolli; the Italian-food brand offered Mr. Siriano more than $20,000 to design an oven mitt. Together, all the deals he rejected would have brought in $120,000. "I cried," says Mr. Siriano, recalling the day he rejected the Bertolli offer. (A Bertolli spokeswoman confirmed his rejection of the offer but not the value; Procter & Gamble, maker of Secret, didn't comment.)

[...]

Mr. Siriano is on the road practically every weekend, appearing at events that pay anywhere from $10,000 to $20,000. In the past few weeks, he's given a speech in L.A. at a get-out-the-vote party sponsored by retailer American Eagle, and dressed Estelle, a British hip-hop star. The revenue generated from such gigs has helped him to fund his business without having to take on investors or exhaust his $100,000 prize."

Read the entire article here.




[Photo: WireImage - Video: WSJ.com]
Source: Project Siriano - A reality-TV winner tries to make it in the real world of fashion [WSJ]