While most fashion shows took place virtually [1], Christian Siriano showed his spring '21 collection [2] — in association with Lowe's — at his own home, inviting a small crowd, which included Billy Porter, to gather poolside. (We're still not over a pregnant Coco Rocha closing out the show in a red ruffled gown and promptly jumping into the pool!) There was something so utterly refreshing about watching a fashion show come to life again, and we had the opportunity to chat with the designer about the experience.
In case you missed it, Christian, who isn't shy about making political statements [3], put out an important reminder to get out the vote: a memorable full-length black gown with the word "Vote" written all over it. Of course, that moment was top of mind as we talked to the designer about the new collection, how he manages to stay inspired while sheltering in place, and the upcoming election this year.
Keep scrolling to read our interview with Christian.
On Making a Political Statement
"I think that sometimes you have to put it in people's face to get it across. I think by [creating] a very graphic dress, it did that."
"It was actually some of the first things we made. I really want to do something that's powerful on the runway that people will be able to repost that image over and over again. I think that sometimes you have to put it in people's face to get it across. I think by [creating] a very graphic dress, it did that. At least, I hope it did. I think it got the reaction that I wanted."
On Continuing to Be Inspired During Shelter in Place
"I've been inspired even throughout everything that was happening. To be honest, sometimes I actually have less time to work on a collection and come up with ideas. I felt like I had a little more time, which is why the collection is really [about] things I love. I really stopped listening. I don't feel like I was making things for the buyers, I just wanted to make things that I loved and were fun and playful. The whole collection is inspired by movies I was watching in quarantine. Maybe I wouldn't have normally done a collection based on that before, but it was really fun to do that."
On the Inspiration Behind the Collection
"The whole collection was inspired by movies I was watching like Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead; that's why we did the show next to the pool. It was also [inspired by] Clueless, Troop Beverly Hills, and even a little bit of Wizard of Oz, because that was one of my favorite movies growing up that I rewatched. [The collection] had a lot of those references."
On the Biggest Challenge of Designing This Collection
"Oh God, there were just so many challenges. It was really hard to do a show during COVID. The logistics were just really scary, and we wanted to make sure that people felt really safe. In the end, I think what we did was really great, and I think we were able to pull it off. It was also nerve-racking [to see if] people were going to show up. I was like, 'OK, I spent all this time and money, are people going to want to come because everyone's nervous?' That was really more of the hesitation, but I think in the end, it all worked out. I even said, 'Listen, even if 10 people show up, I'll still feel good about it.'"
On the Importance of Designing Face Masks
"I think if you have to wear a mask, it's important to make sure that your personal style comes out from it."
"I think if you have to wear a mask, it's important to make sure that your personal style comes out from it. I wanted to show in my collection that you can still wear a cool-looking mask and it can still be fabulous and beautiful. I don't want people to think, 'I hate that I have to wear a mask.' I want people to feel good about it. That was the reason why I felt it was really important to show every single look on the runway with some type of really interesting mask that hopefully helps inspire people's looks."
On What It Means to Have Personal Style
"It's all about experimenting. I love that people are really experimenting with what they want to look like, [even] on their Zoom calls. I think personal style is coming out even more now than ever just because you have to get creative and that's been really interesting to see and watch."
On the Future of Fashion
". . . with everything going on in the world, we don't want to lose creativity, beauty, fashion — all of the things that let us escape."
"It was a really great reset for everybody. I think we can really all focus on what is important to each brand, like who we want to support, the people who are buying and wearing the clothes, and making sure [we] have representation. That's really why I even did a show, because I just wanted to remember that [even] with everything going on in the world, we don't want to lose creativity, beauty, fashion — all of the things that let us escape."