It’s a common misconception that Brad Pitt is the most loved man in America. It isn’t Pitt, George Clooney or even Johnny Depp who truly has the hearts of American women. From what we’ve gathered it’s Tim Gunn, star of TV show “Project Runway” and Chief Creative Officer of Liz Claiborne. He has it all; a cultivated knowledge of fashion and art, an amusingly expansive vocabulary, the passion to enlighten and inspire real women, catchy phrases like “Make it Work” and a disarmingly delightful air about him. We spent fifteen monumental minutes with Gunn at a Scottsdale Fashion Square event in March and learned about his start in fashion, his new book “Gunn’s Golden Rules” and how to avoid becoming fashion victims.  

Claire Perkins: Do you want to tell me a little more about the event today; you are releasing the spring lines for Liz Claiborne’s brands-

Tim Gunn: We are. We are very strategic about where we bring our fashion events and we are thrilled to be here in Scottsdale and we have three of our biggest brands here- we have Kate Spade and Juicy Couture and Lucky Brand Jeans. Our aim is to really give people some education- it’s not just clothes parading down a runway- there’s a narrative and it’s about helping people understand how items can transition their wardrobe, how to wear one item two or three different ways, how to take a look from day to evening.

CP: So you’re sharing tips, it’s not just a fashion show...

TG: No, no, no- it’s all about information. Then we have a question and answer session afterwards, they can ask anything they want from style to runway, then we have our meet and greet.

CP: Awesome- you’re here for a while.

TG: Yeah! I have to tell you, I so sincerely love these events- I love being with real women who have real issues.