Project Runway alumnus Daniel Vosovic has parlayed his appearances on the show to success by designing sleek, modern pieces for women. Now, with the book Fashion Inside Out: Daniel V's Guide to How Style Happens From Inspiration to Runway and Beyond, Vosovic takes the reader behind the scenes and discusses the basics of everything from sketching designs to marketing.
Windy City Times: One thing I really like about this book is that it's almost like a fashion textbook, with interviews.
Daniel Vosovic: Exactly! I really wanted to bring the process of the fashion industry to the forefront. Yes, there are how-to elements with elements such as draping, but there's also expertise given from people at the top of their game, [ such as ] Heidi Klum, Nina Garcia, Tim Gunn and Diane von Furstenberg—all of these people who have been in the industry for years, and who have their points of view. But there are a lot of people who America may not know, like casting directors and stylists who [ answer ] , 'What does a stylist do?'
I think the goal of the book is for it to not just be a textbook for young designers, but also for people who are really interested in fashion and who really want to know how clothes get into stores and how this whole process works. I think there's been this shroud over the industry that was lifted a little on Project Runway, and I just love how much interest there's been. And even if you don't give a crap about how things [ work in ] the fashion industry, there are at least beautiful pictures to look at. [ Laughs ]
WCT: And there are a lot of pictures of you.
DV: I said the same thing to my art director: 'There are a lot of photos of me.' And he said, 'Well, it is your book.'
WCT: As we've pointed out, there are interviews in this book. What did it feel like to be a journalist?
DV: That's a very good question—that's the first time I've ever been asked that. It was, admittedly, very uncomfortable at first because I remember having to define what I do. Having to put into words why you make the decisions you make, and then talking to these other creative people, was all a bit alarming at first to some of them. It's hard putting into words why you do what you do and why you like what you like.
I definitely was emphathetic to them, with me putting a microphone in their face and putting them on the spot. I had been there and done that, so I knew how to coax them to get real answers.
WCT: Speaking of the interviewees, I've decided that one of them is my new spiritual fiance: [ Marc Jacobs designer ] Karl [ Aberg ] .
DV: Don't you just love Karl! He's as adorable in real life as you think he is, and I just love where he talks about creating a character. I think that was a really unique peek into how that designer designs—and that's what this whole book is about. Yes, I'm showing you how I design, but I'm also showing other people's perspectives, and there is no right or wrong way to do this as long as you can get those ideas out of you and [ eventually ] onto a body form. Regardless of how you do it, it's important to create.
[ Aberg ] has great personal style, and he removed all ego from the conversation. He talked about his struggles—he was a hairstylist for a while—but he kept pushing. Yes, he works for a huge brand, but he enjoys the company and he likes what he does. That's what I wanted to showcase.
WCT: You say that people should push ahead, but aren't there times when people just aren't meant to be designers?
DV: I think that people are eventually weeded out, but I think that you have to look at someone who's been around for a while—not just two or three years—to see if there's substance there. No, not everyone should be a designer—and that reminds me of another point of this whole book: A lot of people think that being a fashion designer is the only way, but there are great jobs in pattern-making, styling and consulting. [ Book interviewee ] Elizabeth Benator is a fashion recruiter, so it's her job to get into the heads of these designers [ and ] figure out how they tick so she can meet with the design house to get a good fit. So you don't have to be a fashion designer to work in the fashion industry.
Daniel Vosovic will appear for a book-signing on Wed., Nov. 12, at Jake, 939 N. Rush, at 6 p.m.; and Thursday, Nov. 13, at Borders, 830 N. Michigan, at 7 p.m. See www.danielvosovic.net .
Read the entire interview at www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com .
