Take 5 With Carson Kressley of Queer Eye For the Straight Guy

Guest Author - Michelle Snow

Known as the fashion savant of the hit reality show, Queer Eye For the Straight Guy, Carson Kressley brings an impressive pedigree to his position.

Kressley graduated Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Gettysburg College with degrees in Finance and Fine Art, which he parlayed into a career as an independent fashion stylist. That lead to a long tenure with Polo Ralph Lauren in New York. At Ralph Lauren, Kressley worked on the design team of the men's sportswear division, then moved to the corporate advertising group. He has also worked extensively styling catalogs for such retailers as Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, and Bloomingdale’s, as well as editorial and film shoots. In what spare time he has, Kressley is an avid nationally ranked equestrian and a former member of the U.S. World Cup Equestrian Team.

On the show, Kressley is not shy about expressing his opinions, or being outrageous. So I sat down with him for a quick interview expecting some candid comments. I wasn't disappointed.

Bella: Hi Carson! You're looking resplendent in pink today.
Kressley: Well thank you! I was just in a hot pink mood when I got dressed.

Bella: So we're sitting here at the Central Florida Home and Garden Show...not that I'm disappointed, but you're not exactly the Fab Five member I expected to be here.
Kressley: Well I think Thom may have been offered, but when I heard it was a free trip to Orlando, I strung him up with a cashmere sweater and took his invitation. [laughs]

Bella: So until last year, your name was mostly known in the fashion circles. How did you go from fashion houses to straight guy's houses?
Kressley: Well, a friend of mine called me saying he'd heard there was this tv show that was looking for gay men who were experts in things like fashion, cooking, etc. And I thought that it sounded like either an exciting challenge or a train wreck waiting to happen, so I went to audition. I gave them my portfolio and did an interview. But I was a little sick so I thought for sure I wasn't coming across right. So I started thinking, "Man, no way am I getting this." And it was like the pressure just lifted. I started being myself and it was obviously what they were looking for.

Bella: Having watched the show from the beginning, I noticed that even one or two shows into the series, they were still adding and taking away cast members. Jai wasn't even on the first episode.
Kressley: Well actually, the first episode you saw, wasn't even the very first episode. There was a pilot episode shot, which was the one shopped around, in which only Ted and I are in it. Then for the first aired episode, with Adam, Kyan and Thom were added, and Jai came on board with the second or third episode.

Bella: Ooo..a missing episode. Will Bravo be airing that all?
Kressley: Actually, yes. I believe they're going to show it this week or next. Kind of a retro Queer Eye. I think they were talking about adding in outtakes and audition clips, but I haven't seen the finished show.

Bella: It seems that the more the show goes along, the more comfortable you've become in your roles...
Kressley: That's true. All these guys have become some of my best friends and we have become a real team.

Bella: ...but I have to say you sometimes scare me with all your sniffing and licking.
Kressley: [laughs] Girl, I scare myself sometimes. But it's all good tv, so as long as I don't need a tetnus shot afterwards, it's fine.

Bella: Since Bravo is owned by NBC, which has the hit Apprentice show with Donald Trump, I think it'd be a ratings blockbuster to have Queer Eye makeover The Donald. What do you think?
Kressley: Well, first of all, anyone who has "The" in their name...you're looking at trouble there. [laughs]

Bella: Kyan would have a field day with the hair.
Kressley: Well, considering he's had the same hairstyle for what, twenty some years, I'm guessing he's not too open to change in that department. Kyan might have a battle on his hands trying to change the 'do.

Bella: Yeah, but how much effort must go into making that poofy combover?
Kressley: He probably has one of those cotton candy machines. He just spritzes a little extra hold hairspray, sticks his head in and "whoosh!" [laughs] The hair is whipped into shape. Just kidding, but seriously, we'd probably need a two-hour episode for him.

Bella: How about a show for straight girls?
Kressley: Are you psychic or what? The production company that owns our show is working on one for straight girls, but I think it's going to have different team of gays. I mean, we've still got millions of straight men to help, we're tapped. [laughs]

Bella: Being such a fashion savant, what are some rules that apply to both sexes?
Kressley: First and foremost, no polyester. It's the devil's fabric. It doesn't let your skin breathe, so you get all hot, sweaty and stinky. Ugh! Secondly, and it's something I've noticed heavily just being in Florida, no socks with open-toed sandals. If your feet are that cold, wear regular shoes. Sandals are made to show off your feet and let them breathe. Wearing socks with them just defeats the whole purpose. Not to mention it just looks bad.

Bella: Well, I'm seeing our timekeeper needs to get you to the autograph area. One last question, if I may. What would you like to say to all the fans of the show reading this?
Kressley: Well thank god for people with taste, is all I have to say! [laughs] Thanks to everyone who religiously watches our show and shares it with friends. If you have a man that needs our help and can't get on the show, tape them and watch them with him. "Ooh" and "Ahh" over the stuff you like...he'll get the hint.

Many thanks to Carson for spending time with BellaOnline. Catch Queer Eye For the Straight Guy on Bravo Tuesday nights at 10pm [EST], with repeats at 1am [EST] and various other times during the week.