Tim Gunn told us earlier this week that "anything having to do with taste, style, design, or fashion was the territory of gay men." Do you agree?
I think it’s any really creative and inspiring atmosphere that draws gay men. Especially ones that are unique. I think gay men relate to and thrive on that.
Read the OUTzone interview here.
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27 comments:
And I DO think that Kayne is tremendously creative. To quote Jerry Herman's immortal words in "I AM What I Am" (from La Cage)
"So what if I love each feather and each bangle.
Why not try to see life at a different angle?"
Do your thang Miss Kayne
Oh, how we will miss him! To me, he'll always be Princess Pinking Shears (Project Rungay Blog Aug 20)
Fabuloussss Kaine. I loved every one of his designs, even the colossal over-the-top failures. This man dares to TRY!
I miss him already.
Kayne is just so cute. I want to pinch his surgically enhanced cheek and give him some milk and cookies.
I just love him and his style. I think he has the potential to mature into a great designer.
To answer your question, no. Taste and style are not the exclusive "territory" of gay men. Kayne is a perfect example of this. Tim Gunn said it better .... gay men are "drawn" to things of taste and style.
Very curious to see how Kayne fares during the reunion special. The trash-talk sessions. The delusions of greatness. The bitchy, cutting remarks. The humiliations.
The love-fest continues. Edit me again.
You asked: “Tim Gunn told us earlier this week that "anything having to do with taste, style, design, or fashion was the territory of gay men." Do you agree?”
It is an interesting question and there are so many ways to answer this (and this is my short answer!!) but here’s one: gay men are more likely to be drawn into areas of performance -- and not just because of their unique “show tune” gene (scientists are on the brink of its discovery). High fashion is very much about performance. It creates a fantasy world.
On an obvious level there is the outlandish aspect of fashion that resembles the culture of drag queens. But more importantly -- on the everyday level -- those who are considered outside the "norm" (it is in scare quotes because it is such a bogus word) are more aware of how they look and act, and that they are being judged on this level. (It is similar to what women experience but not the same.)
However, paying attention to the surface level is not the same as being superficial –- on the contrary, it is a recognition that there are different layers. And it is only logical that if you are going to be judged from the outside then you might as well make that as fabulous as possible!
Being gay and totally without any creative/artistic ability, I, too, have wondered about this. Although gays have made tremendous strides in Western culture, beginning in the mid-20th century, "anything having to do with taste, style, design, or fashion" was not so much "the territory OF gay men" as it was -- and still is, in some areas -- the ONLY territory FOR gay men. If, for whatever reason, a man appeared "gay", what career choices did he have? No matter how talented, gay men were accepted as long as they kept in their place, subservient to the monied straights who commissioned their creations. Chances are, if a gay man "made it" in some other "territory", he was "straight acting", married with children, and kept his affairs secret. Although acceptance may not be so great an issue today, many gays will continue to flock to the "territory" TG described for the same reason they leave small towns and head for the Big City: there is a level of comfort being amongst your own kind. Right or wrong, the stereotype/reputation for both is one of that's "where the boys are."
(Not to mention "Birds of a feather . . . play with each other.") :)
It was all about dear Kayne's cheekbones, his whole world seemed to hang from them. Ta ta for now, Kayne.
While I'm not excited about his departure from the show, I'm happy as hell for Kayne that he got the Miss America challenge win. She is all kinds of FINE anyway but the way she lit up during the design pitch and ultimate runway selection was awesome.
Sincerely,
bungle
President of Kayne's Straight Guy Fanclub
"I'm Mister Heat Miser....I'm Mister 101....."
I don't care what he does. He's darling. I love him. I'll miss him. I'll NEVER wear his clothes.
I think Tim's wrong. Vera Wang for example, Shiaparelli (did I spell that right?), Chanel. A LOT of knitwear is designed by women. (Notice I left out meanie NEEEENA GRCEEEA)
That doesn't mean they didn't have help, tho.
Kayne, with his flashy style and shayna punim, kept me entertained every Wednesday night...and not by fighting with old ladies and smuggling contraband reading material, like various undesirables on the show.
I shall be going through gay camp withdrawal, but nothing a couple viewings of "Auntie Mame" and a pitcher of mai-tais can't handle. Now where did I put that Mrs. Roper caftan........?
That picture is hot, Kayne can do sexy very well. Also, its incredible all the opportunities Kayne already has (the ones he talked about on the Today show) kudos to him Gabriella
aw... kayne... bye...
ummmm....i guess i am the only one who did not know those cheeks were surgically enhanced? :) Gabriella
I donno, I've met some pretty tacky queens in my time!
I think Tim is making a generalization, I don't think there's a genetic predisposition that makes gay men expert on the design worlds of fashion, beauty and decorating. (Thank you, Elsa!) But when they discover these interests as children, I don't think gay boys give up on it the way a straight boy with the same interests might, due to peer pressure and adult direction or finding other interests. I think it may matter more to gay boys maybe as a way to find beauty in sometimes painful circumstances while growing up. It becomes a refuge of sorts and by the time they are adults they have a developed sense of design and taste. This seems to be how it happened for me at least.
I would be very curious to hear how the boyhoods of straight male designers influenced what they became as adults.
Brian
Kayne does sexy very well, doesn't he? So adorable!
Did anyone else notice that the top of that scaffolding was the inspiration for the back of our dear Kayne's dress? ;-) Honestly, I hope he does nothing but rhinestones and sequins from here on out!
Kayne and Robert's Academy Awards/Emmy/Grammy/GoldenGlobes Fashion Review on E!
That would be sheer heaven...and they'd have the grace and style not to grope the nominee's bosom.
Kayne is a sweetheart, but can't his Gay card be endangered for wearing a WHITE belt with DOUBLE-PLEATED GREY PANTS, FOR GOD"S SAKES!!!!
"Fergus said...
Kayne and Robert's Academy Awards/Emmy/Grammy/GoldenGlobes Fashion Review on E!
That would be sheer heaven...and they'd have the grace and style not to grope the nominee's bosom.
12:35 AM "
Yes, yes YES fergus. The only cherry on top would be our Project Rungay boys there to interview THEM after the red carpet. :)
I didn't like the Robert/Kayne act *at all*--they came across as a pair of gossipy middle school girls and who needs more of that. Once Kayne was on his own, he was like a different person, and I loved watching him. He was just great on the Paris episode in particular--fun and funny and good-spirited. I'll miss him on the remaining shows, and I think a runway show from Kayne would have been interesting at the very least.
I've loved Kayne from the start, white trash pageants rhinestones hair gel cheekbones bitchiness and everything, but I nearly fell on the floor last week with his penned-on frenchie moustache and again this week with the cockroaches comment. I'll miss him very much! But I'll be reminded of him (in good ways) when I read your blog ... I think y'all could be best friends. Maybe Kayne and Robert could have a PRGayBoys guest spot. ;-)
"anything having to do with taste, style, design, or fashion was the territory of gay men." Do you agree?
You all OBVIOUSLY haven't see the gay men at my work ... Some of the fashion sense chromosomes forgot to join the bunch on conception.
Please tell me you are going to cover the attitude your girl, Miss Thang Laura said to Angela about "you didn't really win a challenge, it was a group thing" Why was she so fricken nervous about Angela!
I disagree with Tim, and I think it's a bad call. My hetro litte boy sews, can choose color palettes and has taste. So do I. I admit in fashion school, many of the people of BOTH sexes are gay, but it's an offensive generalization that I'm surprised Tim said.
leigh miller said...
his blacks dont match!
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!
Its sad how these people can make clothes for other people and cant dress themselves to save their lives, sans 1 or 2 of them.
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