Interview with Daniel Vosovic

Saturday, December 15, 2007 by
Season 2 fan favorite Daniel Vosovic recently unveiled his new line for NYLO hotels. In an interesting twist on the old chambermaid uniforms, the NYLO line is meant not only to be worn by NYLO employees, but it will also be available in in-hotel boutiques for the public. And why wouldn't they be? These aren't the old polyester bellhop uniforms of lore. Young and, sporty, with signature Danny V embellishments and detailing, the collection is the very embodiment of "fresh." Don't take our word for it. Clickie the pic-ies to get a better look.




We sat down with the skinny little bitch and got him to expound on family, fame, 13-year-old girls, the perils of the fashion industry and of course, his new line. He also managed to imply that we're old and fat. Despite that, we're posting the interview anyway.

Enjoy.

This week, you were voted by the viewers as the designer from a past season they would most want to return? What do you think that says?
I think it says that a lot of 13 year old girls and gay boys own a lot of cell phones haha! It is what it is, some love you and some hate you. For the moment, for what it’s worth, yeah it feels amazing to be wanted and I’m extremely grateful to the fans that after 2 years now, still have a desire to see more from me. Exposing your designs, and yourself, to the world is such a difficult thing to do, believe me, the self-doubt still creeps in, but it’s time like these where at least I know that someone responds to my work besides my mom.

You won a record-setting five design challenges on the show. That's amazing. What did you think of your experience on the show? Would you do it all over again?
Thank you, I’m still proud of that. However, please take in to account that I wasn’t competing against “the most talented group of designers yet” (oh hype…I love you so). I loved being on the show (or at least I think I did - f**king Stockholm syndrome) and absolutely love competition. Despite all the drama and gossip that happens after the show airs, I really do think we had a great time when we were in the midst of it all, and if asked, I think I would do it again. Granted, the amount of egos that would be brought back may be overwhelming, but that’s nothing a few Vicodin can’t fix to make it bearable.

So how's life after Project Runway? We understand you're working as a freelance designer for NY fashion houses. What are the advantages and disadvantages of being a freelancer in the industry?
Honestly, life is pretty damn good right now. Love my family, my man and my friends. I love the projects I’m working on and I love Christmas, but I’m over the bumbling holiday tourists - that’s fo sho. Aside from all the projects I’ve been freelancing for the past few months, continuing to build the necessary foundation for my future company and gaining a bit more experience before jumping in for my own. Freelancing is actually fantastic for me right now as it allows me to get a paycheck, build contacts, but continue to work on my own work without conflicts, and I definitely recommend it to multi-tasking designers. However, some people prefer the structure and security that a fashion label can provide. I was heading design at a company last year but decided that it wasn’t for me after they decided to change directions, and actually may be looking to jump back in with another high-end company as NYLO and my book are wrapping up.

You've been quite busy doing a variety of things, including writing blogs for Bravo and OUTzone. We read them regularly, particularly the one about the PR Season 4 challenges. How does it feel to be on the other side critiquing other contestants' works? Do you find yourself tempering your comments a lot or do you just want to put on your bitch pants and let them have it?
To be honest, it’s definitely been a love/hate relationship with blogging in general. In fact, I hate the word itself, the only way I can describe my dislike is that I consider it a misuse of onomatopoeia. Say it out loud… “Blllooooogggg”… It just becomes so guttural and unattractive don’t you think? Anyways I digress, I actually don’t like critiquing the other designer’s work, but alas, BRAVO contracts… However, I do try to be as objective as possible and try to stay focused on the designs, and not the designers themselves. I think viewers find the process of designing fascinating, and until BRAVO opts to have each designer comment extensively on their own designs, it’s up to the rest of us to decide why they made the choices they did – for the good and the bad. Believe me, there are times when I wish I could be your younger, cuter, skinnier little sister and bitch right alongside you two (See! The claws CAN come out if provoked!). Kidding, you know I love you boys.

Tell us about your book on the design process "Fashion Inside Out: From Inspiration to Runway and Beyond." When is it going to be available?
Well it’s actually a collection of nudie shots of me wrapped in different fabrics: wools, chiffons, cashmere blends… but all tasteful of course.
Haha! Actually I love it! I describe it as a photography/coffee table/how-to book dissecting the design process from beginning to end. It’s a little Kevyn Aucoin, a little Jamie Oliver and a lot of fashion. Kevyn’s books are glamorous how-to books supplemented with gorgeous photography, while Jamie’s are approachable and more lifestyle, while still being informative. The most amazing photographer has been shadowing me for the past five months, documenting basically the entire process (seeking inspiration, sketching, draping, styling, shooting, etc), including interviews with some of the fashion industries latest and greatest: Tim, Heidi and Nina of course, but also Diane von Furstenberg, Fern Mallis, head designers at Marc Jacobs, and a slew of modeling agents, patternmakers, photographers, recruiters and a whole lot more! It’s going to be 10”x10”, hardcover, pretty damn flossy flossy if you ask me, and will be on shelves (Borders, B&N, etc) fall 2008! Oh, and I JUST heard from my publisher that we may have a simultaneous release in the UK and there’s already been requests from China for it… and I’m still writing it!

People think that any major exposure, such as winning Project Runway, automatically lands you a successful career in the industry. Clearly, there's more to it than that. How did your time on the show benefit your career, if at all?
As I’ve said a hundred times before, exposure is no substitute for experience and most certainly holds true with reality TV. However, if you parlay it correctly it can definitely become useful when trying to get a foot in the door. My first job after the show I was hired without them looking at my portfolio – they just liked what I had done on the show and how I worked with others (Though I was only there for a year if that’s saying anything), so yeah, I guess most things have been spawned from the show: NYLO saw me on the show, my editor loved my writing voice on my blogs and contacted me out of the blue, and a lot of my charity work has been through exposure on the show. HOWEVER, it did not bag me my man Kieran, that boy still hasn’t finished watching season 2 and never watched it before we met (so please don’t tell him, I told him that I won).

What kind of skills and/or training are helpful when trying to break into the fashion industry?
Tenacity and technique; you can be the greatest, but if no one knows it’s hard to make a name for yourself. On the flip side, if you’re all talk then people can see right through it. Multi-tasking, good people skills, a creative mind and everything else that everyone else says. Though I always tell young designers to not put all their eggs in one basket, and try to be good at a few things. Expand your creativity and learn how to make money at it, fashion can be a tough and grueling industry and can take years to get to a place where you’re sustained. Learning how to be creative in other areas can allow you to branch out; employers will also find your broad view useful and you can find creative ways to collaborate with outside sources other than fashion: film, costume, painting, music, etc.

Now let's talk about your first retail clothing line, produced through a partnership with NYLO Hotels. What's the main idea behind this unique collection? When is it going to be available?
NYLO (New York Lofts) approached me last year to design a collection that they could use for all of their frontline staff (waitresses, bar tenders, front desk, hostess). Well, I screamed at the idea of burgundy, boxy, polyester blazers with brass buttons but decided to give it a try. NYLO is a refreshing alternative to all of the hum-drum khaki/navy hotels out there that haven’t changed in the past 30 years, and I’m not talking about metropolises like LA, NY and Miami, but the thousands of other hotels out there that have fallen into a state of atrophy. The collection is more of a retail mentality with the collection consisting of mix-n-match layering pieces for men and women that can work for a range of body types as well as locations (from the cold north-east to the stifling south-west). There are 50 going up by 2010 (with I think 150 as part of the package?) and all of them will use my collection, as well as sell it, along with a men’s and women’s handbag and luggage line, in a boutique located in each hotel as well as on their website (www.nylohotels.com)... All pieces I’ve designed/produced and all pieces that I believe in. Also, there are pieces that will be rotated in and out as new locations open, to keep the collection relevant and fresh.

What type of research did you do to come up with a concept for this collection? Did you consult the employees?
I did actually bombard more than a few waitresses to see what worked/and didn’t work for them! I also worked in a country club for three years during college - from valet to waiter - it all sucked. There’s nothing fun about itchy polyester shirts and faded, pleated black pants, and there is certainly nothing prestigious about it. NYLO aims to be a truly fun, approachable hotel, unlike anything that’s out there, and I wanted the outfits to mimic the laidback, cool casual aesthetic that the NYLO brand is about. I worked extensively with the head architect Stephan Dupoux (he did Buddha Bar here in NYC and many other locations) to make sure the clothing was reflective of the clean lines and modern feel of the interiors: from the color story (gray, white, sand and black) to the geometric shapes (exposed conduit piping gave me ideas for straps and interesting seam lines). I also worked throughout the design process with a well-established uniform company in producing the collection, to assure comfort and durability, and though the idea is more of a retail mentality, they must still function for daily use.

We love the idea of the collection, something that aims to flatter wearers in the hotel as well as in the office and on the street. It's a unique concept. How did you manage to straddle the world of uniforms and the world of everyday wear?
Again, it was made much less difficult only because I’ve been there done that. I’m aware of the job requirements and duties, but know how important it is to reflect an image of ease and comfort. Though this collection is a departure from what my signature line will be like (c’mon, I’m craving cashmere and silk!) it’s been a great test of my design skills and has been a great way for me to have a few projects long-term projects going at the same time. Oh, and the staff gets a sick clothing allowance so if anyone is looking for a job and is near Dallas, TX, head over to the first Plano location and fill out an application!

Also, because I know you love to rip all things fashion, I wanted to give you bitches a sneak peak at the new look book I shot for the collection. I wanted to capture the staff “behind the scenes” of work and was aiming to bring a bit of a narrative to the collection. Keep in mind that the pieces are all NYLO, but the accessories and extreme styling have been added to give it a more fashion-forward NY edge. I mean, as much as I’d love to see a leggy 5’11” girl serving drinks in 4” $800 Gucci shoes and purple tights, I know that it’s unlikely to happen… my job is to create the fantasy, and then be brought back down to reality by patterns, production and my boss… but hey, it’s still fun to play isn’t it.

Love you guys and thanks for the support, though I’ll be prepared with my Kleenex and some anti-depressants when you post this as a just-in-case. ;)

(Photos: Courtesy of Daniel Vosovic]


Post a Comment

59 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a fabulous interview, boys! That and coffee made my morning. His answers were hilarious, especially the one about the book. LOL.

Anonymous said...

Great interview, kittens; Daniel V. is adorable and the pictures are to die for.

Sage said...

awwwwww! Put away the Kleenex; there can only be Daniel love. :)
Love the collection.

Another great post guys! :)

Anonymous said...

"We sat down with the skinny little bitch and got him to expound on family, fame, 13-year-old girls, the perils of the fashion industry and of course, his new line. He also managed to imply that we're old and fat. Despite that, we're posting the interview anyway. "

LOL. You lucky bitches! You get to interview all my favorite designers. I LOVE Daniel Vosovic and I was one of the "girls" who voted for him. Yes, you heard me. LOL.

Anonymous said...

"I think it says that a lot of 13 year old girls and gay boys own a lot of cell phones haha! "


ROFL. I love when you guys do interviews. They're always fabulous :)
Daniel V. was ROBBED! He should have won. I love him!!!

GothamTomato said...

Fabulous interview & great to see him doing so well. He deserves it.

And you know, it may take years to know the real answer to this but; it just might be that the designers who don't win PR, but who just go far enough through the show to show their designs/personalities, end up getting the most benefit from the experience.

If his book will be anything like this interview, it'll definately be one to buy.

--GothamTomato

Anonymous said...

"Well it’s actually a collection of nudie shots of me wrapped in different fabrics: wools, chiffons, cashmere blends… but all tasteful of course."

LOL. Hey, I'll buy that one too.
Fab interview, bitches!

Lilithcat said...

the NYLO line . . . will also be available in in-hotel boutiques for the public. And why wouldn't they be?

Because guests probably don't want other guests coming up to them to ask to change their reservation, complain about the heat/cold in their room, demand more towels, etc., etc.?

Anonymous said...

Chloe, along with Daniel Vosovic, were my two favorite designers from Season 2. It's nice to know he's doing well and seems to be happy.

DolceLorenzo said...

"Lilithcat said...

the NYLO line . . . will also be available in in-hotel boutiques for the public. And why wouldn't they be?

Because guests probably don't want other guests coming up to them to ask to change their reservation, complain about the heat/cold in their room, demand more towels, etc., etc.?"

I guess you never had Sexy Naughty French Maid Sex huh?

Anonymous said...

Daniel V is a total gentleman and also manages to be fabulous at the same time!

He's been my fave from the start and it's great to hear what he's been up to! This interview is just pure Daniel V - funny, insightful, gracious and talent by the truck load!

I'm so happy for you Daniel - can't wait to see the book and the collection up close!

Anonymous said...

" caz said...

Daniel V is a total gentleman and also manages to be fabulous at the same time!

He's been my fave from the start and it's great to hear what he's been up to! This interview is just pure Daniel V - funny, insightful, gracious and talent by the truck load!

I'm so happy for you Daniel - can't wait to see the book and the collection up close!"


Well said! I'll never forget his garden challenge dress. It was gorgeous! This interview left me with a smile on my face : )
Thanks, Poodles!

Anonymous said...

"The most amazing photographer has been shadowing me for the past five months, documenting basically the entire process (seeking inspiration, sketching, draping, styling, shooting, etc), including interviews with some of the fashion industries latest and greatest..."

Fantastic!! I can't wait to see it. I'm a sucker for beautiful books and fashion. I'm definitely buying it.

Anonymous said...

"Keep in mind that the pieces are all NYLO, but the accessories and extreme styling have been added to give it a more fashion-forward NY edge. I mean, as much as I’d love to see a leggy 5’11” girl serving drinks in 4” $800 Gucci shoes and purple tights, I know that it’s unlikely to happen… my job is to create the fantasy, and then be brought back down to reality by patterns, production and my boss… but hey, it’s still fun to play isn’t it."


THANK YOU!!!!!!!
Most people don't get that what you see on the runway or fashion magazines isn't exactly what the designers are suggesting you should have on.

Anonymous said...

I love Daniel V.! He's so wonderful and so talented. Great interview, by the way. I think he has matured a lot since S2. It sounds like his heart is in the right place and he has the talent to back it up. I wish him the best in his continuing career and life.

sixgables said...

I'll admit that I'm no longer young and not quite as hip as I might once have been, but are people really going to say, "Oh I WISH I could wear what the maid was wearing!" Even if she WAS wearing the expensive shoes? I don't know. The concept seems flawed. But bully for them for at least getting something decent for the staff to wear.

Suzanne said...

I still think he should have won season one instead of Chloe....and didn't I read somewhere that he WAS the winner for everyone but Nina who proceeded to talk everyone into Chloe? Did I imagine that?

Not that it matters now, because he is one of the PR success stories. I am looking forward to the book...

Sewing Siren said...

Very elegant, far superior to what usually passes as uniforms these days. I think they will look crisp and neat on a wide variety of employees.

Stephanie said...

Great interview guys! Thanks! I'll put the book on next year's Christmas wish list.

I think some of the separates would work well in an office wardrobe. As Daniel V points out, it's all about styling. Millions of women wear cute skirts every day without looking like hotel chambermaids.

Anonymous said...

"HOWEVER, it did not bag me my man Kieran, that boy still hasn’t finished watching season 2 and never watched it before we met (so please don’t tell him, I told him that I won)."

Ha! And he's a hottie. I think they make a nice couple.

gothamtomato said...

Suzanne, Daniel couldn't have won season one. He was in season two.

Mom said...

Hopefully the outfits sold to the public aren't exactly like those worn by the staff, because I just can't imagine a huge market for that. The silhouettes and overall styles are great, but, like mazeway said and lilithcat suggested, the concept seems flawed. But I think Daniel V. would do well with this collection if it were repackaged for a bigger retail market.

Anonymous said...

While I take people's point about not wanting to "look like the maid," I am pretty sure the interview says Daniel is designing the front-of-house uniforms--bartenders, waiters, front desk, and the like. If your waiter is wearing a white oxford and black pants, you might not want to emulate, but if they're wearing a really cute skirt/t-shirt, as the models seem to be, you might want to buy the look and just wear it when you've left the hotel. Or you could pick one up for a friend.

I was never Daniel V's biggest fan, but this interview reveals his wit and charm so nicely, I am totally won over. Plus, I recall him as the most drama-free person of his season.

Alexis

eric3000 said...

He's funny!

Anonymous said...

He annoys me for some reason, I can't really pin it down. He designed some nice things for PR but I didn't like his final collection.

I think it's that he comes off so immature. He has accomplished a lot and I respect that, but when I hear or read him expressing himself it just comes of sort of immature. I know he is young but even so... it grates on me.

Just my personal opinion, I will admit he sure has a certain sweetness and talent.

Anonymous said...

Daniel has a great mixture of youth and grace, zen and ambition. It's great so see him so happy and thinking about his future with such remarkeable vision.

Suzanne said...

Yes Met Veg, I stand corrected. Did you remind the teacher to give us homework ? ;-)

Anonymous said...

Daniel Vosovic is a pompous arrogant celubriretard. He walks around Manhattan putting his hoodie over his head when people recognize him and/or completely ignores his fans.

I've seen this with my very own eyes on several occasions.

Who does he think he is? Marc Jacobs?!

Anonymous said...

Great interview, guys. I had no idea Daniel V. had a book coming out. It sounds very interesting.

Anonymous said...

Oh My. Big Deal Designers only make uniforms as a fancy, a comercial or whimsy one off thing - remember designer versions of luxury cars? Designing uniforms? How unfashion forward can you get? And then trying to actually market them to the people who use the wearers' services. Look, a job is a job and I have held more than one service industry job...but I cannot imagine looking at the man waxing the floor in my building and thinking WOW that pant and shirt set would look great on my fiance! And that laundress - where can I get that tunic? Free lancing his way out of fashion seems to be his route. Why can't he worked contentedly with fashion industry "professionals" Why turn down work within the industry. I'm afraid that people's enchantment with Daniel's physical appearance has clouded their thinking.

Anonymous said...

Daniel is a cutie but is he serious? Gimme a break. None of these "uniforms" are functional. Trust me, I work in the service industry and none of the women I know would want to wear those outfits.

In our jobs, it's all about comfort. When you're on your feet all day busting your ass, the last thing you wanna be wearing is one of those ridiculous mini-dress things. Who are you kidding, Daniel?

Not that many of us are a size 2 either. Unless that hotel is only hiring skinny teenagers, I don't think the workers are gonna like it.

He should have interviewed the staff (like the Season 1 designers did in the Postal Service challenge) and spent a day working their jobs to really understand their needs.

I have a feeling most of the workers - in particular the females - are going to HATE his "uniforms".

Gorgeous Things said...

"He also managed to imply that we're old and fat. "

Let me just say right now. You are NOT fat. You are totally fabulous and we love you!

Anonymous said...

Fantastic interview!

Good for you Daniel! Good luck!

Now down to business....where is that fabulous coat from your final collection on PR2???? I WANT IT! LOL.

Anonymous said...

Not that many of us are a size 2 either. Unless that hotel is only hiring skinny teenagers, I don't think the workers are gonna like it.

No kidding. Can you see that horizontal shirt on a 42F chest? Or the miniskirts on aging bartenders/waitstaff?

Neat idea but not very practical. I imagine people will hear "did you just get off work?" if they wear it on the street.

Updating hotel uniforms is a great idea though, however they are called uniforms for a reason..they shouldn't translate into street wear as well.

And I love the word BLOG. Its short and to the point. 10 cent words never catch on in our entertainment society. Insisting they should makes you seem pompous and arrogant. But in this case I think its just immaturity and a desire to identify oneself. Just my 2 cents. LMAO.

Anonymous said...

Daniel Vosovic is one of my all-time favorite PR designers! I miss Season 2, my favorite by far!

Anonymous said...

Maybe they plan on only hiring people of a certain physical build like Hooters does. Otherwise those outfits are not going to go over well with the over-size-4 staff.

GothamTomato said...

"Can you see that horizontal shirt on a 42F chest? Or the miniskirts on aging bartenders/waitstaff?"




I'm guessing they'll be like the other upscale, trendy (hipster) hotels & restaurants in major cities, that now only hire young, attractive staff. It's easy in cities where there are a lot of unemployed actors, models & artists.

--GothamTomato

Brian said...

"Anonymous said: 10 cent words never catch on in our entertainment society. Insisting they should makes you seem pompous and arrogant. But in this case I think its just immaturity and a desire to identify oneself."

Tim uses a lot of "10-cent words." What an arrogant, immature bastard he is.

Honestly, he makes a little offhand comment about not liking the word blog, and people attack him for that too? Ridiculous.

Anonymous said...

Yup. I still love Daniel.

And you two as well, naturally.

I've heard a few folks say they think that Daniel comes off as arrogant. I never got that vibe from him; he seems very sweet in his interviews and blog (and he's right about blog: it is a funny word). I don't read the PR blogs very often, but I remember one of Daniel's posts in which he talks about running into John C. Rielly (Mr. Cellophane himself!!! as Dan put it) and how excited he was when John came over and said he was a fan of Daniel's. It was adorable.

And I'm with Gotham Tomato -- these "uniforms" are for the staff that's visible to the public -- hostesses, bartenders, etc. Believe me, there are plenty of upscale hotels/resturants/bars (in NY, LA, etc.) who only hire pretty people (many of them, yes, aspiring actors and models). Believe me, they will look good in those clothes. That's kind of the whole point.

Anonymous said...

Thyrza said
"And I'm with Gotham Tomato -- these "uniforms" are for the staff that's visible to the public -- hostesses, bartenders, etc. Believe me, there are plenty of upscale hotels/resturants/bars (in NY, LA, etc.) who only hire pretty people (many of them, yes, aspiring actors and models). Believe me, they will look good in those clothes. That's kind of the whole point."

Hey, I said that, too! ;)

I remember when I was waiting tables in NYC several years ago that many of the chicest joints would ask for a headshot with your resume (they just assumed we were all aspiring actors or models); some went so far as to ask for your height and weight on the application! I promptly walked out of any place that asked for any of the above, mostly because I knew I hadn't a chance in hell or working there, but also because I didn't really want to work somewhere that was all about the front-of-house looking hot. Just not my thing.

That said, I think that luxury hotels that want to sell a fantasy of uber-hipness are welcome to do so, and why not sell the clothes that help create that hipster image? At least it's honest--you are buying into an image of coolness by staying at their hotel; you might as well buy the whole look while you're there.

Anonymous said...

Love the interview! Daniel is hilarious!

Anonymous said...

I love Daniel.

Boo to the haters.

But where's the gossip? Ask more about this sweet thing Kieran that's captured his heart.

Bill said...

Daniel's right about the 13 year old girls & gayboys. When our 12 yr old. niece Shannon saw our picture with Daniel she went nuts. She was dying to know what he was like and she flipped when I showed her that he signed my sewing tape measure.

Sewing Siren said...

Bill, When did you meet Daniel V.?

DolceLorenzo said...

"Sewing Siren said...

Bill, When did you meet Daniel V.?"


Yes, Bill, tell us EVERYTHING. And what were you doing with Daniel Vosovic and a tape measure?

Anonymous said...

I think her comment about the "bumbling holiday tourists" getting on her nerves was rude and shortsighted. Those tourists provide a substantial boost to NY's economy and I am sure many of them buy his clothing. That whole comment was just in bad taste. I don't live in NY, so when I do visit, I feel he has the same opinion of me. Therefore, I would never again, buy anything he designs or has a hand in

Anonymous said...

He's not very attractive is he? And kind of bow legged.

Anonymous said...

Lighten up about the tourism comment. No one's saying they don't want your money!

Tourism is a boon, yes. But tourists can be exhausting. Every day when I go to work I have to negotiate swarms of picture-takers, some of whom stop to ask me questions or ask me to take their photos.

And I'm sure I've inconvenienced locals when I travel. I try not to, but I'm sure I do. That's just how it is.

Daniel wasn't taking a personal jab. Just noting a reality.

Anonymous said...

Great interview, guys! I'm looking forward to reading his book.

Anonymous said...

Everyone knows uniforms are dull and boring. I think it's a great idea and hopefully his designs will trickle down into something fabulous and stylish.

Anonymous said...

It will be interesting to see what the NYLO staffers in Plano, Texas (where the first hotel is) think of those uniforms. That will be the true test of whether the look is a successful one.

Anonymous said...

Sam: Look, here's the thing about the tourists. The fact is, New York is a tiny little island with millions of people on it. During the holidays the millions of people who live and/or work in the city are joined by many many many many tourists. Good for them; I always hope that they'll enjoy themselves (and spend lots of money). I also stay the hell out of their way, because I've been, almost literally, crushed by crowds on 5th Ave. this time of year. There was one time during the tree-lighting at Rockefeller Center (at which I was present not to see the lighting but because I was on my way home from work) when I almost feared for my life. Not to mention the amount of times I've had to fight through crowds of picture-takers who don't seem to know (or don't care) that not everyone is on vacation; some of us actually need to go to work/get home, etc. Although most tourists don't mean any harm, it takes a saint to not get annoyed at them ever. I'm not a saint. Neither, apparently, is Daniel.

Anonymous said...

I agree with Sam, that is a big uppity and short sighted of him. That's like moving to Hollywood and complaining about the celebrities. Tourists just come with the territory in NY and if you don't like them, you should move.

Anonymous said...

big=bit

Anonymous said...

"I remember when I was waiting tables in NYC several years ago that many of the chicest joints would ask for a headshot with your resume (they just assumed we were all aspiring actors or models); some went so far as to ask for your height and weight on the application!"

-------------------------------

That's illegal.

It is considered inappropriate by American standards of business.

It is illegal for employers in most Western countries to ask for a photo or body measurements to apply for a job (outside of modelling/acting).

Equal Opportunities and Anti-Discrimination legislation means that you will be employed on your skills and experience, that is, your ability to do the job.

I would report any business that asked for my height, weight or bust size. That's disgusting!

Anonymous said...

While I liked some of his designs on the show, Daniel V. just annoyed me then, and he annoys me perhaps even more so now.

With Santino, I felt he was a guy who knew he came off as an arrogant prick, but yet he understood how to relate to people so they liked him anyway. With Daniel, I feel he's just an uppity, arrogant prick who doesn't *care* to relate to people. So he comes across as egotistical and rude, without anything to soften him up.

Oh, and by the way, those tourists he despises so much -- they're the ones staying in the hotels he's designing for, and who they hope will buy his clothes. Seems a strange thing to openly display such disdain for the people you're designing for, doesn't it?

Anonymous said...

Bette: I lived in L.A. Never in my life did I trip over a celebrity, get stepped on by a celebrity, have to ask hordes of celebrities multiple times to please let me through to get to work/home or do my daily errands. If any of those things had happened, trust me, I would have complained about the celebrities.

You know what people in L.A. *do* complain about? The traffic. Why? Because there's a lot of it. Five million lanes on the highway and no one going anywhere. Does that mean that people in L.A. hate drivers? Does it mean they should all move somewhere where there aren't quite so many cars? No. It means that traffic is an annoyance, and to blow off steam, people complain. That's what we do in NY, with the tourists. Living in any big, crowded city has its drawbacks. So we bellyache a bit. If you never complain about any of the inconveniences you encounter in your daily life, then more power to you. Let me know what utopia you are living in. I'd love to check it out.

GothamTomato said...

"Bette said...
I agree with Sam, that is a big uppity and short sighted of him. That's like moving to Hollywood and complaining about the celebrities. Tourists just come with the territory in NY and if you don't like them, you should move."




Hey, we're all (7 million of us) coming over to your front lawn to camp out. If you don't like it, move.

All real New Yorkers (Manhattanites, at least) hate tourists. Why? They're stupid and slow. They travel in packs and dress like Easter eggs. They don't understand that standing in the middle of the sidewalk is EXACTLY the same as driving out onto the turnpike and parking your car in the center lane.

And they do not know how to behave in the theatre. They don't understand that it's different than the rodeo. I didn't just spend a hundred bucks to listen to Bobbie Jo from Omaha babble on about how exciting it was to visit a real NY Starbucks.

The Europeans aren't bad, but the Americans are nitwits. Whenever I ponder the question, how did we ever end up with that moron in the White House?, all I have to do is talk to a tourist. Thems the reason.

And actually, there are more celebs here in NYC than in Hollywood. They're everywhere here. They just blend in & NYers don't bother them, and I'm sure they hate the tourists too (I once saw 2 morons from Texas chasing Nicole Kidman through the Met. Literally. Another quick thinking NYer tripped them - literally- so she could get away. Sadly, there's no award for that).

--GothamTomato

Anonymous said...

I don't mind the tourist comment, but I can't shake the memory of how Tim accused Daniel of being a terrible diva when Chloe won season 2. I think he wants people to think he's such a nice, hip, witty guy -but in reality he's uber stuck on himself and does not relate to people who are unlike himself. I was appalled by his crappy attitude toward Tim during the finale, Tim wasn't feeling Daniel's collection and that pissed Danny off, he took it personally as if Tim wanted to be an ass to him (and we all know Tim is a kind and decent person).
When I think of Daniel, I see a guy who's a bit of a poser, I see him ignoring people who he can't relate to.