Christian Siriano has clothes in Lane Bryant, shoes in Payless stores and bespoke gowns that have made him a red-carpet fixture.
He dressed “Orange Is the New Black” actress Samira Wiley and writer Lauren Morelli in sleek hers-and-hers looks for their wedding last month, and when “Saturday Night Live” star Leslie Jones was snubbed by designers for her “Ghostbusters” movie premiere, Siriano outfitted her in a sizzling red dress.
Siriano believes in diversity and inclusion.
And at New York Fashion Week in February, that message was clear on the runway — a model strutted down the catwalk in a top emblazoned with: “People Are People.”
“Women are wanting to wear my clothes not only because they’re great clothes but because of what we represent,” Siriano said in a recent Time interview.
The core values behind his namesake label do not align with that of President Donald Trump’s polarizing rhetoric, and that’s why he won’t be dressing his wife, first lady Melania Trump, anytime soon.
Watch on FN
“I don’t think I would,” he said of designing for the first lady. “I think for a while everyone was trying to figure out what to do. Unfortunately, it really doesn’t have anything to do with her, but she is representing what’s happening politically, and what’s happening politically right now is not really good for anyone.”
As a designer, Siriano said refusing to not dress someone sends a powerful message. Marc Jacobs and Tom Ford are among the names who don’t want the first lady wearing their labels. “That’s the only voice we have,” he added. “I dress people that I can support and support what they’re doing in their lives. That’s why it’s important to me and it should be important to every designer because the people that you put in your brand represent the brand.”
Want More?
‘OITNB’ Star Samira Wiley and Lauren Morelli Got Married in Sleek Christian Siriano Wedding Outfits
Christian Siriano’s Message for Fall: ‘People Are People’
Christian Siriano Shares His Hidden Talent & Pre-Fashion Week Ritual
How Christian Siriano Is Taking His Business to the Next Level
