Tim Gunn Is Getting a Daytime Talk Show and Considering Designing a Plus-Size Line

Photo: Getty

Tim Gunn, the beloved mentor on Project Runway, is branching out in all sorts of new directions in 2012.
Most notably, everyone’s favorite filter-less and erudite fashion mentor has landed another TV spot co-hosting a new daytime talk show, The Revolution, which airs January 16 at 2pm EST on ABC. Each week the health and lifestyle show will feature one woman’s five-month-long weight loss “journey” to change, compressed into five days; Friday will be the “reveal” day. (This is a great concept–who doesn’t love a good make-over reveal?)
Tim’s role on the show will be to provide fashion and styling advice to these women whose bodies are undergoing big changes. He’ll be joined in co-hosting duties by the often-frenetic Ty Pennington (interior design/art), Harley Pasternak (trainer and nutritionist to every hot celeb out there), Dr. Jennifer Ashton (OB/Gyn/women’s health issues), and Dr. Tiffanie Davis Henry (relationship expert).
While somewhat under the radar, Tim also signed on as Weight Watchers’ “style consultant” last January. Duties include consulting on Jennifer Hudson’s ads for the weight loss giant, and offering tips on how to dress during the stages of weight loss. (That’s him at left with the recent winner of a Weight Watchers contest.) With the Weight Watchers affiliation and this new show, he’s re-branding himself into a bit of a plus-size advocate. He chatted with Marie Claire before the holidays about the show and his…yes…design ambitions:
On the tone of The Revolution:
“It’s really a feel-good show. Sure, we will push the buttons in terms of a reality wake-up call, but we’re not mean-spirited. You’ll never see us talking behind someone’s back in snarky, unsupportive way.”
On “aspirational” dressing when you’re trying to lose weight:
“I didn’t believe in aspirational clothes before this. I was always of the belief, ‘Let’s fit the size you are now. Let’s not talk about being four sizes smaller.’ But there is the health issue. So now we’re talking speculatively yet carefully considering where their body and shape will be. So we’re asking, ‘What will she be in four months? In five months?’ That was the biggest fashion challenge. They get a goal outfit on Monday!”
On plus size designers:
“It’s so difficult. Have you seen most of the plus-size sections out there? It’s horrifying. Whoever’s designing for plus-size doesn’t get it. The entire garment needs to be reconceived. You can’t just take a size 8 and make it larger. In my travels, I’ve been an advocate for larger women. I’ve been talking to designers, but only a half-dozen make an effort. Most say, ‘I don’t want a woman who’s a size 10 or 11 wearing my clothes.’ Well, shame on you! It’s not realistic. We need to address real women with real needs. At Parsons, we had fit models that ranged in size from 2 to 10. We’ve got to reconceive clothes for all sizes.”
On his own design ambitions:
“Sometimes I say, ‘I’m going to do a clothing line!’ I’d love nothing more to respond to those designers who refuse to address it. I’m seriously considering [designing]! Just because I want to be a part of the solution. I’m so tired of giving them so few options. I end up always saying, ‘I’m taking you to Lane Bryant because at least they understand you.’ But there’s a stigma.”