He survived schlepping Fed Ex boxes for Hollywood fashion stylist Rachel "It's bananas" Zoe, and now Brad Goreski will star in his own cable TV "docu series,"It's a Brad, Brad World. Premiering at 9 p.m. CT, Monday, January 2, the show is a spin-off of The Rachel Zoe Project, following Goreski as slaps sparkly designer gowns on celebs such as Demi Moore and Jessica Alba, and attends New York and Milan fashion weeks. Cameras keep rolling on his home life with his partner of 10 years, writer Gary Janetti.
Something of a fashion icon himself - he typically steps out in heavy Oliver Peoples black specs frames with a preppy-hipster combo of bow tie, Oxford shirt, fitted blazer and pop-of-color cropped skinny jeans - Goreski, 34, moved from Port Perry, Ontario, to Los Angeles a decade ago. He'd done internships at Vogue and W and set his sights on becoming an independent fashion stylist, someone who shops and picks out clothes for stars who need help dressing up for red carpets.
Chubby as a kid, Goreski says he survived childhood bullying and hopes his TV show and his new book out in February, Born to Be Brad: My Life and Style So Far (co-authored with Theater Geek writer Mickey Rapkin), add to the chorus of "it gets better" messages.
We had more questions for the adorable Mr. Goreski, so we got him on the phone.
Reality TV is notoriously hard on its stars' personal relationships. Did you and your boyfriend feel any ill effects of having cameras around during private moments?
Brad Goreski: My personal and family life is a big focus of the show, that's true. But I really wanted to show the other side of my life away from the fashion business. My great boyfriend and my family - they are the puzzle pieces that make up who I am. I'm very proud of my relationship. He's funny and charming and handsome. Sometimes people can be unkind but I've been lucky to be in a relationship with someone for 10 years who's been such a strong supporter of me in every sense.
My show is a positive representation of a gay couple at home. We have a normal life with our dogs and our family around us. That's an important thing to have out there with the increase in homophobia and the bullying going on. It's good just to show us being a normal couple.
We actually did make an agreement when he agreed to do the show with me. He has a full-time job and other life. If we weren't having fun during filming, if we were acting different in any way, we'd be honest about it. In the end of the season, I think you'll see that it brought us closer together. It was an incredible experience filming the show.
This is the start of the Hollywood "awards season." Whom are you styling for the Golden Globes and whom do you wish you were styling?
Some of my clients are Jessica Alba, Rashida Jones, Abigail Spencer, Christina Ricci, Demi. I think Emma Stone has been killing it on the red carpet. Kirsten Dunst has had a total transformation this year. She's become a modern Grace Kelly, elegant but keeping a downtown vibe. Miley Cyrus, I'd love to get my hands on her. And I love the Fannings - Dakota and Elle - they're girls I'd like to work with. Emma Watson is someone really cool and chic. And I'd love to dress Kristin Wiig. She's talented and beautiful.
Who are some fashion icons who inspire you?
In terms of men, I get a lot of inspiration from the designers Thom Browne, Tom Ford, Michael Bastian. With celebrities, Ryan Gosling, I absolutely love. He gets it spot on every time.
I've got less than $100 to spend and want to buy one chic piece. What do I get?
The best gift for men or women right now is a denim shirt. I'm obsessed. They go with everything. A pencil skirt. A cute little blazer. I'm a big proponent of denim-on-denim. It's replaced the white shirt. It's cool and relaxed.
What's your definition of style?
A lot of people ask me to critique what other people are wearing. That's the antithesis of what I believe is style. I think how you present yourself out in the world and how you represent yourself may not be how I would see you. I believe in being bold and brave in your choices. I've worn some crazy things. If what you're wearing is making you happy on that day and you feel like you can walk out and conquer the world, that's style.
What are some trends for Spring 2012?
One my favorite brands that does a good job keeping things fresh and fun is Kate Spade [with whom he collaborates]. They do a fantastic job of being cool and fun and flirty and being really modern. Lots of glitter and color, which I'm a huge proponent of. My big mission in life is to get more color out on the street. A belt, a pair of jeans. You pick the one thing you're going to present as your color item - jeans, shirt, sweater - and then base neutrals all around that. We're seeing more of it on the streets. More guys adapting it into their wardrobe. We all want the world to be a more colorful place.
Most women aren't a size 0 like the actresses you dress. What can real-sized women learn from how stars do fashion?
My biggest thing is to give yourself some shape. Give yourself a waist with a belt. Also try to make sure that not everything is boxy and billowy. If you're wearing a long sweater, do leggings and a cropped blazer to give yourself dimensions.
Any advice for young stylists trying to break into the biz?
When I started out, I made a list of all the magazines I wanted to intern at. I got an internship at Vogue. The following summer was at W. Definitely do internships and when you're there, be willing to do anything. I juggled Jamba Juice for weeks until they let me start going to fittings. You have to learn the machine first. Set your sights high, not in the middle. Start with the best.
