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Kayne checks the fit of his designs.

Project Runway's Kayne Gallispie Visits with TFTJ

by Steven Walters

Set against a backdrop of rhinestones, beaded lace and silk chiffon, Susan's Shoppe, of Brookhaven Mississippi, became the catwalk of an Impromptu “Olympus Fashion Week of the Deep South” as Kayne Gallispie of Bravo's Project Runway 3 fame came to town for a showing of his latest creations.

Models for this fashion show were some of the most serious pageant competitors from throughout the south and the list of beauties read like semi finalist at a National pageant. Modeling were Lindsey Tarpley, Miss Baton Rouge USA; Veronika Citizen, Miss Louisiana Teen America; Ashley Polmerez, Miss Mississippi US Miss; Heather Blissett Miss Mississippi Wife of the Year; Courtney Johnson, Miss Tougalloo College; and Katie Cutrer, a model for Prom Magazine just to name a few.

But before this fierce, fashion show began, Kayne and I had an opportunity to sit down and talk about Project Runway, pageants and pageant fashion. 

Steve: Kayne, it's great to meet you and for giving me the opportunity to Interview you.

Kayne: You are so welcome. I understand that you are a pageant person too?

Steve: Oh yes, from a very early age. We truly enjoyed you on Project Runway. Do you think It hurt you In any way with the judges because you specialize in pageant wear?

Kayne Well, yes to some degree it did. Not that all of my designs were “pageantesque” mind you, but the judges knew my background. When we auditioned for the competition, I brought my best and brightest to be on display for judging, which were pageant gowns.

Steve: We loved all of your designs, especially your couture gown. While we were impressed by your designs, your skill as a seamstress was absolutely flawless. Did you start sewing at an early age?

Kayne: Thank you, I loved my couture gown too. As for my sewing skill, I had never touched a sewing machine until I was 19. I was working in a gown shop, which was located near a fabric store that offered sewing classes. I started taking classes. Later I went to college in New York for fashion design, where I continued to work on my craft.

Steve: Wow, designing a gown  for Tara Connor Miss USA  and having her choose your gown to wear at the Miss Universe pageant , must have been a blast. I also understand that this past year your gowns received much success In the pageant world.

Kayne talks with Steve Walters about his success in pageant fashion design.

Kayne: Gosh, don't even mention It. When I think about winning that challenge, I am still in awe of the whole experience. Yes, these past 2 years have been great for my gowns. In 2005, we dressed to entire top five teens and the winner and 1st runner up in miss. In 2006, we dressed 12 of the top 15 teens, including the entire top 5 once again. We have made the OK teen's winning dress 3 years in a row.

Steve: Since you work with Miss and Teen, do you have a different approach with your teen contestants and the way you design for them?

Kayne: I do take a different approach. Always taking the age of the young lady into consideration, we go for a more youthful color palate, always thinking about appropriateness.

Steve: Would you design a gown in black for a teen contestant?

Kayne: No, there are so many wonderful colors and color patterns to choose from. While the color black makes a very beautiful gown, they tend to be too mature for the teen contestant. A young lady is a teen for only a few years, she can spend the rest of her pageant career wearing black.

Steve: Over the past few years we have seen some changes in pageantry. For example, Miss America, seems to have returned to her roots, In an attempt to bring glamour back to the pageant. What trends are you seeing in pageants these days.

Kayne: Well, I can speak for the trends in pageant gowns. I forsee a return to more glitz and glamour in gowns. Bob Mackie is one of my favorite designers, and we are going to see heavier beading on gowns like the ones he popularized.

Steve: Well Kayne, It seems that our time is up, thank you so much.

Kayne visits with Royalty at Susan's Shoppe.

Kayne's dress that Miss USA Tara Conor won during the Miss Universe Pageant.

 

The rest of our time spent at Susan's Shoppe was electrifying to say the least. All of the young ladies who modeled Kayne's gowns were absolutely breathtaking and ready to start the 2007 pageant season. Don't be surprised if you see one of his beautiful one-of-a-kind gowns in a pageant near you because... Kayne has arrived.