Up and Coming Designer: Christian V. Siriano !!!

Christian Siriano (born November 18, 1985) is an American fashion designer and the winner of the fourth season of American reality show Project Runway. Siriano is the show's youngest winner.

Siriano was born in Columbia, Maryland to Joye and Peter Sirianoalong with his older sister. A former ballet dancer, Siriano was raised in Annapolis, Maryland. He is of Italian and German descent. Siriano's parents divorced when he was four years old, though he has said his father is still a part of his life.

Siriano has said that his parents supported the arts and encouraged their children to pursue creative fields. As a child, Siriano studied ballet,and on a March 2008 Ellen appearance, he described himself as a "musical theater kid who loved costumes". Siriano's interest in costume design inspired him to pursue a career in fashion. He began designing clothes at age thirteen, while working as a hair washer and styling assistant at Bubbles Salon in Annapolis, and eventually began sewing clothes for the salon's annual hair shows. Siriano attended high school at the Baltimore School for the Arts. The school allowed Siriano to choose fashion design as his course of study, despite the fact that they do not offer it.

After being rejected by the Fashion Institute of Technology, Siriano chose to study abroad at American InterContinental University in London, England. Following the recommendation of a teacher during his senior year, he began interning at Vivienne Westwood, and later, at Alexander McQueen, whom Siriano has stated is his favorite designer. Siriano moved to New York City after graduating from college.

Before auditioning for the fourth season of Project Runway, Siriano worked as a freelance make-up artist for Stila cosmetics and making wedding gowns for private clients, as well as holding a brief intern position at Marc Jacobs. Siriano decided to audition for the show after the suggestion of a friend's mother. During his time on Runway, Siriano won four challenges, the most out of any contestants on the season, followed by Rami and Victorya, with 2 challenges won. Siriano advanced to the show's finals, and won a spot to show a twelve-piece final collection at New York Fashion Week. His collection was comprised of Musketeer-inspired couture, featuring ruffles, feathers and headwear. During the finale, which aired on March 5, 2008, celebrity guest judge Victoria Beckham praised Siriano's collection as being a "breath of fresh air" and stated that she would be "honored to wear" any piece of his clothing.

Siriano was announced the winner of the show's fourth season, winning a fashion spread in Elle magazine, a 2008 Saturn Astra, and $100,000 US to start his own label. In addition, Siriano was awarded the season's Fan Favorite award, based on votes from viewers. He received a check for $10,000 US, which was presented to him by season three Fan Favorite Michael Knight. In a March 2008 interview, Runway mentor Tim Gunn stated of Siriano, "I really believe he is this generation's Marc Jacobs. I really do. We have found America's next great fashion designer... I'm confident."

Siriano began to receive pop culture attention during his time on Runway, primarily for his asymmetrical upswept hair-do (which Siriano called a "bi-level fashion hawk" during a March 2008 appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno) and his flamboyant attitude. Several of Siriano's catchphrases, such as "fierce," "ferosh," and "hot tranny mess", were parodied in the media by multiple blogs and television shows like Saturday Night Live. In March 2008, Siriano appeared as a celebrity guest on an episode of Bravo's Make Me A Supermodel, where he critiqued the contestants' catwalks and designed an outfit for one of the contestants, Holly Kiser, to model on the runway. (Kiser went on to win the competetition). On May 1, 2008, Siriano appeared as himself on an episode of Ugly Betty, and designed some of the cast's costumes. In June 2008, Siriano appeared in the music video for hip-hop artist Estelle's single "No Substitute Love."

In April 2008, Siriano signed on to design a fifteen piece collection for Puma.In May 2008, Siriano designed virtual promwear for Gaia Online's virtual prom. He appeared on Total Request Live to promote the event. As part of his prize for winning Project Runway, Siriano's first collection for Bluefly began retailing on the website in July 2008.

Siriano debuted the spring collection for his first line, Christian V. Siriano, at New York Fashion Week on September 11th, 2008. His show was sponsored by Cibu International Haircare, the product line of Bubbles Salon, where he started his costuming career. Shortly after, Siriano announced a spring maternity line, Fierce Mamas, in collaboration with Moody Mamas founders Elise Rosemarin and Marta Abrams.

On December 4, 2008, it was announced that Siriano has signed a deal to design a line of low-cost shoes and handbags for Payless Shoesource.

(source: Wikipedia)