TV show puts local designer on pins and needles

By Josh McBee

pop editor

In the world of fashion, things are either hot or not. In the world of local fashion designers, Kayne Gillaspie is definitely hot.

Gillaspie, a Tennessee native and co-owner of Norman's Southern Charm boutique, is competing in the third season of Bravo's reality hit "Project Runway," which premiered Wednesday. Selected from thousands nationwide and the only applicant to be accepted from the Chicago auditions, Gillaspie battles 14 other designers for a chance to show during the Big Apple's Fashion Week in September and a $100,000 grand prize.

The designer began gaining steam when he dressed the top five teens, including the winner and first runner-up, in the Miss Oklahoma USA pageant during late 2005. It was earlier this year that he burned rubber to make "Project Runway" auditions in Chicago, but Gillaspie really heated up (literally) once he arrived May 17 in New York City.

"I had no clue, in watching the prior two seasons, that you couldn't have air conditioning because of the cameras and stuff," Gillaspie said, noting he had thought it curious a previous competitor always wore running shorts on the fashion show. The results of this oversight, he said, are obvious. "You will see me sweating like a whore in church."

In addition to the heat, there's also pressure, as the designers compete in weekly challenges where the weakest designs get eliminated (along with their creator). Unlike the previous two seasons, the third installment of "Project Runway" features a selection of more mature designers, with some in their 40s and most spread throughout the 30-something range. Gillaspie said because the competitors were more experienced, the challenges were made more difficult.

But challenges are common at his shop. In one instance, a pregnant woman in a touring singing group needed outfits that would grow with her belly. Still, Gillaspie said the show's challenges are harder than they look.

"There's so many things that the public doesn't get to see. The restrictions are so hard. On the show, they edit it where they say, 'You have a day to finish this challenge.' Sometimes that would mean you don't start until 2 in the afternoon and you have til midnight. That's 10 hours. That's not a day," he said.

As hot as the action can get in the sewing room, the real reward for Gillaspie isn't in the rush of competition or the name recognition that comes with being on TV. For him, fashion is something more personal.

"The biggest thrill for me is seeing a customer pleased and actually wearing a garment that fits them beautifully," he said. "For me to feel like I can make someone feel beautiful just by making a garment that makes them look good or feel good when they put it on, that's the biggest thrill for me."

Since filming ended, the 27-year-old has split his time between his store (where the phone rings almost constantly) and post-show obligations like interviews and red carpet appearances in L.A.