Tweet

Project Runway's season one winner Jay McCarroll visited Macy's at Green Hills this past Saturday as part of the store's "Find Your Magic" event. McCarroll, clad in an all black ensemble accented with tribal jewelry he made himself, shared his fall fashion tips before a crowd of local fashionistas.

photographer:Kristin Sweeting

The event included a runway show featuring pieces from Rachel Roy, Ralph Lauren, Frye, Fossil and and Steve Madden. McCarroll gave his advice on mixing patterns with prints in order to pull off a look he described as "Bill Cosby chic". He also demonstrated how to balance bold autumn reds and oranges with cooler neutrals to create a sophisticated, put-together look appropriate for any age and body type.

Next came a fashion challenge in which audience members were asked to style models for a job interview, first date, and even a day with the designer himself. The contestants, many of whom were aspiring fashion designers, raced against the clock to put together ensembles that reflected McCarroll's homespun, bohemian aesthetic. In the end, 3 winners left with $100 Macy's giftcards.

Jay and his fans! (photography: Doug Barry)

To see more photos click here

An Interview with Jay McCarroll

Project Runwayʼs season one winner Jay McCarroll recently hosted a fashion show at Macyʼs of Green Hills. I sat down with the up-and-coming designer to talk about Southern fashion, tourist traps, and the rules of mixing patterns and prints.

Nichole: You use a lot of crafty, folksy elements in your work. Have you seen anything in the South so far that you think will influence future collections?

Jay: (laughs) Yes, I am a FRAC. Nichole: (laughs) A FRAC?

Jay: A crafty, folksy person. I went to Gatlinburg yesterday. It was cute. Itʼs like the Swiss Alps over there. I also saw a lot of NASCAR stuff yesterday.

Nichole: Are you a NASCAR fan?

Jay: No, not particularly. Yesterday I went to the Tennessee State Fair. I took lots of pictures of quilts. And there was this really great place I went yesterday...whatʼs that road to go to Dollywood? I passed this place that had all these different colored rocks and glass. It was like a mystical magic land, so that was really inspiring. So any kind of weird glassy gem...itʼll show up somewhere. [Editorʼs note: After hours of research, Iʼm still not sure where this place is. All I know is that it is not Dinosaur World or Rock City.]

Nichole: So maybe in your next collection weʼll see some Dollywood themes? Jay: Yes, Jay McCarroll for Target for Dollywood. Nichole: Speaking of Target, would you ever consider designing a capsule collection?

Jay: I would love to do a line with Macyʼs. I grew up in the middle of nowhere and it was, like, exciting to go to Macyʼs. We would drive an hour and a half to go to Lehigh Valley Mall and go to Macyʼs for school shopping and that was, like, a big treat...I would never think that as a fat pre-teen, walking through Macyʼs getting extra large Claiborne shirts, that my picture would be [inside Macyʼs] and people would be coming to see me talk. Iʼm happy about things that happen, you know? Iʼm not above any of this.

Nichole: Browsing through the womenswear collection in your online shop I noticed you mixed a lot of patterns and prints. The color block dress was very Lisa Frank. Are there any rules for mixing patterns and prints? Is there anything you shouldnʼt do?

Jay: I donʼt think so. (he asks me to stand up and model my outfit, which consists of layers of clashing Missoni and floral patterns). Men have a contrived viewpoint of what looks good; one, because they have no idea, and two, if it was up to them, because weʼve totally over-sexualized beauty and glamor, men would have women looking like porn stars or Barbie. So I think itʼs important when a woman has enough confidence to say, “I donʼt give a shit what guys think. I wanna dress for me.” But [back to] mixing prints...itʼs an acquired taste. I think especially right now itʼs happening everywhere because itʼs the only thing you can go to. Everything else has been done. You donʼt want to look like a Real Housewife anymore with the jewel tones and fake boobs...not that women are going to want to look like how youʼre dressed either.

Nichole: (laughs nervously) So youʼre suggesting women find a happy medium? Jay: Yes, find something in between. I think you look great but most people would

probably think you look like a crazy anime character.

Nichole: On that note I think itʼs about time we wrap this up. Tell me about some distinct trends youʼve noticed in the South.

Jay: Nascar. I havenʼt seen a lot of cowboys, which Iʼm disappointed in. Nichole: Thatʼs a misconception people have about Nashville. We donʼt all dress like

cowboys here!

Jay: People told me they did, and I knew they had to be wrong. This is, like, a city, after all. There have to be cool people here. But I think Nashvilleʼs known for what itʼs known for. It should keep some of that integrity. I hate when cities try to get a new identity. In Philadelphia [McCarrollʼs birthplace], weʼre scumbags. Weʼre schleppy and people love sports. Donʼt try to look like youʼre on a yacht somewhere. Youʼre not. Youʼre in Philadelphia by the muddy river and you love sports. Just wear jerseys. Iʼd rather people be who they are than try to be something theyʼre not. Baby, you were born this way.

Nichole: Thatʼs a great way to end things. Jay: Do NOT use the Lady Gaga quote. Nichole: Sorry, Jay. You dug your own grave with that one.

You can view McCarrollʼs recent collection and pictures from his travels at

www.jaymccarroll.wordpress.com