Christopher Straub

• Age: 30.
• Birthplace: St. Louis Park.
• Current residence: Shakopee.
• Training: Self-taught.
• Professional experience: Visual merchandiser and designer for his own label, Cricket.
• Current gig: Works in a salon by day and as a freelance designer by night.

Handouts The announcement of Christopher Straub's involvement in "Project Runway" seemed to come out of nowhere. Until then, Straub was best-known as the designer for Cricket, his line of men's underwear made from old T-shirts. "I'd sell them at bars out of a messenger bag," Straub recalls. (The line is now sold exclusively at Design Collective.)

For the most part, Straub has stayed relatively obscure, occasionally participating in off-the-radar fashion shows at local nightclubs. Straub paints a starkly different picture of the fashion scene from that of Coleman's: "I didn't feel like I was accepted into the fashion community here," he says. It wasn't for any lack of trying -- he says he applied to get into the Voltage show a couple of times but was rejected. "Now I think I'll be taken more seriously," he says.

Based on Straub's pre-"Project Runway" portfolio, it's clear his designs are worthy of a closer look. Lush textures, draping and asymmetrical silhouettes run throughout his work, which he says is inspired by the organic textures he sees in nature. "My designs are based on fabric manipulations and texture, within an architectural world -- so structure is a big part of it," he says.

It's not just his designs that will get Straub attention on "Project Runway." The early blog chatter has pegged Straub as "the crier" after a quote from Tim Gunn in People magazine pointed to Straub's sensitive nature. "I cried four times, is that a lot?" he half-joked while getting primped and powdered for this story's photo shoot. But the guy's definitely not a Debbie Downer -- his back-and-forth banter with Coleman on the set of Vita.mn's shoot showed his more colorful side. "Are you giving fucking angles?" he said to Coleman mid-shoot, causing the usually serious Coleman to bust out laughing.

Straub is the first to admit he's a few steps behind some of the more established designers on the show. Before "Project Runway," "I totally didn't have focus," he says. "I would do one-of-a-kind pieces for everyone -- older men, younger women, maternity, you name it. It was kind of scattered." Now, he says he's found his niche and his customer base. He's currently working on a collection of mid-range accessories (including leather wallets, belts, handbags and luggage) geared toward young professional women to sell through what he'll only call "a major retailer," as well as a collection of lower-priced vinyl and PVC accessories for the 13-to-21 age group for another unnamed retailer. On how he expects his life will change once "Runway" airs, Straub gets humble.

"I'm just a small-town guy from Shakopee," he says, "who gets to show the world what's in my head."

« Previous 1 | 2 | 3