Oh the Things Tim Gunn Can Do

I've been bursting at the seams to blog about this, and finally I can!

Effective June 1, I be in charge of the $4.5 million Heartland Combined Federal Campaign. Before I was just the manager/assistant in the office, working below my boss. He's moving to Portland, Oregon, in early June, and United Way decided that I should take his place! Bit of a scary thought, but I'm confident that I can do this. And if you know any Federal employees in Kansas or western Missouri, please encourage them to donate to the CFC :)

I'm pretty certain that I am receiving this promotion not based on my merits, experience or skills. Rather, I think that my promotion had everything to do with meeting this dapper gentleman: 

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A couple of weeks ago, the Kate Spade New York- and Lucky Brand Jeans-partnered Tim Gunn fashion show came to Kansas City. The catwalk was erected right on the street in front of Kate Spade on the Plaza! 

 Fun Fact: Kate Spade the woman is originally from Kansas City. She no longer owns the Kate Spade brand, but I believe she is still at least somewhat involved in the design process of their products.

When they first came out, there was a bee on Tim Gunn's personal assistant's chair. He was not chivalrous enough to swat it away for her (he sort of jumped in fear). Later he realized his mistake and we all had a good LOL.

During the show, Tim and his personal assistant chatted about the latest trends and fashions as they walked down the runway. They specifically chose pieces and outfits that would draw conversation, such as mixing prints, different silhouettes for body types, etc. One thing I especially liked about this runway show was that they featured models of literally all shapes and sizes.

After the show he took a great deal of time to answer questions from audience members. He was incredibly thoughtful and respectful to each person and gave each answer its due time.

He even answered my seat neighbor's question! I was probably beet red the entire time he was looking in my direction, and I was too shy to be any more obvious with my camera than to take this sneaky photo from my lap.

After all of the questions were answered, he stuck around to meet every person who bought a ticket! My mom was incredibly generous and gifted me my ticket earlier that week. (Thanks, Mom!) We also all got photos of our meet & greet.

 

Someone call US Weekly - who wore it best?

As you can see, I am dressed the same as Tim Gunn's personal assistant!! Okay, story time: As late as the night before the fashion show, I hadn't given too much thought as to what I'd wear. I guess it never dawned on me that I should worry about what I wore in front of Tim Gunn. But it didn't. At least not in a timely manner. 

So there I was, the night before the fashion show, running around the Plaza with my friend Rachel, wondering (and worrying) what I'd wear to meet Tim the next day. As I am wont to do, we found ourselves in the Kate Spade store. By now, the store employees at Kate Spade know my mother and me by name. (Is that a good thing in such an expensive store?) I figured I could buy a cute new skirt or a dress on sale or something. 

As I perused the hangers of luxurious fabrics, I spotted this lovely number hanging by a dressing room, but they didn't have any other ones in the store. I asked Hannah (the store manager) about the dress and she said that it was brand new, not yet on the website, but headquarters had shipped in new items to the store for Tim Gunn's PA to try on for the event. I had to try it on right then and there. Of course, I ended up falling completely in love with the dress and I decided to buy it, regardless of the fact that I knew someone else would be wearing it on the runway. It's just so incredibly versatile. Already I've worn it three times (fashion show, ArtBra KC and my brother's graduation). I want to give a special shout-out to the ladies that helped me at Kate Spade that night. You ladies are so incredibly nice and helpful, especially considering all of the crazy antics that you have to put up with from my mother and myself. :)

When it came time for me to climb up the four steps onto the runway, I was shaking, sweating (a bit), and probably had to pee from nerves. But Tim was SOOO incredibly nice! He greeted each person with a warm welcome and a handshake. And he seemed to think it was so cute that the two of us were dressed alike that he asked the three of us take a photo for the tour's scrapbook. I'm going to be in a scrapbook with Tim Gunn!!! Then we chatted for a little bit about Kansas City and I thanked him for coming to the event. The person standing in line after me said that he talked to me the longest of all the people :) Truly a nice man. 

AHH I can't believe I shook hands with TIM GUNN!! And I have photographic evidence!! I will never lose this photo ever, EVER.



Have you ever met any celebrities? Did they live up to their expectations?

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