Queer Eye for a Straight Guy's Carson Kessley on being inspired by Olivia
WOMEN the world over love him for the wardrobe changes he’s made to their men.
For many grateful wives, shamed girlfriends and concerned mothers, separating straight blokes from their banana hammocks (jock straps), mangora (back hair) and socks that play Jingle Bells has been a display of skill and diplomacy deemed worthy of an international peace prize.
But for Queer Eye For A Straight Guy’s Carson Kressley, one Australian woman stands alone in inspiring him to come out of his own closet and share his fashion talents with the world.
“I loved, loved Olivia Newton-John from a very early age, which I guess at the time was a sign, don’t you think? My family was always curious why little Carson was watching Xanadu for like, the 50th time,” he laughed.
Buzzing about his favourite Australian women and their style-from a daybed inside the Myer marquee at the Melbourne Cup last Tuesday, the fashion guy from TV’s fab five has clearly kept the fires burning for ONJ.
(He corrects me when I say her name in full, as if to prove his intimacy with the gay icon, asking did I know next year is the 25th anniversary of the rollerskating-classic film and almost squeals when he reveals his involvement in a planned homage)
“I just saw ONJ recently and she was Olivia Newton-Pretty” he gushed.
Oh, yes, straight up, this man is as queer as they come, as well as being funny, fashionable and as sharp as a nine-inch stiletto (sorry to disappoint, Lawsie).
Quick with a snappy style bite, or witty aside, it’s no coincidence his new book is called Off The Cuff. He’s the master of it.