At its heart, “American Idol” is a makeover show.
With one or two glaring exceptions (we’re looking at you, Sanjaya) talent is center stage. But fashion does share the spotlight.
And it always has. Since the beginning, wardrobe stylist Miles Siggins has helped the final 12 singers morph a signature look.
Siggins is also the founder of streetwear labels Stussy and Gimme5, so he’s fluent in hip. How appropriate then that we should interview him via e-mail before the season started and then again just before the show’s return to the big stage at the Kodak Theatre.
Q: How much time do you get with the contestants to determine what outfits would be best for them? A: We have two hours per contestant each week to shop. We start thinking about outfits once songs have been chosen.
Q: Can you describe the process? A: Two hours shopping, maybe a visit to the tailor if needed …
that’s it. Apart from the finale – which is a week’s fittings/prep – as there are multiple outfits for the whole top 12.
Q: How much of your job is diplomacy (are there contestants who don’t see their figure flaws)? A: Quite a bit, although it is always their final choice. Also, it’s a gradual process, educating those that need it in how to accentuate the positive.
Q: Where do you get your inspiration (designer catwalks, glossy magazines, music videos, your own experience, etc.)? A: Always from the personality of the contestant. Although I do have a huge magazine bill each month!
Q: You have to dress a wide range of ages … what challenges does that present? A: Making sure that things are age-appropriate … (you) don’t want the younger girls showing too much skin, or the older contestants looking too old.
Q: What designers, brands and/or labels do you stock? A: We don’t really stock anything, although due to the popularity of the show, quite a few people send stuff for the contestants.
Usually we use that for the results show if we need it, as I encourage contestants to spend their weekly budget on the performance show, as that’s the one the public votes on.
Q: Have you noticed that most of the contestants tend to gravitate to certain looks or labels? A: Not especially, but I do try to instill in them that they should cultivate an image rather than dressing to the week’s song or theme.
Justin Timberlake doesn’t radically change his outfits for each song.
Q: Have you ever started a trend or styling trick? A: I wouldn’t be so bold … but people say I helped start the jeans/tee/blazer look with Ryan (Seacrest).
Q: Are any of the final top 12 more style savvy or image conscious than the rest? A: Yes, couple of the boys … the others are finding who they are, what image they want to portray to the public.
Q: Do the judges or Ryan ever ask for your help? A: Yes, I’ve been dressing for Ryan since I started working on the show. Simon (Cowell) and Randy (Jackson) don’t have stylists. Paula (Abdul) has her own people.
Q: How do you avoid “wardrobe malfunctions?” A: A stylist’s best friend … Topstick, which is actually toupee tape.
— AOL Red, the personalized desktop service for teens, has recruited American Idol stylist Miles Siggins to develop an online promwear fashion show.
“We actually shot it in New York in January,” Siggins said.
“(It’s) going live on AOL Red in the next week or so.” Go to www.red-prom.com.
Last year’s winner, Taylor Hicks, went from fashion illiterate to Beau Brummel in record time. By the end of the season he had developed a taste for “Ocean’s 11” tailored suits from European fashion houses such as Costume National, Oswald Boateng, J. Linderberg and Paul Smith.
The supermarket in Carrie Underwood’s hometown of Checotah, Okla., never carried fashion magazines.
Plus-size manufacturers inundated the show last year with merchandise hoping to find favor with Rubenesque contestant Mandisa.
Siggins’ Idol blog last year was dominated by questions about her outfits.
Clay Aiken’s prominent ears were camouflaged with a new hairstyle by “American Idol” hairstylist Dean Banowetz, who is often credited with the singer’s phoenix-like rise from the ashes of the second season.
