Hitting the NYFW scene for the first time just 10 years ago, Christian Siriano is already on par with the great American couturiers of our time. And when it comes to championing diversity in fashion, he's in a class all by himself. When Leslie Jones couldn't find a single designer to dress her for the red carpet, Christian reached out to the comedienne on social media, sharing that he'd be honored to work with her. Since their initial exchange in June, the twosome have delivered one stunning red carpet moment after another, her glittering sheer gown at the 2017 Emmys among them. While some designers mine hip hop culture for inspiration then shut artists out of shows, Christian makes a point to embrace women of all backgrounds, working with everyone from Jennifer Lopez to Danielle Brooks, Cardi B to Coco Rocha.
Christian proves that in 2017, it's not enough to simply create glamorous red carpet gowns; the best designers make glamour accessible to all women. Such is the case with his new coffee table book "Dresses to Dream About" which retails for just $45 on ChristianSiriano.com and Amazon.com. In the hardcover tome, photographed by his husband Brad Walsh, Christian Siriano shares 150 pictures and sketches from his decade-long career in the fashion industry.
On the eve of his book launch, the wunderkind designer invited 4 Teen Vogue staffers, of various shapes and sizes, to play dress up in the same dreamy confections featured in his book. Scroll down for before and after pictures from our fairytale afternoon inside his NYC studio.
Michaela O'Shaughnessy, Social Media Producer
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"I really admire how Christian Siriano designs his dresses with the average woman in mind. He designs for all body types which I feel is so unique in this industry. It really sets him apart from his competitors."
"I absolutely loved my dress and almost felt like I was wearing a piece of art. Between the vibrant colors, the ombre effect and the perfect sweetheart neckline, it truly was the dress of my dreams. Christian was also so kind on set. He made sure I felt comfortable in the dress and gave me a couple of posing tips which was super helpful. Overall, a really memorable experience."
Sammie Scott, Associate Social Media Editor
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"I was first introduced to Christian Siriano post-Project Runway and I shopped his shoes at Payless, because it was at a price point I could work with. And then when it comes to his gowns, I remember seeing all these celebrities who don't get dressed [by designers] actually getting gowns to wear for different red carpet events, and feeling like 'I could wear that, too' and 'I could even wear that to prom.' It's aspirational, but I also feel like I'm included."
"I felt very beautiful in my dress. I never thought I could wear a couture gown but now, I felt like I could do it. Wearing Christian Siriano is on my bucket list, and I thought it'd be a ready-to-wear moment. Wearing that gown and feeling like a princess was such a cool experience."
Jessica Andrews, Digital Fashion Editor
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"Christian Siriano has been a favorite of mine for a very long time, way back when my sister and I were rooting for him on Project Runway. It's amazing to see how his career has blossomed since that time. In addition to being supremely talented, he's demonstrated a sharp business acumen — and a commitment to diversity that sets him apart from his peers. His runway show was one of the highlights of New York Fashion Week; who can forget the moment Leslie Jones cheered Coco Rocha on as she hit pose after pose down the catwalk?! It just further proves Christian's point that fashion should be fun. I really want this book for the holidays (Santa, if you're listening!) because his gowns are moving artwork, and it'd be a coffee table book I'd treasure forever and ever."
"I knew this was the dress I wanted to wear as soon as I spotted it! The detail — from the layered colorful tulle skirt to the delicate leaf embellishments — is simply exquisite. It has such great movement, too. I could spin it all day. I felt like one of the celebrities I always write about on the red carpet. It was surreal!"
Callia Hargrove, Social Media Editor
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"I would say the thing I love most about Christian Siriano is that he's inclusive for everyone. I was properly introduced to him when Leslie Jones wore his dress at the Emmys. Being a designer that strikes out and makes a point to include everyone and all these different body types is important, and we don't see that often in the fashion industry."
"I was fearful that the dress wouldn't zip up, but Christian made me feel good about that. He asked Sammie to help me close it, but he didn't make me feel ashamed. He was actually really fun about it, he made me comfortable. I never thought I'd have the opportunity to wear a Christian Siriano gown in my life. It felt like a wedding dress."
Related: Christian Siriano Has WORDS for Designers Who Won't Dress Celebrities of a Certain Size
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