Fashion friends share Anne Arundel connection
Their respective paths to New York City couldn't have been more different.
Siriano’s ascent is well-documented. After enrolling in the Baltimore School For the Arts as a 13-year-old aspiring designer — even though the school did not offer a fashion curriculum — he went on to study under the famed Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen. In 2004, at the age of 21, he won the fourth season of “Project Runway,” becoming the reality show’s most successful and visible star. His client list reads like a celebrity Who’s Who, from first lady Michelle Obama to Lady Gaga. His business collaborations, willingness to take social stands and continued sartorial success have made him a household name.
“I didn’t watch ‘Project Runway.’ But I had heard of him,” Hart says, adding that he was impressed with Siriano’s talent. “Everything was so subdued then, in 2004. He was creating big and bold fashion, which was exciting. It was all about the color. And everything was so well put together. He’s just a huge talent. That’s really what drew me to his work.” Hart’s trajectory was a bit less public. Upon winning the Fashion Group International Scholarship Award at age 17, the Severna Park High School graduate used the prize money to move to New York City to study at the Fashion Institute of Technology. After graduating in 2004, Hart spent the next several years working for Anna Sui, Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren. In 2009, he launched an independent line of luxury ties, bow ties and pocket scarves. He unveiled his first full ready-to-wear collection of menswear in 2013.
Hart has seen his share of success. He was named one of magazine’s Emerging Designers of 2015 and named a finalist for the prestigious Council of Fashion Designers of America and Vogue Fashion Fund Competition.
And his flashy designs rooted in retro undertones continually attract some of Hollywood’s best-dressed men. Andy Samberg wore a David Hart suit while hosting the 2015 Primetime Emmy Awards, and Stephen Curry wore Hart’s yellow cotton fine-gauge Merino polo shirt on the cover of the May 2016 issue of
“A lot of actresses and musicians are looking for something that’s a little new and different for the red carpet. And it’s kind of the same with David,” Siriano says. “I think what’s great about David’s menswear is that it feels a little younger and more modern — especially for what’s happening right now in Hollywood as far as the younger actresses and actors are getting so much more praise then they used to. … Menswear is extremely difficult to make beautiful tailored clothes that also look fun and playful. And I think David does that.”
Siriano and Hart’s relationship is extremely rare in the fashion business, according to Erin Hawker, head of Agentry PR, which represents both designers.
“A lot of designers do not have time for personal and social events,” says Hawker, who has worked with fashion brands for 22 years. “Because both designers grew up in the same area, they both were designers at a young age, having a similar design aesthetic has helped to push their friendship along.”
The designers say Hawker was part of the reason they connected.
“We have the same publicist. And I think that’s how it happened,” Hart says. “It was nice to have support from someone else in the industry.”
The two continued to meet at industry parties and events.
“And then I found out we were from similar areas,” Siriano says. “I loved his work. My husband loved his work. And then we became friendly. All of us younger designers kind of got to the same events.”
Hart adds: “His [older] sister and I went to middle school together, and we were on student government at the same time. And I feel that my mom knew his mom in some capacity.”
Hart thinks their friendship was made easier because they work in opposite spectrums of the industry.
“In menswear, it’s a little different. Menswear seems to be very ‘bro-y.’ It’s a smaller community. We’re always kind of talking to each other. In womenswear, it’s different.” he says.
Siriano admits Hart is one of his few friends in the fashion industry.
“A majority of our close friends are not in fashion,” Siriano says. “We have some friends who are artists, musicians, actors. They’re all interconnected [to fashion]. We like a little more real life when we’re not working. You have to kind of take a break from it.”
One place where the two have crossed paths — at least their designs — is on the red carpet.
Creations by the two have been fixtures during recent awards seasons. Sometimes, couples have even wound up wearing both designers.
At the 2016 Tony Awards, Leslie Odom Jr. won best leading actor in a musical wearing a honeycomb woven wool dinner jacket from Hart’s fall 2016 collection and bespoke black mohair trousers with a satin stripe. Odom’s wife, Nicolette Robinson, wore a colorblocked white and navy gown from Siriano.
Siriano and Hart struck red carpet gold again that year at the Primetime Emmys when Neve Campbell wore a custom black, strapless, metallic lace applique trumpet gown by Siriano, and her partner, JJ Feild, wore a classic black tuxedo by Hart.
Both designers said they were surprised their designs were worn by the couples.
“I think it’s pretty unusual,” Hart says of the overlap. “Maybe it happens for some of the veterans. Maybe Tom Ford and all of his friends are dressing couples. But in New York, that’s pretty unheard of.” The crossover doesn’t surprise Hawker. “Both designers have a vibrant sensibility to them,” she says. “Both designers use a lot of color and have an exuberant personality that comes through in their designs. … Sometimes when couples have similar taste, it can extend into what they wear.”
Hart and Siriano admit to being consumed with their careers.
“Sadly we hardly get to hang out. We always try to make plans,” Siriano says.
And forget about hanging out during Fashion Week.
“The thing is, unfortunately you have to focus on your brand and world . ... I never go to anything else, really. It’s too hard. It distracts,” he adds.
Hart knows their friendship is genuine regardless of whether they attend each other’s shows.
“It’s really great to have allies and other friends who you can vent about the business and talk about the craft and strategies,” he says.
Hart adds with a laugh: “We’re lonely. All of us. Maybe we have unhealthy relationships with our clothing.”