Christian Siriano Takes AD Behind the Scenes of His NYFW Show—Where He Put Beds on the Runway

When AD toured fashion designer Christian Siriano’s modernist Connecticut home this past August, we learned something interesting about his sleeping habits. He has no television in his bedroom, and no curtains there either—or anywhere else in the home for that matter. Instead, he prefers to wake up naturally as light streams through the glass sliding door which leads from his bedroom to his deck.

Last week, the man who wakes up with the sun incorporated the idea of a morning routine into his fall 2021 show at New York Fashion Week. Beautyrest beds with models in them dotted the runway, and as the show began, they got up and dressed themselves in outfits from his new collection. The clothes in question were elegant. “It was not casual living like everyone else had kind of been doing,” Siriano tells AD. Instead, he hoped to convey the importance of getting up and taking on the day, even if you are still spending more time at home than ever thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. “The whole idea was to live every day as your own runway.”

The Project Runway winner’s idea to bring home items to the runway makes perfect sense given that he recently announced the launch of his very own interior design firm. Below, he tells AD more about his recent statement-making fashion show and his exciting new endeavor.

Architectural Digest: What inspired you to put beds in your fashion show?

Christian Siriano: It started with the beds. That was the initial concept of the show. I thought, Okay, well, we need a bed partner. Beautyrest obviously has been around a long time…it is an interesting collaboration. No one has ever done beds on the runway before. The whole idea was to remind people that every day when you are at home—if you are still working from home or still in that mindset—the whole thing is to get out of bed every day. How do you approach your life every day? Your mental health? I think it is very important to get dressed and do hair and makeup. That’s why the show also turned into quite a glamorous parade of clothes.

Is the whole idea of maintaining a routine and getting dressed something that you have personally found helpful through the pandemic?

Yeah. I think for keeping your sanity and mental health, it is just so important. I think everybody needs something to look forward to. Getting dressed, putting on your shoes—I know for my friends blowdrying your hair is a big accomplishment. That is the idea. Just treat it as like you don’t have to be in this [bad] place. Make the place that you are whatever you want it to be.

Do you have any advice for people who want to bring extra glam into their bedroom through design?

I have a lot of friends who didn’t really care about their bed and bedding and pillows because it was just like, this is where I crash at night. And I’m like, no, it should be the best part of your day. Investing in your bed is so important. The mattress, topper, sheets, the linens. Even also if your blanket is too heavy. You could be tossing and turning all night and not know it. It just starts your day off the right way. I also think that is why people love going to hotels: because the beds are fabulous and comfortable.

You recently announced the start of your own interior design firm. What can you tell us about taking that leap?

It is always scary because I have been in fashion for a long time now. I feel like I kind of got that down a little bit. Really starting this business as a full-on company was scary because you are starting at the bottom and learning. That was the challenge there. It has been pretty amazing so far. We have such a range of projects, from small Brooklyn apartments to huge multimillion-dollar residences and hotels. It is really cool to see such a diverse range. I just had no idea who my customer would be, but I am actually kind of surprised at some of the customers.

What would you say is the connection between fashion and home design?

What is exciting is I have had 15 years of working with textiles. I know more about fabric than probably a lot of designers because we actually make fabric. I am at the mills weaving and dyeing. I think that gives me an edge. At my design studio, we craft things. We have a full atelier that makes gowns, which is basically like making a piece of furniture. That is why we were able to launch a little furniture collection kind of early out of the gate.

What have you learned about design since starting your business?

Fashion can be very instinctive. Like, I want this dress so I’m going to buy it right now. People do not do that with furniture. They can talk about a sofa for literally five months. So that is the main difference. We are learning. It drives me crazy, but I get it.

Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest