By JEN CHEN
On a drizzly afternoon last week, I was picking up some books at the downtown branch of the KC Public Library when I saw the sharply dressed Andrew Hansen. He was sitting in the café and working on his laptop. I loved his hat, so I interrupted him to talk to him about fashion.
Turns out he’s a finalist for one of my favorite shows on TV.
The 26-year-old Art Institute grad was checking his e-mail and sending out a MySpace bulletin for the Syringe Gallery. He opened the gallery with two of his Art Institute friends, and they were getting ready for a First Friday show.
He also casually mentioned that he was waiting to hear back from Project Runway. Aaaahhh, Project Runway! He said that he’s been designing clothes for about two years. He usually focuses on menswear – stuff he described as “dandy fashion … refined and foppish at the same time” – but is up for the challenge of switching over to women’s wear if he gets on the show.
“I’m a big fan of menswear, as far as accoutrements like cuff links, hats, spats," he said. He pulled up some photos on his laptop from the collection he showed at last summer’s West 18th Street Fashion Show. In one photo, a guy had a bunch of peacock feathers sticking out of the waistband of some plum-colored pants, which were tucked into spats. The feathers fanned out all over the model’s torso. The effect was striking.
As for his own personal style, he said that he likes mismatching colors and patterns, hence his ribbed sweater over a Western-style shirt with a lavender, pink and yellow plaid pattern. I also loved his argyle socks paired with these yellow and tan shoes. The trilby is a staple in his wardrobe. “I roll out of bed and throw on the hat,” he said.
I'm hoping the next time I see him, it'll be on TV.
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