AFTER THE OLYMPICS: A Q&A WITH JOHNNY WEIR

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In this exclusive interview with FULL FRONTAL FASHION, Johnny Weir once again talks to Bradford Shellhammer about Hollywood fashion, meeting Elton John, and his possible fashion career.


When you were in L.A. for the Spirit Awards, did anyone surprise you?

Jodie Foster. That was amazing to see her, and no one told me she was going to be there. She was just standing there in a pair of jeans looking demure. She was meek, almost. That impressed me.


You have an obvious love of fashion. Who was the best-dressed that night?

Well, I was very well dressed that night! I was wearing a beautiful Viktor & Rolf creation. Adrien Brody was very masculine and chic. Emmy Rossum was fantastic. And someone else, I cannot remember, had on feathers?


Have you met Viktor & Rolf?

I have not, but I met Sarah Jessica Parker last week. And of course I had heart palpitations the entire time and I was trying to be cool and not be a crazy fan. She and I were talking about Viktor & Rolf because she invited me to the SEX AND THE CITY 2 premiere and we talked about how I need to wear Viktor & Rolf to it, so hopefully I will get to meet them.

How are you approached by labels to wear their garments?

I am still a small fish for the big designers like Viktor & Rolf or Balenciaga or Louis Vuitton. For my L.A. trip I had help. Rachel Zoe dressed me, and Dolce and Gabbana dressed me for Elton John’s Oscar party. And at my table someone was wearing the exact same outfit! I had a diva drama and got on the phone with Rachel Zoe’s assistant Brad. I said, “Brad, there is a fashion disaster!” He started freaking out and I heard gasping, and within 20 minutes there was a Town Car full of options. I decided on another Dolce jacket, red velvet, and as soon as I walked back into the party, a portly man walked by me in the exact same jacket!

It is hard when you don’t like to wear black suits. When you do something different — and I like things slightly different than a boring black suit — there is a small pool of items to choose from. The third jacket I wanted to wear, which my agent talked me out of, I saw will.i.am in later. Rappers and rock stars have a tiny pool of outfits to choose from.

How was Elton John?

He was lovely. Something that shocked me about that trip was that I never grasped famous people watched the Olympics. People like Elton, Debi Mazar, Kelly Osbourne, and Milla Jovovich came up to me! Meanwhile, I would never have the balls to talk to them. Elton John knew details of my skating, and he thought I was robbed. He was really incredible and he was total class.



Have you been a fan of Elton’s personal style?

My style is different from his. He is a constant rock star. I think you dress to the life you’re in. For him, rhinestones onstage and offstage are acceptable. For me, I like to trim it down, because I do wear so many rhinestones on the ice, which is my stage. I appreciate that he pushes boundaries and does things that are different.

What was the experience like having a camera crew following you for the TV show?

My life is so structured and in many ways boring, and it seemed so difficult to figure where a camera crew would fit in. My coach does not like distractions, and they did a great job winning everyone in my life over. We had to really enforce the fact that I was not always available. The severity of my life at the time was difficult to grasp. It was a thrill. I always wanted to help figure skating. I wanted people to see what happens behind the scenes. So many people who would never watch ice-skating got a chance to see it. It was very important to show my life. In 50 years, I can look back and watch my life.

I would love to do another season. I don’t know what my life will be. I may compete, perform, go back to school, or become a trophy wife!

If you do go back to school, what will you study?

I met with FIT. And they took me on a tour and I sat in on classes. It was so interesting to see a fashion school. That is up my alley. Science and mathematics does not interest me. I would study fashion and, if there was a way, I would want to improve my Russian. I want to make myself sound like a native.


We are familiar with you dressed up in costumes, but what will be your look for summer?

I love very preppy summer looks. I love shrunken polo shirts and plaid shorts cut at mid-thigh. I have gorgeous Libertine shorts that were pants once. Every once in a while I will do that Miami look, fluorescent tank top and skinny jean. In general I dress preppy because I find it is, temperature-wise, the coolest way to dress. But I am somebody who can still wear fur in the summer too!

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