Interview with George Kotsiopoulos for Gap Factory

by The Perennial Style | Aug 14, 2014 | Events, Style, Uncategorized

One of my favorite aspects of being a Dallas fashion blogger is all of the wonderful people I get to meet in the industry! This past weekend, I was given the opportunity to interview one of my favorite TV hosts, George Kotsiopoulos, from E Fashion Police. George has partnered with Gap Factory this year to host fashion shows and styling events to help showcase all of the trendy clothes, as well as to help shoppers understand that you don’t have to spend a fortune to look chic. Courtney Kerr co-hosted the fashion show with George at the Grand Prairie Premium Outlets, which of course this duo led to ultimate entertainment! I had so much fun at the event and definitely found a lot of affordable pieces I need to add to my closet. Check out my interview with the fabulous George below:

So how long have you been working with Gap Factory?

Has it been a year? Yes, I think about a year now!

I love that you have partnered with the factory store. One of our favorite things to do is to show our readers how they can look fabulous, without breaking the bank.

I think a lot of people think factory stores are just castoffs from stores, but it’s not. It’s a completely different collection made exclusively for the factory store. It’s the same great quality, it’s just at a lower price. The jeans are great, and jeans can be tricky! I love the jeans. The white distressed ones are my favorite!

 So tell us about this fashion show. Have y’all been to a lot of cities?

The collection is Summer and Fall. It’s mostly Fall actually. We were in DC, Jersey, and next we are heading to Houston and Chicago

I saw that you recently wrote a book! Tell me about that:

My book, Glamorous by George, is all about how to get to the movie star style on a regular gal’s budget. It’s just all about incorporating glamour into every element of your life, not just fashion, but there’s also hair and makeup. and entertaining and etiquette. I also talked about lighting, Lighting is very, very important. Lighting, packaging and presentation- It’s really all about presentation. It’s really not that hard, just put some lipstick on, like you did! I think it’s really all about just putting a little bit of effort in towards anything. Even on Fashion Police we can rag on people for dressing crazy, but ultimately it’s like, yes it may not be the most flattering choice on them, but at least they tried! If someone tries, I can’t fault them too badly. I mean, I can fault them for lacking refined taste, but you tried and put a nice little dress on. I appreciate that.

How long have you been on E Fashion Police? I love watching that show!

It will be four years in… Actually this month! This month is four years.

Congratulations!

Thank you, it’s so crazy. It feels like… well it kind of feels like four years haha! And not in a bad way. It’s just, you know, I started out different than I am now.

How did you end up in LA from Chicago?
Well I moved to LA in 1990, and I started working in fashion. The TV thing just kind of happened. I didn’t move to LA to be an actor- that was not my goal. Shows like “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” were on, and I kept thinking “what are they talking about?”, so every TV opportunity I could take on, I did. And I thought there was another voice that needed to be heard. I just thought there were so many stereotypes of what a gay man in fashion was or what a gay man is, so I just thought I’m not that and I thought there was a different voice that needed to be heard. People would always say about me, “Are you sure he works in fashion, he’s not flamboyant enough?” because I wasn’t wearing all pink and throwing my hands up in the air saying “girrrl”, which I can do because that’s fun, but that’s just not me. I think that happens with any group of people, getting stereotyped.

Lastly, we hope you are enjoying Dallas! Did y’all do anything fun last night in the city?

No, we got in too late. I mean, I wanted to go out but thought nooo, I’m going to be responsible. I went to the Round Up last time I was here.

Oh the Round Up is so fun! Did you do any of the dances?

I tried, I can’t do any of that choreographed dance stuff. I mean, I try but then I just mess everyone else up. Like if I take any classes where they have any of those routines… I’m more of a free spirit! I like to free style! If you tell me how to do a move, I’m just like well… You move too fast, I gotta go!

Well I had so much fun getting to sit down and talk to you today about everything. Hopefully you will be back sometime again soon in Dallas!

I’m sure I will!

Visit The Gap to shop the collection

Get My Look: 

Romper (similar) // Horn Earrings // Statement Necklace // YSL Handbag

Photography by: Kaitlynn McConville | Edited by: The Perennial Style