The Christian Francis Roth Interview

Model Jotasha Turnbull & Christian Francis Roth

I have to admit that I’m always a little suspicious of child prodigies. People who achieve a great deal of success at an early age sort of give me the creeps.

For that reason, I was both surprised and delighted to become acquainted with Christian Francis Roth. I met up with him quite inadvertantly at a Manhattan YMCA. He was admiring my genuine Jackie Stallone headband while I was ogling the way he filled out his Dolfin shorts. A few spots on the bench press later, and we each realized who the other one was. It was as if destiny had brought us together!

For those of you who aren’t familiar with his work, click on the link above from Paper Magazine to read more. Otherwise, just treat yourself to this delightful conversation I had with fashion’s latest comeback kid. He’s a regular Mickey Rourke!

Auntie Fashion: So, what have you been up to for the last fifteen years or so?  You can tell me if you were in jail.  Auntie Fashion doesn’t judge.

Christian Francis Roth: After I closed my business in the late 1990s, I was so weary of losing money I decided to go work for some big, painfully boring corporations and see how they managed to be profitable.  You can certainly liken my years in corporate fashion to time in jail, but like any savvy prisoner, I got a great education while I was away.  Now I’m like, you know, Brand Master Flash and shit.

Auntie Fashion: Your Gangs of New York show to launch Francis (Roth’s new label) was a lot of fun.  I’m constantly harping about the lack of personality on today’s runways, but I saw something in your presentation that gave me hope for a more entertaining future in fashion.  What do you have planned for the upcoming F/W 2009 season?

CFR: We had a blast putting that collection together. I basically became obsessed with the 70s movie “The Warriors“.  Today’s cliques are so much like those gangs.  Man, if I were running marketing at The Gap, I’d do a whole campaign around it.

For F/W, we’re not doing a show, just a great, super-fun collection.  I’ll likely show again in September, but with the economy the way it is, I want to see how my spring selling goes before I commit to the expense.  That is, until more people answer my male escort ad and I don’t have to worry about money anymore.  I’m expensive but well worth it.  Just go to www.big-in-the-9os.com.

Auntie Fashion: Wow, you still look pretty big to me!  We’re getting off-topic, though.  How has Zob influenced your career as a designer?  Can we expect to see an entire collection inspired by the glory of Zob?

CFR: I actually tried to book Zob to walk my Spring show but Marc had a first option on her, that bitch!

Auntie Fashion: That’s only partly true.  Marc Jacobs tried to book Zob in an attempt to lure her into his secret lair, but Simon Doonan got wind of the designer’s evil master plan and saved the day, as he always does.  He’s a regular Boy Wonder.

Anyway, back to you.  I find you far more attractive on the cusp of your fortieth birthday than I did when you were just a skinny kid making headlines in the early 90s.  Do you have any beauty secrets that you would like to share with my readers?

CFR: Dog kisses apparently keep my skin pretty clear.  Corgi spit must have some secret enzyme in it.  Or maybe it’s all the fat in the Häagen Dazs Vanilla ice cream I eat before bed three times a week.  No way to know for sure.  When I figure it out, I’ll bottle that shit and you can go buy it at Holt Renfrew for $1500 an ounce.

Auntie Fashion: I’m currently planning Moose Jaw Fashion Week 2012, which will undoubtedly become the premiere event of the fashion calender.  Unfortunately, the accommodations in Moose Jaw are quite limited.  Is it okay if we share a hotel room?

CFR: NOT if you snore…I need my beauty sleep!

Auntie Fashion: Obviously you have me confused with Jeanne Beker.  Don’t let it happen again.