A Gossip With Gok Wan

Gok Wan

He’s the gay best friend of nearly every woman in the country and the mouthpiece for the everyday shopper, but how did Gok Wan get into the industry and what does he think of fashion at the moment? Selina Jervis caught up with the man himself at the Specsavers Spectacle Wearer of the Year Awards.

How realistic do you think it is to break into the fashion industry?

Gok: I think it’s one of the most competitive industries out there, I think it’s incredibly tough but it is possible, like everything. When I first started I had bar jobs, restaurant jobs, club jobs, I was working for free and would do anything anyone clearly involved in fashion asked me because I wanted to get into it. I didn’t go to university to study it so I learnt on the job. I think that it is possible, but you’ve got to have personality as well as creativity.

So how did you get into it?

Gok: I blagged it! I started off as a hair and makeup artist for a stylist, started assisting her a couple of times and thought right, fuck it, I’m going to give it a go! The thing is, a lot of people think it’s really easy but it’s not, it took me a long time to get my portfolio together, it took me a long time to get the contacts and do all the things that I wanted to do, but when you make it, it is truly the most amazing industry to work in. It’s phenomenal.

What magazines do you read?

Gok: I love Numero. Jalouse I love as well. I love Vogue of course, but I like Vogue Nippon actually. I like Italian Vogue…

What do you think of British Vogue at the moment?

Gok: It’s all right; I mean we’re very commercial here so I like something a bit edgier. I buy photography magazines actually because of the styling used in them; obviously photographers have shot it for their pictures so you should check them out if you want to be a stylist.

Who are your favourite photographers?

Gok: I love Steven Meisel. I love Annie Lebovich as well. I love Rankin; I’ve worked with Rankin quite a few times so it’s always a bit “ooh I’ve worked with Rankin!” I like Nick Knight, although a bit dated now, Clive Arrowsmith, an old guy: Trevor Leighton – I love his portrait work as well.

So what’s the best freebie you’ve ever had?

Gok: I went to my agency the other day to pick up some paperwork and a brand new bag arrived for me.

What bag?

Gok: I’m not saying because it’s not fair on the designer but it’s fucking expensive though! I received a watch once too and that was very nice.

So you’ve got your new show, Miss Naked Beauty. Do you think “each to their own” or do you have another opinion of fake tan, fake nails, fake hair?

Gok: You know what? Basically, anybody can do what they want as far as I’m concerned, and fashion and image is completely subjective. However, I think the media has a massive responsibility to promote a healthy attitude towards appearance, and if young girls are striving to be stick thin, tan-orexic and get a boob job then I think there’s an issue there. I think Naked Beauty has evolved from How To Look Good Naked as we saw that women were obsessed with their bodies, out to be size zero, and now it’s pretty much out in the open that there’s still a problem with the way we look, there’s still a problem with promoting healthy images. And I think that the image the media promotes at the moment isn’t necessarily healthy and that young girls need to have role models out there that are “normal” and embrace their natural state, as well doing their hair and makeup, but still embracing their natural state because they realise that they are true people.

What do you think of UGGs?

Gok: [He points down to his tan leather boots] I’m wearing a pair now! I love these ones but I don’t like the bog standard ones, although I do own a pair. Do you know what? It’s comfort; and anyone who dresses up constantly is a fraud. I’ve worked in the industry for years, around some of the biggest models and celebs and designers, and the moment you’re in fashion you kind of think, “Right, I can chill out now!” Comfort plays a massive part.

Which fashion week do you like best, and do you go to them?

Gok: I don’t go anymore because they send me all the DVDs, but I think Paris is my favourite.

Why’s that?

Gok: They’re more avant-garde in what they do, and Galliano is always the one for me.

What are you going to be wearing tonight?

Gok: I’m wearing…do you want me to show you?

[We go into Gok’s bedroom where he holds up his outfit]

Gok: I’m wearing a McQueen tux, with my Yves St. Laurent boots and a pair of April 77 jeans. And my hair is being done this afternoon into a big, ice cream quiff – the sides are going and the top is going big! Do you approve?

I approve a lot! What do you think of guys’ makeup, do you have any Guyliner or Manscara?

Gok: I think guys want to look after themselves as much as women and the attitudes have changed. Guy makeup isn’t just about a new marketing tool for Jean Paul Gaultier and Chanel, who are all releasing it, it’s breaking down all the clichés around sexuality so I think it’s a very positive thing.

So lastly, do you shop in charity shops?

Gok: Yes.

What’s the favourite thing that you’ve ever got from one?

Gok: My £3.50 biker jacket that’s all over the press at the moment as I went through a phase of wearing it constantly. I’ve stopped wearing it as much now!