Jason Troisi

OUT 08/05/2010

Age: 33

Hometown: Greenwich, CT

Profession: Landscape designer (glorified lawn cutter)

Favorite Designer: Can I say myself?

JASON'S SCORECARD

Larger Than Life: Out
View Jason's scorecard

Jason Troisi Video Blog: Episode 14

Jason Troisi returns for a reunion with the other designers from "Project Runway" Season 8. In this video blog, he shares his experiences of being on the show, including what he learned, who he liked and disliked and..

JASON'S DESIGN IN EPISODE 2: "Larger Than Life"

The designers must create a look that defines the Marie Claire woman. The winning look will be featured on a billboard in Times Square. Guest Judge: Joanna Coles. Aired August 5.

Tim Gunn's Workroom

See what Tim says about Jason
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OVERALL RATING:2.7 /5
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Episode 2 Photos

View his Episode 2 moments.
SEE JASON'S PHOTOS

1 of 57 questions
What was the first garment you ever made?

The vest that is in my introduction video.
2 of 57 questions
What is your music of choice when designing?

Jack White, Spoon, The Felice Brothers, Modest Mouse, Vampire Weekend, The Strokes, Elvis Perkins.
3 of 57 questions
When did you realize you had designer potential?

When I was 10 and paired camo green and beige spray paint; when the colors went together, I knew.
4 of 57 questions
Favorite designer(s)?

Can I say myself? Otherwise, a former classmate, Ilho Kim (Jinx/Ken), W&LT, early McQueen.
5 of 57 questions
Current occupation?

Landscape designer (glorified lawn cutter).
6 of 57 questions
Can you describe past jobs you've had?

I haven't done anything else.
7 of 57 questions
What is a fashion must?

For men, a great suit. For women, a tailored jacket to build your wardrobe around.
8 of 57 questions
What is your design training?

High school home ec course; Parsons, majoring in fashion design; sewing on my own.
9 of 57 questions
Have you won any awards related to design?

Gene Meyer Golden Thimble Award for menswear; 3rd place, Birkenstock shoe design contest, both 2000.
10 of 57 questions
What are your strengths as a designer?

Attention to detail, strong sense of tailoring, eye for color, originality, conceptual design.
11 of 57 questions
What are your weaknesses as a designer?

My attention deficit disorder, but that is also a strength, because it's what makes me creative.
12 of 57 questions
What's influenced your designs over the years?

Society, war, fine art, prior relationships and human emotion.
13 of 57 questions
Any other unusual influences?

The Beat generation, indie musicians, the Bodies exhibit, bioluminescent deep-sea creatures.
14 of 57 questions
What's your favorite material or fabric to work with?

Unfortunately, leather. Real leather, not synthetic.
15 of 57 questions
What's the item you're most proud of designing?

No favorites with my children. But if I had to choose, my opal driftwood deep-sea-diver coat.
16 of 57 questions
Do you prefer sketching or draping?

Depends on my mood.
17 of 57 questions
Do you prefer patterns or solids?

Depends on the weather.
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What are your favorite colors?

Depends on the light.
19 of 57 questions
What's your biggest fear as a designer?

To make something that someone has already made and think it was new.
20 of 57 questions
What fashion faux pas drives you crazy?

People that dress weird (bad) or bad weird.
21 of 57 questions
What's the ugliest thing you've ever worn?

White skintight rubber pants with actual chains at the hem.
22 of 57 questions
Who are your favorite style icons?

Marlon Brando, Vincent Price.
23 of 57 questions
How would you dress first lady Michelle Obama?

Something a little more cutting-edge, to help her connect to the next generation of women.
24 of 57 questions
What celebrity would you like to design for?

Jack White, Alison Mossheart, Keira Knightley, Amanda Seyfried.
25 of 57 questions
Who's your supermodel muse?

Kate Moss or Shalom Harlow.
26 of 57 questions
What do you look for in a model?

I have to be somewhat attracted to them. An inner beauty that speaks louder than their outer beauty.
27 of 57 questions
If you had to name your label, you'd call it . . .

James Troisi 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 . . .
28 of 57 questions
If you weren't designing, you'd be . . .

Writing music and painting.
29 of 57 questions
Dream place to set up your design business?

New York City or Paris.
30 of 57 questions
Websites that feature your work, including your own site(s)?

jamestroisi2010.com, bluegrasslandscapedesign.com, modelmayhem.com
31 of 57 questions
Any other cultures or places you wish you could design for?

I would love to explore any country.
32 of 57 questions
How were you described as a kid?

Class clown, overconfident, misunderstood, troublemaker.
33 of 57 questions
How are you described now?

Direct quotes from my family: Very creative, a little nutty, sensitive and loving, perfectionist.
34 of 57 questions
Can you describe your family?

Tight-knit, loving, generous, compassionate, caring, oblivious.
35 of 57 questions
Marriage or kids?

Divorced. Previously married for 5 years. No kids.
36 of 57 questions
Do you have any pets?

Saltwater fish. I don't name them because they die too often and I don't want to get attached.
37 of 57 questions
Do you have any nicknames?

Cullo aperto (''very lucky'' in Italian), Gesualdo (from my uncle in Italy), King Tro (stage name).
38 of 57 questions
Why are you (or aren't you) easy to live with?

I'm a perfectionist, hate uncleanliness, take very long showers and am completely into myself.
39 of 57 questions
What's your favorite hangout back home?

My basement studio. That's really sad, but I do all my work there.
40 of 57 questions
What are your hobbies besides designing?

Playing guitar, reading, going to church, working out, listening to music.
41 of 57 questions
What are your favorite movies?

The Wizard of Oz, Dr. Zhivago, Giant, Children of Men, Clash of the Titans, Time Bandits, Atonement.
42 of 57 questions
What are your favorite TV shows?

The A Team, The Incredible Hulk, Knight Rider, Lost, Prison Break, V, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
43 of 57 questions
What are your favorite websites?

Don't have one currently.
44 of 57 questions
What are your favorite books and authors?

James and the Giant Peach, A Clockwork Orange, Fahrenheit 451; Jack Kerouac, Mario Puzo.
45 of 57 questions
iPhone, Android or BlackBerry?

iPhone.
46 of 57 questions
Fast food or gourmet?

Gourmet.
47 of 57 questions
Cooking or takeout?

Cooking.
48 of 57 questions
Favorite food?

Penne with marinara sauce, anything healthy, Brazilian BBQ.
49 of 57 questions
Beer or wine?

Beer. Belgian.
50 of 57 questions
Guiltiest pleasure?

Chewing tobacco (Skoal long-cut mint).
51 of 57 questions
Biggest pet peeve?

The words ''pet peeve.'' Having my work interrupted by a phone call or problem.
52 of 57 questions
Who was your favorite past Project Runway designer?

Seth Aaron and Irina.
53 of 57 questions
Project Runway challenge you hope they bring back for your season?

Avant-garde, or the ones using materials from a hardware store or plant shop.
54 of 57 questions
Project Runway challenge you hope they don't bring back for your season?

The Barbie challenge.
55 of 57 questions
Your take on team challenges?

Depends on the partner. I'd love them if that person was open-minded and a team player.
56 of 57 questions
How did you end up auditioning for Project Runway?

At my cousin's wedding a few years ago a few of his friends suggested I'd be a great contestant.
57 of 57 questions
Why are you going to win?

Am I going to win?? At this point, my chances are better than they have ever been.