Vanessa Simmons Talks 'Project Runway,' Fashion Faux Pas And Prioritizing Motherhood
Vanessa Simmons is making her return to the spotlight in the most fashionable way possible. The Run's House sister will be gracing our television screens as the host of Project Runway: Threads. With judges Gina Kelly and Jasmine Snow of Seventeen magazine, past Project Runway winner Christian Siriano and YouTube style guru Ingrid Nilsen in tow, Vanessa will watch tween contestants design, create and compete for $10,000 towards and Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts Store.
Between the new show, curating a new web boutique-slash-mommy-blog and taking care of her 8-month-old daughter, Ava Marie, the fab multi-hyphenate has her hands full. The thing is, she couldn't be happier. We chopped it up with Vanessa about how inspired she is to be working with both youth and fashion, what she wants for her daughter and how people put too much pressure on moms to "snap back" after giving birth instead of being a caretaker. —Stacy-Ann Ellis (@stassi_x)
Catch Project Runway: Threads on Lifetime on Thursday nights at 10/9c.
VIBE: How did your new gig as host of Project Runway come about and how'd you prepare for audition nerves?
Vanessa Simmons: I actually didn’t have a chance to prepare for my nerves. My manager called me earlier in the day saying, can you make it downtown in an hour in a half to audition for this show? I said the show sounds amazing and definitely something I want to be involved with, I’m in. I only have time to take a shower, get down there, fall (laughs) and then deliver my audition in flip-flops and I got the job. I didn't think I was going to get it. It was my first time wearing heels after having a baby and I fell right outside of the audition with the executives from The Weinstein Company and Lifetime. Planted face first in front of film. I went all the way there in six inch heels, of course.
I was like well, I didn't get that job. So I call my manager like, I just fell right before the audition and I had to wear my flip flops in front of the camera. I totally didn't get it. He called me back two minutes later, saying they loved me. Maybe I should fall more often before going into an audition. They had me come in just because my fashion background and television background and it was something that was really natural for me to do being that I just had a new baby and working with kids and fashion. It was the perfect job for me back from having a baby.
How were the kids on the show? Did they seem like nervous or where they ready to go? Were the personalities there?
They're ages 11-16 and they had one day to create full on designs and present in front of a really prestigious panel of judges. I was kind of their mentor and the host along the way. So these kids were super advanced and I absolutely believe that we will be seeing their collections in stores and magazines in the next few years because of how dedicated and how passionate they were. Sometimes we had a lot of special people and judges on the show during the season and I think those people ramp up their nerves, but these kids were so into what they were doing that they have that “laser like” focus. It was impressive. Can you imagine being an 11-year-old, just sewing?
I can’t even sew now.
Hello! Me either! I’m into fashion, I love designing but I’m more conceptual. I conceptualized designs and then I work with people who do what they do. These kids are full package. They’re conceptualizing the ideas, delivering designs, more than one! At the end, they are essentially presenting two designs to the judges. We give them their main challenge and then they get a surprise challenge in between that kind of throws a wrench into the whole system. Shakes them up a little bit. But they handle that like really well. They’re not treated like their age. They’re treated like professionals in the industry because that’s how talented and advanced they are in fashion. I believe that I saw a glimpse of the future of fashion. Some of these things were so impressive coming down the runway. I’m like first of all you’re 11-16, you’re creating these things and you’re creating them in 24 hours.
They were allowed to bring along an assistant and usually it was like one of their parents or grandparents or something like that. Sometimes they would bring along people who didn’t know how to sew. Like Lauren's dad was more into football and stuff, so he was there for moral support. They were their bosses, so she was just like “Dad! Glue this onto this!” or “Sew this onto this!” They're teaching their parents right there how to sew because now they have to manage making two different outfits at a time and behind the scenes. They’re not getting help behind the scenes. I want to make that clear that all the work they're doing is strictly on-camera, no help and they made some really good stuff. It’s impressive. Crazy to watch, honestly.
Did you see any pieces that you wanted to snag for yourself?
Yeah, you'll hear me throughout the season. I'll be like, "Thatss something I would totally wear." What was so cool is that they were capturing the essence of things that are trending now but then also adding their own spin as designers. They were creating new trends, so to speak, and it was great to watch and inspiring. And being a mom, that's the message I want to translate to my daughter. It's never too early to start believing in a dream and going after what you believe in. Me and my sister started a sneaker line relatively early, so I do want that value instilled in her. I want her to believe that anything's possible.
Speaking of your sister and your family, how have they supported this new venture? How'd they react to the news that you got the part?
My dad was like, really? Because it was two months after I had the baby. I was home really concentrating on her. My focus after having her was being at home, being with her, bonding with her and learning how to be a mom, because it's a lot thrown at you all at once. But then this opportunity came. I love fashion, so to be involved in that level, I want to take this opportunity. They were excited and definitely really supportive of my decision to jump back into work so soon.
Do you think your daughter is going to be a little fashionista like her mom and aunt?
I want her to discover herself. I'm not going to push her in any one direction. I want her to discover herself and do whatever it is that makes her happy and pursue her interests. But at the same time, my sister [Angela], her aunt, is crazy fashionista and every time she comes to L.A. she's bringing her a bag of clothing from some store. She has to stop by Nordstrom. And I'm no different because every time I go out, I can just be going to CVS and I will find an outfit from Burts Bee's Baby. I come back home and I'm supposed to go out to get dish detergent and Mike [Wayans] is like, you went shopping for the baby again? I can't help it! It's a girl! She's like a little baby doll. I do think she'll have that fashion side to her.
Angela's super into being a fashionista, and so are you, but what makes you guys different in that sense? What will Ava Marie pick up from the two of you?
See, me and Angela are different, but we're the same in a lot of ways. We're sisters and we grew up in the same house. I think she'll take some things from Angela like the toughness and how strong she is. How she approaches situations. I hope she takes that with her and is a tough cookie and doesn't let anybody affect her and what she believes and stays strong in her beliefs. As far as fashion, I hope she takes a little from me. She has a lot of fashionable aunties and uncles. She's got a whole lot of inspiration to take from.
You're killing the style game now, but what has your worst fashion moment been?
Oh, there are times! Recently, unless I'm out working or at auditioning, I'm pretty comfortable at home in my comfort zone. Sweats and stuff. I've actually been working on a line of stuff that you can wear around the house, still take care of your business at home, run errands and still look good for when your man comes back home from work. You're dressed down, but comfortable. I want to be able to implement that.
But my worst fashion moment… I have to say, I was looking at old pictures of Angela and I when we were first starting out and we didn't really get that you're going to be photographed in a lot of places. So we're like, well we're just going to the club. I have this moment where I was in this green top and this gold sequined headband going around my head. It's horrible. I can probably bring it up on Google. I was just like, how come nobody told me that that wasn't the way to go? I cringe every time that picture comes up if I'm looking up something. How can I get that removed from life? I never want that to come back up ever again. We had some moments when we were beginning that we didn't understand. We're going out with friends, it doesn't really matter. I'm not checking for no guys, so whatever. No. I hate it.
So what trends are you into now?
FLIP TO SEE HER TALK ABOUT BEING A MOM AND PRESSURES TO GET HER BODY BACK >>
Photo Credit: Instagram, Getty Images
And you said you haven't been away from her for this long? I've never not slept away from her. I was a little worried about traveling with her because it's flu season and other stuff, so I was a little worried. So I made the decision to leave her home. And it was hard for me. I cried on the way to the airport because I've never been away for that long. Yeah, for a few hours I'd go out to do my thing and do my auditions and my work, but then I'd bring it back home and I'm back to being a mom. I take off my glam and I'm back in my sweats within seconds of being back in the house. It's very hard being here doing this but at the end of the day, it's all for her and creating a positive image that she can see, especially in entertainment. And everyone has their own personalities and I judge nobody for anything, but for me, I want to be able to help her grow to be the best Ava Marie she can be. I've heard there's a different kind of love that manifests once you become a mother. Was that true for you? It's true. As soon as she was born… you hear so many people say it but you don't get it. You're a mom. As soon as she came out, my only concern was, was she okay? Is that okay? What's going on? The doctors took her from me and were checking her out and I just had this moment where I started crying because I knew that things would never be the same. All my family was taking pictures and my dad looked back and was like, "Are you okay?" I was fine, but the thought in my head was oh, shit just got very real. My dad had been so awesome to me. Not only just my dad, I had four parents growing up. My parents were separated and divorced for some time, so I have four parents and I was blessed to have them growing up and they were just so amazing to me. Now it's my turn to be that and to give Ava the life I had, and hopefully even more. I couldn't ask for more because I think I lived a great life, but I just want to be able to give her everything I had and more. It's a love that you cannot explain and every single day is for her. Unfortunately, people can get more caught up in the "get your body back" stage of motherhood instead of the actual birth of the child. Have you felt any of those pressures yet about snapping back? Yeah, I often find myself defending myself on social media because people make comments all the time. I don't like to usually address it because I'm going to let people be ignorant all day long, but it takes you a year to gain that weight and to have a child. I wanted to take the time to bond with her. I didn't want my focus to be, okay I have this child and now I have a nanny, and I'm going to be at the gym 24/7. I didn't want to do that. I wanted to be there and be hands on. To hear negative comments like "she's so big" and "her face looks so swollen," it is a lot of pressure and it's hard. It sucks. But I kinda stay in my zone and do what keeps me happy. I just started working out a month ago, five days a week and I do what I can. But my main goal is my daughter and doing creative things that make me happy. I'll continue to work out and I'm sure my body will come back, but I don't listen to what the standard should be. I don't listen to what the ideal should be and what I should be doing. People tell me all the time, you're rich so you should have trainers and chefs and you should be doing this. Okay well you come step in my shoes and then you tell me what you think. But since you really can't do that, stay in your shoes, let me stay in my shoes and let me do me. People are going to have things to say all the time and I guess I'll just let them chatter and say what they want to say. For me, my most important thing is taking care of my daughter and making sure she's okay, being able to provide for her and taking care of my family. They think I should be out there like, oh she has a nanny, she should be doing this. Okay, I do have people to help me, but I don't want my daughter to know my nanny more than she knows me. I don't want her to have more of a bond with her than she has with me. I want to do this. I want to be a mother. I don't knock anybody else for what they do, because at the end of the day everyone needs to do what makes them happy. That's just the bottom line. Can you already see a glimpse of Ava's personality type? Comedic! I don't think that it's an accident because of her comedy side. She's a little comedian with the way she reacts to things and the way she is. I'm like Mike, this is your child. She's definitely a Wayans and she has been from even before she came out of my stomach. Just the way she moves. She's incredible. Jumping back to fashion, can you go further into detail with the projects you're working on? I was home a lot and even when I was pregnant, I just wanted to be comfortable all the time. I didn't want to be one of those glammed up women. I wanted to enjoy my time hibernating. So I've been creating a line of comfortable, nice feeling stuff that you can still run out to the store and glam it up and dress down depending on what kind of a person you are. Also a children's line. Those are the things I'm working on with fashion and building a web boutique. I have a shopping problem, so to cure that shopping problem I'm going to be shopping for everybody else and put that fashion boutique up so that it's my filter. Things that I love out there. Not necessarily things that I may have designed, just vendors and people that I like. It'll cure my shopping addiction. Hey guys, this is my favorite thing right now, go check it out. But I want to make it affordable for everybody and just really nice pieces that I think everybody can appreciate. Any tentative release dates? We're thinking about in the next two months and it'll just be my world on a webpage. It'll be a web boutique, a mommy blog with all of my advice, favorite products, cool giveaways of some of those baby products that I love. Just a cool website where people can come, moms can find a community and women can shop to find some cool stuff for your kids and then rock out. What words of advice do you have for aspiring youth in fashion? You are going to get a lot of no's and a lot of rejection, and that's just part of the industry. My thing is you can expect a no, but don't accept a no. You might get a no from somebody, but take the constructive criticism that they say and apply it to your plan and keep pushing forward. Don't let that discourage or stop you from pursuing your dreams. There might be people that say you suck, because people don't know how to speak and people are ignorant. It is what it is. Say thank you for your time, and go back to the drawing board and figure out how you can keep pushing forward and make yourself better and keep going. Keep studying your craft and get someone you can look up to like a mentor that's successful in the industry that you want to get underneath and be an intern. Even if you're not getting paid. If it's your passion, you won't care and that money will come later. My advice is just to stick with it and don't give up, because that's what successes are made of. You're going to have a bunch of failures before you have that big time when you're in the spotlight and you have your time to shine. That's just the truth. It sounds cliche and a lot of people may say it, but they say it because it's what success is made up of. Keep going, don't be discouraged. Keep getting better. Learn your craft as much as you can and keep pushing is the best advice that I can give. I'm basing it off my own personal experience with things. I've failed at things before and I've succeeded at things before, so I take the good from it all and keep building to make myself better and myself stronger and a better artist. What was your most inspiring "no"? I've had a few. Honestly that quote that I gave you is a quote I made up because of the no's I've gotten. We've gotten no's from Pastry where they were like it's never going to work. But hey, $50 million later? Cool, we're working. You just figure out how to make yourself better as you go along and use those no's as a catapult into your giant yes. My dad is infamous for giving us stories and inspiration as we were going and pushing for our dreams. The brand 7Up started as one "1Up." That's representative of all the times that he got a no and it didn't become successful until it was 7Up. It's a weird story but it's cool to know how many times he got no before it was 7Up and blew up into the brand that it is today. Some people will have it where it's a one shot thing, but keep going and will have other types of hurdles along the way. Some people have to keep pushing and kicking down the door until they bust it wide open.
