When you start your dream career at 16 years old, like Zac Posen did, it is bound to go through lush and transformative phases. The fashion designer and former "Project Runway" judge opened up about the evolution of his career during our "Salon Talks" conversation. He talked about designing Met Gala looks for stars like Claire Danes and Katie Holmes, refusing to dress Melania and Ivanka Trump, and launching and closing his own label. "I don't live with regrets," Posen said. "I'm thrilled I'm here right now." Most recently, Posen has taken over as executive vice president and creative director of Gap Inc.'s four brands – Gap, Banana Republic, Athleta and Old Navy – and ventured into costume design for the Ryan Murphy-produced FX limited series "Feud: Capote vs. The Swans."
In this "dream come true" assignment working with Murphy, Posen reimagined the timeless gowns in the third episode of "Feud: Capote vs. The Swans," which centers on the historic Black and White Ball hosted by Truman Capote at New York's Plaza Hotel in 1966. The process of creating interpretations of unforgettable socialites like Babe Paley (Naomi Watts), C.Z. Guest (Chloë Sevigny) or Slim Keith (Diane Lane), took endless amounts of research, Posen shared, but the fun was working with and watching the star-studded female cast. "These are all actors at the top of their game who as characters themselves are really strong, who are playing strong characters." He said they understood "the balance between high theatricality, elegance of a time period through Ryan Murphy's production."
