Carson Kressley

Biography: Carson was born and raised in the small town of Claussville, Allentown, in Pennsylvania, the youngest of three children. He was interested in fashion from a young age (prefering to spend time at the mall with his style-concious mother and older sister, rather than with his car-obsessed father and brother), but his real passion was for horses, competing with them all over the country during his teenage years. He attended Kutztown University for one year before transferring to Gettysburg College to study business. Although he majored in management, with a concentration in both entrepreneurship and finance, he also ended up minoring in studio arts, developing a love for art and sculpture during his time there. He graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa with a bachelor's degree in management and moved to New York to take up a job with the non-profit USA Equestrian Association.

Four years later, after sharing a small apartment with three roommates, Carson started looking for a job outside the non-profit world. A headhunter for Ralph Lauren spotted him at a gym dressed head to toe in Polo Ralph Lauren, and offered him a job as a gofer. In his seven years there, Carson rose to be Director of Creative Development (overseeing photoshoots and men's shows) and also worked as a independent stylist.

In 2002, a co-worker heard about a new makeover show, 'Queer Eye for the Straight Guy' being cast. Carson contacted Bravo and, after writing a "sassy" letter to Scout Productions, was asked to audition. He was soon cast and shot a TV pilot in Boston that July, the series proper premiering one year later to massive acclaim. Queer Eye was an overnight success, and as part of the "Fab Five," Carson became a celebrity, appearing on magazine covers and TV shows worldwide, releasing a book, CD and several DVDs, and winning several awards. Carson has also written two books, launched his own fashion line, and started a movie career.… Expand