A Conversation with Project Runway's Mondo Guerra
by Drew Wilson
31-year old Mondo Guerra from Denver made a splash as the first-ever Coloradoan to appear on 'Project Runway' and (spoiler alert!) while he didn't win he was definitely a favorite with viewers. I had the opportunity recently to talk to him about 'Project Runway', being a "weirdo", his plans for the future, and what bothers him most about Denver.
So Mondo, you're a Denver native?
Yes, I grew up in Arvada and have been in Colorado all my life.
Congratulations on getting so far in the competition. You’re probably already sick of being told you got robbed so I won’t even say it ...
Yeah, exactly. It's true. And thank you.
What was your fashion background before the show and what did hope to accomplish by going on 'Project Runway'?
Well, you know I was always interested in fashion but being here in Denver it can be hard to reach a large audience. I was working at the Arvada Center as a stitcher in the wardrobe department and I thought 'Project Runway' would really be a way for me to show my creative talents. I really wanted to make it onto the show. Not only to prove something to myself but to show others that there’s always something to aim for and accomplish.
Other than being the home to Crocs, Colorado's not generally known as a fashion capitol. Did you feel like you had something to prove as a native?
I will say that there were several times on the show that I wanted to throw in the towel and give up, because it’s a high stress situation, but I knew that I was representing so much more than just myself as an individual and an artist. I was also representing Denver, which is where I come from. And I’m the first contestant in eight seasons of the show to be from Denver and I always kept in mind that I was representing Colorado and Denver as much as I was representing myself.
Speaking of representing yourself, I've interviewed a lot of reality TV contestants over the years and a lot of them have expressed concerns about how they were edited to appear as, say, a victim or a villain. Do you feel like you were represented fairly on the show?
Everybody asks me that. I think that everybody on the show had a really strong personality and it could have gone different ways but, personally, I felt like they really captured me and my story and the way it all unfolded during my time there. It’s amazing to me, even though I already lived it, to see how much growth I went through on the show.
I imagine that kind of growth is as important as a person as it is for a designer. So what's next for you?
There were earlier interviews where I said I was going to move to LA but, after being back for awhile, I really feel like it’s important for me to stay in Colorado and try to launch my line out of Denver. I feel that there’s a great emerging fashion scene here in Denver and I want to help get it on the map any way I can. I want to help break the stigma that Denver doesn't have art or culture. We do. We have a lot of it.
Yeah, like I said, Denver isn't really known for its fashion. And I'm part of the problem, I'm afraid. I'm wearing cargo shorts and a t-shirt right now and that's pretty much my uniform year round. What are you wearing right now and what would be your advice for someone like me to make my wardrobe a little more interesting and stylish?
Well, I’m wearing a pair of pink Converse with silver laces, jeans, an army coat with lace material that says 'Love' all over it, a little scarf, a pair of sunglasses, and my signature pompadour.
For you, maybe you’re wearing cargo shorts and t-shirts and that’s your uniform but you could start introducing other things into your wardrobe. Instead of a t-shirt you could wear a dress shirt and an actual pair of shoes. The thing that bothers me most about Denver and that whole uniform is flip-flops in the winter. I don’t understand that. You know what else I’ve started to notice? People actually going out in their PJs. Like, shopping at the grocery store. In their pajamas. It bothers me. It really bothers me.
But I would remind people that they don’t have to play by the rules in terms of fashion. It’s really important to play with your clothes and your look and to experiment and figure out what works and what doesn't work for you. Fashion really contributes to not only how you look but how you feel on an everyday basis and every day is a new opportunity to be who you want to be.
I saw you at the Margaret Cho meet and greet and you were wearing a rainbow jumpsuit. Margaret said "that rainbow jumpsuit is fierce, girl!' and it was the gayest thing I've ever seen. In a good way. How does an outfit like that express Mondo Guerra? I think when you wear something outrageous you really have to be able to pull it off. You have to have the confidence. I mean, I don’t really think of myself as a very cool guy but before I started experimenting with clothes and fashion I was this really bookworm nerdy guy. I used fashion as self-experimentation and self-exploration and it really teaches you how accepting people can be. For the most part people are really interested in new ideas and fashion is a great platform for that.
People appreciate someone who takes risks …
Yes, and taking risks really builds your confidence. I felt great in that rainbow jumpsuit.
What about the flip side? Have you ever experienced any negative reactions to your clothing or your flamboyance? You know, here’s something that's always bothered me. I've always been outlandish and I would say that most of the hate and condemnation I received growing up has actually come at me from the gay community. I've been called a faggot and a weirdo and this and that and told I'm strange and people have not wanted to be my friend. And it really saddens me because this is my community and we're all supposed to be in this together. But the thing about it is that if you stick to your guns people will eventually come around.
In light of your experience and the recent spate of anti-gay bullying suicides, what message do you have for gay youth?
To the younger gay community I would just be yourself one hundred percent even though it might be hard growing up being different. You might feel like you have a secret and secrets can be hard but it's ok to tell your secret and tell your story because eventually someone will listen and someone will love you. You just have to find the people that you can trust and care about and find yourself in the community and in the world.
Well said. Now, as for new projects, I know you have a fashion show coming up for the Alexander Foundation ...
Well, it’s none of my fashions but I’m a special guest for the Alexander Foundation Benefit Fashion Show. It’s at Saks Fifth Avenue here in Denver on November 5 from 5-8 pm and a percentage of the proceeds go to Alexander Foundation which is a wonderful charity that helps gay people in need. What are you gonna wear?
Um, I think a grey sharkskin suit with an orange dress shirt, brown shoes, and my glasses. Just something simple. No tie. A little more casual.
Do you like attention from the public? I’ve seen it happen a couple of times at the Wrangler. People get so excited to see you. You know, I really can’t go anywhere now without people recognizing me which is fine. It’s kind of cool. I’ve kind of gotten used to it. The weird thing is that people know me from the show and will call my name and I’ll turn around expecting one of my friends but it will be someone I don’t know. I really appreciate it because obviously they connected with me and felt something they could relate to with me and I like that people feel safe and comfortable approaching me for some human connection. People are always looking for that in life. There’s so much pain and sadness in the world that it’s good to have this kind of human connection.
I would be remiss if I didn't ask you about how coming out on the show as HIV positive has worked out for you. I know you were concerned about how your family would take the news.
You know, everything’s fine with my family. More than anything they're proud of me for speaking out and moving forward and being honest.
You know how you mentioned getting a lot of negativity from the gay community about being outlandish? Something I’ve also noticed is that there seems to be a lot of anti-HIV discrimination in the gay community as well ... Exactly. I have experienced that. A lot of people living with HIV are scared to come out because of the stigma. There is a lot of discrimination in our community and it can be based on anything from what we look like to the color of our skin. HIV positive people are looked upon as being dirty or bad. And to put that label on people living with HIV, especially from our own community, is that much worse and just makes it that much harder to talk about.
I’m part of an organization called AHF - AIDS Healthcare Foundation - and they help people living with AIDS and HIV. One of the things they're doing is a jean trade called Jeans For Life.org. It's a very simple and easy way to help some people in need.
Do you have a message for members of Denver's gay community about HIV?
Yes, I encourage everybody gay, straight, bi, and transgender to get tested at least every six months. Don’t be afraid. There are medications that can help but the longer you wait the worse it can be. And that can be very scary. Trust me. I’ve experienced that myself. I just encourage testing and taking care of ourselves. Love yourself. You can’t really love anybody else until you love yourself. It's something that's taken me a long time to do but it’s so important.
Find out more about Mondo Guerra at his website LoveMondoTrasho.org.
Everybody asks me that. I think that everybody on the show had a really strong personality and it could have gone different ways but, personally, I felt like they really captured me and my story and the way it all unfolded during my time there. It’s amazing to me, even though I already lived it, to see how much growth I went through on the show.
Consumed by a whirlwind of exciting projects and appearances since first starring on Project Runway in 2008, award-winning fashion designer Jack Mackenroth will now be interviewing fashion's superstars as the East Coast Correspondent for the Broadband Emmy Award-winning show, Fashion News Live.