Who Is Adam Selman? New Details On The 'Project Runway' Guest Judge
He's a hot fashion designer.
Instagram The new season of Project Runway on Bravo is underway and it is a doozy! As usual there's a designer (Nadine!) complaining about having to fit a plus-size model. That happened on the latest epiosde when the design contestants were challenged to create an editorial look using a patterned fabic from head to toe. Nadine basically freaked out because she thought the pattern would be distorted by her model's curves. Anyway, we digress — the challenge was perfect for this week's guest judge, Adam Selman. The look featured on Selman's website right now is exactly what the challenge is: a head-to-toe look in a single pattern — in this case, cheetah print. Who is Adam Selman?
1. He has worked with Rihanna
Remember Rihanna's see-through 2014 CFDA Awards gown? That was an Adam Selman creation. Selman made his name creating costumes for pop stars including Rihanna, Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, and Gwen Stefani. The now 36-year-old first stepped into the public eye in 2013 when he co-designed Rihanna's line for the UK retailer River Island. He has also dressed Gigi Hadid, Dakota Fanning, and Billie Lourd.
2. The launch of his own line
Not long after his collaboration with Rihanna, Selman launched his own line at New York Fashion Week. His collection focused on clothes wit a retro twist. Spring 2014 was his first line and it featured slinky slips, bodysuits, and bedroom ready looks that could have just as easily slipped between the sheets as they could have walked the red carpet.
3. His sportwear line
Adam Selman debuted his athleisure line in January on Net-a-Porter. He playfully calls it A.S.S. His line of sportwear would look equally at home in a yoga class or on a red carpet. As for why he made the shift from his ready-to-wear Adam Selman line to A.S.S., he said: “I think it was more of a personal revelation. After starting my line, I really sacrificed a lot of myself in order to make it happen. I felt like I needed a change, a new challenge, and with the current state of fashion, I wanted to be ahead of the tide rather than trying to catch up with it. I loved what I was doing with Adam Selman and it was going really well, but I wanted to … keep it all exciting and inspiring. At the end of the day, if I am bored by the process, my customers will feel that as well.” The Spring 2019 line features leopard print crop tops and leggings, crystal studded bralettes and booty shorts, and colorblock sweatpants, among other things. Prices start at $75 and top out at $200.
4. Eco-friendly and sustainable
Adam Selman's A.S.S. line is ethically produced. It's eco-friendly and sustainable. The packaging is biodegradable. He said: "We started developing the line with sustainable efforts from the beginning. We knew we wanted to develop biodegradable packaging and recycled shipping supplies. We found recycled nylon spandex for the core fabric we are using, and investigated different print techniques for our labels and hangtags using less toxic printing and water-based finishes."
Selman is aware that this commitment to sustaiablity is what separates A.S.S. from the rest. "I am appalled that larger companies don’t advocate for this, especially when it’s available and the costs are marginal. I don’t think it’s the selling point of the product, but certainly was important to me with the collection, I want to continue to evolve and improve the sustainability of the products as my A.S.S. gets bigger."
Amy Lamare is a Los Angeles based freelance writer covering entertainment, pop culture, beauty, fashion, fitness, technology, and the intersection of technology, business, and philanthropy. She is deeply devoted to her chocolate Labrador and an avid long distance runner. You can find her on Instagram and Facebook.