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 LIFE & DESIGN
The Passion (and Fashion) of Jack Mackenroth
Whether he’s creating runway couture or looking fantastic on TV, JACK MACKENROTH’s design talent, fashion savvy and good looks make him a triple threat like no other. While he may be off the show, this Project Runway alum’s talent is in no danger of going undetected in the ever-changing world of high-end fashion and design
Jack’s debut collection is sharp and tailored. It could invigorate your wardrobe or just add that extra zing! to an already established sense of style.
“I work best at home with my headphones on. I tend to be very inspired when I am in a good mood, and my inspiration can come from anywhere,” he says. “I love riding the subway in New York and absorbing everything around me. I also find fashion inspiration in other kinds of design, like interior and furniture.”
Now who wouldn’t want to get into Jack’s pants? No, not the ones he’s wearing (whore!), but the pants, shirts and other items from his dapper, dashing collection. (Sorry, boys, he’s taken by Top Chef’s Dale Levitski.)
“I don’t think I’m a revolutionary designer,” Jack says modestly. “I’m not trying to be avant-garde, so I’m not concerned about standing out. I think the quality and tailoring speak for themselves and the details make each piece interesting. When you sell to Macy’s, you can’t reinvent the wheel. Will I ever change the face of fashion? Probably not. I would like to continue to do great work and make beautiful clothes and enjoy the process.”
Meanwhile, he has a couple of thoughts on trends he’d like to see reappear as warmer weather creeps in.
“Men tend to find their own style and then stick to it,” he explains. “America has become extremely casual. You can go almost anywhere in jeans and a T-shirt. I’d like to see the return of the short-sleeve, button-down shirt as a uniform, but I don’t see it happening." (Well, if that style’s “comeback” is anything like the ones Britney and Katie Holmes attempted, we’re in for some serious trouble!)
Does that mean we should turn towards couture, though? Not necessarily.
“Invest in a few important basics that you can wear a lot that make you feel good. And if you are a good shopper, don’t underestimate consignment shops and thrift stores,” Jack advises. “You can find amazing stuff hidden away.”
SEW TALENTED
A Seattle native, Jack says his childhood was rough. His parents divorced when he was eight, and watching his mother struggle to keep the family afloat was difficult. Coming into his own sexuality wasn’t easy either for the young boy.
“I was tormented quite a bit, as many of us are. It didn’t help that I was a very late bloomer,” he says. “I was 4’11” my freshman year of high school, and I actually had a teacher who thought I was a girl on the first day of class. Yeah! That didn’t leave a scar.”
It was in sewing that Jack would find his niche. “I was a total club kid. I hung out with all the alternative kids at school, and we all made our own clothes and cut our own hair,” he says. “I always had a knack for it and I wanted to look cool, but I didn’t have the money, so I would just alter items I already had. At the time, it really irritated my mother, but look at me now!”
Despite his skill with a needle, upon graduation Jack spent two years at UC Berkeley as a pre-med student.
“One day I had an epiphany,” he says. “I just couldn’t see myself as a doctor for the rest of my life. I switched my major to fine arts, and I never looked back.”
Prior to Project Runway, Jack had already had a magnificent career in fashion and modeling. Having been a menswear designer for 15 years, he’d worked for various sportswear companies. In fact, designing at Parsons School of Design in New York was old hat for him—he’d actually attended the school in the early ’90s.
“I have to give props to Parsons for the training they gave me,” he says. “Junior year, over Christmas break, we were assigned to illustrate 200 croquis in three weeks. I carried my sketchbook around with me constantly. The goal was to make us fast illustrators. It worked. That kind of speed was crucial on the show. Physically walking into the building after all those years was a head trip! It hasn’t changed much. Parsons was hard as hell, so it just added to the anxiety. It was fun to be back, though.”
WHAT'S NEXT
Unfortunately, we probably won’t see Jack doing any more modeling. He’s taken a liking to being behind the scissors!
“Modeling is so glamorized in the press, but in reality, unless you are one of the top models, it means a ton of rejection,” he says. “It’s not really fun to be judged on your appearance on a daily basis, so I definitely prefer designing.”
Jack’s collection of designs are best described as classic, tailored and detailed. While his creativity in women’s wear was showcased on Project Runway, Jack’s essence beams in his men’s collection.
“For me, designing men’s clothing is a very simple thought process,” he explains. “I can easily put myself in the mind of the customer and think, Would I wear this? Women’s fashion is much more of a challenge. You always have to follow trends, which change so quickly. Men’s fashion doesn’t change in quite the same way.”
Since Project Runway, Jack’s life has changed a lot, and all for the better. With a walk-on role in the upcoming Sex And The City movie, a soon-to-be-released memoir and keeping physically fit and promoting a stigma-free appearance of HIV-positive individuals (see below), asking “So, what’s next?” seems to be appropriate, right?
“Hmm, who the hell knows, really? I’m sure I’ll be in New York, enjoying equal rights established by our next Democratic president,” he says. “I will never stop creating and designing. I’m sure my book will be a bestseller and Michael Kors will step down and hand me the reins to his company. Seriously, I will have to see where this whole journey takes me. Maybe Dale and I will be married, with a gang of adopted children. A girl can dream!”
ASK JACK!
Mr. Mackenroth shares how to:
Rock The Gymwear “You’ll need some kick-ass kicks, as in sneakers. You can always find amazing ones online at rivingtonclub.com, and you can never go wrong with Bathing Ape, Vintage Nike or Adidas. I’m loving the new pair of Pirelli sneakers that my brother bought me for Christmas.”
Smell Real Purty “I don’t wear a lot of cologne, but when I do, I love Vetiver by Guerlain, Terre d’Hermes and Acqua Di Gio by Armani. They are sophisticated but not overbearing.”
Go Out In Style “A man needs to highlight his best attributes. If you have a great body and a killer ass, then a fitted T-shirt and perfectly fitting jeans always work. If you are trying to hide the 18 pounds of grandma’s sugar cookies, then you might be better off with a crisp woven shirt and a blazer over jeans with a more forgiving cut.”
Shop Smart “For jeans, Levi’s will never go out of style. I love Modern Amusement, and you can always find some cool pieces at Dolce & Gabbana, Diesel and Juicy Couture. If you want to shell out the big bucks, then Hugo Boss, Prada, Marc Jacobs and Armani are always putting a new spin on the classics. Personally, since I’m a more casual guy, I still love the street style of Adidas, Puma and Ben Sherman. If you are over 30, you should never wear Abercrombie & Fitch unless you are trying to look like a tool.”
Accessorize “Every man should invest in a great watch, a classic pair of sunglasses that fit your face, and a well-made leather bag. Simple is better. I’m not a fan of bracelets, necklaces or rings for men. I left those behind in the ’80s with my Flock of Seagulls hair.”
BREAKING HIV STIGMAS
Words cannot begin to describe the flood of emotions Jack Mackenroth experienced the day he left Project Runway’s fifth season. His departure wasn’t caused by a train-wreck design—it was necessitated by his health. HIV-positive, Jack was ailing from a methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus infection in his mouth.
“I wanted to stay so badly because I had worked so hard to get to that point,” he recalls. “I’m not even a women’s wear designer, and I had auditioned twice, and I had put in countless days making dresses and doing illustrations in preparation. To leave after only four challenges was a crushing blow. However, I knew in my mind that it was the right thing to do. I also had to consider that, even with taking every precaution, [staphylococcus aureus infection] is contagious, and I was concerned about the cast and crew. I could deal with looking like plastic surgery gone awry on national television, but I could not risk my health and the health of others. So, I chose to withdraw. I was crying for about four hours as I discussed it with Tim and production. It sucked!”
Jack refuses to let his HIV status affect his career in fashion and beyond, even though he’s come up against some obstacles.
“There are a lot of uneducated people out there,” he says. “And it’s been a huge issue in dating because so many people just flat-out refuse to date someone who is HIV-positive. Though I have to say, I have been pleasantly surprised by all the support and the number of people that are well-versed on the subject since the show aired in December. I do think there is a lot of need for visibility so the stigma will dissipate.”
"Empowered" is a heavy word, but an appropriate one in describing Jack’s feelings combating this stigma. He’s got a plan to break down social barriers connected to the subject. “Well, first by just being visible as a healthy man who is achieving his goals, I think I am educating other people,” he says. “I think that sends a powerful message intrinsically. I want to show that an HIV-positive person can do anything he sets his mind to. You can be an athlete and set national records! Plus, with the new drugs that are coming out, we can hope to have a full life expectancy. Hopefully, I will get involved with drug companies and charities that promote HIV/AIDS education.”
He wants to caution readers and fans, though. “I don’t want to send the message that this is a walk in the park. I have to take my meds religiously, and when I do get sick, as everyone does, I always have that voice in the back of my mind asking, ‘Is this HIV related?’” he says. “It’s not fun, and I think it needs to be said repeatedly that you can’t tell if a person is positive by looking at them. Always protect yourself.”
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Instinct Online 
written by eye4style on March 07, 2008
Jack Forever! LOVE him