Gok's in favour of the bare necessities
Inner beauty is just as important, girlfriend, Gok Wan tells Anne Marie Scanlon
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By Anne Marie Scanlon
Sunday Feb 8 2009
'I'm bloody everywhere at the moment," says television stylist and author Gok Wan. Gok is such a fixture on television these days, it's hard to believe that he made his debut a mere three years ago in the first series of How to Look Good Naked.
Since 2006, Gok has made four series of How to Look Good Naked, as well as Gok's Fashion Fix and Miss Naked Beauty. In between making television programmes he's also written two books on style -- How to Look Good Naked and How to Dress which came out last November; he has designed a range of lingerie and control-wear for Simply Yours and is the celebrity stylist for high-street chain Dorothy Perkins. In his latest television outing, Too Fat Too Young, Gok confronted his own past and image problems. He grew up in one of the toughest council estates in Leicester, where he had to cope with both racism and homophobia. Although close to his siblings and his parents, he dealt with racism and feelings of insecurity by comfort eating. By his teens, Gok weighed 21 stone. His first make-over was of himself and he started with "a lifestyle change and an attitude change. I did a bit of research, changed what I ate and started exercising".
Gok briefly attended the Central School of Speech and Drama in London but dropped out. "I didn't have the confidence," he says, "it was an academic course and I'd never done that before." Having always been interested in fashion, Gok began freelancing as a make-up artist and hairstylist and styling clothes, working with such big names as Bryan Ferry and leading photographers including Terry O'Neill.
Although he earns his living as a fashion stylist and has dealt with his own obesity, Gok thinks that there is too much pressure on women to conform to a standard look. He says that the fashionable standard is just that -- fashion. He particularly likes the Fifties because "the clothes were beautiful, they were uber-feminine and empowered women". His empathy with women, especially those with body issues, is one of the keys to his success. However, he's quick to emphasise that for him, losing weight alone wasn't the secret to instant confidence -- a profound change in appearance needs to be accompanied "by work on your psychology". Gok is also cautious about cosmetic surgery. "I wouldn't do it at this point in my life," he says. He thinks surgery is a valid choice but that people forget that it is a "really big commitment. Women should learn to love themselves first". Then there's the money involved. Gok thinks "going on holiday with friends or buying a whole new wardrobe" would be preferable.
Given his sensitivity, he doesn't believe in unsolicited advice. "If you ask for help, I will tell you," he states. "I don't do criticism." Unlike Trinny and Susannah? "I honestly don't think they're that bad," he says. While Trinny and Susannah are well-known for their no-nonsense approach, Gok adopts the role of girlfriend. His empathy with the opposite sex is so strong that if a movie were made about his life, he'd want Kathy Burke to play him as she'd be ideal to portray his complex character and "awkwardness". He also identifies with Buster Keaton, whose work he loves. "I have large bravado but am deeply shy," he says.
He's quite shy about his love life these days. He broke up with his long-term partner in 2007 but refuses to confirm if he's still single. He's publicly stated that he fancies comedian Alan Carr, is that true? "I know Alan very well," he replies. "He's adorable; he's so funny and entertaining and makes me laugh." There's a pause, "so yes, actually, I do fancy him".
Alan Carr is one of his many famous friends, and Gok is still shocked at how quickly he has become well-known. "Every day I'm surprised," he says. "It's phenomenal, but I don't see myself as a celebrity. I'm just little old Gok from Leicester. I think, 'Bloody hell what have I done?'" Given his prolific cv, what hasn't he done might be a more pertinent question.
How to Dress: Your Complete Style Guide for Every Occasion by Gok Wan (€25.98, HarperCollins).
- Anne Marie Scanlon
