As the fashionably flamboyant frontman for the non-musical quintet known as the “Fab Five,” Carson Kressley knew a thing or two about style. Openly gay (and damn proud of it), Kressley came to national prominence as one of the stars of the wildly popular reality show, “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” (Bravo, 2003- ). One of the most visible icons of the “metrosexual revolution,” Kressley was credited for helping destigmatize fashion for millions of clueless heterosexual slobs all over the U.S.
Born Carson Lee Kressley on Nov. 11, 1969 in Clausville, PA, Kressley graduated from high school in 1986 and studied at Gettysburg College. Graduating Phi Beta Kappa and with Magna Cum Laude honors in 1991, Kressley received degrees in both finance and fine arts. Moving to the Big Apple after college, Kressley promptly found a job in the fashion industry where he quickly gained a reputation as a top stylist. In 1994, Kressley was hired by fashion designer Ralph Lauren to oversee the high-profile men’s swimwear division. It was here, that Kressley made his name as one of the industry’s leading haute couturiers and where he would devote the next eight years of his life.
In 2003, Kressley’s life changed dramatically when he auditioned to be an on-air personality and fashion consultant for a unique reality makeover show. The premise of the program, "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy," involved heterosexual male candidates being culturally transformed by five openly gay men, each experts in their respective field. Each week a new candidate received generous guidance from the "Fab Five" in preparation for such major events as high school reunions, marriage proposals, or a first dinner with a girlfriend's parents. The “hetero-to-metro” transformations were often quite dramatic, providing candidates with complete makeovers, new clothes, new apartment furnishings and whatever style enhancing help they needed. Aired on the Bravo channel, "Queer Eye" was an instant ratings hit – by cable standards, at least. Later, when the show’s episodes were picked up for broadcast by NBC, the show’s popularity exploded and turned Kressley and his co-stars, Ted Allen, Kyan Douglas, Thom Filicia, and Jai Rodriguez into overnight celebrities and red carpet staples
Riding the wave of the show’s popularity, the outgoing Kressley quickly found himself awash in job offers outside of his weekly gig. Eager to capitalize on his quick wit and telegenic appeal, major companies and networks lined up to sign Kressley as either a commercial pitchman or a fashion commentator for red carpet award shows. A regular contributor for both “The Today Show” (NBC, 1952- ) and the E! Entertainment network, Kressley was easily the most recognized member of the “Fab Five” and had the most appeal to cross-over audiences.
In 2005, Kressley made his film debut playing a bartender in the Hilary Duff/Heather Locklear chick flick, “The Perfect Man.” The following year, Kressley was cast in a made-for-TV family movie called, “The Year Without Santa Claus” (2006), with the stylist playing an elf to John Goodman’s jolly old St. Nick. In addition to his work on screen, Kressley also authored three books, including one for young children called You're Different and That's SUPER (2005).