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Project Runway And Designer Jack Mackenroth

Posted Friday 3rd July 2009by Editor

After a triumphant stretch on Project Runway, Seattle born Jack Mackenroth exemplifies great achievement while living with HIV

Many people know Jack Mackenroth from the hit television series Project Runway. The incredibly attractive Mackenroth who declared himself HIV+ and had to leave the successful Heidi Klum show due to a staph infection. Since appearing on the show he has made a huge impact on both the fashion and gay community. Mackenroth has spoken all over the country on such topics as HIV/AIDS awareness, designing for celebrities, and showing you can live a healthy positive life.

One Nation reporter Kade Eriksson was able to sit down with Jack and get the 411 on what’s going on with fashion, life, and what’s in the future for him.

Thanks so much for the interview Jack! You became a household name when you competed on Project Runway. How was that experience overall and was it a growing experience?

The experience was amazing. It was like we were in this bizarre creative bubble where all we could do is make clothes and talk to each other. We couldn’t even address the production team or camera crews. They took away our phones and we weren’t allowed to listen to music or read the paper—not that we would’ve had time. It was like fashion boot camp. I don’t think viewers even get a glimpse of how difficult it is. I also made amazing life long friends. I talk to Kevin, Kit, Victorya, Sweet P and Christian on a regular basis.

Is Heidi as great in real life as she seems on TV?

Well she is even more beautiful in person. On the show we don’t really get to know her. We are never in a situation where we are just sitting around chilling with Heidi or Tim or the judges so I don’t know her well on a personal level. But she has always been very sweet to me.

Coming out as HIV+ to the general public must have been a big decision. Is there anything that you would change about it?

It really wasn’t a big decision. I have been HIV+ for so long that I didn’t even think twice about being open about it. I knew by being a positive role model (pun intended) I could do a lot of good for the public. I have received such amazing, touching emails from around the world. I never would have imagined the scope of the impact.

World AIDS Day was on December 1st and you designed a t-shirt for COTAM.org. What was the inspiration behind the shirt?

Well the slogan on the front of the shirt says, “Love across barriers soothes the heart and cures the soul.” Its means that we should embrace all differences regarding HIV status, race, sexual identity, religion or anything else. It benefits everyone. I also played with positive and negative space in the design of the shirt. The back says, “Shame can be fatal. Get tested.” Meaning that we need to combat the stigma of HIV so people are not ashamed to get tested or afraid to seek medical help because of shame.

I recently did a blog regarding bareback porn becoming a growing genre. The British press recently pointed out a connection between looser sexual practices and the increase in bareback films. What are your thoughts about this topic?

I think having bareback sex is more taboo and thus more exciting. Let’s be honest—no one likes to use condoms but you need to protect yourself. Approximately 1 million people in the US are HIV+ and about 25% of them, 250,000 people, do not know they are infected. You don’t see people dying like we did in the 80’s and 90’s so people are not as careful. Bareback porn may be fun to watch but you shouldn’t practice it.

As a fashion designer you constantly have to watch the trends. What are some ways that guys can spruce up their look during this financially strapped winter season?

Go vintage. Don’t underestimate the thrift store. There is no shame in wearing someone else’s cast offs. And tailors are relatively cheap. You can take a pair of pants to your local dry cleaner and get them hemmed for 10 bucks.

You are so busy with HIV/AIDS awareness and the development of a new TV show, but what can we expect from you in future as far as fashion goes?

Well my great hope is that the new show is sold into a network and then we develop a brand around the designs we make on the show. I have been working on an amazing HIV education campaign called Living Positive by Design (livingpositivebydesign.com) and I have been speaking all around the US so that has taken up a ton of my time.
Other than a few specialty design projects, which you can see on my website, I haven’t had time to devote to a full line of my own.

I guess that brings us to the TV show. You and Kevin Christiana will host, but can you tell us anything else regarding this project?

Well it’s all very secretive but I can say that it’s a design based show and it has a little Project Runway flavor. You’ll have to wait and see. Hopefully it will be out this summer. It’s adorable if I do say so myself.

Is there anything else you’d like to say to your fans?

Well I would love to say thank you for all the really great messages of support on myspace and facebook and via email. I try to respond back to everyone as much as I can.

Please visit my website for all my updates and read my blog which is linked to jackmackenroth.com. Please also support Livingpositivebydesign.com check out my tour dates and come see me!

Interview by Kade Eriksson