Zac Posen on longevity, ‘Project Runway,’ & style bloggers

You may know him as a judge on the hit reality series 'Project Runway', but do you know how he got his start, who his fashion heroes are, or why he has a secret love of farming? Iconic New York fashion designer Zac Posen sits down with Larry King in this interview and gives a behind-the-scenes look at his past, present, and future projects.

Posen explains his rise to fame, how the biggest risk of his career almost backfired, and whether he really thinks he is the toughest judge on 'Project Runway.' Plus, he reveals his favorite Red Carpet memory and drops hints about his upcoming redesign of Delta Airlines' employee uniforms. And what if life were different? Zac tells Larry what he might do if he weren't a designer, if he didn't live in New York City, or if he could switch places with another fashion designer for a day.

The designer says 'Project Runway' is successful because "it's about the creative process," and Posen gets into the details of his own creative process, from how he draws inspiration from nature to how he chooses his fabrics to how he designs dresses for all types of women. And commenting on the current fashion landscape, he gives his opinion on the rise of fashion bloggers and offers tips for women hoping to look good without breaking the bank.

QUOTES FROM THIS 'LARRY KING NOW' INTERVIEW WITH ZAC POSEN:

*Posted Online on Ora.TV on Feb Sept 28th 2016:

"I got accepted into what I think is one of the finest design schools in the world. In England, in London, called Central St. Martin's, where a lot of incredible designers that were my heroes at the time went. Such as John Galliano, and Alexander McQueen, and Stella McCartney. And I got accepted - skipped a year of college, so I was there. You know, I thought 'Look British Speak Yiddish.'" - on how he started his fashion career

"Yes. Because, you know, I know about, I really make clothing with my hands. I understand construction. When I look at clothing - you know, Nina, she looks at it from a trend, fashion perspective. Well, trends come and go, and she gives the best criticism for that. You know, Heidi comes at it, would I wear this? Do I like it? I'm coming from it, is there actually creative integrity within that?" - on whether he is the toughest 'Project Runway' judge

"I think you have to love women, you have to be inventive, you have to be resilient. And you have to be in it for the long term. I mean, creativity is a lifelong pursuit. I really, I mean, that's really important. This is not, you know, a pow, you're out, that's it. You can't be a one-hit wonder in fashion." - on what makes a good designer

"I've been very fortunate to dress many incredible women that I wanted to dress on the Red Carpet. Not just what's young and hot at the moment, but who I thought were great artists or public figures. And that doesn't define itself by a size or race and age. Diversity makes the world beautiful. You know, that's what makes this exciting to be here." - on how and why he promotes diversity with his fashion

"Because I thought as the oldest American clothier, there was something more modern about keeping the integrity of just the name. I thought it kind of dated it, made it have a moment. And Brooks Brothers is about non-trend. You know, it's always in style. It's the classics." - on why he kept his name off of his Brooks Brothers line

"They'll find a piece, they'll wear it, and their reach and their followers are larger than the editorial publications today. Bigger than the brands. Individuals. And this whole idea today that, you know, individuals themselves are brands, is pretty powerful and real." - on how independent fashion bloggers affect trends

"Really great fashion, you have to take the fabric, feel it. Feel, see how it moves on then mannequin. I drape. I'm 3D. I can sketch, but I much prefer to build 3D. Sculpt. And, you know, fabric is everything. I got a great training on fabric, I'm totally tactile." - on the importance of understanding fabric when designing great clothes

"About eight years ago, you know, right before I turned thirty, I felt not valued, stupidly, by New York. And I just took a very gung ho move without the finances to do this properly and moved where I showed my collection to Paris for two seasons. The American press went into kill mode." - on the biggest career risk he has taken

"Less is more. Always. So, you know, a great shoe. A flat, if you can't walk in a heel. A great black dress. I say get one great dress and tailor it. I can't begin to tell you the difference a piece of clothing can make you feel if something is well tailored. That's it. Simple." - on his advice for women looking to dress well on a budget

"What inspires me? Great music. Nature. I mean, you know, I'm in my garden, I look at how abstract, wild, creative Mother Nature is. It's pretty trippy. Great women. I have some of the greatest muses--I don't call them muses--inspirations in the world, you know? And they're forces, and they're in all kind of disciplines." - on what inspires his vision for his dresses