Todd Oldham
About
Todd Oldham was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, USA in 1961. He was drawn to fashion without any formal training. At the age of 15, he turned a K-Mart pillowcase into a sun dress for his sister.
He showed his first collection in 1981, which was bought by the department store Neiman Marcus.
In 1988, he moved to New York and launched his "Times 7" line which featured unusual buttons and accessories. In 1989, a womens wear line was produced.
He became a consultant for ESCADA the German fashion house, in 1994. He designs colourful garments for them.
He hosted a segment called Todd Time on MTV's House of Style in the 1990s. He produced a clothing line associated with the Warner Brothers Batman Forever. Oldham designs furniture and home accessories for the La-Z-Boy Furniture company, and will be the creative director for Old Navy effective October 1st.
Oldham is openly gay. He is a member of the Board of Advocates for Bailey House, the nation's oldest supportive housing program for persons with HIV/AIDS. Additionally, Oldham supports the animal rights movement and has worked with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
Oldham is currently the host of Top Design on Bravo for the 2007 season.
The Look
Oldham is a maverick designer with a great sense of fun. His combinations of clothes and colours show a wild, childlike sensibility designed to amuse. Fond of ornamentation, he often shows beaded and sequined gowns and jackets. He also makes brightly patterned sweaters and waistcoats, frequently done in patchwork. Oldham always risks kitsch to achieve his distinctive style. Quirky colours and textures are used for his flash and panache. His denim and bikinis are fringed, his midriffs bared and his skirts invariably short.