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'Dancing With the Stars' Costumer Talks Dressing Bristol Palin, Florence Henderson, David Hasselhoff, New Clothing Line

by Beth Cooney Fitzpatrick (Subscribe to Beth Cooney Fitzpatrick's posts)
Posted Sep 8th 2010 at 3:45PM  
64 Comments
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dancing with the stars costumer randall christensen

Randall Christensen, the man responsible for the slit-up-to-there "DWTS" costumes. Photo by: Donato Sardella. Courtesy: Matchbook Company

Emmy-award winning costumer Randall Christensen has learned something from all the famous ladies he's outfitted on ABC's long-running reality competition "Dancing With the Stars."

"They are absolutely no different than you and me," he says. "I see women when they are most vulnerable, completely bare. They have all kinds of insecurities; things they want to hide, things they want to accentuate."

Inspired by contestant Marie Osmond, Christensen is helping women everywhere celebrate their bodies with his new clothing line, set to debut on QVC in Spring 2011.

"Marie lost so much weight when she was dancing. It was a joy to watch her embrace the sexiness of the costumes," Christensen says of the star, who sells collectible dolls and jewelry on the shopping network.

"I think she put a bug in [QVC's] ear and got the whole thing rolling. They approached me and I couldn't be more delighted."



Expect real clothes (not barely there costumes!) with an emphasis on sexiness and shaping. "Think Old Hollywood glamour incorporated with the romance of the waltz," he says of looks, which include pants, dresses, blouses, wraps, and accessories. "I will be going for a feeling. I want you to slip on one of my skirts and feel the sexiness of a rumba or flirtiness of a cha-cha."

As for fit, "I might have shapewear in some of the pieces like I do with the costumes," says Christensen, who plans to incorporate bling ("I dream in crystals") but "might save that for a wrap or a jacket, something to take a look from day to evening."

Christensen is also developing bridal wear, which seems a logical step beyond the dance floor. "We do Cinderella on the show, so why not do it for a woman's Cinderella day?" he says.

But before either collection hits the market, Christensen is keeping plenty busy with his "Dancing With the Stars" duties. After outfitting the season 11 cast for their promo photos, he gave StyleList some insight into several of the contestants' upcoming ensembles.

Florence Henderson David Hasselhoff Bristol Palin Dancing with the Stars

Florence Henderson (left), David Hasselhoff (center), and Bristol Palin (right). Photos: Bob D'Amico, ABC

Bristol Palin: The political daughter asked for conservative costumes, but Christensen notes, she never said she didn't want to be sexy. "She's young, she's pretty, she's got a nice body and a beautiful smile. There's a way to balance all those things and give her what she wants," says Christensen, who put Palin in a black lace dress with a thigh-high slit for her promo pics.

The Situation: "It's going to be the battle of the abs," Christensen says of "Jersey Shore" star Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino's pairing with six-packed Karina Smirnoff. Don't expect the pumped-up reality star to bare his famous physique on week one, however. "I like to do the opposite of what people expect sometimes," says Christensen, which is what I did with Pamela Anderson last season."

Florence Henderson: "The Brady Bunch" matriarch dazzled Christensen during her first fitting. "She is the mirror-ball trophy herself, and she was busting a move up on that stage -- watch out!" says the costumer, who set aside four long dresses and two short and sassy looks for Henderson. "She headed in the direction I never imagined, much sexier. She said, 'I know what they are expecting me to wear, but I want to try this.' What a feisty, fun lady. I was completely smitten."

David Hasselhoff: The "Baywatch" legend is "open to fun -- yet appropriate -- costuming with [partner] Kym Johnson," says Christensen. "We did a very cool, masculine look for the first dance. Kym likes to incorporate a story line in her costumes, so look for that with this couple."

Jennifer Grey: Christensen is most excited about dressing the "Dirty Dancing" actress. "She's so proud of being 50. She looks fabulous, and she's an icon," he says. He may pay homage to her "Baby" character "but only if it's appropriate."

Michael Bolton: The singer is a "clotheshorse" with a refined sense of style, says Christensen. "We're going to go in a Cary Grant direction with him. He's dancing with Chelsie Hightower and she's much younger, so I want to balance them."

Audrina Patridge: "She's got some body," Christensen says of "The Hills" star/Bongo model, for whom he created "one of the sexiest Viennese waltz costumes I've ever made." Patridge is partnered with Tony Dovolani, who was also very involved in her look, so, says Christensen "expect her to wear some amazing pieces."

Margaret Cho: Comedian Cho "has some of the most amazing tattoos I've ever seen," says Christensen. "They are true art pieces and since she has so many, I have no choice but to work with them. I may even do a rhinestone embellishment."

Rick Fox: The 6-foot-7 basketball star has been paired with tiny two-time champ Cheryl Burke. "We had to put Cheryl in much higher heels than she normally wears," says Christensen. "He's a tall man, but then he smiles and all you see is how charming he is."

Brandy: The singer was "on fire" during her fitting in a sassy feather skirt, says Christensen."She had the same exact attitude as Florence Henderson and I was inspired by the idea that two women of different ages could be so sexy and vibrant and excited about the clothes."

Tune in to see what all the contestants, including actor Kyle Massey and football player Kurt Warner, will be wearing for the season premiere Sept. 20 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

In other reality news, check out what "The Bachelor Pad" stylist had to say about dressing his cast.
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Filed under: Fashion, News, Designers & Brands, Celebrity Style
Tags: Audrina Patridge, Brandy, Bristol Palin, costumers, costumes, Dancing With the Stars, David Hasselhoff, Florence Henderson, interviews, Jennifer Grey, Margaret Cho, Marie Osmond, Michael Bolton, Randall Christensen, reality tv, Rick Fox, stylists, The Situation
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READER COMMENTS

(64)Add A Comment

DogBoy, 9-09-2010, 9:47AM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
DogBoy

Die spammer. Die.

Reply »

Jan, 9-09-2010, 1:57PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
Jan

This is great! They all look wonderful! Randall does a superb job.

Reply »

vobox3343, 9-09-2010, 2:55PM

Half a star vote downvote upReport
vobox3343

Uhm, Bristol Palin is no star. This is just another attempt by Palin to have her daughter used to redefine herself. Bristol finish college so soon? Did we see her off Broadway?

Reply »

Homer, 9-09-2010, 5:35PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
Homer

Ya know what? Who cares? Your comments are not only inappropriate... but they're boring. If you don't like the show.., if you don't like the contestants..., why watch? Why bother? The Producers obviously decided to invite this young woman to be on the show. Why shouldn't she be a contestant..., because YOU don't think she should be? Who are you? Who cares about you? You really ARE a nobody.

»

wwmmd, 9-09-2010, 7:39PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
wwmmd

Leave the kid alone..she seems well-mannered and sensitive. I'd be proud to have her as my child..live and let live..parents love unconditionally..this child is much more conservative and modest than Lohen and Hilton. Remind me..did either one of those "stars" finish college? She is a single mom with a fantastic support system. She has the chance of a lifetime to have fun, look beautuful, learn to experience dance and may be even overcome her shyness. What does "Snooky" have to be a star?

»

commandant60, 9-11-2010, 11:57AM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
commandant60

vobox - You let your unfounded hate of Sarah cloud your view of her daughter. You also see raceism everywhere you look - try looking in the mirror.

»

usc35, 9-12-2010, 6:27AM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
usc35

vobox3343: You are a scumbag !

»

Edward R. Meek, 9-12-2010, 4:23PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
Edward R. Meek

"this child is much more conservative and modest than Lohen and Hilton. Remind me..did either one of those "stars" finish college? She is a single mom with a fantastic support system. She has the chance of a lifetime to have fun, look beautuful, learn to experience dance and may be even overcome her shyness. What does "Snooky" have to be a star?"

I agree with WWMD....Lets take the four....Bristol, Lohan, Hilton, Snooky.....as a guy I would go for Bristol....what has she done wrong in her life????yeah got pregnant. However, the baby is well taken care of, Bristol is working and trying to be a responsible parent. I think her on the show is a reward for doing good....has she been in trouble with the law and embarrased herself like Lohan and Hilton? NO. There you go. And as far as Snooky is concerned, I saw her briefly on Jersey Shore and no way in hell is she attractive at all. Awful hair style, she thinks she's all that, yet her co-stars are way hotter than she is.

Go Bristol!!!!

»

Lisa, 9-12-2010, 6:56PM

Half a star vote downvote upReport
Lisa

I see we are in the minority today....oh, well. I agree with you. As for wwmmd comments, I wouldn't be proud to have her as a daughter, or her mother as a mother. I have a teenage daughter, who is responsible, intelligent and mature enough to use birth control and not end up a teen mom ridiing on the "fame" coat tails of her mother. She would be nobody without her mother's failed campaign. It sure doesn't take much to be a "celebrity" these days. The truely talented have a heck of a time breaking into the business. It is full of no-talents on their reality shows.

»

RJ, 9-12-2010, 7:09PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
RJ

VOBOX IS A FAT S--T

»

Tricia, 9-12-2010, 8:21PM

2.5 stars vote downvote upReport
Tricia

TO: vobox...... "give it up" & "GROW UP" (young'un).
P.S. To all the contestants..........HAVE FUN !!!!!!!!!!!!

»

Noony, 9-13-2010, 12:35AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Noony

How do you know that this was Sarah Palin's idea rather than Bristol's? Do you have inside information? Amazing that someone who is so much "in the know" about the Palin family would take your valuable time to reply to this story!

»

bunzo, 10-06-2010, 5:51PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
bunzo

Wow... I thought Palin looked and did a great job... funny how you liberals all think and talk alike... must be the union of parrots...

»

glenna, 9-09-2010, 5:54PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
glenna

Why doesn't everyone just leave Bristol alone. She is an adorable young girl, who has had some difficult times in her very young life. Just the fact that she has a high profile mom makes life harder for her too. If she were my child I would love her to death and give her alot of support. You go Bristol!!!!!!!!!!!

Reply »

Sue, 9-09-2010, 6:10PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
Sue

Bravo, glenna.

If anyone had the good fortune to see this young woman on the Leno show the other night, they would have seen her for the bright, articulate sweetheart that she is. I'm sure here Mom and Dad are very proud of her.

»

Ann, 9-13-2010, 8:48AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Ann

Had this "unfortunate" situation happened to a Black American girl this would be a tragedy. There would be no sympathy. There would be a world of contempt, name calling, and a whole lotta ignorance.

You know it.
So do we All.

»

ELLEN, 9-09-2010, 6:56PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
ELLEN

Very pretty...many green eyed monsters out there...

Reply »

gsl, 9-09-2010, 8:16PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
gsl

Where in the world does all this "hate" come from? Bristol Palin is a beautiful young lady that has done nothing to cause such a reaction. Attitude adjustments are in order.

Reply »

vobox3343, 9-10-2010, 12:13PM

Half a star vote downvote upReport
vobox3343

It's not hate. All you hear, especially from Conservative blowhards, is how hard some folks work to get where they are. Then you realize it's just one of many lies told. You constantly dis the first lady of these United States, the most educated we've ever had, and act like she isn't deserving of a thing. I'll call you out on your hypocrisy and your racism 24/7 if need be.

»

commandant60, 9-11-2010, 11:58AM

Half a star vote downvote upReport
commandant60

hey vobox, I'm sure Michelle is NOT the most educated first lady - definately less than Laura Bush & Hillary Clinton & Jackie O. Michelle has no class & married a communist-muslem. What kind of poision is she teaching her 2 sweet little girls?

»

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