NORMAL - Tim Gunn, who often tells designers competing on "Project Runway" to take what they have and "make it work," believes in the power of transformation. | VIDEO: ISU's AMDA Fashion Show

Gunn, now chief creative officer at Liz Claiborne Inc. and co-host of the popular reality television show, has become a fashion icon, but his life started out far from that, he said.

"Growing up, I was a classic nerd," Gunn told an audience of about 1,400 people Wednesday at Illinois State University's Brown Ballroom as part of The Green Chic Fashion Show.

As a child, he stuttered badly, had few friends, spent a lot of time building with Legos and was sent to boarding schools. He called in his senior year in college "transformational," thanks to the influence of a dynamic teacher in an art class.

His parents paid for what amounted to a second undergraduate education so he could pursue his new artistic passion. He turned his hand to architecture and sculpture and eventually took over as chairman of Parsons The New School for Design in New York, where he transformed the curriculum, he said.

While at Parsons, he was asked to work with the designers on "Project Runway," which debuted in 2004. He also has written his own style guide and hosted a show based on it.

Gunn praised the ISU fashion show, which featured 75 models wearing the work of 28 designers. Everything was made with organic or recycled materials, including bedspreads.

"I am absolutely blown away by this show - it's incredible," Gunn said at intermission.

He also spoke for an hour before the show, answering previously submitted audience questions. He said:

• Chicago could compete with New York or Paris as a fashion capital, eliciting audience cheers. "L.A. does not have the polish and sophistication," he said.

• Design students looking for jobs should design something for the company they want to work for, research the company, ask a lot of questions and "shine and be ourselves."

• It's important to know what you will and won't compromise in the workplace. But he conceded at times he made severe compromises, saying "It had to do with pure, unbridled survival."

• Having a sustainable planet involves more than just wise use of resources. Human rights - treating workers humanely and paying them a fair wage - must be part of that.

• The economic downturn won't last forever. "I believe we will come out in a better place," he said.

• On a lighter note, he's had a fashion faux pas or two of his own. "Nothing will be worse for me than the '70s. I won't even tell you what I looked like."

On the Web:

http://www.cast.ilstu.edu/sciencetechnologyweek/index.asp