Step into the glittering world of fashion, nightlife, and fearless creativity on Showing Off with Brian Newman & Angie Pontani as they welcome legendary designer and corsetry master Garo Sparo. Known for crafting jaw-dropping looks on Project Runway and for icons like Lady Gaga, Cardi B, Amanda Lepore, and Sabrina Carpenter, Garo shares the wild, inspiring journey that took him from a kid sewing outfits for stuffed animals to becoming one of New York’s most distinctive costume and fashion designers. With roots in a garment-making family and a lifelong obsession with dramatic silhouettes, Sparo reveals how early influences like Barbie dolls and classic Hollywood glam shaped his signature aesthetic.
Brian and Angie dive into Garo’s formative years in New York’s legendary nightlife scene, where club culture, drag, and avant-garde performer Amanda Lepore became both his muse and collaborator. From designing iconic looks for nightlife personalities to launching boutiques in the East Village and later pivoting into bridal design after the cultural shift of the early 2000s, Sparo discusses the hustle, reinvention, and relentless creativity required to survive (and thrive) in fashion.
Packed with showbiz stories, fashion history, and hard-earned wisdom, this episode celebrates the artistry behind costume and couture. Garo also opens up about building his brand, mentoring the next generation of designers, and collaborating with his studio partner Troy to expand the label’s creative vision. It’s a fabulous, funny, and inspiring conversation about originality, resilience, and staying true to your style in the ever-changing world of entertainment and fashion.
Garo Sparo’s early obsession with costumes, dolls, and character creation
Growing up in a garment-making family and discovering fashion as a calling
Breaking into New York’s club kid and nightlife fashion scene
Designing for celebrities including Lady Gaga, Cardi B, Amanda Lepore, and Sabrina Carpenter
The influence of corsetry, vintage silhouettes, and theatrical fashion
Opening East Village boutiques and navigating the fashion industry’s ups and downs
Pivoting to bridal design and reinventing his career
Collaborating with his studio partner and co-designer Troy
Advice for creatives building a career in fashion and costume designShowing Off with Brian Newman & Angie Pontani is a backstage pass into the lives of musicians, performers, and creative professionals. Each episode explores the highs, the failures, and the real stories behind building a career in entertainment.
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Hosted by Brian Newman and Angie Pontani
Produced by BASE Creatives, Scott Frederick, and Ellis Frederick
Recorded at Brooklyn Podcasting Studios
Sound Engineering by Josh Wilcox
Production Coordination by Samantha Cunha
Set Design by Steven Hammel
Editing by Ricky Fernandez00:00:00 Mailbag + Bad Bunny at the Super Bowl
00:07:20 Garo Sparo: Growing Up on Long Island, Finding Himself in North Carolina
00:22:39 Joining the Club Kids, Amanda Lepore in NYC
00:33:24 Burnout & Reinvention: From East Village Nightlife to Bridal Dresses
00:39:05 How Angie & Garo Started Working Together
00:51:31 Joining Project Runway as an Established Designer
01:01:57 Troy Allen, Garo's Creative Partner
01:09:51 Game Time: The Lookbook!
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