Kayne Gillaspie

Education and career

Gillaspie began his college career at Volunteer State Community College on a full scholarship, planning to become a veterinarian. While working at a veterinary clinic for four and a half years, he also took a job as a sketch artist at a Nashville boutique that specialized in pageant and eveningwear. Two of his five sisters used scholarship pageants to fund their education, and Gillaspie helped them prepare, particularly with their clothing.

This sparked his passion for fashion, leading him to switch his major and transfer to the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. There, he earned the Critics Choice Award for eveningwear in 2002 and graduated magna cum laude. After finishing school, he moved back to Nashville and launched Kayne's Clothing Boutique, where he designed custom ballroom dance costumes, eveningwear, and clothing for country music artists.

In 2003, Gillaspie and his former partner purchased Southern Charm/Alter Ego, a formal wear and pageant store in Norman, Oklahoma. The store and Gillaspie appeared on an episode of MTV's reality series Tiara Girls.

By December 2005, his work had gained significant recognition in the pageant world: he dressed all five top teen contestants in the Miss Oklahoma Teen USA pageant, as well as the winner and first runner-up of the Miss Oklahoma U.S.A. pageant. He no longer has ties to Southern Charm/Alter Ego. Today, he operates from his studio in Norman and travels frequently to present his private collection, his line with WOW prom and pageant, and his shoe line through Benjamin Walk.

At the 2008 Miss America Pageant in Las Vegas, several contestants wore his designs, including the talent costume for first runner-up, Miss Indiana Nicole Rash. On April 28 and 29, 2008, he appeared as a guest star at the Broadway Cares Easter Bonnet Competition, held at New York City's Minskoff Theatre.

His work has been featured in many magazines, and he appeared on the cover of the May 2008 issue of Distinctly Oklahoma Magazine. On April 30, 2008, he gave an interview on KWTV News 9, discussing his career, the magazine feature, and revealing his involvement with an upcoming show on the E! Television Network.

Project Runway

Kayne Gillaspie was the tenth contestant eliminated on season three of Project Runway, making him the last to leave before New York Fashion Week. He lost the "Black and White" challenge, which required cocktail dresses in only those colors. Previously eliminated designers Angela Keslar and Vincent Libretti returned for that challenge but were sent home again.

Did You Know?

• He won the "Fit for a Queen" challenge on Project Runway, creating a gown for Miss USA Tara Conner to wear at Miss Universe.
• On October 24, 2008, he launched a dog couture line called Kayne9.