By Ethan Liu
Stars that emit more energy shine brighter, just like Carson Kressley, the famous TV personality who has dedicated his fortune to charity and improving people’s lives. Kressley, who graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Gettysburg College, began his career as an independent stylist and worked for Ralph Lauren in menswear and corporate advertising. With abundant charisma and creativity, Kressley quickly rose to fame through his impressive ability to connect with others while putting a twist on modern fashion. Gaining publicity from his breakout performance in Queer Eye For the Straight Guy, he captivated audiences as an empowering, quick-witted fashion guru. With a balanced mix of humor and helpful fashion advice, Kressley is able to constantly keep others engaged while providing supportive insight and guidance. In 2004, Queer Eye received an Emmy for Outstanding Reality Program. One of Kressley’s other notable roles was as host of Lifetime’s How To Look Good Naked, in which he worked with participants to instill self-confidence in their body image. In addition, he has served as a judge for numerous reality and fashion shows, as well as a producer for RuPaul’s Drag Race and other programs.
True to his art, Kressley has been active in the fashion industry as the creator of clothing brands that provide a variety of styles, ranging from casual to office staples to glamorous. In 2006, he launched “Perfect,” a clothing line for men and women. The diversity and tailored options offer convenience and accommodate the tastes of all kinds of customers, making Kressley’s business widely popular. The varied selection of jeans, skirts, polo sweaters, leather jackets, and stylish vests creates convenience and flexibility for any occasion. His second clothing line, “Love, Carson,” is focused on glamor pieces suitable for going out and attending formal events. The clothing line also provided services for customized pieces and glittering decors that enhance visual appeal. By combining customer trends with personal innovation, Kressley’s businesses are truly one of a kind in the industry.
A staunch supporter of philanthropic causes, Kressley is committed to charity work and giving back to underprivileged communities. In February 2022, Kressley won as a contestant on America’s Favorite Houseguest, and has pledged to donate to True Colors United. In an interview with ScreenRant, he explained: “We work to eliminate youth homelessness, especially amongst LGBTQ+ youth who are unfortunately more at risk to experience homelessness… And we know that this is a totally fixable problem, and we work tirelessly to find a solution.” Kressley is involved with numerous organizations, including The Trevor Project, The Human Rights Campaign, AIDS Walk, the AI D, and the Rodriquez Liver Foundation. He is also active as a trustee on the board of The True Color Fund, The American Saddle Bred Museum, and Philadelphia University. With his activism regarding health and human rights, Kressley demonstrates a commitment to improving social welfare and finding medical solutions to challenging diseases.
In front of the bright lights and cameras, Kressley constantly works to educate and entertain viewers while his clothing brands offer fresh variety and personality to accommodate the needs of customers worldwide. On a humanitarian front, Kressley has embraced social advocacy and community giving, donating his earnings from shows and events to charity and supporting numerous minority groups and their causes. His dedication to empower others through both words and actions aligns with Phi Beta Kappa’s values of learning and serving the community. From his fascinating career in fashion and entertainment to his passion for charity involvement, Kressley represents a true model of Phi Beta Kappa.
Ethan Liu is a junior at University of California, Santa Barbara majoring in global studies. He was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa there in June 2022. The University of California, Santa Barbara is home to the Lambda of California chapter of Phi Beta Kappa.