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Tim Gunn: The Natty Professor: A Master Class on Mentoring, Motivating, and Making It Work!
A timeless book of lessons on mentorship, teaching, and learning from New York Times bestselling author Tim Gunn, host of the Emmy Award–nominated Project Runway and the reality show Under the Gunn.
Tim Gunn, America’s favorite reality TV cohost, is known for his kind but firm approach in providing wisdom, guidance, and support to the scores of design hopefuls on Project Runway. Having begun his fashion career as a teacher at Parsons The New School for Design, Tim knows more than a thing or two about mentorship and how to convey invaluable pearls of wisdom in an approachable, accessible manner.
While Gunn’s Golden Rules showcased Tim “as life coach,� imparting lessons based on his personal experiences, Tim Gunn: The Natty Professor will focus on Tim “as teacher.� Divided into sections on common themes—leadership, curiosity, diversity, understanding, empathy—this practical, timely book takes us on a journey through life lessons and uses Tim’s own personal experiences, from the classroom to the therapist’s office, to illustrate larger concepts. Each chapter will end with a “life assignment,� where Tim challenges you to apply the lessons you’ve learned in practical mentoring or teaching situations.
So grab a pencil and start taking notes: class is officially in session!
Tim Gunn, America’s favorite reality TV cohost, is known for his kind but firm approach in providing wisdom, guidance, and support to the scores of design hopefuls on Project Runway. Having begun his fashion career as a teacher at Parsons The New School for Design, Tim knows more than a thing or two about mentorship and how to convey invaluable pearls of wisdom in an approachable, accessible manner.
While Gunn’s Golden Rules showcased Tim “as life coach,� imparting lessons based on his personal experiences, Tim Gunn: The Natty Professor will focus on Tim “as teacher.� Divided into sections on common themes—leadership, curiosity, diversity, understanding, empathy—this practical, timely book takes us on a journey through life lessons and uses Tim’s own personal experiences, from the classroom to the therapist’s office, to illustrate larger concepts. Each chapter will end with a “life assignment,� where Tim challenges you to apply the lessons you’ve learned in practical mentoring or teaching situations.
So grab a pencil and start taking notes: class is officially in session!
272 pages, Hardcover
First published March 24, 2015
45 people are currently reading
819 people want to read
About the author
Tim Gunn
17Ìýbooks187ÌýfollowersTimothy M. Gunn is an American fashion consultant and television personality. He was chair of fashion design at Parsons The New School for Design from August 2000 to March 2007 and is well-known as on-air mentor to designers on the Bravo reality television program Project Runway. Gunn's popularity on Project Runway led to his spin-off show, Bravo's Tim Gunn's Guide to Style, as well as his book A Guide to Quality, Taste and Style.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 229 reviews
November 2, 2015
Tim Gunn is on my short list of celebrities I'd invite to a dinner party. He will not be making it to the list of celebrities I'd like as pen pals. This is poorly written and uninspiring. It's not funny or educational or motivating, and my main takeaway is that Mr Gunn loves loves loves Diane Von Furstenburg.
November 19, 2015
I'll be the first to admit that I'm an unabashed Tim Gunn fan. I admire and love him. That being said, I adored this book for Tim's heartfelt views on teaching and the arts. He hits the nail on the head of what makes an excellent teacher and mentor.
Read
July 9, 2020You don’t have to have followed the television career of Project Runway’s Tim Gunn to enjoy this book, but it definitely helps.
If you are familiar with the concept behind the show you may enjoy reading this simply to have the point of view of someone who is largely admired for their composure, grace, professionalism and humor. He speaks quite a bit about his teaching philosophy which can be good advice in many professional arenas. And if you are a fan of his television work, you will enjoy even more insight into how and why he mentors so successfully.
-Joyce A.
If you are familiar with the concept behind the show you may enjoy reading this simply to have the point of view of someone who is largely admired for their composure, grace, professionalism and humor. He speaks quite a bit about his teaching philosophy which can be good advice in many professional arenas. And if you are a fan of his television work, you will enjoy even more insight into how and why he mentors so successfully.
-Joyce A.
August 8, 2015
"Teachers who save us from ignorance should be given the glory (and income!) of open-heart surgeons."
"Some people believe in being 'practical,' and only studying things that will prepare us for the exact job we will have. But I believe that education should broaden our horizons. Nothing we learn that we care about is ever wasted."
"Teaching is undervalued and underpaid in this country. To all the classroom teachers out there: bless you. To all the eager students and supportive schools and parents who make those teachers' lives easier and more fulfilling: bless you, too."
"...being a teacher isn't just a job, it's a lifestyle, and civilians can live it, too."
"Mistakes are so valuable, providing you learn from them."
"I never tell the Project Runway designers what fabric they should have chosen, or what they should have done with the past three hours, any more than I would tell them they should be taller. You have to meet people where they are."
"There is such a thing as being overprepared for a class. You don't want to come in with all the answers. You want to make your students work. You're a guide. You're a mentor and a leader. You're not Google."
"...teaching and learning are both deeply human endeavors that require a lot of mistakes to get right."
"Someone interviewing me the other day said, 'Does it get to be a drag to be _on_ all the time?' 'No,' I said, but it's a responsibility. If you're going to sleepwalk through an event, you shouldn't go. You owe it to everyone to be present in the moment, to participate fully. Otherwise, don't go! Does some of it require a lot of acting? Yes!' We have to show up and shine."
"Some people believe in being 'practical,' and only studying things that will prepare us for the exact job we will have. But I believe that education should broaden our horizons. Nothing we learn that we care about is ever wasted."
"Teaching is undervalued and underpaid in this country. To all the classroom teachers out there: bless you. To all the eager students and supportive schools and parents who make those teachers' lives easier and more fulfilling: bless you, too."
"...being a teacher isn't just a job, it's a lifestyle, and civilians can live it, too."
"Mistakes are so valuable, providing you learn from them."
"I never tell the Project Runway designers what fabric they should have chosen, or what they should have done with the past three hours, any more than I would tell them they should be taller. You have to meet people where they are."
"There is such a thing as being overprepared for a class. You don't want to come in with all the answers. You want to make your students work. You're a guide. You're a mentor and a leader. You're not Google."
"...teaching and learning are both deeply human endeavors that require a lot of mistakes to get right."
"Someone interviewing me the other day said, 'Does it get to be a drag to be _on_ all the time?' 'No,' I said, but it's a responsibility. If you're going to sleepwalk through an event, you shouldn't go. You owe it to everyone to be present in the moment, to participate fully. Otherwise, don't go! Does some of it require a lot of acting? Yes!' We have to show up and shine."
September 20, 2016
An entertaining, but rambling, look into the teaching and mentoring philosophy of Tim Gunn. It's loosely structured by the five components of his "T.E.A.C.H." approach, but in reality, the chapters often have little connection.
I would have preferred a more linear book -- talking about his own experiences with education first, then on to his career as a teacher, then at Parson's, and then his television experience. It would have given the reader a chance to see the evolution of his teaching approaches in a more structured approach. Instead, the book jumps around quite erratically. The conversational tone of the writing works with that approach, but I still wish for a bit more organization among the chapters.
That said, it is interesting to see a more personal side of Tim Gunn, often so reserved in his television appearances. We learn about his troubled past, and his decisive approach to bring the Parson's fashion program into the modern era. He is not afraid to state his opinions, including oddly contradictory ones, such as his praise for standardized testing that contrasts his personalized model of teaching. He is also more than willing to tell stories about his colleagues in fashion and media -- or about those who have banned him from events for his honesty and candor.
I would have preferred a more linear book -- talking about his own experiences with education first, then on to his career as a teacher, then at Parson's, and then his television experience. It would have given the reader a chance to see the evolution of his teaching approaches in a more structured approach. Instead, the book jumps around quite erratically. The conversational tone of the writing works with that approach, but I still wish for a bit more organization among the chapters.
That said, it is interesting to see a more personal side of Tim Gunn, often so reserved in his television appearances. We learn about his troubled past, and his decisive approach to bring the Parson's fashion program into the modern era. He is not afraid to state his opinions, including oddly contradictory ones, such as his praise for standardized testing that contrasts his personalized model of teaching. He is also more than willing to tell stories about his colleagues in fashion and media -- or about those who have banned him from events for his honesty and candor.
September 11, 2016
So there's a lot of good stuff in this book. Tim Gunn knows mentoring and teaching. But apparently another thing he's an expert at is transphobic speech.
[TW for the rest of this review, transphobic BS]
My hackles were raised at some uneducated comments he made about homeschooling being an Ideal, but that's a fringe issue not many people ARE educated about, so I let that slide.
But I DNF'd SO HARD as soon as he started railing against trans models being included on runways, as "just another unrealistic body standard for women to be held up to" because "apparently a size 0 isn't enough, now we are glorifying bodies without hips! Real Women Have Hips!"
I'm a cis woman, yup, with hips, and I'm not threatened by trans women on runways. I'm thrilled it's happening. Why would I be upset that women even more marginalized than I am are being given the same opportunities, Tim Gunn? Sit down.
I thought for 20 seconds about just skipping to the next chapter, & finishing the book, because I did like his mentoring content. But the further he gets from that specific subject, the more trash fires crop up, and I just don't have that kind of time or energy. Life is too short.
Two stars. Probably would have been three if all ^that^ didn't happen.
[TW for the rest of this review, transphobic BS]
My hackles were raised at some uneducated comments he made about homeschooling being an Ideal, but that's a fringe issue not many people ARE educated about, so I let that slide.
But I DNF'd SO HARD as soon as he started railing against trans models being included on runways, as "just another unrealistic body standard for women to be held up to" because "apparently a size 0 isn't enough, now we are glorifying bodies without hips! Real Women Have Hips!"
I'm a cis woman, yup, with hips, and I'm not threatened by trans women on runways. I'm thrilled it's happening. Why would I be upset that women even more marginalized than I am are being given the same opportunities, Tim Gunn? Sit down.
I thought for 20 seconds about just skipping to the next chapter, & finishing the book, because I did like his mentoring content. But the further he gets from that specific subject, the more trash fires crop up, and I just don't have that kind of time or energy. Life is too short.
Two stars. Probably would have been three if all ^that^ didn't happen.
March 12, 2019
I love Tim Gunn, and Project Runway.
I am so confused by what this book was. Part insights, part b$tchfest and self defensive tirades. Not a make it work moment to be found.
I did like that Tim read the audio book. Only reason it got 2 stars not one.
I am so confused by what this book was. Part insights, part b$tchfest and self defensive tirades. Not a make it work moment to be found.
I did like that Tim read the audio book. Only reason it got 2 stars not one.
April 18, 2015
Gossipy nonsense
May 6, 2019
I just love Tim Gunn. Also, this book has surprisingly practical and helpful tips for mentoring.
March 29, 2024
4.75â�
I originally wanted came to this to learn about Tim Gunn (as I find him extremely fascinating and lovely), but ended up learning a lot more about how important teaching and role-modeling is in life.
I loved reading little anecdotes from Gunn's life and his experinces. What I especially adored was hearing his struggles with redefining the Parson's Fashion Program; truly inspiring and amazing to see how he persisted for what was right.
Although I loved pretty much the entirety of the work, I have to knock it a little bit, just because it's not very "2024". There are a few remarks that can border on being non-PC.
However, that aside I still think this is an amazing work to read. I think that anyone can get something from this and learn new ways of viewing the world, oneself, and how we each move and interact with each other.
I originally wanted came to this to learn about Tim Gunn (as I find him extremely fascinating and lovely), but ended up learning a lot more about how important teaching and role-modeling is in life.
I loved reading little anecdotes from Gunn's life and his experinces. What I especially adored was hearing his struggles with redefining the Parson's Fashion Program; truly inspiring and amazing to see how he persisted for what was right.
Although I loved pretty much the entirety of the work, I have to knock it a little bit, just because it's not very "2024". There are a few remarks that can border on being non-PC.
However, that aside I still think this is an amazing work to read. I think that anyone can get something from this and learn new ways of viewing the world, oneself, and how we each move and interact with each other.
June 10, 2017
I just re-read this for a presentation I gave on feedback and assessment in teaching. I love his approach to teaching--his "TEACH" acronym (truth-telling, empathy, asking, cheerleading, and hoping for the best) approach to giving students feedback is spot-on and helpful. Plus, his stories of being an administrator were useful and interesting, too.
June 4, 2018
This was a very fun audiobook and is narrated by Tim Gunn himself! I didn’t know how I’d relate to him or the book since I’m not into fashion other than watching Project Runway. Tim talks about his early life, his education prior to the fashion world, and some more personal details of his teenage years. He doesn’t see himself as a celebrity, but as a teacher and mentor, and is actually very relatable. He spills a good bit of tea on ProRun contestants and celebrities, both in positive and negative lights. I definitely want to re-listen to this in the future and check out his other books!
June 17, 2019
Tim Gunn is an American gem
August 2, 2020
Tim Gunn is a charming person (and he narrates the audiobook which is nice). I read this and got something out of it, but it would probably be more helpful to people who are actually teachers or mentors. =) Some great perspectives and advice.
February 16, 2020
Listen to the audiobook. It is a real gift.
April 28, 2017
Probably more like a 4.5, but there were just too many moments in the book that brought me joy to not round up.
March 18, 2017
I read this book because I always felt Tim Gunns Advise was sound . Although not a educator his advise is certainly transferrable for achieving a successful life.
December 2, 2021
5.0 Full disclosure, I adore Tim and loved that he narrated this book. Also, his candor and truth telling is refreshing. He had some hard jobs and he did/does them.
Take Aways:
Love yr work
Go to a museum
Read Books
Travel/Explore
Listen Closely
To Do:
Who was your fav teacher?
Least?
Something you taught (explain)
What did you learn and how did it shape being a good student?
How can you praise good teachers?
How to be a good mentor:
(T)ruth-telling, (E)mpathy, (A)sking, (C)heerleading, and (H)oping for the best or as Tim puts it at the end:
T: here’s what I see happening
E: what are you trying to do
A: what do you see happening
C: you can make that happen
H: carry on
And Finally�
What do you want your students to learn from their time with you?
Take Aways:
Love yr work
Go to a museum
Read Books
Travel/Explore
Listen Closely
To Do:
Who was your fav teacher?
Least?
Something you taught (explain)
What did you learn and how did it shape being a good student?
How can you praise good teachers?
How to be a good mentor:
(T)ruth-telling, (E)mpathy, (A)sking, (C)heerleading, and (H)oping for the best or as Tim puts it at the end:
T: here’s what I see happening
E: what are you trying to do
A: what do you see happening
C: you can make that happen
H: carry on
And Finally�
What do you want your students to learn from their time with you?
March 25, 2015
You’ve probably experienced this at least once in your life�
That moment where you are reading a book…and that one sentence…those few words…leaps off the pages and gives you that warm hug and a pat on the back that lets you know that everything will be okay.
Well that’s how I felt when I read “Tim Gunn: The Natty Professor� it was these few words “So many people who do great things in life follow many different paths before ending up in the role that defines them, and none of that time is squandered if they’re learning� that let me know that I was about to embark on an amazing journey with this book.
To be honest, I expected this book to be all about Fashion and perhaps about the hit TV show “Project Runway or “Under The Gunn� after all who does not know the loveable mentor of the hit TV show Project Runway and the crème ah la crème of the spin off show “Under The Gunn�. However…Tim Gunn gives us more than Project Runway and Under The Gunn. He teaches us that life is our Runway� and everyday it’s a new project� and no matter how small or big the project� even when you are looking into the barrel of the gun …each moment is a learning experience.
For a few hours�
Those precious moments in time�
The book Tim Gunn: The Natty Professor let those of us who often feel alone, unheard, awkward in our skin, and sometimes invisible…know…that we aren’t so unique after all. A life lesson for many us out there who often feel alone on this runway called…Life.
Tim Gunn has an unbelievably passion for teaching and mentoring and it started years before Project Runway. Actually he was a classroom educator and a chair for Parsons Fashion Design Program, and although he is no longer in the classroom he stills considers himself a teacher. The book underscored many different aspects of life by categories with the clever acronym Teach;
(T)ruth-telling, (E)mpathy, (A)sking, (C)heerleading, and (H)oping for the best.
What I loved about this book is that it was cleared that the advice he was giving us was based on his own life lessons. When I finished reading this book I felt like I could take on the world. The book was a welcomed surprise, Tim Gunn let us see another side of him, the man beyond the Fashion…the educator�.and the student.
To say that I absolutely love this book would be an understatement…this is definitely a book that you should add to your library. And if you are lucky enough to be in New York City on March 31, 2015 then head over to 92Y my favorite place to be where Tim Gunn and Fern Mallis will be in conversation as part of the Fashion Icon series.
Review is written as it appears on "nerisa eugenia waterman" AND
"The Book Blog and Etc." -
That moment where you are reading a book…and that one sentence…those few words…leaps off the pages and gives you that warm hug and a pat on the back that lets you know that everything will be okay.
Well that’s how I felt when I read “Tim Gunn: The Natty Professor� it was these few words “So many people who do great things in life follow many different paths before ending up in the role that defines them, and none of that time is squandered if they’re learning� that let me know that I was about to embark on an amazing journey with this book.
To be honest, I expected this book to be all about Fashion and perhaps about the hit TV show “Project Runway or “Under The Gunn� after all who does not know the loveable mentor of the hit TV show Project Runway and the crème ah la crème of the spin off show “Under The Gunn�. However…Tim Gunn gives us more than Project Runway and Under The Gunn. He teaches us that life is our Runway� and everyday it’s a new project� and no matter how small or big the project� even when you are looking into the barrel of the gun …each moment is a learning experience.
For a few hours�
Those precious moments in time�
The book Tim Gunn: The Natty Professor let those of us who often feel alone, unheard, awkward in our skin, and sometimes invisible…know…that we aren’t so unique after all. A life lesson for many us out there who often feel alone on this runway called…Life.
Tim Gunn has an unbelievably passion for teaching and mentoring and it started years before Project Runway. Actually he was a classroom educator and a chair for Parsons Fashion Design Program, and although he is no longer in the classroom he stills considers himself a teacher. The book underscored many different aspects of life by categories with the clever acronym Teach;
(T)ruth-telling, (E)mpathy, (A)sking, (C)heerleading, and (H)oping for the best.
What I loved about this book is that it was cleared that the advice he was giving us was based on his own life lessons. When I finished reading this book I felt like I could take on the world. The book was a welcomed surprise, Tim Gunn let us see another side of him, the man beyond the Fashion…the educator�.and the student.
To say that I absolutely love this book would be an understatement…this is definitely a book that you should add to your library. And if you are lucky enough to be in New York City on March 31, 2015 then head over to 92Y my favorite place to be where Tim Gunn and Fern Mallis will be in conversation as part of the Fashion Icon series.
Review is written as it appears on "nerisa eugenia waterman" AND
"The Book Blog and Etc." -
October 1, 2015
Tim Gunn is one of my favorite celebrities - not that I have many favorites. He is not glamorous, but he is classy and a true gentleman in an age in which this type of man is in short supply. The book is advertised as a tutorial in mentoring others, but people would do well to take some of Gunn's advice in living their everyday lives in how to treat others and encourage them in their pursuits.
He also give sage advice in when in conflict. He says that one should offer critique on what the other can change, and not criticize the things they cannot. I see him doing this on Project Runway with the designers, in give them critique on parts of their designs they can control, without making them feel bad about the work they've done or are doing.
He truly picked the right profession in becoming a teacher because Gunn has so much love & passion for the students he can encourage and teach. That's not to say that he is a push-over, because he knows how to call someone out when they are wrong, but views it as an opportunity for the student to learn. He also has the courage in his life to call out people when they are being cruel.
An inspirational listen, and an opportunity to evaluate how we treat each other, as well as how to make each other better.
He also give sage advice in when in conflict. He says that one should offer critique on what the other can change, and not criticize the things they cannot. I see him doing this on Project Runway with the designers, in give them critique on parts of their designs they can control, without making them feel bad about the work they've done or are doing.
He truly picked the right profession in becoming a teacher because Gunn has so much love & passion for the students he can encourage and teach. That's not to say that he is a push-over, because he knows how to call someone out when they are wrong, but views it as an opportunity for the student to learn. He also has the courage in his life to call out people when they are being cruel.
An inspirational listen, and an opportunity to evaluate how we treat each other, as well as how to make each other better.
June 3, 2015
I'm a huge fan of Project Runway and I love Tim Gunn. He always seemed like a teddy bear with pom poms. I did the audio on this and am glad that Tim Gunn did the narration. This book described what makes great teachers amazing. That part was inspirational. There are so many bad teachers out there. You can be an expert at math, but that doesn't mean you would be an expert at teaching math.
He seemed very real in this book. He made mistakes and owned up to them without blaming others. I always appreciate that. But the best thing is that he stands up for what he believes and he lives it full throttle. Sometimes that lands him in hot water, but that is life. I really did enjoy this book.
He seemed very real in this book. He made mistakes and owned up to them without blaming others. I always appreciate that. But the best thing is that he stands up for what he believes and he lives it full throttle. Sometimes that lands him in hot water, but that is life. I really did enjoy this book.
November 21, 2015
tim gunn is a national treasure. and better than reading this book, his persnickety uncle voice coming through so clearly, is LISTENING to this book, delightfully narrated by the author himself. it is well within the tim gunn vein of literature -- opinionated, sensible, self-deprecating, and gossipy. i still get uncomfortable with how willing tim is to name and detail transgressors and their sins, but it does play into his Truth Teller persona. he's a delight, though i sometimes feel a little catty listening to him.
of especial interest to me were his musings on style categorization and mavens representing each (i kept pausing the narration to wikipedia the names and google images of them as the mentioned them; very helpful in informing my own sense of style).
a worthy read.
of especial interest to me were his musings on style categorization and mavens representing each (i kept pausing the narration to wikipedia the names and google images of them as the mentioned them; very helpful in informing my own sense of style).
a worthy read.
August 27, 2019
Just not as inspiring as the title implies.. I was actually looking for mentoring advice and got very little of it. This is basically a collection of unrelated short vignettes very loosely strung together with the theme of teaching and learning. Gunn reads his own audiobook which was great but this book has an almost mean spirited mood. Gunn calls out a lot of his peers specifically and seems to be using this platform to settle some old scores. Even then end of the book, which I thought would be this great inspiring ending was actually just a list of bookgroup questions for various groups. Meh.
June 17, 2019
Not sure what to rate this, as I do feel he has a good idea of what makes a good teacher, and I did enjoy listening to the audio book, but he is also not afraid to bash people he looks down on. I do feel some of the stories could have been told to the same effectiveness without calling people out directly. Not that I think there is anything wrong with calling people out, but he does do it a lot in this book and sadly that’s all I can seem to remember now that I am finished and not the helpful bits about teaching.
May 29, 2015
Wanted to read it because the author was on Jimmy Fallon promoting it. Thought there was gonna be a nice story about Jimmy but ended up only a brief mention. A little disappointing. There were stories about the Prada-wearing-devil, DVF, and Padma Laksmi.
Mr. Gunn sparked my interest in fashion. I'm interested in reading the books he mentioned.
Mr. Gunn sparked my interest in fashion. I'm interested in reading the books he mentioned.
April 4, 2017
I'm a bit disappointed in the way this book changed my opinion of Tim Gunn. On TV and in interviews he seems like such a nice and interesting person. In the book...he doesn't. I also hoped for more ideas about teaching and mentoring, but these were overshadowed with name-dropping stories and Tim-Gunn-saves-the-day tales.
May 15, 2015
Gunn narrates the audio edition of his book. Partly about teaching/mentoring/motivating but mostly about himself. He does include letters from readers/viewers/fans about their favorite teachers, and that keeps it partly on topic.
May 24, 2015
Disappointing. Tim Gunn does come across as a very likable person but his book reads like a bad business self help book.
July 12, 2015
Part simplistic pedagogy, part petty gossip, part serious meditation on being a thoughtful person in a thoughtless world--a guiltier pleasure than any of his TV shows.
January 2, 2016
A great memoir about teaching.
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