Michael Kors provides the funny sound bites on Project Runway — “She literally looks like she got caught in a tornado of toilet paper” — but it's Tim Gunn and his catchphrase, “Make it work,” that made the show famous. Gunn, chief creative officer of Liz Claiborne and faculty at Parsons the New School for Design for the past 25 years — has been mentor and adviser to the fashion hopefuls since the series' inception. He even hosted his own makeover show, Bravo's short-lived Tim Gunn's Guide to Style. Gunn also has authored three books; the last, Gunn's Golden Rules: Life's Little Lessons for Making It Work, is a manners manual that includes juicy stories on such fashion elite as Isaac Mizrahi, Diane von Furstenberg, Andre Leon Talley and Anna Wintour. (The Vogue editor once was carried down five flights of stairs by her bodyguards because — clutch the pearls — she doesn't ride the elevator with other people.) Gunn signs his latest book, Tim Gunn's Fashion Bible: The Fascinating History of Everything in Your Closet, which chronicles the origins of every article of clothing used and abused by man since ancient times. Maybe he can find the Australian sheep farm where Uggs originated and send them all back. Barnes & Noble at the Grove, 189 Grove Drive; Tues., Sept. 11, 7 p.m.; free. (323) 525-0270.

Tue., Sept. 11, 7 p.m., 2012

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