Cheyenne native becomes first Wyomingite to compete on "Project Runway"

Growing up in Cheyenne, Neasloney used to spend much of his time retreating to the attic to sit on his mother’s lap while she sewed. Without realizing it, she was instilling a love of garment-making in him that eventually led him to become the first Wyoming native to compete on Bravo’s “Project Runway.” The latest season premieres Dec. 5.

Neasloney, who referred to himself as a mathematical person, recalled having an interest in the nuts and bolts of garment design at a young age, but he never fully realized it until college. As a second-semester senior at the University of Wyoming, Neasloney decided to go on a study-abroad trip around Europe that gave him an inside look at the garment industry. He and his classmates toured several prominent clothing factories and studios, piquing an interest that he said was likely there all along.

Ironically, Neasloney added, he couldn’t do anything about it. He was set to graduate in a few months with a degree in marketing and another in Russian, and he wasn’t able to stay and take design classes.

Fast-forward to 2012, and Neasloney found himself moving to New York City for a job at a travel magazine.

“It was the farthest thing from fashion, but when you’re in New York, you’re exposed to all sorts of styles and types of fashion just walking down the street,” he said. “It’s ever-present.”

About a year after moving to the city, he started dabbling in drag, eventually creating elaborate costumes for both himself and other drag queens. Neasloney already knew the basics of sewing from his mom, so he invested in a sewing machine and got more creative. His then-roommate suggested he do something more with this newfound passion, but it wasn’t until she gave him a dress form that he gave in and fully immersed himself in the world of fashion design, learning as much as he could about garment construction from books, YouTube videos and, of course, his mom.

“That really opened the floodgates, and that’s when it took a foothold and ballooned into something I never thought it would be,” he said.

Neasloney currently works full-time at Ali Forney Center, a nonprofit that houses and serves homeless LGBTQ youths in New York City. But earlier this year, he also launched Tyler Neasloney New York. The line features signature weekender bags and other designs, and creating that brand made his loved ones realize how serious his passion for fashion really was.

Several people encouraged him to apply for season 18 of “Project Runway,” and though he was reluctant, their persistence paid off.

“It almost felt a little premature for me because I had just launched, and I was spread really thin,” he said. “Then it happened, and I was like, ‘Let’s do it, let’s go full-speed ahead.’”

Although he wasn’t able to go into specifics about his experience on the show, Neasloney said being a contestant was hands down the hardest, most fun experience of his life so far. He’s not used to sharing his creative process with others, he said, but opening up that side of him and allowing himself to thrive outside his comfort zone was beyond rewarding.

“The long hours and the stress of standing in front of four fashion industry powerhouses is a lot,” he said. “But I was so excited ... and it was very humbling the first day when you’re like, ‘Wow, these are people who have been in this game for 10 years, people who have made outfits for Madonna and Kim Kardashian.’”

However, Neasloney said he wasn’t intimidated. He was confident in his ability to produce high-quality garments, and those interested in whether the judges agreed will have to tune in.