TAN FRANCE

I was terrified of being on camera. I was worried that whatever I would say, people would assume I'm speaking for every Muslim, every Pakistani, or every Middle Eastern person. That's a lot of pressure. But it also got me excited about what could be done, because I am a representative for people who are underrepresented.

We have the luxury in the West of being able to say, 'Yeah, absolutely, we're progressive, we've moved forward with the gay community.' We haven't in a lot of other countries. My people from Pakistan - I know we haven't moved forward.

Style is dressing the way that you feel confident and what is appropriate for you, your age, your body type.

I was raised in a very Middle Eastern household, and modesty was very important, and dressing to not be desirable or provocative was very important.

I was always fascinated by clothes, and I think I've had clothing in my blood for as long as I can remember.

I hadn't seen any people like me on TV before, and I definitely didn't want to be the first one. I didn't want that responsibility on my head.

Gay men can sometimes feel ashamed or chastised when the messaging is 'Be out and proud!' or 'Just come out.' It's not that easy. It certainly wasn't for me.

I didn't really care about the entertainment industry. That wasn't my life.

I think Disney plays a really important part in fashion.

I think that people assume when they meet me that I'm going to judge what they're wearing.

When I see a shoe, I deconstruct it in my head. It comes from spending childhood summers around my grandad's denim factory in Bury, watching the machinists turn fabric into clothes.

I'm married to a man from Utah, and I talk about that very openly.

When you're talking about people's clothes, you're also talking about their bodies. That opens up some kind of vulnerability.

The right kind of floral makes you look styled and well-considered.

As a gay man, there are certain places that I avoid. When I go to China, I lie and pretend I'm not married, which is really sad - I leave my ring at home. But I'm not willing to risk my safety in a country that could cause me no end of problems or where it's illegal to be gay. I'm very aware of the places I can travel to safely and where I cannot.

I grew up in a very cultural household, but part of our culture is that we don't really take photos.

I lived a very, very Middle Eastern life until I was in my early 20s. It was very sheltered.

I am sending a memo to every man in the world: just because you make an effort with your wardrobe doesn't make you a wuss.

I've been to New York many times, and I've always noticed that there aren't that many French tucks around.

Seeing guys in their most vulnerable state talking about their bodies gives me an opportunity to talk about everything. Once they open up about their appearance, then usually they are willing to open up about pretty much everything.

I learned to cook when I was ten, and I could cook a whole meal for my family by thirteen - and I'm talking the chapatis as well.

From my vertical, people, especially men, don't realize what clothes can do for their self-esteem, the way they see themselves, their confidence.

You know how Oprah has her moment about bread? Mine's about boots. You could wear it to a meeting at work. You could wear it to a date.You could wear it to a wedding with a suit.

Every man's closet should be dark pair of blue jeans, a black jean, and a mid wash jean.

I've never dreamt of being on TV; I had never tried to be in the entertainment business at all.