Words On The Wire with Steven Sabados and Chris Hyndman, the original Designer Guys

Rob - Steven, you are shooting two completely different shows simultaneously, picking up a second T.V. show must keep you at an insane pace. How hard was it making the transition from designing rooms to body and faces with your new show "So Chic"?

Steven - " I don't really think it was that hard…style is style whether it translates to home decor or to your body. When you do a space, you want to feel confident in your space; you want to feel SEXY in your space, at home in your space. The same thing applies to clothing, you want to feel confident, sexy,and at home with yourself…its life style. Both shows try to communicate that.....Its not just about pretty clothes or rooms.

Rob - How did the designer guys get started? Who pitched the pilot to you?

Steven - A production company pitched the concept to us, and then Christopher and I auditioned for it….. Then, when we got the part, we created the pilot and then worked with the production company and the producer… a collaborative effort. Its was based on what Christopher and I do and the antics that we play. We wanted to have fun with it. .....To bring a comedic element to home decor No one was doing it. Were 're not serious people ..... so it fit.

Rob - You nailed it immediately, but Chris didn't get the part. They continued the auditions in Toronto and New York… still with no one that producers could agree on. Tell me about the day they changed their mind about Chris.

Steven - It was a cattle call, I auditioned with several guys and so did Christopher but we never auditioned together. They liked my performance. They liked my history. At that point Christopher had never been on T.V… so he was nervous (Steven laughs) and it didn't go so well. So one day the producers said we defiantly want you, so lets go for lunch and we'll chat about a strategy on how to get this other person. At lunch Christopher and I had our regular banter, we probably argued about, I don't know -lemon water or something. They saw the chemistry and said, " you're the other guy "..... it was in the stars that we had lunch with all the producers and they saw us arguing.

Rob - There are many key elements to your success - what is one of them?

Steven - On the T.V. screen we are approachable. We wanted to break away from intimidation T.V. We're not about creating perfect environments....., with perfect people and every thing has to be just so.....I think the biggest thing that people like about us is we don't preach.

Rob - You had a Fortieth birthday. How do you feel about that?

Steven - Going into my forties, I didn't just go into it, I ran into it! I couldn't wait. It's a benchmark. I want to look my best, feel my fittest…well especially for that day, and then you start eating ice cream the day after. (We laugh) I welcome it. At 21 I was doing incredible jobs, but they were few. Although I had the experience, everyone felt I was too young, so being 40 is great… Age is power; knowledge is power, not youth.

Rob - Chris, with your busy busy schedule how do you relax?

Chris - Aromatherapy oils, mediation, stretching and now I'm breathing…….

Rob - Breathing... that's a good thing!

Chris - Oh ya I bought a juicer! That gives you energy as well. The next thing is going to be regular massages.

Rob - Will you take some time off this summer?

Chris - We don't get that chance to take any time off this summer .We are currently shooting "So Chic", all of July we will be shooting design rivals and wrapping the end of August… thus the juicer.

Rob - Are you partial to one show?

Interested in schools for makeup artistry? Passionate about becoming a professional makeup artist? The School of Professional Makeup offers comprehensive training in makeup artistry. Come on board with a makeup school that truly cares! Visit our course calendar.

Chris - The design show has been with us the longest. It's the thing that we are most comfortable with. Yes, I would have to say design Rivals. (Steven yells in the background - he likes both shows equally for different reasons) I have more fun when I shoot directly with Steven. It gives us the opportunity to disagree, have fun, laugh at each together, make fun of each other and work hard together to come up with a common solution for someone's home…even though So Chic has its moments……….it is light and fun driven. There are some emotional moments when these women see themselves at the end of the process…it's rewarding.

Rob - If you had to narrow down three elements of success, what are hey?

Chris - Humor, hard work and controlling your fear.

Rob - How do you harness controlling your fear?

Chris - Breathing (laughter)……… recognize that you may be afraid of your own success. I let fear get in the way…. enjoy the fact that you work hard, you have luck, you have talent, focus on those elements… let them come together……it helps the fear go away.

Rob - Thanks guys

Chris & Steven - our pleasure…….



Rob Closs is the founder and managing Director of The School of Professional Makeup. Located in downtown Toronto, The School of Professional Makeup is one of the premier makeup schools in Canada. Rob has provided Fashion Advice, Makeup Tips and Beauty Tips for almost 25 years. Rob has most recently appeared on Life Network's popular makeover show "So Chic" with Steven Sabados and Chris Hyndman. More information on makeup artist courses and makeup artistry can be found on the school's course calendar.