There’s been no shortage of media coverage for The Biggest Loser’s season 15 winner, Rachel Frederickson. But instead of the usual cheers and effusive coverage for the winner’s new look, Frederickson has been at the center of a media firestorm for her controversial and dramatic 155-pound weight loss (whittling down from 260 pounds to 105 pounds) — which even had Biggest Loser trainers reacting with shock at her new, surprisingly slight frame.
We hope that the same iron will that pushed her to win keeps her tough as she battles the “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” weight critics. And to give a little push, L.A.-based evening wear designer Sue Wong is helping the 24-year-old Frederickson show off her new figure on the red carpet at an Oscar party tomorrow night.
Wong is dressing Frederickson for the Helman and Walter Salute to the Stars event at the W Hotel Hollywood and will be at the event with her as well. She recently spent time with Frederickson to prepare her for her first red carpet event, and she spoke with Fashion Trends Daily on the eve of the Oscars to give us her candid thoughts on Frederickson’s transformation, along with some hints we squeezed out of her on what Frederickson might be wearing.
Fashion Trends Daily: Can you give us any hints on what Rachel will be wearing?
Sue Wong: My clothes really honor and flatter the feminine physique. She’s choosing a dress that, in particular, is very form fitting and it really flatters and brings out her new figure.
FTD: What might we be seeing in terms of color and shape?
Wong: She tried on a bunch of gowns and narrowed it down to three: One is black with a feel of old Hollywood glamour; one is a champagne color princess style that is strapless; and one is a column in sapphire blue with a Mandarin collar.
FTD: Obviously, there’s been a lot of controversy surrounding her weight loss. After working with her in your atelier, were you worried that it was too dramatic?
Wong: She is someone who obviously has a very powerful will and it takes a lot of discipline [to do what she did]. It’s a big achievement. She’s about a size 2 now. She fit into my size 4 sample, but I cut my samples smaller. I think she would be more robust if she was a size 4 to 6.
FTD: How do you think she felt when trying on the gowns?
Wong: I think she feels great about herself now. She doesn’t look gaunt at all. I just think she could gain regain about 10 pounds. [Note: Fredericks told Access Hollywood Live on Friday that she has gained back 15 pounds.] She’s model thin right now. In choosing my models, I always like ones with a little bit of curvaceousness. I like women like Cindy Crawford was in her days [as a supermodel]. And Rachel started out being very athletic [like Cindy].
FTD: How was the experience of working together for this big event?
Wong: When a woman puts on a Sue Wong gown, I like to think she’s magically transformed into a goddess. I just really connected her with and [helped her] connect to her own feminine power and to complete the total transformation.
Shop our favorite red carpet looks from Sue Wong and more:
Images courtesy Sue Wong