OK! EXCLUSIVE! 'Dukes of Melrose' Star Christos Garkinos Talks Celeb Clients, Met Ball Looks & Consignment Tips

OK!: How did you and Cameron first meet?

Christos Garkinos: We were set up actually on a blind date 15 years ago. We went out on a date and I was like, “Oh this is not going to work,” so we decided to be friends. He had just started Decades and I was still working in music and I loved fashion and I loved what he was doing and I gave seed money to help start Decades Two about two years later. 

CG: Not like, huge blowups. It’s more about the models of the store being different. I just don’t understand why we have to spend money on a dress. (Laughs) I get it in my head, but I just don’t like to, because I like to sell things quickly. 

OK!: Did producers come knocking right when you merged to do a reality show?

CG: Pretty much, yeah. We had been approached separately to do things and I was ready to go out with one idea and Cameron wasn’t sure, and then we decided to merge and he asked to kind of come along for the ride and I was like, “Yeah, sure that’d be great.” 

OK!: Have you always wanted to be on TV?

CG: Honestly, the truth is, I feel like I’m living out my father’s life. He really wanted to be in television and movies, but his language skills weren’t great, so I really feel like I’m living out his dream when I’m out there doing stuff. I love connecting with people. It’s my favorite part of what I’ve done so far. 

OK!: Is there any celebrity’s closet that you’re dying to get your hands on?

CG: Most have already come to me, but I think I’d like to go really deep into Blake Lively’s closet because I think she has really good style.

OK!: Who are your favorite celebrity clients?

CG: I love working with Garcelle Beauvais. I love working with Selma Blair, Winona Ryder, and from a stylist perspective, I love working with Karla Welch. My favorite right now is Ashley Madekwe from Revenge.

OK!: Can everyday people shop at Decades?

CG: Absolutely! You saw in the show we do our shoes at $150. Our opening price point is $100 on blouses and skirts. Any office skirt for the most part is under $250 in the store and dresses you can buy for $200. Also, there are $400 dresses that go all the way up to $10,000, so there is definitely that sort of range of clothing in both cases. With both modern and vintage.

OK!: Do you have a lot of people that turn their noses up to buying pre-owned clothes?

CG: Yeah, and I have some tips that are interesting: If the store doesn’t smell good when you walk in it usually means it’s not well-edited, so just don’t go there. Make friends with the store managers, they can tell you what’s coming in. Never go shopping with a girl who has the same shoe size because that’s going to be a situation. 

OK!: Ha! Any other tips?

CG: Yeah, if it smells like Aunt Judy's house, just stay away.

OK!: In tonight's episode, there is talk of the Met Ball. What are some of your favorite Met Ball looks of all time?

CG: I love when poor Beyonce had to jump in her dress to go off the red carpet. I love that. I thought that was great. Anytime Naomi Campbell goes to the Met Ball is a good look. Iman, too, always looks beautiful. I think Giselle Bundchen and Tom Brady literally could wear a paper bag over their heads and go and they would look great together. 

CG: Yeah, it’s very strange. I am. I’ll see people smiling and I’m a pretty friendly guy and they’re like, “Hi” and I’m like, “Do I know you,” and they’re like, “No I love your show!” and I’m like oh that’s right, I have a show. It’s still very, very strange for me. It's this knowing smile I get, and I'm still not used to it. My mother loves it because she is the queen of Detroit and is having the best time ever with it. She’s loving it.