How does it feel to have your creative work admired by internationally renowned celebrities? According to Springfield fashion designer Justin Haynes, it’s totally surreal.
Haynes had a brief but meaningful minute in the spotlight on national television Thursday while sitting in the audience of the daytime talk show “LIVE with Kelly and Mark,” which stars TV personalities Kelly Ripa and her husband, Mark Consuelos.
Haynes said he has been helping talk show stylists put together wardrobes for their shows recently, and was asked to stay and sit in the audience to watch the show.
In a moment that was caught on camera, movie star Melissa McCarthy, who was a guest on Thursday’s show, was visibly impressed as she walked out on stage by the outfits Haynes and his models were wearing as audience members in the first row.
In the clip, you can see McCarthy come out to greet the audience and stop when she catches a glimpse of Haynes and his models.
Melissa McCarthy noticed Springfield fashion designer Justin Haynes’ clothing as he sat in the audience with some of his models during the Nov. 30, 2023, episode of “Live with Kelly and Mark.”Justin Haynes
“I love that,” she says, before realizing there’s a group of four all dressed in Haynes’ signature patchwork-forward style. “Oh my god, what’s going on?” she says while pointing to the four of them in awe and admiration.
Once McCarthy goes to sit with Ripa and Consuelos, she asks “What’s happening there?” while pointing to Haynes and his group. Ripa, who Haynes said noticed and talked to him earlier, replies “The gentleman in the yellow sweater is a designer … He designed everything in that front row.”
“We’ll talk after the show,” McCarthy says to Haynes before addressing the audience. “You all look wonderful, but they’re killing it.”
Melissa McCarthy noticed Springfield fashion designer Justin Haynes’ (second from left) clothing as he sat in the audience with some of his models during the Nov. 30, 2023, episode of “Live with Kelly and Mark.”Justin Haynes
Haynes said McCarthy did come up to him to get his information, and that he’s actually going back to LIVE with Kelly and Mark to help out again next week. He said his interactions with both stars were wonderful.
“They actually cared who I was,” he said. “Everything that I’ve done in the industry, even in the fashion industry, it can mean nothing to a celebrity, to a worldwide. But for them to even notice me, to actually give me two minutes or put the camera on me — it’s a surreal moment.”
Haynes said he’d love to tailor outfits for McCarthy and Ripa, who told him they loved how colorful, eye-catching and unique his creations are. His interactions with them have also opened up more opportunities for him at a time when the Springfield native’s career is already taking off.
“[Springfield is] not a fashion city, but I’m trying to do what I can to bring this city on the map, even if it’s in New York. They will always know that I’m from Springfield.”
Melissa McCarthy noticed Springfield fashion designer Justin Haynes’ (left) clothing as he sat in the audience with some of his models during the Nov. 30, 2023, episode of “Live with Kelly and Mark.”Justin Haynes
But even if Haynes doesn’t end up working with McCarthy and Ripa, he said he is just thankful for the visibility their admiration gave him and his brand, Jus10H.
“Even if nothing else was to transpire from this, just the time that they gave me. Just the notice and the respect — it’s enough for me,” he said.
