Carson, queen of all he surveys

By ALAN PERROTT

Damian Balle got his personalised Carson Kressley makeover in the form of a quick smooch.

"Excellent," he swooned through a Cheshire cat grin.

"He smelled wonderful, he's such a good kisser. Did anyone get a photo?"

The 26-year-old Grey Lynn resident was among a small crowd of fans and curious tourists outside the Viaduct's Soul Bar last night to enjoy the flamboyant arrival of the head queen of the American TV show Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.

It was one of the more unusual red carpet parades. After the women who had waited patiently were gently barged aside by his gay fans, Kressley was kissed, fondled, tempted by some muscular blokes in undies, and barraged with requests for instant makeovers.

If he felt like a doctor being asked for medical advice at a party, Kressley was too polite to show it.

For every greeting there was a reflex, "I'm super, thanks for asking. How are you?"

For every "what do you think of what I'm wearing?" there was an "are you a metrosexual?"

And there was no shyness over his orientation: "This fairy's for Kerry. But it's a very tight race."

The only awkward moment came when Kressley embraced each of the male models and it became clear some were - very definitely, no question about it so don't bother asking - straight.

Tania Ward from Coxs Bay hoped the visit spreads the fashion gospel.

"I think the men around here could learn a lot from him. His taste can be a bit too busy sometimes, but the thing is they do tend to finish up looking good. We can do with more of that definitely."

If what the blond one wore last night helps Tania's cause, Kressley stepped out in black, pinstriped, beltless trousers, white-collared shirt, purple cashmere jersey - tucked in - and black shoes. Now take a quick note: purple is the new brown which was the old beige.

Kressley's two-day Auckland visit, where he attended a woman's magazine party, was a quick stop-off en route to the Melbourne Cup.

He was rather nonplussed about his international popularity: "Oh gee, I don't know, but I have been told I'm really big Downunder."

And there was nothing odd about getting a gay man from a show where women are left on the sidelines to star at a women's event, said Vanya Piacun from Onehunga.

"He's just got all this enthusiasm and personality. He's the male equivalent of [Sex and the City character] Carrie."