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Childhood friends, Sara and Emily Cosway, get a book Galore & More is called “Bom To Be Photos by J. Peter Hvidsten Brad”. Continued from page 5 drawing of the glasses and bowties which are his signa- ture style. His mom said it best: “Brad’s book makes you laugh and cry and think.” Fans who follow Brad on Twitter, Robyn Carter and Nicole Turco travelled all the way from Peterborough to meet him. Robyn was looking very stylish in bright skinny jeans, following Brad’s advice to “always have a pop of colour.” Pam Goleski of Port Perry came to get her book signed. She and Brad co-starred together in the local Scugog Choral Society production of Hello Dolly! “He was a nice guy. Very talented and good to work with,” said Pam. Twins Sara and Emily Cosway were good friends of Brad’s growing up. Sara remembers making earrings with Brad in math class. Emily and Brad did a project together on the Galapagos Islands in Grade 8, which in- volved a limousine. The two-some posed as newlyweds going on a honeymoon adventure. “Brad always had big ideas,” she said smiling. “He was always so creative,” Emily said, recalling him wearing a cool black and teal jacket at Grade 8 graduation. She also remembered his wonderful voice when he sang the lead in “Oliver.” Both Sara and Emily remember Brad and his friend Tracy Doyle transforming the high school into Paris for the prom. Brad’s first gig as a stylist was taking Tracy to shop at Le Chateau to find her the perfect dress, inspired by Versace. His parents were always supportive of Brad’s cre- ative endeavours as a youngster. His mom, a costume 6 FOCUS - NOVEMBER 2012 ‘11.NOVEMBER.56 final indd 6 designer, taught him how to sew. Dad, Larry, built sets for the prom and plays. But it wasn’t easy growing up in a small town where he seemed to be the only guy interested in fashion. His only outlets were Sunday nights with Jeanne Beker who hosted Fashion Television, and taking his mom to the local “Image” store to help her choose outfits. Young Brad was happiest creating fashion pieces for himself, and looking back on it, some of them were fash- ion faux pas, he admits. He took a lot of teasing for some of his “looks.” Brad says he spent his entire life preparing for the career he has today, starting with dressing Barbie as a young lad. At school, Brad was bullied, the Cosway twins recalled. “And when he grew up and came back he was amazingly hot. He showed them,” Sara said. While he once fashioned unique footwear for himself out of old flipflops, now Brad sports a collection of ex- pensive Christian Louboutin shoes. He says he’s “living the dream.” Just imagine the doorbell ringing, and what arrives is a complimentary Givenchy shirt, studded with rhinestones and stars! After visiting Port Perry, Brad returned to Toronto for another busy day, including appearing on Breakfast Television, and helping Mark’s (formerly Mark’s Work Warehouse) to launch a fashionable new line. “From my perspective Port Perry hasn't changed at all,” commented Brad, who is now 35. He said he “used to feel that life was so small. I craved city life even as a little kid.” He shared fond memories of working at the local Cinemax Video Store, a place where films opened up a whole new world. At age 19, he left home to study theatre at George If it takes a family to raise a child, Brad Goreski was a lucky young man. He’s seen here on Queen Street with the family who has supported him from day one. Left, mother Debby, grandmother Anne and sister, Mandy. 12-10-22 8:16AM