By Mahealani Richardson
EXCLUSIVE: Hawaii designer speaks out about being transgendered
South known for 'Project Runway'
Published 11:34 AM HST Feb 25, 2013
http://www.kitv.com/news/entertainment/EXCLUSIVE-Hawaii-designer-speaks-out-about-being-transgendered/-/8905032/19077584/-/jw6hqsz/-/index.html (http://www.kitv.com/news/entertainment/EXCLUSIVE-Hawaii-designer-speaks-out-about-being-transgendered/-/8905032/19077584/-/jw6hqsz/-/index.html)
HONOLULU —Hawaii designer Andy South is living life as a woman and, for the first time on television, she's speaking out about being transgendered.
She made the change two years ago, but says the time has come to be open about it.
When we met South in 2010, he was a finalist on the hit television show "Project Runway" opening his Atelier design shop.
But, South was unsettled in a big way. He wanted to be a woman.
Now, he's well on his way. He is living as a she changing her name to Ariyapong Southipong.
In a general setting, I'll use Ari. But, sometimes Andy South is more recognizable," said Southipong. "It's a little easier for people to pick up, oh -- it's that Andy guy. Oh well, not a guy."