Even in the less-than-genteel world of reality TV, Tim Gunn, the mentor figure on the "Project Runway" TV show, never fails to project poise. With several high-profile jobs -- he is also chief creative officer at Liz Claiborne Inc. and co-host of the show "Tim Gunn's Guide to Style" -- Mr. Gunn must attend numerous social functions and confidently navigate social interactions with executives, fans and people who have never heard of him.

While small talk now seems effortless for him, Mr. Gunn says that it is an acquired rather than natural talent. In his youth, Mr. Gunn suffered from shyness and a stutter; he recalls that when he started teaching at Parsons New School for Design, he was so terrified that he braced his back against the wall in order to stand.

He got over his fear. In fact, he has counseled his students on how to work on shyness: "You just have to become a good actor or actress," he says. "So practice with each other and learn how to do this."

It's important to convey not just confidence, but also interest in other people. "If you're saying one thing but your body language is saying something else, then the person doesn't hear the words," he says. He resists the temptation to look over the shoulder of the person he's speaking to at a cocktail party and always maintains eye contact.

Being in the public eye often means people he doesn't recognize greet him with a friendly "Hi, Tim!" He never assumes they've met. "I always extend my hand and say, 'Hi, I'm Tim Gunn.' And I'll hope that they'll do the same."

If people ask if he remembers them, Mr. Gunn might say, "Of course I do. Remind me again, where was it?"

Although Mr. Gunn says that he lets conversations evolve organically, he avoids controversial subjects. If pressed for a small-talk topic, he'll ask, "What brings you here tonight?" or the sure-fire "Who are you wearing?"

Sometimes the issue is not empty space but too many words. The key to politely leaving a conversation, Mr. Gunn says, is to be forthright. He extends his hand and says, "It's been lovely talking to you. But I'm needed across the room."

Conversations are quasi-relationships, Mr. Gunn says. "Every second that you're with someone and every word or sentence that you exchange extends the relationship. So it's a matter of: What type of message are you trying to send to them?"