Rachael Ray Makes Up With 'DWTS' Designer

TV chef Rachael Ray ate her words this week, busting a move on her syndicated talk show in a flirty, red-fringe dress designed by Randall Christensen, costume designer for ABC's 'Dancing with the Stars.'

The sexy Latin ballroom dress was custom-made by Christensen, who dared Ray to wear one of his designs, after confronting her about repeatedly saying she'd never compete on the ABC reality series known for its super-revealing costumes.

"Do you have any idea how hard it is to sit and hear you talk about my work that way," Christensen wrote in a letter that Ray read on the air Jan. 25.

She immediately apologized, saying she loved his Emmy-winning costumes, but had too many insecurities about her body to wear them. But on her show this week, in the interest of making peace, she faced her fears.

Christensen talked exclusively to StyleList, shortly after Ray slipped on the dress that was inspired by her sassy persona. He was in Ray's New York City audience the day of the reveal.

The asymmetrical dress was made of Swarvoski-encrusted Lycra jersey, with a spiral of silver jewels and beads swirling diagonally along her body, for an effect that elongated Ray's petite frame.

Christensen told us the staff at his Phoenix design studio sewed and bedazzled the dress, but he added more sparkle when he arrived in New York City for the show's taping. "You can never have too much sparkle, and it only enhances Rachael's own sparkle."

He chose red for the dress because "the fun" that Ray exudes. "She's constantly moving on her show, dancing and having fun. I thought the red would reflect her personality and the fringe would just add more va-va-voom to the dress."

High-heeled strappy sandals completed the look. Ray gave her best shot at working some moves in the dress, partnered for the segment with 'DWTS' pro Tony Dovolani.

So did Christensen persuade Ray to actually compete for the 'DWTS' mirror ball trophy? Stay tuned!

"I would love, love, love to work with Rachael someday," says Christensen, noting that her personality is ideal for the get-out-of-your comfort-zone spirit of the ballroom competition.