Unconventional Materials Challenge

For the second challenge of Project Runway Season 14, the designers were taken to a Hallmark Gift Card store and told to gather as many cards as they could in two minutes to use to create their next look. The only requirement was that it had to be mostly made from the cards. I was not about to go out and spend a bunch of money on cards to cut up. So I used some of my beloved Frankie Magazines.

I have a lot of these magazines, not only because I have a subscription but because whenever someone is giving them away, I grab them. They are beautiful magazines filled with quirky artwork and a lovely matte finish. I just love holding them. The articles don't impress me, but the look of the magazine is total eye candy to me. So I decided to use them for my paper. I have used them for other projects and they turn out so well because of the fine paper quality, colours, and matte finish. I decided to go for a flapper look and started making lots and lots of paper sequin.

Please excuse my toes!

Originally I was going to cover the entire dress with them. But it was taking forever and I wasn't happy with how it looked. I thought it looked too gimmicky really. Not sure what to do, I kind of just left it there, doing a couple of pieces of sequin at a time, feeling stumped. I thought about the design process and how the first thing a person notices is the silhouette, then the structure, then the technique. So I went back and looked at it and tried to figure out how to make the silhouette and structure more interesting. I looked at different references and all the sudden became very inspired. I cut up my favorite Frankie Magazine poster with this cat on it, and splayed it out like a fan, then made a drop ruffle waist with a sequin skirt. I thought I would just have fun with the back and put these pink and black stripes on them.

Lots of flapper dresses have low backs so I put that on there too. I am really happy with how this looks and I think the judges would have smiled when they saw it coming down the runway. I think Heidi Klum would have said that it was fun, flirty, and that she would want one for herself. I know if it was made out of fabric I would want one for me. Too bad Pearl can only really wear it once!

First Challenge!

For the first challenge of Project Runway, season 14, the designers are taken to a large sports arena where they have to run around grabbing fabric that has been laid out prior to the start of the show. They then take the fabric back to the workroom and are told to create something that represents them as a designer. The guidelines were very open. But it was meant to be something that made the judges want to see more. So for me, I went into my closet, looked at the fabric I already had, as well as my clothes, and felt that this beautiful kimono that I have been stashing away for the right occasion would be perfect.

I love this kimono. It is a stiff cotton fabric with the most beautiful print. I wanted to make something with  a real vintage feel and I wanted it to be classic little girl. In the show they always ask who you are designing for. In my head I came up with this whole story about it being post ww2, after the bombing of Pearl Harbour and one of the jet fighters brought back a bundle of kimonos for his wife to make into clothes. So that was kind of the idea I was running with. The fabric has a real island feel, which reminded me of when we went to Tonga and these beautiful little school girls ran to us when we were walking along the road so they could have a look at our little blue eyed baby Pearl as well as practice some of their english. 

 So I started to cut.  It was a great learning experience. For Christmas, Morgan got me a French curve, a tool used for architecture and pattern design. I had no idea how to use it until youtube taught me what I needed to know. I came up with my own design and pattern, which I am very proud of. It is a sweet little dress with red buttons and a red bow in the back. It even has pockets, because all dresses should actually have pockets. Its meant to be playful, easy, and classic. Maybe if I was on the show the judges would say they have seen this silhouette before and it is a bit dated. I don't really care because I am not on the show. And I think that little girl clothes these days are too commercial. They all look kind of cheap. Just stick a disney princess on them and they are good to go. I don't like that. I think it is nice when a little dress comes along that has a bit of nostalgia wrapped up in it, and it is something that, instead of taking to the thrift shop when your daughter grows out of it, you hold onto it for many, many years. Thats what I tried to make, and I am happy with it.

Welcome to the Runway!

For those of you that don't know, I have a bit of an obsession with the show Project Runway. I love seeing what people create in such a short period of time and often wonder what I would make if I were on the show. I am pretty sure I would be eliminated on the first challenge due to the fact that I am inexperienced and slow. Another great love in my life is my daughter, Pearl. She is what her kindy teachers call a "fashion plate." Her sense of style is very unique and she has rigid rules about fashion. I enjoy seeing what she will pick out to wear and why. I also love making clothes for her. Often she will draw designs for me and we will go down to the little variety store and pick out some fabric so I can make her something fun to wear. Pearl is also very particular about pretty much all aspects of life; what she eats, when she eats, what voices we use when we are reading a book to her, how we play with her. This year, as a stay at home mom, I have decided I need a project. So I am going to try to complete all the challenges from Project Runway Season 14 with Pearl as my muse, model, and judge. Being that I have children, I am going to give myself as much time as I need to complete each design. There will be some other slight modifications to the challenges as well. I will obviously have a smaller budget, and instead of shopping at Mood, I will purchase fabric at Geoff's Emporium in Warkworth NZ. So Lets start the show!