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.