The Sewthern Belle's Runway Recap! Week 7 and 8

Okay, so I've been slacking this week...and last week. So here's a double dose of Runway Recap!





Week 7 was all about using the color blue for Macy's INC line. It was a team challenge but I won't list all the teams. But I will have an honerable mention for Christopher and Epperson. They did a lovely pair of clothing. They worked well together. Their looks might have not worked well together. But I could easily see women wearing these looks. So why the heck did the judges totally trash their designs? I think Michael Kors called one look a 'disco pumpkin'. What? I just don't get the judges sometimes. If it wasn't for the bonus footage on lifetime.com, I would think they just pick on every little flaw to have something for TV.





But the winner of the challange was Irina (again!) assisted by Gordana.





Both looks are very lovely. I do love the striped dress. But the second look seems a bit predictable to me. Even if it is for retail. Suffice it to say, she won the challenge and the chance to design a holiday dress for Macy's.





So here's my submissions for the blue challange.

I'm rather surprised the designers didn't work with denim. So for one of my looks I did with princess seaming. I based both designs on this concept of sewing squares together to make a complete garment. The look on the left would be silk. The right would be denim with a pleated long sleeve top. I may try to make the jacket.

So for week's 7 'Make it Work' Corner, I'm sad to report that Louise Black, another of my favorites, is out.

Looking at her designs, assisted by a very reluctant Nicholas, She definately OD'd on the ruffles. So here's what I did to fix the situation. I think Nicholas would even like it.

I think I made these looks really cute. I made the ruffles smaller, the stilloutte's slimmer and I added sleeves to the look on the left because I think it makes it more vintage, which is Louise's style.

Now for week 8, the model's got the day off (sort of) and the designers had to design for divorcee's wanting a new look made out of their wedding dresses. First of all, some of these fabulous ladies had been divorced for like a decade. So what the heck did their ex-husbands do that they should want to go on national TV and let their dress be destroyed in front of millions? If I had a wedding dress taking up space in my closet thanks to an ex-husband, I would just have a big ol' bon fire. But anyway, some of the models had problems. Including my man Christopher. (Really, I do love you Chris, but volume works better when it's balanced with a slim silouette, like you've done in the past.) But at the end of the day, there was a winner and a loser.

And the winner is...Gordana!

I love Gordana's look! It's edgy but elegant. It's wearable. But it steps out of the box. And it fits her like a glove! I just hope she got in touch with her kids so that they can congratulate her!

So when it came for my submission, first, I needed a bad dress. I have just watched 'My Life in Ruins' on DVD (Great flick BTW! Now I've added Greece to my list of places I want to visit while single, mostly for the men!) But that movie reminded me of 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' which had a whopper of a big poofy bad wedding dress that had to be ripped up in the movie just so she could survive the reception.

So here's what I would turn all that tulle and lace into.

I wanted to do black and white, and take advantage of the lace and make it slimming with verticle stripes.

Unfortunately, Epperson had the same idea.

The client liked it, which was important. I liked it, but the judges hated it. It reminded Heidi of her German roots. (Okterber Fest anyone?) The problem was that Epperson didn't quite understand the challenge. It probalby looked too much like a wedding dress still. So for Make it Work Corner, here's what I would change.
The skirt I would dye black, and I would make the waist smaller and more flatteriling. But that's it. Personally I think Epperson should be brought back should something happen to anyone else. Here's hoping.

The Sewthern Belle's Runway Recap! Week 6

So on week 6, the challenge was to create a costume for a movie character you create with a certain genre. The movie genres in question was sci-fi, film noir, western, action adventure, and period piece. And just like the movies, this episode had Action! Comedy! Romance! Drama! Gore! Suspense! And tears.

I love the movies! And I love this show. But why does every female on this show and all the models love Logan? He's cute but not that cute. Is it because he's the only single straight guy? I don't know. Maybe it's because I'm not in the general vicinity of him that I haven't fallen for his spell. And I don't know who is my favorite this week. Christopher of course with his tragic vampire bride. But then Epperson with his Western gunslinger widow. Wow. I would wear that in real life. But of course the winner Nicholas surprised me (in more ways than one) with something truly elegant and perfect for the silver screen.

His Alien Ice Queen was perfectly thought out. I'm noticing he likes white, but this is one of the few times it's worked. And It's elegant but ethereal. Otherworldly. He nailed it. I love the silver 'ice crystal' elements and the flowing train. But what surprised me about this week, is that when Heidi said, 'Nicholas, you're in.' I was happy and clapped my hands. I said in week 4 blogs that I didn't care much for Nickolas, but I was glad he won. He deserved to win. Part of me was glad that he went from bottom 3 one week to winner the next. I guess that means that I can respect the fashion but don't have to like the designer. Who knows.

Now when I heard design a look for a movie genre, immediately my mind went to 'Pirates of the Caribbean'. My all time favorite movie series. And did you know there is going to be a fourth movie? And with no Will and Elizabeth so the storyline will be focused on Jack. Sorry...Captain Jack Sparrow...Whoops...I think I'm starting another blog by mistake. Back to the Runway. Be it classified as 'action adventure' or 'period piece', a pirates movie is what I love so a pirates movie is what I designed for.

You can't see all the details too well, but I played with black and grays trimmed with black pearls and silver coins. Why black and gray? Because I designed this for the ghost of The Black Pearl. I couldn't resist making it for a current movie. She haunts the Pearl and gives the ship it's power, waiting for the right pirate captain to free her from her curse. Couldn't resist mate.

Now for 'Make it Work' Corner, I'm said to report that Ram'on is out. First of all, I'm surprised that he's a Trekkie. He choose sci-fi. And he was going for a humanoid lizard alien. It didn't work out too well.

It looked handmade and not in a good way. Not up to Ra'mon's talents. But I was surprised he got voted out because while it didn't look great, he had a solid concept. Louise Black was the other half of the bottom two. She was film noir. And while she poured blood (literally! She got herself with a sewing needle. Yikes!) sweat and tears into her design, her 40's screen siren playing a 20's flapper didn't translate well. But while I think her design also wasn't up to her standards, I do think she has more to offer. Sorry Ra'mon. But to make it work, here is what I would try.

I tried to push his lizard girl concept to the extreme. I also wanted to make her strangely elegant. So I did different layers of green and gray leather like she was shedding her lizard skin and becoming more and more human.

So good luck Ra'mon. Hope we here more from you!

The Sewthern Belle's Runway Recap! Week 5

*Blogger's Note

My Apologies! I did not mean to be so late with week 5 and week 6! I did actually write week 5 and sketch my designs, but my family and I went away for the weekend and I'm not hooked up with wireless Internet access on my laptop. (And my Dad does not like wireless broadband for some kooky reason.) And then I forgot Runway was on again during week 6. So I plan to get on track this week! Also, excuse my poor picture quality on my designs, but I had to use my web cam to take the picture of my sketchbook since my parents always give me a hard time about using their printer and scanner. Oy...So if anyone wants to give me a good scanner for free or at least tell me how to get wireless without a wireless broadband, I'm all ears.

The Sewthern Belle's Runway Recap! Week 5

Extra! Extra! Read all about it! This week on Project Runway the designers had to face the 'unconventional materials' challenge. The unconventional material in question, newspaper. I love these challenges. It's the height of creativity. But I was a little disappointed with the judges' choice. And with the behavior of certain designers.

The winner this week was Irina. Paying homage to the paper raincoat crafted in the sixties (after Tim Gunn convinced her to take the risk) She crafted a very nice stylish coat.
I love the sleeves and the collar. She crumpled up the paper and bunched it up. As Tommy Hilfiger said, it's an alternative to fur. (Except for the whole getting wet thing.) And the camera didn't pick it up, but the judges noticed that she took a Sharpie and drew on the details of stitches. Very creative. But I was a little disappointed by the fact that another coat won. Why not my man Christopher? His hard armor corset and full long feather effect skirt combo was gorgeous. I love how he plays with volume. He's going to be in the top three. I just know it.

So, what I would submit for submission, is based on those paper chains we used to make in kindergarten.

The idea was to chain together the dress like armor. I would make a simple a-line dress over the muslin so that nothing shows, then, chain and sew the chain links to the slip of the dress. I love the volume that this promises.

But I was also disappointed in Johnny this week. He was voted out this week. And with good reason. What he sent out on the runway, was not up to his talents.

I loved his original concept of the origami as decorative elements. But when he tried to paint it red, and he made the origami cranes too large, it did look like a kid did it. But instead of 'making it work', he threw it out and just came up with something easy and way too simple. So for 'Make it Work Corner' this week, I combined his original concept and his little printed sheath into something more doable.
But what really disappointed me this week, was how Nickolas was treating Johnny and how Johnny tried to lie and make excuses. Johnny came up with this elaborate story of how the steam setting on the iron ruined his first dress (no one bought it...except his model). I know Johnny had a prior addiction to meth, and I think part of being a drug addict you get used to lying and defending yourself. So maybe when Tim tried to give him a helpful criticism, he went back to his old habits. And maybe, just maybe, that inner addict is trying to convince Johnny that he has no talent for design so he might as well give up. Which he did. I don't know. Only Johnny and God know what is going on inside his head. I just know what I observe and pray that someday, we hear a lot more from Johnny.

Now as I said, Nickolas' behavior was unacceptable as well. In fact, a lot of his behavior throughout the show has bothered me. He acts like a real snob. He's a talented designer, but he acts like he knows it. He acts like he's the only one who deserves to be there. Johnny may have not had an design that was Dior, but Nicholas did not need to roll his eyes and say it was anything but. That's unprofessional. Yes, Johnny lied and made excuses. But that is no reason to act like a seventh grade little girl in a clique and make fun of him behind his back. Or to make fun of anyone else on the show. SO when he was in the bottom two this week, and the judges said HIS design was not punk, I laughed. Hopefully, that little experience will teach him that he's not all that and a bag of chips after all. But we'll have to wait and see...next week.

The Sewthern Belle's Runway Recap! Week 4

Has it really been a month since I've been reintroduced to the world of Project Runway? My how does time fly.

So this week, the challenge was create an eye catching look for the models for an industry event. Frankly I don't understand how different this challenge is from the red carpet challenge, but the models did act as the designer's clients which made it a bit more of a challenge. Now this week, the winner and the loser could be summed up as the Little Black Suit, and the Little Black Mess. I'll explain. The winner was Althea Harper. Overall I like her concept. It was youthful and sophisticated. The jacket was sweet and the skirt killer. The gray shirt could have been a little less sloppy for me, but it was obvious why she won.

So here is my submission.

I wanted red because nothing says eye-catching to me more. Plus red is my favorite color. And I wanted a high slit in the skirt to make it sexy and youthful and show off plenty of leg. I wanted to also show off my imaginary model's waist, but I wanted something a little ladylike and girly. So I first pictured a gold lace corset, but as I was coloring the lace part, I found I liked the orange, red, gold effect I was getting. Made it give off the essence of fire. And to further emphasize the waist, I choose black accents. I like to think I would use a silk taffeta for the red skirt.

Now it's time for...

Make it Work Corner!

I was a little torn this week because while I understand why Heidi and the judges didn't like it, I also couldn't help but like the losing design. Qristal Frazier was voted out this week. Now normally, she has been known as the go to girl for bright fabulous colors. And I haven't been too crazy about designs. But her model wanted a little black dress. Which brought out Qristal's weakness to rollover and not stand up for her style.


She tried a short asymmetrical drape with a short hemline and a one shoulder effect with a bow. But the drape and the bow was sloppy. The hem was expected, and frankly, it was boring. It wasn't eye catching. She could have won this one if she stuck to her love of color. So Heidi and the other judges said that if she made the skirt a little longer, it would have worked. I would also lose the drape, but clean up the bow and made it pink and trail over her shoulder. This I would add a short jacket in a hot pink polka dot to reflect Qristal's love of color. Finally, instead of a matte jersey, I would make the black out of a sequin fabric to reflect and catch the light. I don't know if it would win, but it would be closer to Qristal's style than what she submitted.

See ya next week!

The Sewthern Belle's Runway Recap! Week 3

First off my apologies for not getting this out on time this week. I got home from work Thursday night and it just slipped my mind that PR was on! See what happens when you don't have it ingrained on your brain for the last five seasons? Anyway, next week I hope to have it on time. I should since I have next Friday off.

So impressions! This week the challenge was swimwear. But it wasn't just sew a bikini together. Oh no. A) It was the first team challenge! And B) The designers have to come up with a companion piece that is avaunt garde.

Besides seeing Tim Gunn standing on a beach in flip flops and a blazer (the man has really white feet people!)the real show was when the fireworks started to fly early. Here's how the teams were divided.

Gordana Gehlhausen and Nicolas Putvinski

Epperson and Qristyl Frazier

Ra'mon-Lawrence Coleman and Mitchell Hall

Johnny Sakalis and Irina Shabayeva

Carol Hannah Whitfeild and Shirin Askari

Christopher Straub and Logan Neitzel

Althea Harper and Louise Black

I think that's everyone...okay...into the pool! Pun intended...

For the most part, everyone worked really well together...except...Epperson and Qristyl. Qristyl was suppose to be team leader, but she let Epperson boss her around. If I were teamed with Epperson, I would sit him down, thank him for his input and his skill but refuse to sew another seam until he started acting like a teammate and not a senior designer. I would. Then Tim would come in and talk to us and then maybe Epperson would lighten up and Tim would leave saying his trademark line, 'Make it work!' Obviously the point of this whole challenge was 'Make it work...together..." Christopher and Logan is a perfect example of teamwork. They're designes worked well together and you got a sense of sharing ideas. There was no 'I' in that team. Teamwork is so vital to a design firm to become and stay successful. But you also still have to remember that for every team, there is a team captain that you must submit yourself, your work and your ideals to. That's what separates the designers from the seamstresses.

Now this week, the winning designs were by Ra'mon and Mitchell. But the winner of the challenge was Ra'mon. Why? Because he did most of the work. (And they can only have one winner a week anyway).

For the most part, I love the swimwear, but I don't see what's very avaunt garde about the second look. (I think Christopher and Logan should have won for that alone!) But it does correspond to the first piece very well. So here is what I would have submitted to the challenge.

I love the old Hollywood glam of the swimsuit, but I would design my avaunt garde as a organza hoody inspired by seaweed to add to the drama. The hoody came in because Nicholas snubbed hoodies after talking to the surfer girls, but I understand how it gets cold in the morning for a die hard beach comber and this would be for the fashionista wanting to go to the beach early in the morning.

Normally, this would be the part where I would happily announce 'Make it Work Corner!' But this week posed a problem. The designer sent home, was Mitchell! And he was the team captain of the winning designs! So, I can't improve on Ramon's designs, for they truly were his designs. Mitchell's lack of sewing prowess came back to bit him in the butt. I watched his audition tape and his casting session, and from what I've seen, there were a few strong pieces but relatively few( And one pair of suspicious and familiar and sloppy shorts). But I understand how he cannot have a lot of completed pieces. Real life makes it hard to find time to sew. I myself have tons of designs in the old portfolio, but few concrete garments to show for it. It's why I started this blog. In hopes of motivating me to start sewing more portfolio pieces. So Mitchell, while I can't come up with a design to 'Make it Work' for you, I will advise you to keep sewing so that someday, you will 'Make it Work'. Maybe we both will.

(PS, I would choose Ra'mon as my partner so he would have someone who would pull their own weight!)

The Sewthern Belle's Runway Recap! Week 2

So just some general observations. The show is obviously trying to make Mitchell Hall out to be the bad guy. And while I do agree he complains too much and his sewing skills are something left to be desired, I see a lot of potential. After all this time his model wasn't naked! By working the merchandising side of fashion, he has developed an eye for what looks work. Last night the challenge was to develop a pregnancy chic look for Rebecca Romijn (I like her by the way. She attends Derby with her hubby Jerry O'Connell every year). His outfit, if sewn correctly would be something I would wear if I ever got pregnant. When he said the shorts would be gathered, I thought he was going to gather the bottom hem so they clung to the legs (although that would risk looking like a diaper) But I don't like the way he told Ra'mon his dress looked like a bowling bag. (Even though it did and Rebecca Romijn said it did.) It seemed like he was trying to sike(sp?) out the competition. So I'm going to say that if Mitchell steps up his game, he'll be tough to beat. But my man Christopher, even though he had immunity, his look was flawless! Still my favorite.

So last night, Shirin Askari won with her dress and coat combo. It was a beautiful effect. The detail on the dress around the belly was hand sewn and perfect to give a great silhouette. Perfect color, great lining, and just a fun fun look. She deserved to win.

But as for my submission, Rebecca said she goes to business meetings. No one designed a look for that. So I did.
My thought was the princess seams would give a slimming effect but at the same time you can still tell she's pregnant. And the open back gives it that punch of sexiness.

And now it's time for...

Make it Work Corner! Or Which Came First? The chicken or the egg?

Malvin! Mal...Mal...Mal...You could have been a contender! But you went waayyy overboard with your chicken and egg concept. It was just...gah...see for yourself.

Who would wear that? Even if Mitchell's sewing was sloppy, at least he had something people could wear! Don't get me wrong, Malvin Vien seems like a sweet kid and everything else he's done is art. But there's a difference between fashion for the masses and haute couture. And he's thinking of one of a kind design, not something everyone could wear.

So, all that said, I tried to redesign Malvin's concept. It wasn't easy. I couldn't get a flattering dress with his whole, drape around the belly concept. So I kept the black pants and the black organza trimmed with feathers, but made the white part more streamlined.

Tune in next week for more Runway Recap!

My Return to Project Runway

So Project Runway is back. And so am I.

Last night, I was able to watch Project Runway for the first time in four plus years. The last three years I was unable to watch because it was on Bravo and my cable provider does not provide Bravo. Go figure. Before that, the craziness of college and classes left little time to watch. And then the cable my Alma mater got changed and I didn't get Bravo either. But I did watch the first season. Incidentally it was my freshmen year of college when Project Runway started.

But now that the "runway" is on Lifetime, and at a time where I can watch even at night after I get home from work on my late nights, there is no excuse.

So what do I love about the show? It shows the process of design, and the business side of the industry. I love Tim Gunn. I wish I could have afforded to go to Parsons while he was teaching there. And I love to follow along and dream about the designs I could have done.

That being said, I thought it would be fun to make my own designs in response to the challenge of that night. One would be the design I would submit if I were on the show. The second is how I would have redone the eliminated design.

So to start, last night the challenge was to make a design for a red carpet event that reflects yourself as a designer. The winner was Christopher Straub. He made this beautiful , cute, sophisticated, and edgy dress with hand sewn black sort of ruffles that made a great texture. The under layer was a light off brown short layered ruffled skirt. See for yourself!

First of all, Christopher is my favorite. One, I love how he sketches! Second, he's sort of the underdog because he didn't go to college or a design school. And for a guy who doesn't know how to smock or what a Godot is, he's a strong sewer. He's the one I pick to win.

So in response, to the winner, here's what I designed for the red carpet challenge.

The red carpet I designed it for is the Country Music Awards (because it was the only one not mentioned and I need to represent the South). I wanted it to be feminine and elegant, but the pink color of the floral print and the black trim (which I see in sequins or beading) would give it a wink to edge and youthfulness. So what do you think? Eventually I'll try to make this. Comment below!

And now I welcome you to "Make it Work" Corner. For then...there was Ari.

Ari Fish was the first designer to be eliminated. And looking at her red carpet...I won't miss her. You can call her a 'space cadet', but a nice space cadet. Part of me was a little sorry to see her go because she had to potential to really push the envelope and get creative with her designs. Problem was she got so creative she forgot that people actually had to wear this.

The problems began early. When Tim gave everyone time to sketch out their ideas, she wandered around asking, "What if you don't sketch?"

Don't get me wrong. Coco Chanel apparently didn't sketch either. But for a design this detailed that depended so much on structure, a sketch couldn't hurt. And from what I see above I have to wonder if she did it in five minutes before they had to go to the fabric store or if she did it later on for the webmaster to post on the website.

She should have ironed her pieces. I mean isn't that the first rule of sewing any type of quilt? Iron, iron, iron? That could have made everything a lot neater and the texture she was aiming for come out more. Lastly, I think she should have ditched the hot pants and made the dress longer. Maybe make it like a futuristic flapper. Here's my interpretation of her design.

So leave your comments below! Let me know what you think about my designs, or who your favorite designer is and what you love about the show! Comment! See you next week!