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!