On the most recent episode of Lifetime’s Project Runway, the designers were told to look to the past and create a modern design inspired by 1970s fashion. After a trip to Mood and a start on their designs, they were surprised by another challenge: to create a second look.
I don’t have the advantage of going to Mood and selecting fabulous fabrics; however, the PR designers don’t get to dig through my bins and find actual vintage fabrics from the fashion era of this challenge. My designs use silk scarves that once belonged to my mother and were donated to be wrapped and pinned on my Barbie dolls when I originally played with them. If one of the fabrics I used for this challenge seems familiar, it’s because Timothy J. Lambert created a dress from it for the Lipstick Jungle challenge in 2008. It’s a favorite pattern of mine.
However, first up is Alexandria in a subtle copper polka dot.
I created an updated version of the maxi dress using oversized beads to belt it for a sleek silhouette.
I gave the dress a gathered neckline. Her earrings were created by me using gold, copper, and silver sequins and beads.
A final side view of Alexandria’s look with her copper-enhanced Mattel heels peeking out from her hemline.
The second vintage fabric is part of Amelia’s look.
I pulled back Amelia’s curls and banded them with oversized red beads to link her accessories to Alexandria’s.
The wide-legged pants use the patterned vintage fabric. The top is a form-fitting black knit. I accessorized with Mattel’s red belt and shoes.
My updated take on 1970s designs with decades-old silk.
See you next time on the runway!
Previously this season:
9:9 Image Is Everything
9:8 What Women Want
9:7 Can’t We All Just Get Along?
9:6 The Art of the Matter
9:5 Off to the Track
9:4 All About Nina
9:3 Go Big Or Go Home
9:2 My Pet Project
9:1 Come As You Are
I LOVE Amelia’s look!! Those pants are fabulous!
Thank you, Gary. =)
Caitlin and I just viewed all of your designs for the season, and she really was pleased with what she saw. The 70s looks amused her because they are so “poofy”, to use her word. I told her about “elephant pants”, and that gave her a good laugh. She said ” Why did the women wear poofy clothes, and the men wear their pants so tight? That’s sooo backwards!”
These comments are Daddy-approved. heeheehee
Also, we saw some design solutions that we can now implement. Like closures. Thank you very much. The first assignment I gave her was hand stitching a square of purple-checked gingham, which she turned into a doll pillow.
We are off and running. She already has some new ideas she is drawing out.
I can’t describe how happy this makes me. I love it that Caitlin is critiquing my creations and assessing fashion through the years.
Some of my happy doll memories from childhood include designing furniture from castoff household items (for example, I remember my “TV cabinet” was made from a deep mahogany-colored cologne box from one of my father’s Christmas gifts). Kids can be so inventive with materials at hand.
She was even telling me about some of the dolls you use…like she recognized Fashionista dolls with their arm poses. And she could see that some of the dolls were well-loved. (“Old” was the word she used.)
I don’t sew, but I may learn so I can help her learn. Any machines you recommend for a young seamstress to learn on?
Lynne got me a very basic Brother. I don’t think it was too very expensive, and it’s proved to withstand my ignorance so far!
You might scour thrift stores. I donated one of my mother’s machines years ago (it was a great machine; she was NOT happy with me), and I moved her last one through a resale shop after she died. So I do know there are good used machines out there because of dumb people like me.
One of the shots of Alexandra makes her dress look like culottes. Very 70s. :o)
I can remember my first pair of culottes. I thought I was so cool.
We WERE cool. 😀
We’re STILL cool! =)
Especially love Amelia’s look, and dare I say isn’t that fabric similar to the fabric Anya used? did she lend you some … wait, nah – that would never happen!
Thanks!
It’d be Viktor who wouldn’t loan me anything. IT’S A COMPETITION.
OMG, are you so over Josh M? Did you watch that After the Runway thing when he had a big fit over Laura’s questions? He needs to grow up.