On the most recent episode of Lifetime’s Project Runway, the designers were given a L’Oreal challenge to create a high-fashion look inspired by exotic birds, possibly using a color palette from eye shadows and other cosmetics based on each bird. The birds included an Amazon parrot, owl, raven, and cockatoo.
Below, Tim Gunn and L’Oreal Paris makeup consultant Collier Strong with feathered friends.
Since the design teams drew three of the birds, I opted to take the unused bird: owl. Here’s the limited edition eye shadow for owl:
Although PR asked each designer for two looks, only one went down the runway, so I’m showing a single design.
The owl is a bird of prey; I knew Victoria had the fierce appearance perfect to model a design with the bird’s strength but also its soft feathers.
Victoria’s cocktail dress has a bodice with layers of rick rack in alternating colors and a skirt of black crinkled chiffon.
In keeping with the predator idea, I wanted the bodice to mimic a breastplate. Then I used pickups to give a fuller and more structured look to the soft chiffon of the skirt.
The pop of gold in the bodice is matched by Mattel’s gold earrings and shoes.
A closer look at the bodice, which I deliberately left with some small cut-outs for a sexier look. When Victoria sees what she wants, she’ll go after her prey.
Meanwhile, I’ll see you next time on the runway!
Previously this season:
9:10 Sew 70s
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 would have chosen the owl first! All the earth tones are great and I like your use of the rick rack. The gold is the perfect touch too.
Thank you very much! I was happy to get the owl; the only other bird I’d have been happy with as inspiration was the raven.
Okay, I have one problem, there are supposed to be TWO dresses, even though only one walks the runway … I would have liked to see both dresses, and then have you explain why you chose one over the other, you strayed from the intention of this challenge … I WILL NOT HAVE IT! Let’s be honest Becks, right now you are my favorite designer on PR, I want you to follow the rules …
Oh, and about the show, you know I love me some ravens, out of the three birds easily my favorite – but I also knew right away what was going to be produced … little black dress ( I don’t care what the judges said SNOOZER … ) and some bullshit that Laura thought was high end goth and was neither. I think that it was the bird that allowed the least creativity to be shown, and therefore should not have been in the challenge, I think the owl would have given us some more interesting work … and it did!
Victoria is styled perfectly for owl, so good choice in models this week … and I like how you mimicked the predatory aspect with the breastplate — it refers to the inspiration, but isn’t literal – and certainly calls back to other types of strength – I get a strong Athena vibe – she was more than a “warrior woman” whose symbol was … the owl. So the breastplate not only calls back to our owl friend but strong women throughout history, whether it be Athena, Amazon warriors, Boudica, and of course my favorite — Valkyrie
you should win 20k
Thanks for the praise, and where IS MY 20K?!? I get no free products, no ads in any magazines, no HP suite of computers/software, no Mood fabrics, no judge love, and no $$$. As Josh might say, this show is bullying me! And now I’m going to walk off in a huff.
Or not.
As for doing only one look, refer to previous challenges when each PR designer created a single look but was on a team with multiple looks. I could have turned in a solo design then and been true to the INTENTION OF THE CHALLENGE, but I used multiple models and gave:
3 looks–challenge 5
5 looks–challenge 7
4 looks–challenge 9
2 looks–challenge 10
I am tired and running out of models. When PR sends me those $$$ and I can buy the other Model Muse dolls I want, I’ll turn in multiple looks again. Or I can give you a list, if you’ve robbed a bank?
Come to think of it, if you’ve robbed a bank, I will forward the list of dolls, and I want Bella’s red pickup truck. In good running condition. And….um, I’ll think of other things. Give me time.
No, no, no. You want the truck in crappy condition so Jacob will have to hang around and repair it. Duh!
OMG, you are so right.
Becks, sadly as much as you SHOULD win, you are DISQUALIFIED from receiving the 20k because you did not follow the rules of the challenge … 2 looks – 1 on the runway, how will you learn to edit yourself? As you from being a repeated competitor and watcher of the show, what you did last challenge DOES NOT MATTER. Heidi voiced that it should not matter just this season, are we going to go against Heidi? I think not … So no Bella’s red truck for you – although really, do you want that? It attracts vampires and werewolves … they aren’t always hot and sparkly.
So I am going to tell you what someone needs to tell Josh, suck it up and button your shirt for god’s sake!
But you, the public, are my equivalent of Nina, Michael, Heidi, and guest judges. You are NOT my Tim Gunn. Therefore, you get to see ONLY the look I sent down the runway. If you want to be my Tim Gunn and see all the things that happen BEFORE the runway, then you’ll need to show up at my house, hand me money, take me to the fabric store, offer expert advice, and escort me through the city.
(We’ll go in my vintage red truck you bring me.)
you think Heidi didn’t know they were designing two dresses?
No truck for you.
What Heidi Knows ≠ What Heidi Sees
Heidi knows all – Heidi sees all. Don’t mess with the Klum
Your math symbols do not compute.
we are German girls, we don’t mess with math, we are focused on world domination.
No need to walk off in a huff; you’re a winner on THIS version of PR. You have gone above and beyond in delivering the goods this season.
I wonder where you could find human size rick rack? Wouldn’t THAT be something to behold.
You’re much more creative than the designers on the show. Hm. Life experience, I think.
Thanks! Funny–I ALSO wondered what life-sized rick rack would look like on a design. I was thinking…probably…cheap.
In Josh’s eyes, I would be ancient. Like Bert.
Well, in Josh’s eyes, he’s also a great designer with an impeccable design aesthetic and tons of taste.
It’s foolish to look at the world through Josh-colored lenses.
wow becks, this entry really got some play!
It’s Bird Fever!
NOW look what you’ve done. You’ve caused my original Model Muse Summer to emerge to go all Athena Princess Warrior on your butt. She says, “Here’s your second look. Fear me! These yellow feathers at my feet–Who? Who? Let’s just say there are tears filling the drains of Sesame Street tonight.”
At first glance, I thought those roses behind her were cupid arrows in a ruck sack for planting along the way up Mount Everest’s Salon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0F2SJS6B1wQ
I woke up from a dream involving bunk-showers and a green lizard-like alien turning humans into hosts by spitting green goo on skin moles. So, naturally I would think those roses were weapons of love a doll in feathers would fire on her unsuspecting victims.
Resistance is futile.
And that one should have gone down the isle instead… I’m just sayin’…. I like this one better 🙂
All the judges would say: Too literal.
But feathers are FUN.
too late … and you sacrified Big Bird …I WILL NOT HAVE IT!
You wanted the additional look that didn’t walk the runway. You got it. If you can’t take the consequences, pick up your Strawberry Shortcake book and go home.
Strawberry Shortcake is way cooler than Rainbow Brite.
You have now fondued yourself. The cycle is complete.
hoisted on my own little fondue fork!
ROFL.
@Marika…The conversations here are as much fun as the looks Becky creates.
Becks pushes me into saying horrible things … she’s like that
ROFLMAO
But, I still like the rosy feathers one
I’ll name it “The Blue Sky Boy Owl Thing.”
Oh, I’m like that. Right.
(It’s almost like old times on LJ, except with less voices. Then again, you have so many in your head…)<----Marika, I mean, not Angie. Who may or may not keep her visions to herself. 😉
See Angie? She is dissin’ you – and then walking it back, that is so Becks.
Marika means “bitter” in Czechoslovakian, Hungarian, and Slovakian. You know who else is bitter? Mean girls, that’s who.
think again … Marika is of Danish origin, a diminutive of Mary meaning “star of the sea”.
I’m a star baby!
I dunno, Marika. Chicken of the sea isn’t really chicken…
Oh, I crack me UP!
oh, Jessica …
The comments here have made this the most entertaining entry of the season. I love the first look, Becky. The breastplate and the back are my favorite parts. Again, you’ve shown up the designers on the show. As for the second look, to quote the judges on the show–TOO Literal. What are your thoughts on the upcoming PR AllStars?
Thanks, Gary!
As for All Stars, I’m looking forward to seeing the work of truly creative designers again. I don’t know if I’ll be designing along with them, however. I’ll decide that later.
OMG, I am truly madly in love with this.
Thanks! I would make it in your size if only I had the skills. 😉