Runway Monday: Let’s Do Brunch (PR 12:9)

On the most recent episode of Lifetime’s Project Runway, the designers were taken to brunch and then asked to create a vibrant look for a modern Southern woman/Belk shopper. Tim Gunn described her as lovely, civilized, and relaxed. Several of the designers decided to dress their models in plaid, which is on trend but seemed like an odd choice for a Southern woman. I chose Natalie as my model for this challenge, and I envisioned her in a look that could encompass things important to many Southern women: faith, family, and friends. I wanted her dress to take her from church to family brunch to an afternoon social event, perhaps with her sorority sisters.


Fresh and never frumpy.


Closer look at the detail of the gathered neckline. Her jewelry is from the Mattel Birthstone Beauty collection.


The heels are from one of Mattel’s bridal looks.

I cut the fabric in such a way as to give the dress a ruched chevron look in the back.

The complete look:

I hope you think my belle is lovely and ready for a busy but fun day. See you next time on the runway!

Fabric donated by Timothy J. Lambert.

Previous designs this season:

Episode 12:8: Having a Field Day
Episode 12:7: Shoes First!
Episode 12:6: Let’s Go Glamping!
Episode 12:5: YOU Choose Your Materials!
Episode 12:4: Tie the Knot
Episode 12:3: An Unconventional Coney Island
Episode 12:2: Million Dollar Runway
Episode 12:1: Sky’s The Limit

32 thoughts on “Runway Monday: Let’s Do Brunch (PR 12:9)”

  1. I really like it! I can’t tell if you created that wavy pattern or if the fabric is like that … also I like that’s it short. Every modern southern woman needs a short dress so she can go hillbilly hand fishing.

    Good Job – and no plaid.

    Reply

    1. Thanks. If only you were a judge who could demand to see the dress up close–but you are not. So the mystery will remain.

      Yeah, I’m pretty sure this dress would work well for hillbilly hand fishing. That’s always my first consideration when I get dressed, too.

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      1. well of course it is … you need to eat, and this is the way of our people.

        Was the Belk’s guy southern? Why was there no southern woman on the judges panel? Although I guess Nina is from Columbia … and that is South America.

        Reply

        1. I don’t know if the guy from Belk is Southern. I do remember Belk from when I was a wee one–my Mother shopped there whenever we lived in towns that had that department store.

          I just think it’s crazy that the designers got so thrown by the challenge. It’s a no brainer. The South has a very active social scene, and you can find Southern women represented in every career. Plus PR has a Belk accessories wall that should give them an idea of Belk fashions. All they wanted to do was dress women as Half Pint (was her little house in SOUTHERN Minnesota?) or in a tablecloth or… I don’t know what. Didn’t someone mention Steel Magnolias? WHEN did that movie come out?

          I do know that the stare-downs between Heidi and Ken would do any battling Junior Leaguers proud.

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          1. I was scared for Ken, that German stare is the worst, he’s lucky he didn’t open his mouth … I know what would have happened next, from personal experience.

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          2. and as stereotypical as it is, I would understand Seersucker or god forbid, even gingham -at least that is a stereotype I can understand. Plaid was just perplexing.

            Although I have to say, I saw a gorgeous Seersucker wedding dress in a window in NOLA of course.

            Reply

    2. You’ve seen this fabric before, by the way, in one of my all-time favorite challenges. It was the Fall 09 season, and the challenge was to make a companion design for a previous look. I used it for a wedding dress bodice. Not only do I still love these outfits, but I love all the photos of the two dolls together:

      Reply

        1. Well, here the dolls are Kikki and Maggie. But it does make me wonder what Figaro might be getting up to these days… No good, I’m sure.

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  2. ..oh and I think, even though I think that she has done better than other designers, Alexandria should have been sent home… that thing was just uggo.

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    1. Yeah, that’s the one that made me think, Just slap an apron on that so Half Pint can help Ma serve up the vinegar pie.

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      1. Until I started watching “Fashion Police,” I didn’t know the rule about women’s fashion either exposing décolletage or legs, but not both. However, I mostly support that rule.

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  5. What a lovely, fresh look! Understated yet stunning.

    I can’t believe Jeremy went home over Ken or Alexandria. Hers was hideous! I was wishing Ken would have back talked Heidi!! That woulda been some drama worth watching.

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Gary. That’s what I was hoping for.

      Man, can you imagine if Ken had talked to Heidi like he talks to his fellow designers? SCORCHED EARTH.

      Reply

    1. When you don’t like the designs, you get to relish the downfall of some asshat contestant. Although the one I keep expecting to be auf’d is still standing. Shocking!

      Thanks for always coming here to see what I’ve done. Probably if the PR designers could work at 1:6 scale, they’d dazzle you and put me to shame.

      Reply

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