Runway Monday, Challenge 1

In the first Project Runway challenge, the designers had to take their materials from a grocery store and use innovation and creativity in their designs. The Runway Monday designers , , and I were allowed to use anything in our homes that came from a grocery store. My theme for my model, Summer, was Autumn: Less Goth, More Glamor, and the materials I used were wax paper, orange and brown markers, a chips bag, and parsley.

Everyone is encouraged to comment with snark or praise–your choice–and I will respond to all comments. The judges will make their decision on Marika’s journal sometime Monday. Thanks!






Design Defense: I wanted to create a party dress that would allow Summer to dance while preventing immodest photos from being splashed across the Internet. Wax paper makes a great fabric for the tiered crinoline design of the skirt, because it holds its shape, has enough weight to stay down even when she twirls, but it doesn’t constrict her. Not only can she sit in it comfortably, but the more it wrinkles, the more interesting it gets. I crinkled it before coloring it so the ink would collect in the lines, giving the fabric texture and definition. I used cut-outs of the wax paper at the top of the bodice. The rest of the bodice and the belt were made from metallic pieces of a (product placement alert!) Munchos bag. To add drama and interest in the back, I used parsley on the belt. Wax paper ribbons and parsley dressed up her black shoes. Her purse was also made from the Munchos bag, with a parsley stem strap.

Fun, flirty, and feminine–just like Summer!

P.S. Summer says to Figarude: Back atcha, babe!

As for Nikki, there’s no proof (crossing fingers) that her designer was locked in a cage to keep him out of the workroom.

41 thoughts on “Runway Monday, Challenge 1”

  1. My jaw dropped! This is incredible, and I’d have never known it was wax paper and a chips bag at all. The length and shape of the skirt are really pretty.

    The shoes: knocking me out.

    Good luck! : )

    1. Good luck to you, too. I love all of our designs, especially how we went in such different directions. This was a fun challenge! Can’t wait to see how the judges rule.

  2. “As for Nikki, there’s no proof (crossing fingers) that her designer was locked in a cage to keep him out of the workroom.”

    I have no idea what you’re talking about.

  3. PRAISE!!! PRAISE!!! I’m too tired for anything more coherent, but I’m so impressed at what you can with a few things from the grocery store, 10/10 for both creativity and innovation.

    Roflmao – I think it’s the parsley that brought tears to my eyes. :-)))

  4. Lovely, and it suits her hair color quite well. I like how the purse resembles a fruit — but I can’t decide whether it’s more a tomato (in color) or a pumpkin (in shape).

    1. This could start the great “is it a fruit or a vegetable” debate regarding tomatoes and pumpkins!

      Thank you SO much for your compliments. My Barbies are always at your disposal should you need to take a trip back to childhood. And my Skippers, too.

  5. Munchos are teh fashion chip! Summer seems a bit too demure for competition. I’m afraid she’ll be the one sobbing in the bathroom before it’s all over. Great little dress!

    1. Thank you, guest judge Mary! If we don’t see Munchos bags on everybody this fall, it won’t be my fault.

      As for Summer, I think she has sides to her personality we haven’t seen yet. That Figarodent may get a surprise.

  6. While I find this dress to be lovely, I find that wax paper might be a little too fabricky. I do like the color choices, and the parsley is a nice touch; the green works very well with the color choices.

    Summer looks like she’s on her way to a night on the town, where everyone will be talking about her dress.

    1. Thank you, Judge Miranda Priestly. And everyone ALWAYS talks about Summer–and not to say “Poor thing” the way they talk about Figaroo.

  7. Hi, Summer! Oh my God! I was at a celebrity charity luncheon for Silicone Lip Injection Addicts yesterday and thought of you– hope you’re doing swell! Swell! I’m a trip, right? BYELUVKISS!

    1. Listen, brat, the only thing my “peeps” will be mucking out the stalls with is that disaster you have on top of your empty little head.

  8. Love love the dress…excellent use of a muncho’s bag – and I love the detail to the top. I’m wondering how you did that. However with the matching greenery I found it to be a little Christmasy —

  9. Apologies for lack of an appropriate user photo. I’ve fired the photographer who made me look so orange.

    Fantastic job overall. The parsley added a splash of color contrast to all the red and brown.

    While I like the look of the dress and your special dye job, I do question the choice of material. I’m afraid that the rigidity of the wax paper will make it behave much like a hoop skirt. Oh my Lord, shades of Carol Burnett in the “Gone With the Wind” sketch. Poor Summer will sit, and the front of the dress will flip up like a car hood and expose her engine. At least it wasn’t a shower curtain.

    1. I should have posted the photo of Summer sitting down, so you could see how beautifully her skirt behaved. Regrets: I’ve had a few…

      I thought you’d LIKE the orange and brown colors, Judge Michelle Hors–for some reason I got the idea you are abnormally fond of orange.

      1. Ah, but you misunderstand. I like the colors. However, the parsley added some nice color. Plus, if she’s had a garlic entree, she can use her bow as a breath freshener.

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