LJ Runway Monday Challenge, Week 4

On Bravo’s Project Runway, the contestants were challenged to create a women’s wear look for an athlete to wear during the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics. The design should project the image of the U.S. to the world and make the athlete feel proud to represent her country.

LJ’s Heidi Gunn gave the Runway Monday designers the same challenge.

Design Inspiration and Defense: As Project Runway’s design guru Tim Gunn said, an Olympic athlete is the closest thing to a superhero we have. Summer’s design is not only a tribute to superheroes, but pays homage to the American flag–red, white, and blue, with stars and stripes. My design is purposely meant to evoke the look of a cheerleader for two reasons. A cheerleader stirs the good-sport, competitive spirit of athletes and spectators that is the Olympian ideal, and cheerleading itself requires athletic stamina and fitness.

I found great natural, breathable cotton fabrics at Mood to use in the three-piece design.

The top is a mixture of stars and stripes, including the straps.

The skirt is pleated under a red waistband that mimics an Olympic ring.

The third piece: Summer’s design is about function as well as fashion, so she can easily remove the skirt for a workout in her shorts:

And because I know you shoe sluts are out there, Summer is going for the gold with stars that continue the theme of her design:

You can see Mark G. Harris’s design here, and Timothy J. Lambert’s design here.

Later on Monday, you’ll be able to read what the judges have to snark about say on Heidi Gunn’s LJ, and by Tuesday, we’ll know the winner.

Let the games begin! And by games, I mean the ones wherein the tabloids catch two “unidentified” supermodels showing that what they lack in sportsmanship, they provide in drama.

For my previous designs:

Week 3: New Orleans Inspiration
Week 2: Going Green I won!
Week 1: Grocery Store

38 thoughts on “LJ Runway Monday Challenge, Week 4”

  1. AAUUGGHH! As eye-catching as this outfit is, I keep looking at the pictures and thinking, “I’ve never seen Summer look so cute.” She’s wearing it; it’s not wearing her. YOU ARE SO GOING TO WIN! (haven’t seen Timothy’s yet, though.)

    That last photo? Ooo, are you going to get it one of these days….

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      1. Ha! It’s so much fun, being surprised by what you two come up with each week. : )

        (I’m trying to come up with something vicious for Figaro to say to you.)

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  5. Oh yeah, that’s a winner. And this week I mean it. My only snark (if I were a judge) would be that it’s a little Cat-In- The-Hat around the waistline and wouldn’t really show off the athletes’ firm buttocks, but other than that– climb up on the podium, Summer– it’s a gold medal.

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  6. I came in from Timothy’s LJ and wanted to say that this design is wonderful.

    I really love your choice of using red thread for the over-stitching on the outerwear ensemble. It very much adds an understated pop of color definition to your outfit and to the total look of the design, overall.

    Excellent work!

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  8. Wow! I haven’t seen Mark or Tim’s designs yet, but I’m really impressed by your design Beck! Love the red stitching on the skirt, the sexiness of the sheer fabric, and the surprise look of the shorts under the skirt!
    This is a knockout! Nicely done!

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  11. I sew Barbie clothes for my grandaughters and it’s easier sewing for people! Do you three use patterns? Does it bother you when people pick on your outfits?

    Mary F.

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    1. Hi, Mary F.,

      Thanks for commenting. =)

      No, we haven’t used patterns. Mark makes his own patterns before he sews, and he gave me a helpful tip which I passed on to Tim. Speaking only for myself, I don’t sew, so each week is a learning experience.

      It does NOT bother me when people say snarky things about the outfits because I’m neither a designer nor a seamstress. This is all in fun, and I’m very entertained by the judges as well as our commenters. I do appreciate it when people say positive things about my designs or my creativity.

      Being a writer has taught me how to accept criticism that helps, and breathe through the occasional mean-spirited reviews–though another plus: All this sewing may help me make better voodoo dolls for the critics!

      I kid.

      Or do I?

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  12. OMG, Hi, Slummer!! HI!!! I saw you the other day in the models’ lounge staring for, like, 20 minutes at that carton of orange juice, just because it says “concentrate” on it, and personally I think you’re just too C-U-T-E! LOLOLOLOL!!! OMG!!

    Reply

    1. I had no idea you’re alive! I saw this taped up in the workroom:

      Also, someone told me Heidi Gunn took a meeting with Mattel Top Model Barbie.

      OMG, DOA!

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  13. I absolutely love your Babie/Project Runway Barbie posts. Keep ’em coming!

    BTW, your outfit is way cooler than about 90% of the outfits I saw on opening night! It’s all about the shoes. Real athletes should be able to sprint in 3″ pumps, don’t you think?

    Reply

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